Interior

2006 Acura CSX Premium (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com)

Here's where the CSX mostly sets itself apart from the Civic. The Premium trim welcomes you with leather on the heated power seats, on the door panels and on the steering wheel. The dashboard and instruments make you think you're sitting in a car of the future. The aforementioned steering wheel is a work of art, and its small diameter works well. A digital speedo can be aggravating as big numbers are constantly flashing by your eyes, but this one is nestled far away near the base of the windshield, which is both less bothersome and eliminates the need for a heads-up display system like GM offers.

The sound system is pretty good for two reasons. First of all, it sounds great through its 6 speakers. And, not only does it offer MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) playback, but they can be listened to using either the 6-CD changer or a slot marked "PC CARD", where you can insert a Smart Flash memory card containing your favourite songs. So simply

2006 Acura CSX Premium (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com)

loading up tunes on a Smart card and plugging it in the car is quicker than burning CDs. Oh, and don't forget not to rest your coffee mug on the top of the open LCD screen. Safety first!

The optional navigation is nice and simple to use, but the touted voice commands are pretty much useless. To use these commands, you must first press a button on the steering wheel, and shout out what you want. "Temperature max cold!" you say. After 2 or 3 seconds, the system acknowledges your orders, repeats what you said, and turns up the cold air. I can punch the A/C button and spin the rotary knob in about a second. Trying to set a destination using voice command is worse--a lot worse. It takes forever to spell out every letter of the street you want to

2006 Acura CSX Premium (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com)

find, and don't forget pressing that button on the wheel before each command. Maybe I need more practice at it, but maybe I'll would just skip the navigation system and save $2,500.

The seats are very comfortable, and the front portion of the cabin is very spacious. In back, you'll find adequate space for two, getting in and out is fairly easy, and trunk space is pretty decent. The CSX offers good visibility all-around, except the A-pillars have a pretty steep angle and blocks your view of the left side of the intersection when you're waiting at a traffic light.

Conclusion

A standalone CSX is a great car. Stack it up against some luxurious compact competition though, like the VW Jetta and the Volvo S40, and it starts to show its little shortcomings. And when you consider it as a "luxury Civic", which many of you already do, it does look pretty expensive. Still, as Homer said, taking a successful product and adding something onto it is a good and cheap way of creating a product that targets another audience. And using a model as good as the new Civic as a starting block isn't a bad idea, either.

2006 Acura CSX Premium (Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com)

Just like the EL it replaces, the CSX is stuck trying to constantly justify itself, since there are so many Civics on the road. That's especially the case when looking at this loaded, $31,900 CSX Premium. Still, for a luxurious, well-equipped, compact sedan, the CSX makes a lot of sense, and the Touring model is available starting from $25,400. Personally, I would like a sportier approach to this little Acura: minimal equipment level, the Civic Si's 197-horsepower engine and a tighter suspension. Call it the CSX Type S.

What I like:
Comfortable highway cruiser
Good fuel economy
Well-appointed cabin

What I don't like:
Not quite powerful enough
Still not much distinction from a Civic
High price of the Premium version

CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Acura CSX's specifications.