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2009 Acura CSX Technology Road Test Review

What's in a nameplate? A lot when it comes to the 2009 Acura CSX Technology. This year Honda Canada celebrated 23 years of manufacturing in Canada by delivering the five-millionth vehicle off the line in Alliston, Ontario.

For 2009, the Canada-only CSX gets a new grille to harmonize with the rest of the Acura lineup. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Number five million was a Honda Civic but my test car - which came out of that same plant and shares the same platform - received an Acura badge and is several notches up beyond the change in those five letters at the back of the car.

The CSX is not only made in Canada, it is made for Canada. An exclusive entry-level model to the Acura line up, the CSX is actually Canadian-designed, taking the concept of "buying local" a step further. It was amusing to see an American publication publish "spy shots" of the Acura CSX from a Canadian dealer lot that I pass every day! Should Americans care that they cannot get their hands one of these? The short answer is yes. I will expand on that, but first a little bit about the specific version I tested, the Acura CSX Technology.

The Technology package includes a premium audio system, voice/touch-screen activated navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, XM satellite radio, fog lamps and xenon headlights. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The $3,000 Technology package takes the price of the CSX to $29,990, or about 10 iTunes shy of $30,000. With it, said iTunes will play on a 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with a digital audio card reader and MP3/WMA compatibility. Most of these goodies are tucked behind the navigation LCD screen, which flips down at the touch of a button. The touch-screen navigation also features voice recognition. Bluetooth hands free phone connectivity, XM satellite radio, fog lamps and xenon headlights are also included.

The Canadian design of the CSX is slightly longer than a Civic, with a length of 4,544 mm, 1,435 mm height, 2,700 mm wheelbase and slightly heavier curb weight than most of the poorer Civic cousins at 1,313 kg.

The CSX is sleek looking, but not quite a sports car. Its 2.0-litre engine puts out 155 horsepower. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

For 2009, the CSX gets the new front grille treatment to harmonize the look of the Acura fleet. Honda liked the Canadian design of the CSX so much it has served as the basis for the Japanese-market Civic. There is still only speculation regarding Honda's plans for the CSX outside of Canada, while production continues here going on five model years.

Besides all the Acura standard features and extras not available to Civic shoppers,

Inside, the CSX is closely related to its Civic sibling, but all dressed up. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

there is also a discernible difference in the driving experience between the CSX and the Civic. My first impression was that the CSX has a quieter cabin than the Civic and a slightly smoother ride. The Technology model is front-wheel drive with a 2.0 litre 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder that kicks out 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Even with the standard five-speed manual transmission, my tester was not a sports car by any stretch of the imagination. The CSX Technology does offer an optional five-speed automatic with paddle shifters, but for a more exhilarating ride, you may want to ask the salesperson for the keys to a 197-horsepower CSX Type-S. With torque topping out at 139 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm,

The two-tiered instrument pod is shared with the Civic, and creates a high-tech feel. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I would describe the CSX's acceleration as sedate. I did notice a small improvement in handling over the relatively nimble Honda Civic Si (which shares mechanicals, etc with the Type-S), with no appreciable understeer under normal driving conditions, but this is not a car to push the envelope.
 
The CSX Technology shares the Civic's electrically-powered variable power-assisted rack and pinion steering with stability and traction control, but it rides on much nicer 17-inch alloy wheels and P215/45R17 performance tires. Those tires stop faster than they turn, with power-assisted ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes featuring ABS and electronic brake distribution (EBD).

The lightweight aluminum engine is efficient for this platform, delivering great mileage in as much comfort. On paper the CSX delivers a combined city/highway mileage of 7.7 L/100km. Calculating from the paper receipt at my gas station, I recorded a darn close 7.8 L/100km.

Beautiful leather seating surfaces are what really set the CSX apart as an Acura. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press

On the safety side the CSX, with its full complement of airbags and electronic stability control, is a 2009 Top Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To earn that distinction it had to score "good" or higher in high-speed front and side crash tests. A third IIHS test focuses on head restraints, which look good and are substantial in the upgraded leather seating in the CSX.

The seating is the best part of the CSX interior and the only real Acura distinction. The rest is identical to a dressed-up Civic. That is not necessarily a bad thing. I like the two-tiered high-tech look and layout of the Civic.

A full complement of airbags and electronic stability control make the CSX a 2009 Top Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The beautiful heated leather seating and navigation added in with the CSX's Technology package earns the Acura badge. That said, while the quality of seating improves considerably going from Civic to Acura, the quantity does not. Hip, leg and headroom are the same. Cargo volume in the CSX is 341 litres, with a 60/40 spilt folding rear seat.

Other tires to kick are those of the Lexus IS 250, Mercedes B Class, BMW 1-Series, Volkswagen Jetta or Volvo C30, but getting all of the CSX's goodies for a list under $30k with an Acura nameplate puts the Canadian-only Acura CSX Technology in a small field of near-luxury subcompact sedans. With universal health care, Tim Horton's and the CSX, it's a great deal on this side of the border!

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