What type of car is the RSX?
The RSX is a compact sport coupe produced by Acura (Honda) in the early 2000s, and it served as the North American counterpart to the Honda Integra.
Introduced for the 2002 model year and sold through 2006 in North America, the RSX was built on the DC5 chassis and offered in base and Type-S trims. It emphasized a balance of everyday practicality and sporty performance, underscored by Honda/Acura engineering and a front-wheel-drive layout.
Overview
The RSX was designed as a two-door, front-drive sports coupe aimed at enthusiasts who wanted engaging handling, reliable construction, and a refined yet affordable entry point into performance driving. It inherited styling cues and technical DNA from the Honda Integra lineage, while adopting Acura’s branding and market positioning in the United States. In Japan and some other markets, the same car was sold under the Honda Integra name (DC5).
Variants and key specifications
Here are the main variants and notable specifications that defined the RSX during its production run.
- RSX (base): 2.0-liter K20A3 inline-four engine, about 160 horsepower and roughly 141 lb-ft of torque; front-wheel drive; typically offered with a 5-speed manual and/or a 4-speed automatic; sport-tuned suspension options.
- RSX Type-S: 2.0-liter K20A2 inline-four engine, about 210 horsepower and around 142 lb-ft of torque; enhanced brakes and suspension; standard 6-speed manual transmission; performance-focused exhaust and chassis tuning.
- Drive and features: Both trims emphasized VTEC technology, with the Type-S delivering sharper high-RPM performance; interior and exterior styling reflected a more aggressive, coupe-oriented stance compared with the base model.
The RSX bridged practicality and performance by offering a sporty feel in a compact two-door body, with a strong emphasis on driver engagement in the Type-S variant while remaining usable as a daily driver in base form.
Historical context and legacy
Produced from 2002 through 2006 for the North American market, the RSX did not have a direct one-to-one successor in Acura’s lineup. Its role in the brand’s sport-leaning two-door segment faded as Acura focused on other models, such as the TSX sedan and later compact/entry-luxury offerings. In markets outside North America, the same vehicle continued under the Integra badge or its regional equivalents, reflecting Honda/Acura’s global branding strategy for the era.
Journalists and enthusiasts alike noted the RSX for its balanced handling, rev-happy engine lineup, and the way it carried forward the Integra’s sport-tuned ethos into a modern Acura package. The model remains a notable chapter in Acura’s early-2000s performance storytelling.
Summary
The RSX is a compact sport coupe from Acura, built on the Honda Integra platform, offered in base and Type-S variants, with front-wheel-drive dynamics and performance-focused engineering that appealed to both everyday drivers and enthusiast buyers during its 2002–2006 run.
