2004 ACURA RSX
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| Editors'' Review |
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
With an overall feeling of refinement, and exemplary steering, Acura''s RSX is a car you can drive to work every day and still cut loose in over the weekend.
Pros
High-revving Type-S engine, plenty of standard equipment, nimble handling.
Cons
Modest torque output, tight rear-seat headroom.
What''s New for 2004
For 2004, the RSX receives heated sideview mirrors as standard equipment.
Overview
Introduction:
When Acura came to be in 1986, it had two cars for sale: the Integra hatchback and Legend sedan. The Integra quickly became a favorite of driving enthusiasts and commuters alike; it was responsive and energetic while also being practical and relatively inexpensive.Though the Acura family has grown since then -- there are now six different models -- the sport hatchback lineage continues on with the RSX. True to form, this is one of the best sport hatchbacks currently available. Within its price range, competing cars include the Hyundai Tiburon, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Toyota Celica and VW GTI. One could also include Audi''s TT and Mercedes '' C230 Sport Coupe -- both come from luxury brands, like the RSX, though Audi and Mercedes are more expensive, come with additional luxury features and have more prestigious images. The base RSX serves quite adequately as a daily driver. It''s easy to pilot and the large cargo area adds utility. In Type-S form, the car is considerably more fun, though its exclusive six-speed manual transmission will put off potential buyers who are unwilling to shift gears themselves. Regardless of trim, the RSX is a front-drive sport hatchback you''ll want to consider. Like other Honda and Acura products, it expertly blends performance, comfort and features into a package that costs less than most of the competition. If you''re looking for a car that can do it all, the RSX will be happy to please.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The RSX two-door sport hatchback comes in two trim levels: base and Type-S. Both are well equipped. With the base RSX, you get standard features such as automatic climate control; power windows, doors and locks; cruise control; a power moonroof; a leather-wrapped steering wheel; and a CD player. These items, plus stronger brakes, firmer suspension tuning and an in-dash six-disc CD changer come on the Type-S. Leather seats also come standard on the Type-S, though you can replace the base car''s cloth with leather if you so desire.
Powertrains and Performance:
Both the RSX and RSX Type-S feature 2.0-lter, four-cylinder engines. Like most Honda and Acura engines, they are smooth and high-revving. The RSX puts out 160 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 141 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. For the Type-S, Acura tunes the engine to bring horsepower up to 200 (at 7,400 rpm) and torque to 142 lb-ft (at 6,000 rpm). V6-equipped sport coupes like the Hyundai Tiburon GT and Mitsubishi Eclipse GT produce significantly more torque and, as such, are a bit more tractable for city driving than the RSX, but both will have you paying more at the fuel pump. The base RSX comes equipped with either a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic transmission. The automatic features Acura''s Sequential SportShift, a special mode that allows the driver to select individual gears quickly by moving the transmission lever into a special gate. The Type-S has an exclusive six-speed manual.
Safety:
The RSX comes with standard antilock brakes and side airbags, in addition to the usual safety features. In government crash tests, the RSX received five out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in a frontal impact. In side-impact tests, it received four stars for front-occupant protection.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Drivers wanting to relax after strafing twisty roads should enjoy the RSX''s driver-oriented cockpit, contemporary materials, easy-to-use climate controls and large metallic-faced gauges. Front-seat occupants will be comfortable, but adults sitting in back will find headroom is lacking. The RSX has 17.8 cubic feet of luggage space, about a cube more than the Celica or Eclipse.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Neither engine offers an abundance of torque, and the Type-S motor, in particular, needs to be revved quite high in order to achieve maximum acceleration. The six-speed shifter, however, is quite exemplary in its feel and quickness. On curvy roads, the Type-S feels secure and buttoned down, though the base car is still pretty sporty. The Acura''s ride quality is a little on the stiff side compared to a coupe like the Eclipse, but those looking to add a dose of sport to their daily commute will not be disappointed.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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