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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 material
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.
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.
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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,
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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