Speaking of safety issues, the CSX benefits from Honda's new Advanced Compatibility
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| All occupants are protected by side-curtain airbags. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Engineered (ACE) body structure for improving frontal collision safety with vehicles of "differing size"; in this case meaning larger. Optional high-intensity discharge headlamps will help to make the little car more visible, while opening up the road ahead to daylight conditions no matter the time of day, or night.
Passive safety measures include a full host of airbags, from the requisite two up front to additional side thorax and side curtain-type airbags for front occupants and all outside passengers respectively. It's a smart airbag system too, with sensors throughout the car that detect the size and weight of occupants and turn off systems of a small
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| The truck measures 340 litres (12.0 cu-ft), ideal for up to four golf bags, a 19-inch mountain bike or a 72-quart cooler. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
child is detected. Such children should be well protected in their child safety seats, secured by shoulder belt harnesses at all seating positions, as well as LATCH tethers integrated into the seatback bottoms.
That rear seatback folds forward when needed for cargo, incidentally, in a 60/40 configuration so that an additional passenger can be carried along, even if longer items are being transported. Altogether the trunk, not including any rear seat area that could be used by dropping the seatbacks forward, measures 340 litres (12.0 cu-ft), ideal for up to four golf bags, a 19-inch mountain bike or a 72-quart cooler, or so says Acura's press material. I never tried any of these items specifically, but a visual inspection showed that it wasn't short on volume.
And
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| The CSX is as roomy as some midsize cars, and accommodating even for larger occupants. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
on that note, I think the CSX should even be looked at by those considering a midsize car. It is really roomy in both front and rear seats, and should be more than ample unless you transport adults around in the back seat on a regular basis, such as those in real estate sales or with elderly parents. The front seats should be ample enough unless you're particularly large, although some of the more portly journalists on the launch didn't complain of any lack of side-to-side room.
Personally, I think the CSX is ideal for Canadians who enjoy a little luxury but would rather not pay premium prices initially, being that it starts at a reasonable $25,400, or on a weekly basis at the pump. The little Acura is almost as thrifty as a regular Civic, and much easier on the wallet than alternative premium compact models thanks to a
fuel consumption rating of 8.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 on the highway, when driving the five-speed
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| The CSX is both inexpensive initially, and due to superb fuel efficiency, thrifty to live with day to day. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
manual, or 9.5 and 6.5 respectively with the five-speed automatic. Of course, these are extremely conservative estimates, as they are with all cars, so don't expect real-world results to be identical. Do expect, however, that the CSX will be lighter on fuel than any other premium sedan, that's for certain.
And it's this wonderful combination of sporty luxury and thrifty efficiency that I like most. Even opting for the fancy paddle-shift actuated five-speed automatic only ups the cost of entry to $26,700 in Touring (base) trim. If you want a few more goodies than a Premium package CXS with a manual shifter will set you back $28,100 while the same car with the automatic gearbox will cost $29,400. The same scenario ups the price to $30,600 or $31,900 respectively if the navigation package is chosen, which is still pretty reasonable when you compare the car to anything that dares go up against it. Even Mercedes-Benz's new
B-Class, despite the revered three-pointed star on the grille and a price tag that starts higher than the CSX finishes when fully trimmed out, doesn't come close to measuring up, unless you're talking passenger and cargo volume. Everything else is overshadowed by Acura's least expensive car, even in base trim.
