Acura TSX: A Conservative Pre-Luxury Sports Sedan

What’s New: Just like the Acura TL, the TSX has a fresh new design for the 2009 model year. While the TL offers a 6-cylinder engine, the TSX is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine. However, the big change comes under the hood in 2010, when the TSX offers its first 6-cylinder engine.

Must Have Goodies: Beyond the basic power features expected in most vehicles, the four-door TSX we reviewed was outfitted with Acura’s $3,100 Technology Package, which included a navigational system with voice recognition, a XM satellite radio, a 10-speaker premium audio system with a 415-watt amplifier and a 6-disc CD/DVD changer. This is a package we strongly suggest you order with your TSX.

What Rocked: If you don’t like the polarizing wide-mouth grille of the TSX big sister, the TL, you’ll love the more conservative, but somewhat sporty design of this four-door pre-luxury sedan. We were also enamored with the precise steering action and the great handling abilities of the torque-sensing, variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Moreover, we found the leather seats to be both supportive and comfortable, while easily accommodating five adults.

What We Hated:Like most imports, the front double-wishbone suspension and the rear multi-link suspension doesn’t quite soak up the bumps on the road like most American vehicles. Also for those seeking more juice from the TSX, they should hold out for the 2010 model, which will offer a 6-cylinder engine. Pricing for the 6-cylinder is expected to go head-to head with the TL. Furthermore, we never understood why Honda offered a 6-cylinder engine in the Accord and not in the more upscale TSX. And why hasn’t Acura used the TSX to promote the same hybrid technology they once offered in the Accord? This could give them an opportunity to compete with the hybrid technology being offered by Lexus, in it entry level all-new HS 250h.

Any Juice:While the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine was adequate, producing 201 horses underneath the hood. We found it to be both peppy and fuel-efficient. As we cited earlier, look for Acura to add 70 more horses to the TSX for the 2010 model year, with its new 6-cylinder engine.

The Verdict:The TSX is basically an upscale version of the Honda Accord EX packaged with a longer warranty. Acura, like Honda, has one of the highest resale values of any brand on the market. While the TSX is available only as a 4-cylinder this model year, it offers many of the basic amenities found in a number of luxury vehicles: power heated leather front seats, dual temperature controls and Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with an auto on/off feature. Like all Acuras, the TSX has a simplified ordering package. Either you can opt for a manual transmission or automatic transmission with or without the Tech Package. Pricing for the base TSX starts at $29,000 and can climb to around $32,000 with the Tech Package. Seeing that neither Acura nor Honda offer rebates on their vehicles, only look for competitive lease specials. And, if you don’t like the design of the new TL, but want an Acura, the TSX is the perfect substitute.

Competition: Audi A3, BMW 1-Series, Honda Accord EX