Japan Used Honda Rafaga for Sale

The Honda Rafaga is a compact 4-door sedan sold exclusively in Japan by Honda Motor Company Ltd., introduced in January 1993. It used the same 5-cylinder engine that was used in the Honda Inspire and the Honda Vigor and it shared a platform with the second generation CE series Honda Ascot. The "Rafaga" is Spanish for "gust" or "blustery". The engine is installed longitudinally and the same configuration used in the Vigor and Inspire. The Rafaga was third in Hondas hierarchy of sedans, and a sister car to the Honda Ascot. It was one level up from the Honda Integra, and the Rafaga was sold in Japan at Honda Verno dealerships. As with other Honda cars, the Rafaga used double wishbone suspension at the front and rear wheels. The Rafaga "2.5 S" trim level came with a front suspension upper strut brace in the engine compartment. In Japan, the smaller G20A engine used regular grade fuel, while the larger G25A engine used premium grade fuel.

The Rafaga and the Ascot were introduced to serve as Honda's compact sedan for the Japanese market. The wheelbase of the Rafaga was shorter than the slightly longer Inspire and Vigor, which measured at 2,805 mm (110.4 in), a difference of 35 mm (1.4 in), which didn't leave much room for rear seat passengers. Furthermore, due to the lengthwise installation of the five-cylinder engine, and the requirement that the overall length of the car comply with Japanese government regulations concerning cars classified as "compact", compromises were made with regards to rear passenger accommodations, and sales suffered as a result.

A small Honda "H" logo at the top and the grille is in the shape of an inverted triangle that flows into the front bumper. The Rafaga also had a long and low front engine compartment due to the placement of the engine, and a short trunk, adding to its aerodynamic ambitions. Under Japanese Government exterior dimension regulations, the Rafaga was a compact sedan, thereby supplanting the previous Honda Accord, which grew in exterior dimensions slightly.

The interior came with genuine wood panels provided by Japanese furniture maker Tendo Mokko on the dashboard and center console, with leather available as an option on the "2.5 S". In 1994, dual airbags for front passengers and ABS were available, as well as a glass moonroof. The was offered in two engine sizes; the larger 2.5 litre engine offered much higher levels of standard equipment. The Rafaga was discontinued and replaced with the Honda Torneo in 1997.