2005 Acura RSX Review Summary & Specs
Base Coupe
Many minor changes add up to major improvement.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The RSX is a sophisticated and sporty player in the compact performance car market. More luxurious than cars like the Subaru WRX or Dodge SRT-4, it offers very good performance and a handling package that is hard to beat. While not exactly a luxury car, it is nicely equipped, and the driver's seat is a comfortable and fun place to be.
Most drivers opt for the lower-horsepower base RSX, with its 160-horsepower engine. It's a rewarding car, and they'll be very satisfied, as long as they don't test-drive the Type-S while they're at the Acura dealership.
New Car Test Drive correspondent Keith Buglewicz is based in Southern California.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Compact Cars |
| Editor |
Keith Buglewicz |
| Model Lineup |
Acura RSX ($20,175), RSX Type-S ($23,570) |
| Engines (standard) |
2.0-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Engines (optional) |
160-hp 2.0-liter inline four; 210-hp 2.0-liter inline four |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic (RSX), 6-speed manual (RSX Type-S) |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
ABS, front airbags, side-impact airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
|
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Japan |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-382-2238 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.acura.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$20,175 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Acura RSX Type-S ($23,570) |
| Standard Equipment |
AcuraBose music system with subwoofer and 6-disc in-dash CD changer, automatic climate control system, leather trimmed seats, driver's seat height adjustment, power windows and door locks, adjustable steering column, tilt-and-slide glass moonroof, headed outside mirrors, remote entry system |
| Destination Charge |
570 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
|
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
front-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$23,570 |
| Horse Power |
210 @ 7800 |
| Torque |
143 @ 7000 |
| Fuel Economy |
23/31 |
| Wheelbase |
101.2 |
| Length/Width/Height |
172.4/67.9/54.9 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
38.1 |
| Seating Capacity |
4 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.8/51.1/43.1 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
34.1/46.2/29.2 |
| Trunk Volume |
16 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
|
| Front Suspension |
independent Control-Link MacPherson strut, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension |
independent double-wishbone, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
2840 |
| Stock Tires |
215/45R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
13.2 |