Honda is a Japanese car manufacturer widely known for creating affordable, reliable, and practical family cars. Their first cars were manufactured in 1963, named the T360 mini-truck and the S500 sports car. Later on, they produced the Honda Accord and Honda Civic, which solidified their name in the automotive market. Although their first produced car was a sports car, finding Honda exotic cars is quite the challenge. Exotic cars from Honda are scarce and few.

Here are some excellent contenders from Honda when talking about exotic cars!

Honda’s Exotic Car Lineup

When discussing exotic car manufacturers, Honda is a lesser-known automobile company regarding exotic cars compared to big names like Lamborghini, McLaren, and Ferrari. But that doesn’t mean they have no exotic car models. Here are the top 5 Honda exotic cars from their lineup!

Honda NSX / Acura NSX

The Honda NSX is the most likely car to be considered an exotic made from Honda.

Production started in 1990 and, unfortunately, may be discontinued in 2023. This car has been marketed in the North American market under the name Acura NSX. Honda owns Acura; therefore, the car is the same under a different production name. In other markets like Japan and Europe, the car is sold under Honda NSX.

The NSX is the most powerful, sleek, and beautiful car that Honda has ever produced. The closest production vehicle to an exotic, comparable to other exotic car models. Today, some of the earliest models of the NSX are considered classics. 

Remember, there are many versions of the NSX, like the NSX Type S, NSX-GT, NSX Type R, NSX-R, and more.

Speed and performance of the NSX

The new 2023 NSX comes with a turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 that is assisted by three electric motors, outputting 581hp. This engine setup pushes the car from 0 – 60 mph in less than three seconds. It has a nine-speed automatic gearbox that is lightning-fast and buttery smooth. The hybrid system has multiple positive side-effects, like low-speed quiet cruising, excellent acceleration, and competitive mpg.

The earlier, most desired NSX models offered a mid-engined V6 that outputs 269hp. With the curb weight of the car around 3000 pounds, the car was fast for its time. It offered a five-speed manual gearbox and a 0 – 60 mph in around 5 seconds. By today’s standards, this car is not the fastest nor the most luxurious. But the sleek design and heritage this car represents make it so desirable. 

Honda Civic Type R

Another contender in the Honda exotic car lineup is the Civic Type R. An affordable, front-wheel drive, part exotic supercar, part family hatchback. It may not sound like the definition of an exotic, but the performance of the car speaks for itself. 

Some performance specifications about the Honda Civic Type R are a top speed of 171 mph (275 kmh), 0 – 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, and a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 325hp.

These specifications may not sound very impressive until you consider that the car is a four-door family sedan. In 2023, the fastest front-wheel drive car will be in production. The car offers a sport-tuned suspension system, aerodynamic enhancements, and a limited-slip front differential. All of which contribute to the excellent handling and performance capabilities. 

Honda Integra Type R 

The Honda Integra Type R is one of the most memorable and desirable cars Honda has ever produced. Similar to the NSX, the Honda Integra Type R is sometimes mentioned as the Acura Integra Type R. It is the same car, just a different brand for a different market. 

It was introduced in 1995 and quickly became every car enthusiast’s dream JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) car. 

It was one of Honda’s greatest cars, with excellent performance, handling, and sleek design specifications. It came with different engine options, all producing around 200 hp. Production of this car was very limited, which made them even more desirable.

Honda S2000 CR

The Honda S2000 CR (Club Racer) was produced between 2008 and 2009. It was a special edition of the Honda S2000 for those looking for a more track-focused option. This car is popular among enthusiasts for its performance-oriented driving experience. 

The S2000 CR is a two-seater roadster with impeccable handling and a high-revving engine. The engine in the CR version was the same as the normal one. An inline-4 that puts out 237 hp combined with a 6-speed manual. This little car was built to be taken on a race track.

Some features that make the S2000 CR rare and excellent at race tracks are its sport-tuned suspension system, aerodynamic parts, weight reduction, and limited production numbers.

Honda S800

The Honda S800 is a classic sports car produced from 1966 to 1970. While it is a sporty car, it doesn’t fit today’s traditional definition of an exotic. But back then, the S800 was top of the line. 

It boasted an impressive 70 bhp with a four-cylinder 791 cc engine and a curb weight of 1700 pounds. While not very powerful for today’s standard, it was quite the quirky race car in the late 60’s. 

The S800 came as a successor to the S500 and the S600. Its production was discontinued after troubles with the U.S. market regulations.

Future of Honda’s Exotic Car Lineup

Although not very public, Honda’s future plans seem to be heading toward electrification. By 2030, they plan to release 30 new fully electric vehicles. Some are likely to be successors to the S2000 and the NSX. 

Honda has displayed their plans for the new generation of Acura NSXs. In the Monterey Car Week in California, they shared concept photos of the new fully electric NSX supercar, but no other details are known. 

Conclusion

Honda is a Japanese car manufacturer that has been an integral part of the JDM car scene. Their past is an undeniably important part of the automotive industry’s evolution. Although there aren’t many Honda exotic cars to display Honda’s genius engineering, they have done it through much more average sedans and sports cars, which some may consider a more challenging feat to pull off.