Together with the 5th generation of the Japanese Honda Accord sedan, the Rafaga was introduced in 1993 as a smaller alternative to the Honda Accord. The Rafaga was built on the Ascot platform and had similar styling elements to the Civic. It featured some of Honda's most remarkable 5-cylinder engines with 2.0L/2.5L efficiency. "Rafaga" is Spanish for "gust" or "blustery". The interior came with genuine wood panels on the dashboard and center console, with leather available as an option on the "2.5 S" top of the line model. In 1994, dual airbags for front passengers and ABS were available, as well as a glass moonroof. The Rafaga lived short life from 1993-1996, as the recession took hold of Japan in 1997, Honda focused more on the Accord while the Rafaga and the Ascot was combined and replaced with one model in 1997, the Honda Torneo.