Acura TSX Ultimate Test: Complete three-part review

DESIGN
The all-new 2009 Acura TSX presents Acura's Keen-Edge Dynamic design language in a four-door sedan for the first time. We first saw Keen-Edge Dynamic on Acura's Advanced Sedan concept car at the L.A. Auto Show in 2006. It wasn't exactly embraced by the motoring world, as its bold and progressive styling was perhaps a step, or even several steps, too far.

The Acura MDX showed us Keen-Edge Dynamic styling in a production application for the first time and now with the new TSX, we have Acura's next take on its design language. How does it translate? Let's use an analogy to illustrate.

Have you ever had a friend try to set you up on a blind date? It usually goes something like this: "Hey there's this girl I want to hook you up with. She works in Jane's office and she's got a great personality..." That's about where you tune out and decide you're not interested. Let's face it, we all know what that means. She may be nice, but she's no looker.

In the case of the new Acura TSX, however, if you pass up considering this car because it doesn't move you with its looks, you'll be missing out on what is a competent, well appointed sport-luxury sedan.

The last TSX was a well-liked car with no shortage of reviews complementing its sharp handling and its eager if slightly underpowered engine. The only complaint levied against it was that it was a little too conservatively styled. In the design world we would call it "good boy" design - no risk, very safe aesthetics that won't offend anyone. The flip-side of course is that you end up with somewhat boring, indistinctive car designs.

With the new TSX, you get a sense that Acura decided they had to do something drastic. And as you can see, they have. Where the previous model had simple, if slightly boring lines, the new TSX gets very techie-looking. Some of the surfacing looks machined or milled, and there's a precision to the chiseled lines that conveys Acura's "Advance" message. It's all very modern and bold, but somehow, it doesn't come together exceptionally well. Now look, I know that taste is a highly subjective matter, but in my opinion the TSX doesn't pull off the Keen-Edge Dynamic styling nearly as well as the MDX.

For starters, the wheels - at 17 inches in diameter - seem small and are tucked-in too far, hurting the stance of the car. This could easily be resolved with a TSX Type-S and its obligatory larger wheels, if Acura decides to build one.

Continuing with the side view, we see the sheer surfaces intersecting at the main character line that runs through the side of the car, as well as the machined looking fender flares. These elements do a great job of conveying the technology and precision of the Acura brand.

Less successful is the rear view, where we find random lines gathering at the corners of the car that don't seem very well thought-out. In particular, the intersection of the tail lamps with three different secondary character lines is just plain busy, and nowhere near as good as the resolution of secondary character lines seen from the side or front views.

Speaking of the front view, that's where we see Acura's corporate grille in its latest evolution, looking as if it hasn't quite found a happy home yet. While it's not as pronounced as it is on the MDX, it's still not exactly what you'd call handsome.

Acura has answered the critics who said its cars were too bland by moving away from the plain vanilla styling of the first generation TSX and deploying its full arsenal of Keen-Edge Dynamic styling on this model. The hope is that the car's design conveys both a dynamic driving experience, as well as the advanced technology the brand is known for. The reality is that perhaps they've tried a bit too hard and in the process, over-styled the car. While some of its surfacing does in fact deliver the corporate message, other details just get lost in translation.

INTERIOR & USER EXPERIENCE
With the all-new 2009 TSX, Acura presents a thoroughly revamped, more comprehensively equipped version of its entry-level model. Positioned within the entry level, sport-luxury sedan segment, the new TSX expands on the formula established by its predecessor - the original TSX.

With the emphasis squarely placed on the "luxury" part of that sport-luxury equation, the TSX offers tons of content and refinement, as well as Acura's reputation for reliability and its strong resale value.

Once again based on the European Honda Accord, the TSX differentiates itself from its corporate cousin even more than the last model. While the exterior changes are what you first notice, the most dramatic differences await you inside the cabin. Quite possibly the strongest selling point of the TSX, the interior is befitting a car in this class. There is just about every convenience item you'd expect. For starters, there's Bluetooth connectivity, a voice recognition system for many of the functions in the cabin, an excellent voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic and weather information, even a GPS-linked climate control system, and finally, an impressive audio system. Clearly, the TSX has the goods.

While the exterior design of this car will polarize opinions, there's not much to debate in the interior. Ok, it is a little busy in some areas - such as the top of the dash - but the overall design is cohesive and looks quite high-tech. And let's not forget, advanced technology is one of the messages of the Acura brand. One of my favorite elements has to be the instrument panel. It features floating needles for the tachometer and speedometer and layered gauges, which add a three-dimensional look to what is usually two-dimensional.

There is also a nice mix of materials and high quality plastics - again, exactly as you'd expect from Honda's luxury division. One gripe is surprising however; the texture of the upper dash is not in keeping with the rest of the interior, looking rather cheap. Around the navigation screen, it causes an irritating reflection when the sun hits it at the wrong angle. Not the attention-to-detail you'd expect from the folks at Acura, but in all fairness, it's a minor gripe.

Ergonomics are spot on, as is build quality. Again, typical of Acura products and surely a big part of the strong resale value of Acura cars. The steering wheel has a nice thickness and it feels and looks great. The seats are very comfortable and supportive, as well as good looking with their perforated leather sections. Space for both front and rear occupants is plentiful for a car in this class, no doubt due in part to the extra 1.4 inches of wheelbase versus the last generation TSX.

The center console shifter for the automatic transmission is quite nice and just the right size. There are also shift paddles behind the steering wheel, but they are plastic and don't feel as good as similar paddles we've tried on other cars.

Overall, it's a well-designed interior that is true to Acura's corporate message of technology and precision, mixed with a dose of emotion. For buyers looking for a well-made, fully featured vehicle offering strong reliability and resale value for reasonable money, the TSX is a strong contender.

PERFORMANCE
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.

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Acura TSX

Performance
- Acceleration: Only 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