Acura TSX Part 3: Performance Review

Acura is a brand known for technologically advanced products offering both luxury and performance. With the new for 2009 TSX, Honda's luxury division hopes to lure more buyers away from German entry-level sedans, and into their own.

Acura's least expensive offering, the TSX is basically a European Honda Accord that has been thoroughly face-lifted, rebadged and loaded with the many luxury items that buyers in this segment expect.

This formula has worked well in the past. The previous TSX, also based on the then-current European Honda Accord, was a well-liked car, with its sporty character and nimble handling earning it a strong following.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with new versions of well-established models, the new TSX has grown a bit when compared to the old. Dimensionally, the new car is bigger in all areas except in trunk volume. To add to the dilemma, the first generation car's eager, sporty feel has somehow gone missing.

We can look at this in two ways. From the sporting angle, we can lament the loss of that well-liked original TSX. Conversely, from the luxury angle, we can rejoice in the new car's increased levels of comfort, refinement and luxury content.

The fact is, Acura's trying to find more buyers for the TSX than it did for the last model, which sold well. In order to increase sales by some 20 to 25 percent, Acura has taken a more mainstream approach with the TSX, which unfortunately moves the car away from its sporty nature.

As with the last TSX, the all-aluminum four-cylinder engine displaces 2.4 liters. It makes 201 horsepower and 170 lbs. ft. of torque. While these figures aren't exactly overwhelming, they still move the car well if you're not afraid to use the upper reaches of the tachometer.

Acceleration from a standstill to 60 mph takes just over seven seconds, which is adequate, but certainly not stellar. Our test car came equipped with the five-speed automatic transmission, which only reinforced the loss of sporting intent inherent in the new TSX. The sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox would have helped make the car feel sharper and more responsive to the throttle.

But you have to wonder if this is the correct engine for this type of car. It feels out of character to wring out a luxury car's motor to 7000 rpm. The entry-level luxury sport sedan segment - admittedly a confused description - should be about relaxed performance, about torque.

It seems like an oversight that this car isn't fitted with the turbocharged four-cylinder found in Acura's RDX, as most of the TSX's competitors are sporting turbo fours or significantly larger sixes. The TSX's engine may produce its power across a broader rpm range than its predecessor, but it's just not enough given the competition. Of course, the other side of this coin is that the new TSX is among the cleanest cars in its segment - with an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle rating - and one of the best performing cars in its class at the pump as well, returning 21 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway. For many, this may be the TSX's greatest competitive advantage.

The previous generation TSX's excellent handling has been improved even further in this new model. Now featuring independent double wishbones front and rear, the car maintains a good handling balance - surprising when you consider the 60/40 front to rear weight distribution. The electric variable power-assisted rack and pinion steering also deserves mention, providing good feel and assistance that seems perfectly judged for this type of car.

So the handling is still in keeping with the cars sporting pretenses, but I'm afraid that in adding more content and size to the TSX, something has been lost. And that is the focused, nimble and sporty car that was once the darling entry-level performance luxury sedan of the motoring press. So it may attract more buyers due to its more mainstream positioning, but it's not quite as compelling to the enthusiast driver.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

Acura TSX

Performance
- Acceleration: Adequate for this class - surprising for a Honda VTEC engine
- Handling: Still the TSX's strongest performance characteristic - nice ride/handling compromise
- Braking: Perfectly acceptable, but would benefit from more performance-oriented tires

Design
- Exterior: As we've all been taught, if you can't say something nice...
- Interior: Where you'll spend most of your time, and thankfully, very nicely done

Utility
- Comfort: Great seats and ergonomics - back seat passengers haven't been forgotten - nice place to be all around
- Space: Good amount, especially considering exterior footprint - decent trunk size

Safety
- Dynamics: Sporting moves compromised by all-season tires, but otherwise, excellent dynamics
- Technology: Everything you'd expect from a brand that touts its technological prowess

Value
- Price: Lots of content for your dollar, and excellent Acura re-sale value - very sensible transport
- Mileage: Class leading numbers and clean as well - it is a Honda after all...

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Unfortunately, it's lost much the first generation TSX's enthusiast appeal
- Fun to spank: Not encouraged

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front wheel drive
Engine: 2.4 liter, Inline 4 cylinder
Power (SAE): 201 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 170 lbs-ft @ 4300 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm
Gearbox: 5 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3486 lbs.
0-60 mph: 7.0 sec.
1/4 mile: 15.8 sec.
Top Speed: 134 mph
Mileage: 21 city / 30 highway
Base Price: $29,720
Competitors: BMW 328i, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C30