2006 Acura RSX

For 2006, the Acura RSX has dropped its base model; trim lines are now Premium, Premium Leather and Type S. As well, there’s a new Global Silver Metallic with Black interior colour scheme.

The Premium and the Type S share a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that makes 160 hp in the Premium and is tweaked to 210 hp in the Type S. The Premium bases with a five-speed manual that can be optioned up to a five-speed automatic; the Type S comes strictly with a six-speed manual.

The Premium includes 16-inch alloy wheels, variable intermittent wipers, CD player, automatic climate control, cruise control, power locks with keyless entry, power windows, heated mirrors, rear wiper, power sunroof, 50/50 folding rear seat, sport fabric interior and rear cargo cover. The Premium Leather adds leather interior with heated seats.

The Type S adds larger stabilizer bars, front strut tower bar, 17-inch alloy wheels, six-CD/cassette stereo, sport exhaust tip, body-colour chin spoiler, rear spoiler, titanium-style shifter knob and heated leather seats.

For the price, the RSX may be the best sports coupe in its class on the market: it’s fun to drive, extremely responsive, it corners with confidence, and its fit and finish are superb. The Type S is a missile, but its sport-tuned suspension returns a very rough ride. Still, if that’s the package you want, you can’t go down to the corner performance shop and trick out the cheapest model to these specs for what the factory charges for the Type S out of the box, and with a warranty.