The Acura CSX (Compact Sportscar eXperimental) was Acura's compact executive car exclusively designed for the Canadian market. The CSX is the first Acura model with two predecessors, the Integra sedan (1986–1996) and the EL (1997–2005). Like the EL, it was only available in Canada and built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. In 2012, the ILX was introduced as the CSX's replacement, now available in both the United States and Canada.
The CSX is not a rebadged JDM Honda Civic, rather Honda Japan chose the Canadian-designed CSX as the template for the JDM Civic. Externally, the CSX shares its cab forward architecture with the American-market Civic. Differentiating the Acura from its mainstream North American counterpart include a slightly longer nose with shaped headlamp clusters, a full-width lower air intake and a slight crease up the hood's centreline. At the rear, jewelled taillamps and the shaping of the trunk's sheet metal contrast the upscale-marketed CSX from the Civic.
The CSX shares some features with the JDM Civic, most notably the 2.0 L DOHC i-VTEC engine rated at 155 hp (116 kW) at 6000 rpm and 139 lb⋅ft (188 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm. Also shared with the JDM Civic are the front and rear fascias; the steering wheel is used in Japanese, European, and American-market Civic models.
The CSX went on sale on November 2005 as a 2006 model. The 2006 CSX was introduced in 3 trims: Touring (the base model), Premium, and Premium + Navi. Standard features on the touring model include 16-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, side and curtain airbags, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, paddle shifters for automatic transmission models, heated door mirrors with integrated turn signals, 6-speaker audio system with CD/MP3/WMA capability, automatic climate control, cruise control, chrome door handles, and 60/40 split folding rear seats. Key additions in the Premium model included high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, and an in-dash 6 disc CD changer. The Navi model was only available as an upgrade to the Premium trim, adding a bilingual voice-activated navigation system, illuminated steering wheel controls, and a digital audio card reader. The navigation system and HID headlamps are among the features not available for Honda Civics sold in Canada.
The resulting car is 62 kg (137 lb) to 88 kg (194 lb) heavier than the Civic EX sedan, with fuel consumption raised to 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres (32 mpg‑imp; 27 mpg‑US) city, 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres (44 mpg‑imp; 37 mpg‑US) highway for manual model; and 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US) city, 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres (43 mpg‑imp; 36 mpg‑US) highway for automatic model. The CSX uses regular unleaded gasoline (Min 91 RON), while the Type S model uses premium gasoline (Min 95 RON).
The Type-S variant debuted as a 2007 model and uses the identical drivetrain found in the US and Canadian market 2006+ Honda Civic Si which consists of a 2.0L I4, 197 horsepower (147 kW) i-VTEC engine, 6-speed manual transmission and helical limited-slip differential. The "sport-tuned" suspension is identical to the US-only 2006+ Honda Civic Si sedan with stiffer springs, firmer damping and thicker stabilizer bars compared to the regular CSX and is supported on 215/45R17 all-season tires and 17-inch alloy wheels. Unlike the Canadian market Civic Si coupe, the CSX Type-S employs Honda's version of traction control (Vehicle Stability Assist, or VSA) and brake assist. Other amenities include 17-inch aluminium-alloy wheels, rear wing spoiler with integrated LED brake light, fog lights, bilingual navigation system, a 350-watt 7-speaker audio system, digital audio card reader, Type-S badging and illuminated foot wells.
Fuel consumption is 10.2 L/100 km (28 mpg‑imp; 23 mpg‑US) city, 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US) highway with a recommendation of Premium (91+ octane) fuel.
The 2007 CSX Type-S went on sale on November 6, 2006 with an MSRP of $33,400 Canadian at the same time as the Acura TL Type-S.
For 2009, Acura made some slight modifications to the CSX's front-end. Inside, the Type-S came with new USB and Bluetooth connections. The Type-S did not have any major modifications for 2010 and was discontinued in 2011.
For 2007 models, an auxiliary input jack for the audio system was added for all CSX models.
For 2008 models, leather upholstery, a tire pressure monitoring system, illuminated vanity mirrors, and vehicle stability assist (VSA) was made standard equipment on all CSX models. The CSX Premium was renamed CSX Technology, which added high-intensity discharge headlights, fog lamps, XM Satellite Radio with roof-mounted antenna, premium stereo and bilingual voice-activated navigation system.
Like the Honda Civic, the CSX received a mid-model change in 2009, most notably giving it Acura's trademark Power Plenum grille. Other exterior changes include black-housing headlights, octagonal tail-lamps, and revised front bumper and fog lights. While not new to the line-up, the 17-inch alloy wheels once exclusive to the Type S are now standard on all models. New features for 2009 include USB audio connectivity for all models, and Bluetooth handsfree wireless link for Technology and Type-S models.
For 2010, the base model has been discontinued and the now-entry level Technology model has been renamed "iTech".
For the car's final model year, Acura has simplified the CSX line for 2011 offering 2 trim levels, Base and iTech, both have significantly reduced MSRP from the previous 2010 models. The Type-S trim has been discontinued for 2011. Only four colours are available: Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, and Taffeta White.
Despite being the best-selling vehicle in Acura Canada's lineup from 2006–07 and late 2009/early 2010, Honda announced the discontinuation of the Acura CSX after the 2011 model year. The Civic-based ILX was confirmed as the car's successor for the 2013 model year. As such, the Acura CSX becomes the fourth Acura to have only sold one model generation, after the Vigor (1992–94), the U.S.-exclusive SLX (1996–99), and the RSX (2002–06).
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