THE BEST HONDA...EVER? - WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A DC5 INTEGRA

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The Acura RSX / DC5 Integra: The Love Child of Honda’s Golden Era

Ah, the DC5 Acura Integra, or as we Americans know it, the Acura RSX. A car that was born in the early 2000s, at a time when Honda was still riding high on the massive success of their VTEC-powered beasts like the Civic Si and the beloved DC2 Integra Type R. The DC5 had some seriously big shoes to fill, and while it didn’t immediately gain the same cult status as its older siblings, it's a car that’s become a sleeper hit in the Honda community.

Let’s crack open the history books and figure out why the DC5 deserves its place in the halls of Honda greatness, from its debut in 2001 to the cult following it’s built over the last two decades. This isn’t just a car, it’s a piece of Honda’s legacy—a legacy that balances practicality, performance, and that VTEC magic we all crave.

A New Era for Honda: The DC5’s Launch

To understand the DC5, you’ve gotta take a step back to the late ‘90s. Honda was absolutely killing it. The NSX was rewriting the rules on what a Japanese sports car could be, the Civic Si was a front-wheel-drive hero, and the DC2 Integra Type R? Well, it was pretty much the best-handling front-wheel-drive car in history.

So when 2001 rolled around and the world saw the debut of the DC5 Integra—or Acura RSX in North America—at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the expectations were sky-high. This was supposed to be the next big thing. The RSX was marketed as a premium sport compact, aimed at buyers who wanted something a little more refined than the Civic but still had that Honda edge.

Masayuki Matsumoto, the project leader for the RSX, had a simple goal: make a car that was faster, more refined, and more grown-up than the DC2, but still fun to drive. He wanted to create a car that could appeal to both die-hard Honda fans and newcomers looking for something sporty but comfortable.

The DC5 was built on an all-new platform that was larger and stiffer than the outgoing DC2. It was a bit of a departure from the raw, lightweight feel of the older Integra, but that was intentional. Honda was trying to mature the Integra into a more refined car, while still keeping its performance roots intact.

The K-Series: The Hero of the DC5 Story

Let’s talk about the real star of the show—the K-series engine. If you’ve been around the Honda scene for more than five minutes, you’ve heard of the K20. This engine is the backbone of the DC5 and one of Honda’s most iconic powerplants.

The K20A in the Japanese-market Integra Type R (and the K20A2 in the RSX Type-S in the U.S.) was a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC inline-four that made between 200 and 220 horsepower, depending on the trim. This engine was a game changer for Honda. It took everything that made the B-series great and cranked it up a notch. More displacement, more revs, and more power.

The VTEC system in the K20 was more refined than in previous engines, offering a smoother transition between low- and high-lift cam profiles, but it still packed that signature VTEC kick. The redline? A screaming 8,400 RPM in the Type R, making this one of the highest-revving four-cylinder engines in a production car at the time.

Why is this engine so special? Well, for one, it’s bulletproof. The K-series has earned a reputation for being one of the most reliable and tunable engines Honda has ever built. You can slap a turbo on it, throw in some cams, and this thing will make 400 horsepower all day long on stock internals. That’s insane for a naturally aspirated four-banger.

But here’s the thing—it’s not just about power. The K20 was built to rev, and revving to the moon is what makes this car so addictive. You can keep it pinned in second or third gear, wringing out every last bit of RPM, and it feels like the car is just begging for more. It’s that kind of engine that makes you fall in love with driving all over again.

So, where does the DC5 Acura Integra/RSX fit into Honda’s legacy? It’s not the most hardcore, it’s not the fastest, and it didn’t quite reach the iconic status of the DC2 Type R—but it’s still a car that deserves respect. The DC5 strikes a perfect balance between being a practical daily and a fun weekend warrior.

With the K20 engine at its core, it’s got all the tuning potential in the world, and even in stock form, it’s one of the most fun front-wheel-drive cars you can buy. Whether you’re just starting your journey into the world of JDM cars or you’re a seasoned Honda enthusiast, the DC5 is a car that won’t disappoint. It’s the last of the Integras, and it’s one that’s earned its place in the Honda Hall of Fame.