2002 Acura RSX Review
2002 Acura RSX Review
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Used RSX for sale
Appraise This CarAcura RSX model years
Acura RSX types
- Hatchback
- Type-S
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- High horsepower from Type-S model, nimble handling, plenty of standard equipment.
Cons
- Modest torque output, some luxury features aren't available.
What’s new
The sporty RSX is an all-new replacement for the Acura Integra. Highlights include more powerful engines, higher levels of standard equipment and enhanced driving dynamics.
Edmunds says
The RSX picks up what the Integra started -- domination of the sport coupe category.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Acura RSX 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$168/mo for RSX Base
RSX Base
vs
$180/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
If you're not familiar with the RSX name, don't fret. RSX is the new name for the redesigned Acura Integra. The name change is a result of the company's desire to polish its luxury vehicle manufacturer image. Since Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz use alphanumeric names for their cars, Acura marketing wonks think they should, as well. And with that -- poof! -- Integra becomes RSX and the last remnant of old Acura names has been swept away.
Dimensionally, the RSX is similar to the Integra coupe, but bigger changes lie underneath the edgy new exterior. Acura says the RSX's body structure exhibits 35 percent higher bending rigidity and stiffness and a 116 percent improvement in torsional rigidity compared with the Integra. The increase in rigidity, as well as new front and rear suspension designs, help to improve handling response and ride quality.
For 2002, there is just one model and two trims -- the RSX and the RSX Type-S. A four-door model will not be offered, and the race-bred Type R version has been put on hiatus (expect a return in 2003 or 2004). The RSX effectively takes the place of the Integra LS and GS, while the sportier Type-S (a trim level also found on the Acura CL and TL) fills in for the Integra GS-R.
Both the RSX and RSX Type-S feature new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. Like most Honda and Acura engines, they are amazingly smooth and high-revving. The RSX puts out 160 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 141 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. This is 20 hp and 17 lb-ft of torque more than the Integra LS. 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). The 200 horsepower figure is certainly impressive, though V6-equipped sport coupes like the Eclipse GT and Volkswagen GTI GLX produce significantly more torque.
The 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. For the real deal, however, there's the Type-S and its exclusive six-speed manual.
Drivers wanting to relax after strafing twisty roads should enjoy the RSX's interior. It's an improvement over the Integra's stale design, with a driver-oriented cockpit, contemporary materials, easy-to-use controls and large metallic-faced gauges. Items like automatic climate control, sculpted sport seats, a power moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an in-glass radio antenna are all gratis. RSX Type-S cars get leather seating materials and a premium Bose audio system. More upscale items like traction control, stability control, heated seats or 17-inch wheels aren't on the options list, however.
If you are interested those upscale features, you should consider the Acura CL. The RSX is the more athletic and dynamic car. If you want to get a buzz from your morning commute without using coffee, Acura's latest sport coupe should suit you well.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Acura RSX.
5 star(87%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
336 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.13 out of 5 stars
Great car, ruined by Honda bean counters.
thr33wayclimax, 12/31/2012
2002 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
I've owned this car since I was 16, and am now 26. Bulletproof reliability, only the A/C compressor has failed, twice.
RATTLES/RATTLES....and more rattles. Maybe I never noticed or cared when I was younger, but this thing rattles like no other, the Tweeters, dash, trunk, doors, glove compartment I could go on, they all rattle. I feel like the car is going to fall apart when I hit a … pothole.
2002 stock seats are terrible, NO support Hard seat bottoms. Replaced with seats from a 2005, much better!
With all these issues, I cannot get myself to let it go, I don't think I'll ever sell this car.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Great Car!!!
tonyanytime, 10/12/2012
2002 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
To all those who had bad experiences, suck it up! Ive owned over 20 different vehicles in the last 10 years, all used from Lexus, Audi A4, BMW 325i, 528i, Infiniti Q45, two F-150s, Oldsmobile, Acura 2.5 TL, 2 preludes, a civic with motor swap, dodge ram, and the list goes on. All had varying degrees of reliability BASED on previous care. All had maintenance concerns arise some more … costly than others but you must accept that when purchasing a car. It makes me sick to see someone bashing this Acura. I havent driven mercedes yet, so until then THIS IS THE BEST HANDLING, SOLID DRIVING CAR OF ALL IVE OWNED AND DRIVEN. Im eager to drive it everywhere and i bought it with 129k. Its getting a turbo
4.75 out of 5 stars
Daily driver for 10 years
oaklandfan78, 10/31/2012
2002 Acura RSX 2dr Hatchback w/Leather (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
My RSX has gone through a lot over the past 10 years and put on over 145K miles but it's still running strong.
It's been through quite a lot.
Among the highlights were how many times, it flawlessly handled the California drive from LA to SF.
At one point, it also became my utility vehicle and the fold-down seats spent many weekends lugging around DJ equipment.
It now serves as my daily … commuter with good gas mileage and still evokes a strong feeling of excitement when I get on the road each morning.
Hopefully I can make it to 200K one day.
5 out of 5 stars
A well rounded sports coupe
tnguyen74, 04/17/2002
2002 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
A well rounded overall sports coupe
with 200 HP w/o the use of turbos and
still get's 30 MPG. The smoothest
shifting 6-spd I've ever driven. Love
the interior layout and
instrumentation.
2002 RSX Highlights
Hatchback
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $19,950 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $168/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the RSX include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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