Canadian market Acura CSX will replace EL – still looks like rebadged Civic
Automakers have a tendency not to develop original models for our neighbors to the north and instead rebadge
existing models under different brands. Pontiac of Canada, for instance, has the Wave (a rebadged Aveo) and Pursuit (a
rebadged Cobalt). Acura also has the EL (a rebadged Civic), which will be replaced by the CSX soon since the Civic's
been completely redesigned for 2006. The CSX will go on sale sometime later this month, though no one on the
AcuraWorld forums where we found these pics know
what it will cost. There are various differences between the Civic and the CSX, most notable being the latter's 2.0L
DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 155 hp/139 lb-ft. or torque versus the former's 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC with 140 hp/128
lb-ft. of torque. Full specs and features of the new CSX can be found
here on the AcuraWorld forums.
[Thanks to Corey for the tip]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
number six 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Canadians tend to drive one size smaller car than Americans because fuel costs are prohibitive. Therefore, the auto companies are smart and cater to the specialist market.
The fuel prices differ due to taxation, just the same as every difference in fuel prices between most countries nationwide. European prices are even higher than Canadian - by quite a lot.
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Sid Ghosh 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Well considering the EL was a re-badged Civic...
Not bad though. The front reminds me of the RSX.
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S1500 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I always thought the late 80s Integra looked pretty much like a clone of the accord hatchback. Coworker had one, with 300K miles on the clock, and it still looked great.
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Pip 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Sweet...a Civic sedan with a K20.
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Nathaniel Boucher 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I like it however I'm not happy with car manufacturers giving all the goodies to other countries. I feel very left out in the US with no leather, pitiful options, and smaller engines. I want that car here.
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Robert 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
“Still looks like a rebadged civic”
Yes, but as an Acura it actually looks good or at least not as bad. Plus, it’s a way to differentiate the car from the ubiquitous ranks of civics. What else does Canada have that we don’t?
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Kurt B 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Canadians are cheap eh! It's a Civic with an RSX engine. Big deal!
//is Canadian
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egg 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Acura's pointed grille looks much more stylish and sophistocated than Honda's squared off grille on this car.
EL is a great car. This looks quite nice.
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egg 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
>. What else does Canada have that we don’t?
Hmm...can't think of much. Perhaps the Nissan X-Trail?
We already have the Toyota Yaris...but, then again, we don't have Scions. Grr.
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Nicholas 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I too would like to see this car here in the states. I for the life of me can't figure out why Honda would not offer, either as a top of the line Civic or as an entry level Acura this car in the States. The bigger engine and leather seating would be awesome for this car. Is there much keeping me from flying up there and driving one home once it becomes available or are there importation considerations?
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DCDCDC 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Isn't this just the JDM Civic?
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Jeff Crew 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
We Canadians already have the Mercedes Smart cars, and the new B-Class as well. Nissan also sells the X-Trail SUV that is really popular in Europe. The fuel cost difference is only part of the cost equation as to why we drive smaller cars. People say it is because we are more enviromentally friendly, but that may only be partially true. We can't afford larger vehicles because of the taxes we pay on the purchase price. Can you say 15%!!! (Ontario) People buy what they can afford, not what they want all the time. Our government takes a large chunk of every aspect of owning a car. That is why the smaller cars sell more here, but the nice part is that the manufacturers are starting to send us the premium small cars that other markets around the globe get to enjoy. It still blows my mind though that Toyota has not introduced the Scion brand here.
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Doogs 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I wish Nissan sold the X-Trail in the States. It's definitely my favorite of the compact SUVs - I love those dash storage bins - and it gets 27/36 MPG to boot.
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Jeff 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
We also have the '06 Subaru Legacy GT Limited Wagon with a 5spd. manual that you yankees don't get!
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Nono 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
"Canadian market Acura CSX will replace EL – still looks like rebadged Civic"
What's the problem? Your crappy cadillac escalade is just a rebadged chevrolet, and you still buy it twice more expensive
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BC 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
#12, Don't get too excited... The quoted MPG on the Nissan Canada website is in with Imperial gallons (4.55L/gal), not American gallons (3.8L/gal). With American gallons, it works out to around 22/30 MPG for FWD Xtrails and 21/29 MPG for AWD Xtrails.
I had considered an Xtrail but went with a Subaru Forester instead -- better AWD system, better fuel milage, much nicer dash and interior materials (no goofy center dials!!), and most of all, less cash.
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sirAQUAMAN64 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
Touring - $25,800
Premium - $28,100
Premium NAVI - $30,800
...I believe.
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nastinupe 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
#5 and #10
Why in the hell would you guys want a CSX or top-of-the-line Civic here in the US?
Have ya'll ever taken a look at the currently fully loaded Civic's asking price!!! It's a considerable amount more than an Accord DX. No one is going to pay for a loaded Civic when they can get a base Accord LX for around the same price.
There is no place for the CSX in our market. If you want a smaller than Accord with luxury, Honda, you get a TSX, which is a great car.
What Honda needs to do... and is planning to do is introduce a smaller, cheaper car around $10,000 for the growing lower middle class thanks to the republicans in office.
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Toneroo 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
I bought one of the original EL's (1997) and I bought it because it was the only way to get a 4 -door Civic with the V-Tec engine of the Si and leather. It was one of my favorite cars and I'd buy another one in a second. Other bonuses:
The Bose stereo was fantastic.
Acura service is so far superior to even Honda service (which is pretty good) that I hate getting any other car serviced.
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Jason 11:07PM (12/18/2005)
looks like a rebadged "japanese" civic to be more precise. similar tails and head lights, similar hvac controls, and mirror signals.
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