What is the RSX called in Japan?
In Japan, the car known in North America as the Acura RSX is marketed under the Honda Integra badge.
The RSX is the North American name for the fourth-generation Honda Integra (DC5). In Japan, this model carries the Integra nameplate, and a high-performance Integra Type R variant exists within the same DC5 generation.
Naming across markets
Market branding for this generation differs by region: Japan uses Integra, while North America used RSX.
- Honda Integra (DC5) — the Japanese-market name for the fourth-generation Integra, produced from 2001 to 2006 and sharing the DC5 platform with the RSX.
- Acura RSX (DC5) — the North American name for the same car, introduced in 2002 and produced until 2006/2007.
- Integra Type R (DC5) — the high-performance Japanese variant of the DC5, with a more aggressive tuning and higher power output.
- Branding note — the RSX badge was not used in Japan; Honda continued to market this generation as Integra in Japan.
In short, the RSX is called Integra in Japan, with the same chassis code DC5 and a distinct Type R variant that remains a separate performance model in the Japanese lineup.
Variant context
The North American RSX Type S used a near-identical 2.0-liter engine family but carried a different badge in NA. In Japan, the same platform included the Integra Type R with higher-revving tuning and, historically, stronger performance on the Japanese market. These branding differences reflect regional marketing strategies rather than fundamental mechanical differences in the core DC5 platform used for both markets.
Summary
The car known as the Acura RSX in the United States and Canada is sold in Japan as the Honda Integra (DC5), with the Integra Type R serving as the performance variant in the Japanese market. The RSX badge does not appear in Japan for this generation.
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 an Acura RSX in Japan?
The Acura RSX is an automobile nameplate used by Honda for its upmarket brand Acura. The nameplate has been used for two different car models: A rebadged Japanese market Honda Integra sold between 2001 and 2006.
Is there an Acura in Japan?
No, the Acura brand does not exist in Japan; instead, its luxury models are sold there under the Honda brand as "premium Hondas". Acura is Honda's luxury division, created for the North American market in 1986, and its vehicles are sold there with different badging and sometimes different features than their Japanese counterparts. For example, what was known as the Acura Legend in the US was sold in Japan as the Honda Legend.
- No official Acura brand: The brand "Acura" is not used in Japan.
- Honda rebadging: Acura vehicles are sold as luxury versions of Honda models in Japan.
- Market-specific strategy: Acura was created specifically for the North American market to compete with other luxury brands.
- Examples of rebadged models:
- Acura Legend: Sold as the Honda Legend in Japan.
- Acura TLX: A high-spec version of a Honda model, known as the Honda Inspire or Saber in Japan.
- Acura Integra/RSX: Sold as the Honda Integra in Japan.
- NSX Exception: The only current model sold as both Acura and Honda is the NSX, though it is sold as a Honda in Japan, while it is sold as an Acura in the US.
What is the Honda Jazz called in Japan?
Fit
Honda uses the "Jazz" nameplate in Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia and India; and "Fit" in Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan and the Americas.
