Is an Acura RSX a Honda Integra?
Yes. The Acura RSX is the North American version of Honda’s Integra, specifically the DC5 generation.
Historical relationship
The RSX was introduced for the North American market as Acura’s compact sport coupe and served as the regional counterpart to Honda’s Integra DC5. In Japan and many other regions, the same car carried the Honda Integra name rather than RSX. The two cars share the same underlying platform and most hardware, with branding and some market-specific details set by their respective marques. The DC5/RSX lineup ran roughly from the early 2000s until 2006, after which Acura discontinued the RSX in North America.
Key similarities and differences
Below is a concise guide to what the RSX and Integra DC5 have in common, and how they diverge in branding, trim, and market presence.
- Platform and chassis: Identical underpinnings centered on Honda’s DC5 Integra platform, adapted for Acura’s tuning and branding in North America.
- Body style: Both are compact, two-door hatchback coupes offered with sport-oriented suspension tuning.
- Engines and performance: Base models use a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four with around 160 hp; higher-performance Type-S variants use a higher-output version of the same family, typically around 210 hp, delivering a more spirited driving experience.
- Transmissions: Manual transmissions are standard on most trims (5-speed for base, 6-speed for the Type-S in many markets); automatics were available as options on some versions.
- Branding and market strategy: In North America, the car wore Acura RSX badges and branding, while in Japan and many other regions it carried Honda Integra branding.
The shared engineering means parts, maintenance knowledge, and driving characteristics are largely similar, which matters for enthusiasts and collectors who value the DC5’s go-kart handling and rev-happy nature.
What happened after the RSX, and how does the Integra live today?
Production of the RSX ended after the 2006 model year in the United States and Canada, with Acura shifting its lineup away from that hatchback formula. In the broader global market, the Integra nameplate has seen variable fortunes, including a long hiatus in some regions. More recently, Acura revived the Integra name for a new Civic-based hatchback launched in 2022–2023. That modern Integra is designed to echo the spirit of the old DC5 but sits on a different platform and engine family, reflecting contemporary design and technology rather than a direct continuation of the RSX/DC5 lineage.
Current market context
- Used RSX values: As of 2024–2025, clean RSX examples—especially the Type-S—remain popular with enthusiasts, with prices varying widely based on condition, mileage, and originality.
- Modern Integra: The 2023–future Integra models are Civic-based and use a contemporary turbocharged engine, representing a separate branch of the Integra story from the DC5 RSX.
In summary, the RSX is the North American version of Honda’s Integra DC5, sharing a platform and many components, but branded differently for Acura. The Integra name persists in new forms on different platforms, signaling a branding arc rather than a direct, one-to-one continuation of the DC5/RSX lineage.
Summary
The Acura RSX and Honda Integra DC5 are two names for the same car in different markets, with the RSX serving as the North American badge for the Integra’s fifth-generation chassis. The RSX ran from the early 2000s to 2006, offering base and Type-S variants, before being retired in NA markets. Today, the Integra name has returned in a new Civic-based form, while the DC5/RSX remains a beloved chapter in early-2000s Honda/Acura performance history.
What is the Honda version of the Acura RSX?
Honda Integra
| Acura RSX | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Honda Integra (2001–2006) |
| Production | July 2001 – August 2006 2026 (to commence) |
| Model years | 2002–2006 2027 |
Are Acura and Integra the same?
In North America, the Integra was sold under the Acura nameplate. Acura offered three trim levels (RS, LS and GS) for 1990 and 1991 model years and added a fourth trim level (GS-R) beginning in May 1992. Model choices consisted of a 3-door liftback and a new 4-door sedan.
Are the RSX and Integra the same?
Yes, the Acura RSX was essentially the 2002-2006 North American version of the fourth-generation Honda Integra. The RSX was a rebadged Integra sold in the United States and Canada as part of Acura's effort to move to alphabetical branding. The main differences between the two were the badges, and the Japanese-market Integra was also sold as a right-hand-drive vehicle, while the RSX was left-hand-drive.
- Vehicle lineage: The RSX is considered the successor to the Integra in North America, and the fourth-generation car was sold as the Integra in other markets.
- Branding change: Acura changed the nameplate from the well-known "Integra" to the alphanumeric "RSX" to build brand recognition for Acura itself.
- Minor differences: While the core car was the same, there were slight differences, such as some minor detuning of the engine in some versions and different trim levels. Parts from both cars are often interchangeable.
- Newer models: The Integra nameplate has since been revived by Acura for a new model, which is a separate vehicle from the older RSX.
What is the RSX based on?
The RSX is based on a shared EV architecture developed between Honda and Acura, but with the unique Acura look and feel that fits neatly within the Acura models lineup.
