No—the Del Sol does not use a front double-wishbone suspension. It employs MacPherson struts at the front and an independent rear suspension. While some rear suspension layouts for related Hondas can resemble wishbone geometry, the Del Sol’s front end is not a true double-wishbone setup.
The Honda Del Sol, produced from 1992 to 1998, is a two-seat variant of the Civic and shares much of its underpinnings with that family. This article details its suspension layout, how it compares to other Hondas of the era, and what that means for handling and ride quality.
Front suspension layout
Below is a concise look at the front suspension configuration and its implications for handling and ride comfort.
- Type: MacPherson strut front suspension
- Spring/damper: Coil springs integrated with the strut assembly
- Stabilizer: Anti-roll bar (stabilizer bar) commonly fitted
- Camber/geometry: Designed for compact packaging and predictable steering response
- Common across many 1990s Hondas in this segment
In summary, the Del Sol front end relies on a MacPherson strut setup rather than a double-wishbone arrangement.
Front suspension details
The MacPherson configuration provides a compact footprint ideal for a small two-seat sports coupe. While it sacrifices some precise camber control compared with a true double-wishbone, it offers simplicity, lighter weight, and adequate handling characteristics for the Del Sol’s performance-oriented footprint.
Rear suspension layout
The rear suspension of the Del Sol is independent, but the exact geometry can vary by model year and trim. It is not a solid rear axle, and it does not rely on a simple multi-link setup identical to every other Honda of the era. In practice, the rear uses an independent arrangement with arms and links designed to maintain wheel alignment under load.
- Type: Independent rear suspension
- Layout: Typically involves lower control arms and additional links (exact geometry varies by year)
- Springs/shocks: Coil springs with dampers
- Stabilizer: Some models include a rear stabilizer bar
Overall, the rear end provides independent wheel travel, but it does not consistently use a classic double-wishbone configuration across all years and trims.
Impact on handling and ride
The Del Sol’s suspension design balances sportiness with practicality. The front MacPherson strut setup helps keep weight down and packaging tight, contributing to nimble steering. The independent rear suspension aids ride comfort and maintains wheel contact during driver inputs, though it means the handling characteristics differ from a pure double-wishbone front end. For buyers and enthusiasts, this translates to a chassis that feels light and responsive in corners, with a ride that can be reasonably compliant on city roads.
Common questions and clarifications
Below are quick clarifications to help distinguish the Del Sol’s suspension from other layouts often discussed in hobby circles.
- The front is not a double-wishbone design; it is MacPherson strut.
- The rear is independent but varies in geometry by year; it is not universally a classic double-wishbone layout.
- Exact suspension geometry can differ between early and late production runs, affecting ride and handling characteristics slightly.
These distinctions matter for enthusiasts evaluating ride feel, alignment behavior, and potential parts interchangeability across model years.
Bottom line
In practical terms, the Honda Del Sol does not feature a front double-wishbone suspension. It uses MacPherson struts up front and an independent rear setup, with rear geometry that can vary by year. This combination delivers a lightweight, responsive feel appropriate for a compact sports coupe while avoiding the complexity (and cost) of a full double-wishbone front end.
Summary
The Honda Del Sol’s suspension can be summarized as follows: front suspension is MacPherson strut; rear suspension is independent with varying arm configurations by year. The car is not equipped with a front double-wishbone setup, but its overall independent rear design contributes to balanced handling and ride for a small, spirited two-seater based on the Civic platform.