What is an Acura CSX?
The Acura CSX is a Canada‑only compact sedan, sold in the mid‑to‑late 2000s, that essentially badge‑engineered the Honda Civic sedan to fit Acura’s entry‑level luxury niche in Canada. It’s not a model that was released in the United States or most other markets—it belongs to Acura’s Canadian lineup history.
Origins and market context
The CSX debuted in Canada in 2006 (as the 2007 model year) to bridge Acura’s lineup after the RSX was discontinued. It is built on the same platform as the eighth‑generation Honda Civic sedan and was manufactured at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. The CSX offered Acura styling cues and interior upgrades while using Honda’s widely proven Civic mechanicals. In short, it was a badge‑engineered Civic sedan designed specifically for Canadian buyers.
Key facts
These core facts summarize what the CSX was and how it fit into Acura’s lineup.
- Canada‑only model, sold roughly from 2006 (2007 model year) through 2011, replacing the RSX in Acura’s Canadian lineup.
- Based on the eighth‑generation Honda Civic sedan platform.
- Produced by Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario.
- Motor: 2.0‑liter i‑VTEC inline‑4, delivering around 155 horsepower and about 139 lb‑ft of torque.
- Drivetrain and transmissions: front‑wheel drive; offered with a 5‑speed manual or a 5‑speed automatic, depending on trim and year.
- Trim variants included CSX and CSX Navi, with Navi adding factory navigation and related tech features.
In essence, the CSX was Acura’s Canada‑specific approach to combining luxury‑brand appeal with Honda Civic reliability and pricing, aimed at a market segment seeking premium amenities in a compact sedan.
Lifecycle and market status
Across its roughly five‑to‑six‑year run, the CSX served as a bridge model in Canada’s Acura lineup before being phased out as part of a broader shift in Acura’s strategy and the evolution of its global models. By the early 2010s, Acura Canada had moved away from the CSX as newer models and market strategies took precedence, and the CSX became a discontinued, collectible‑oriented vehicle in the Canadian used‑car landscape. As of today, there are no new CSXs being produced, and any remaining examples exist only on the used market, primarily in Canada.
Lifecycle milestones and market status
- Launch year and model span: introduced for the 2007 model year in 2006, produced through around 2011.
- End of production: phased out around 2011–2012 as Acura adjusted its Canadian lineup.
- Current status: discontinued; used examples persist in Canada, with maintenance leaning on Civic‑based parts and Acura’s service channels where available.
Today, the CSX is remembered as a niche, Canada‑specific chapter in Acura’s history—an attempt to offer Acura luxury in a compact sedan built on Honda’s Civic chassis.
Current-day relevance
In today’s market, the CSX is primarily of interest to Canadian collectors, enthusiasts, and owners who appreciate a badge‑engineered Civic with Acura styling. Parts compatibility with Civic platforms helps with maintenance, but dealer support is limited compared to active models. Its rarity outside Canada means that finding accurate information or replacement parts can require specialty shops or Honda/Acura knowledge specific to the Canadian market.
Summary
The Acura CSX was a Canada‑only compact sedan produced roughly from 2006 to 2011, built on the eighth‑generation Honda Civic sedan platform and manufactured in Alliston, Ontario. It represented Acura’s attempt to offer a premium‑feeling, Honda‑based sedan in Canada as a successor to the RSX, featuring CSX and CSX Navi trims and a 2.0L i‑VTEC engine. While it is no longer sold new, the CSX remains a distinctive, historical piece of Acura’s lineup in Canada, highlighting how badge engineering was used to tailor products to specific markets. As with many discontinued models, its legacy endures in the used‑car market and among Canadian Acura enthusiasts.
