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contents of this article
Page 1 | 2 | 3 | Specs | Pictures

1. Model Lineup 4. Driving Impressions
2. Walkaround 5. Final Word
3. Interior Features  

The RSX features a driver-oriented cockpit. Visibility is excellent out front and large mirrors provide good visibility rearward. Seats are deeply sculptured and supportive when cornering hard, with thigh, lumbar, and shoulder adjustments on the driver's side. Optional perforated leather upholstery is nice, though unremarkable. A wide instrument pod covered in a sporty perforated materialClick for a larger 2002 Acura RSX picture surrounds the driver with large, metallic-faced analog gauges that are easy to read. A thick, leather-wrapped, small-diameter steering wheel with three spokes feels like it came from a race car. The shifter feels good, also; a leather-wrapped gearshift knob comes standard, while the Type S gets a special perforated leather knob.
The rear seats are surprisingly comfortable for a sport coupe. But this isn't a sedan; space for rear passengers' heads is under the rear window. The rear seats fold flat for cargo. An acoustically transparent cargo cover snaps into and out of place to hide valuables. A Bose subwoofer goes inside the temporary spare, a clever use of space, and it can be moved around for those tailgate parties.

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Acura's luxury features include the automatic climate control system with micron air filtration, illuminated power window switches, and lighting in the glove box.Click for a larger 2002 Acura RSX picture But this is clearly designed as a sport coupe rather than a luxury coupe. Neither the perforated material around the instrument panel and center console nor the roof liner nor the white-gold plastic trim nor the vents nor the radio controls have the high-quality, upscale look and feel of a premium brand.
A clever combination tray and cup holder offers a good place to stash a wallet, as it provides a semi-secret compartment. The dual cup holders work well as long as the container isn't much taller than a grande Frappuccino. A small fold-out above the rear seat on the driver's side works okay for hanging a couple of shirts, but not a full load of dry cleaning.

Driving the Acura RSX is a lot of fun. The Type-S boasts quick acceleration, crisp, predictable handling, and excellent brakes. Steering is very sharp, with no play at center, no slop. This car feels controlled and very stable at high speeds. RSX and RSX Type-S differ in several key areas. Type-S gets a more powerful engine,Click for a larger 2002 Acura RSX picture firmer suspension damping front and rear, stiffer rear springs, and larger front brakes. But otherwise, the two models are nearly identical, including their 17-inch alloy wheels with high-perform-ance Michelin tires.
Ride quality is firm on both models. It feels great on smooth roads, but can feel jouncy on bumpy roads. We could hear expansion joints on the highway, possibly due to the high-performance Michelin MXM4 all-season tires, and we could feel the uneven pavement on old city streets. Handling is fun, predictable and precise. While turning laps in a Type-S at Georgia's Roebling Road, we found the RSX is an easy car to control at the limit. You can really drive this front-wheel-drive coupe: A lift of the throttle before turning into a corner reduces understeer and helps get the car to rotate and turn into the corner. It's also easy to control when braking and turning at the same time, a driving faux pas that can cause a spin. The Michelin tires offer excellent grip and predictable handling.

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