Acura TSX Sports car with luxury feel

Acura's 2009 TSX is all new with larger exterior, more interior space and a more powerful powertrain. Now in its second-generation design, the TSX is Acura's entry level luxury/sports sedan and is a good combination of sporty handling and features designed to pamper.
2009 Acura TSX


Acura TSX 013


Acura TSX Center Console
Acura TSX Center Console" border="0">

Available in three trim levels, the TSX pricing starts at $32,900. A premium package ups the ante to $36,200 and our fully loaded TSX with technology package comes in at $39,000 plus destination charges. We tested the TSX with technology package, which includes voice-activated navigation system, 10-speaker premium audio system with steering wheel controls, six-DVD changer, satellite radio and dual zone automatic climate control. It also includes all the features of the premium package such as leather seating with heated front seats or the memory power driver's seat. It certainly feels like a luxury car when you slide into the driver's seat.

Outside, the TSX is the first Acura model to use the new bolder grille design that will be the styling direction used by the rest of the Acura lineup. The large air intake below the body-coloured bumper is flanked by fog lights, widening the look of the air intake. Straight body lines run from the front wheel arches to the rear quarters and impart a sporty look, while the wheel openings are close to the tires and wrap most of the way around so the car looks closer to the ground. The a-pillars are narrower and forward visibility is excellent from the driver's seat.

The new TSX body design is 78 mm wider and 66 mm longer. Both increases are used to advantage. The width not only provides more interior room but also allows a wider track width for improved lateral stability. The longer body enables a longer wheelbase, which translates into better ride comfort on dips and bumps and more leg room inside. Additional structural bracing stiffens the body structure and this shows in the quiet interior noise levels.

Larger 17-inch wheels cover larger disc brakes and are fitted with P225VR50/17 performance all season tires. The tires combined with the electric power steering direct the car precisely around corners and lateral grip feels solid. The low profile tires do make the ride firmer, almost to the point of being harsh over bumps and rough surfaces. This is one area where the sporty image is stronger than the luxury image.

Under the hood the 2.4 litre engine has a wider powerband and five per cent more torque than last year's TSX. A higher compression ratio, changes to valve timing and improvements in breathing provide the power increase while reducing emissions at the same time. The engine revs freely throughout the rpm range and throttle response is quick.

A six-speed close ratio manual transmission is standard equipment fitting the sporty image of the TSX, but the five-speed automatic is just as sporty. Formula 1 style paddle shifters on the steering wheel can be used to operate the transmission manually at any time when the shifter is in drive. Move the shifter to "S" and the paddle shifters provide full manual control. Even in drive mode, the transmission uses grade logic programming to retain gear selection on hilly or winding roads.

2010 Acura TSX V6

The 2010 Acura TSX V6 is something of a consolation prize. At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Acura showed off a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel and said it would launch in the U.S. this year. A few months later in New York, Honda's luxury arm showed off the all-new second generation TSX sedan, and we expected to be driving the culmination of the two right around now.

Unfortunately, a confluence of events a few months after the TSX was shown caused Acura to reverse course and put the diesel engine on the shelf. As world oil prices hit all time record levels, the never ending construction in China and Dubai seemed to be consuming the entire world supply of diesel, driving prices higher and higher. At about the same time, the world came to the realization that loaning money to people who couldn't pay it back might not be a great idea after all. With sales in the toilet everywhere, Acura decided that throwing a gasoline-powered V6 into the TSX might be a better idea. Was it?



Aside from The Shield, the only visual changes on the V6 model are the rear deck-lid badge, an 18-inch wheel package and a slightly larger lower air intake under the front bumper to help cool the larger engine.

The interior carries over from the standard four-cylinder model, which, regardless of what you think of the outside, is largely a good thing. The TSX has the same great seats found in other Hondas and Acuras, making up for the lack of adjustments with plenty of lateral and leg support.

The dashboard is well laid out with independent controls in the center cluster for the audio and navigation system. Acura's control knob system was definitely superior to BMW's iDrive and Audi's MMI when it debuted several years ago. However, the user interface is starting to get long in the tooth both visually and functionally. Newer designs from Ford, BMW and Audi have higher resolution screens and easier to navigate menu structures, but it still serves the purpose and serves it well.



Put the TSX into Drive or Sport and the first thing that happens when you touch the gas pedal is a strong tug to the right on the steering wheel. On most surfaces, this is followed by a squeal from the front tires even with very moderate throttle application. While Acura has equipped the TSX V6 with a larger wheel and tire package, it seems to be one geared more toward long tread life than actual grip. A 40-percent bump in power and 50-percent increase in torque applied through the same wheels expected to manage directional control requires more than just a plus-one tire/wheel sizing. The front geometry of the TSX needs a significant re-work if it's expected to be responsible for this work-load – and some grippier rubber would be at the top of our mod list.



Acura calls the TSX V6 the performance model and while it certainly offers improved acceleration, it feels far less sporty than its little brother. It loses much of the light-on-its-feet-feel of earlier TSXs and seems to want to be a TL when it grows up. Rather than call this the performance edition, in reality, it's another luxo-cruiser. If your commute involves traversing some twisty roads between home and office, the four-cylinder is a better choice. On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time on the highway, the V6 shines as long as you don't gun it until the on-ramp straightens out. But for our money, we'd stick to four cylinders and a manual gearbox.
2010 Acura TSX V6