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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
How It Works • Automotive

Acura RSX

The Acura RSX is a compact sport coupe sold by Acura in North America from the 2002 through 2006 model years.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The Acura RSX is a compact sport coupe sold by Acura in North America from 2002 to 2006. It was the North American version of the fourth-generation Honda Integra (DC5).

What it is

The RSX debuted for the 2002 model year as Acura’s North American successor to the Integra. In Japan, the same generation remained the Honda Integra DC5, while Acura used the RSX name for its U.S. and Canadian market positioning.

Key details

The RSX used a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and a two-door hatchback-style coupe body. It was built around Honda’s K-series 2.0-litre inline-four engine with i-VTEC. The base RSX produced 160 hp, while the Type-S trim offered 200 hp initially and 210 hp in later model years, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Why it matters

The RSX became popular in the tuner and sport compact market, especially among Canadian enthusiasts. It was positioned as an entry-level performance model for Acura and ran through the 2006 model year before being replaced by other models in the lineup.

In short

  • Replaced the Integra in North America for the 2002 model year.
  • Offered in base RSX and higher-performance Type-S trims.
  • 2.0L i-VTEC engine with up to 210 hp in the Type-S.
  • Sold in Canada and the U.S. through the 2006 model year.
Canadian angle

The RSX was sold in Canada as part of Acura’s North American lineup and is remembered as a popular compact performance car among Canadian buyers and enthusiasts.

Quick questions

What is the Acura RSX?
A compact sport coupe sold by Acura in North America from 2002 to 2006, based on the Honda Integra DC5.
What engine did the Acura RSX use?
A 2.0-litre inline-four i-VTEC engine.
What was the RSX Type-S?
The higher-performance RSX trim, with more power and a 6-speed manual transmission.

Sources

  1. CarGurus — https://www.cargurus.com/research/articles/acura-rsx-buying-guide
    Supports: North American market timing, model positioning, body style, engine and trim overview.
  2. HotCars — https://www.hotcars.com/2002-2006-acura-rsx-prices-specs-and-features/
    Supports: Production years, base and Type-S engine output, drivetrain and transmission details.
  3. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/acura-rsx-2002/
    Supports: Two-door coupe layout, trims, engine outputs, and model context as Integra successor.
  4. Acura News — https://acuranews.com/en-US/releases/release-01677f505b3ce96a4c898b004c34c190-2006-acura-rsx-introduction
    Supports: Official model description, 2006 engine output, trims, and transmission availability.
  5. AutoEvolution — https://www.autoevolution.com/acura/rsx/
    Supports: Model years, generation context, body style, and relation to Honda Integra.