What is Acura RSX in Japan?
The Acura RSX does not exist as a nameplate in Japan. In Japanese markets, the car that North America called the Acura RSX is known there as the Honda Integra (DC5). The RSX branding was exclusive to the North American market, while Japan’s counterpart sits under the Integra banner, with a high-performance Type R variant serving as the closest Japanese analogue to the US RSX Type S.
Identity: RSX vs Integra DC5
The RSX designation was created for the North American version of the Honda Integra DC5, marketed by Acura from 2002 to 2006. In Japan, the same platform wore the Integra name, and performance-focused variants used the Integra Type R badge rather than RSX.
- Japan market name: Honda Integra DC5 (not RSX).
- North American name: Acura RSX, available as RSX (base) and RSX Type S.
- Closest Japanese performance counterpart: Integra Type R (DC5) for high-revving, track-oriented performance; RSX Type S was the North American equivalent in spirit, not in badge.
In summary, the RSX is a branding choice for North America, while Japan pursued the Integra lineage with its own performance variants rather than the RSX label.
Market variants and performance
Performance and engine options differed between markets, reflecting local preferences and regulations. The North American RSX lineup was built on the DC5 Integra platform but tuned for the US market, with distinct base and Type S variants. Japan offered its own Integra variants, with the top-tier Type R delivering higher horsepower and a more aggressive tuning than the US RSX Type S.
- Acura RSX base (US): approximately 160–165 horsepower from a 2.0-liter engine.
- Acura RSX Type S (US): roughly 210–215 horsepower from the same 2.0-liter engine, with sport-oriented tuning.
- Honda Integra DC5 Type R (Japan): about 217–225 horsepower, optimized for performance and high-revving operation.
These figures illustrate how the same DC5 chassis could be tailored differently by Honda/Acura for each market, resulting in distinct badge and performance profiles.
Historical context and branding notes
The DC5 platform debuted in Japan as the fourth-generation Integra and was widely celebrated for its handling and high-revving engine choices. When it reached North America, Honda/Acura adapted it into the RSX, preserving the sporty character but branding it as a separate model under the Acura umbrella. The RSX nameplate was discontinued after the 2006 model year in the US, with later Honda performance hatchbacks taking the spotlight in subsequent years.
For collectors and enthusiasts, understanding the Japan-NA split helps explain why an “RSX” badge never appeared in Japanese showrooms, even though the underlying car shared a common DC5 heritage with the Integra lineup.
Summary
In Japan, the car known as the Acura RSX in North America is the Honda Integra DC5. The RSX badge existed only in North America, while Japan kept the Integra naming, with the DC5 Type R representing the highest-performance option. The US RSX lineup (base and Type S) and the Japanese Integra variants were siblings on the same platform but pursued different branding and tuning philosophies for their respective markets.
