2002 Acura RSX Review
Price Estimate: $2,617 - $4,093





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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.
For sale near El Paso, TX
14 listings
- 75,624 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 23 City / 30 Hwy MPG, Manual
- Denver Auto Company (543 mi away)
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Parker, CO
*** 1 OWNER *** LOW MILES *** MANUAL *** NEW TIRES *** 2002 Acura RSX, 75,624 Miles, Silver on Black, OPTIONS: 2.0L 4 Cylinder Engine, 5 Speed Manual...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (23 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JH4DC53822C035971
Stock: WA035971
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-29-2025- 226,251 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 21 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- Car Depot (554 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Denver, CO
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JH4DC54852C008004
Stock: 008004
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-02-2025
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.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$133/mo for RSX Base
RSX Base
vs
$145/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Reliability
The 2002 Acura RSX has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
4 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 09E012000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 16270
- Defect Description:
- SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
- Defect Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
- Recall Number:
- 06E064000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 4029
- Defect Description:
- CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Defect Consequence:
- LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
- Recall Number:
- 06E038000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 724
- Defect Description:
- CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Defect Consequence:
- WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Corrective Action:
- ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
- Recall Number:
- 06E023000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 292000
- Defect Description:
- CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
- Defect Consequence:
- WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Warranty
4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 4 years / 50,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 5 years / unlimited miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 4 years / 50,000 miles
Acura RSX Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great car, ruined by Honda bean counters.
3.13 out of 5 starsthr33wayclimax, 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.
Great Car!!!
4.5 out of 5 starstonyanytime, 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
Daily driver for 10 years
4.75 out of 5 starsoaklandfan78, 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.
A well rounded sports coupe
5 out of 5 starstnguyen74, 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 | $133/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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