A brand-new front-wheel-drive sport
sedan joined the lineup of Honda's luxury division as an early 2004 model.
Slotted between the RSX sport coupe and the midsize TL luxury-performance sedan,
the compact TSX four-door was similar to the European version of the Honda
Accord. Following a modest makeover for 2006, the only change for 2007 is the
addition of a standard tire pressure monitoring system.
A high-revving
four-cylinder engine is standard. Modifications to the intake and exhaust
systems raised the four-cylinder engine's output to 205 horsepower for 2006. A
fresh hood, new grille and updated bumper were also installed, and fog lamps
became standard. Inside, Acura's available navigation system was
upgraded.
Competitors include the Audi A4, BMW 325i and Lexus IS
250.
Like so many manufacturers today, Acura
promotes the sport sedan's aggressive appearance. High-intensity-discharge
headlights flank Acura's familiar five-sided grille. These xenon lights sit
above lower air intakes that suggest racing brake ducts. The back window slopes
into a short trunk lid, whose sharp termination is intended to help air separate
cleanly from the rear of the car at highway speeds. A power moonroof is
standard.
Nine-spoke alloy wheels hold 17-inch V-rated all-season
performance tires. Measuring 183.3 inches long overall and 57.3 inches tall, the
TSX has a four-wheel-independent double-wishbone suspension with a multilink
configuration in the rear. Trunk capacity totals 13 cubic
feet.
The interior features deeply bolstered seats that are upholstered
in perforated leather. A three-spoke leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
contains integrated audio and cruise controls. Dual-zone automatic climate
control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and keyless entry are standard, and
the eight-speaker 360-watt premium audio system includes a six-CD changer.
Acura's optional navigation system can operate with voice
recognition.
Acura's upgraded
2.4-liter four-cylinder generates 205 hp at 7,000 rpm and 164 pounds-feet of
torque at 4,500 rpm.
Either a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox or a
five-speed automatic with a manual-shift provision can be
installed.
Side curtain airbags and all-disc antilock brakes are standard.
Side-impact airbags include a passenger-sensing system. An electronic stability
system is also included.
Finding
fault with the TSX isn't easy, but it feels more like a family car than a sporty
four-door companion to the RSX. The manual-shift TSX accelerates eagerly, and
its gearshift glides smoothly between ratios.
This sedan is exceptionally
quiet and easy to drive, and it maneuvers with satisfying behavior. Unlike some
sport sedans, the TSX delivers a relatively gentle ride on smooth surfaces. But
on urban pavement, potholes produce substantial reactions and the ride gets
stiff with considerable body movement. The seats offer excellent support, and
the bright gauges are easy to read.
The TSX is Acura's entry-level model now that the RSX
coupe has been discontinued.
This is an under-$30,000 sport sedan cheaper than any
cars sold by Acura's Japanese luxury-car competitors. It's really not a new car,
though -- it's a version of the smaller Honda Accord sedan that is sold in
Europe, and comes only with a four-cylinder engine.
It returns for 2007 with no changes. Last year, power
was boosted to 205 horsepower, and there were some exterior refreshenings,
including a new grille, hood, side sills, wheels, headlights and taillights.
It's a popular car with Acura fans even though it has
less power than lower-priced mass-market sedans such as the V-6 versions of the
Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.
The TSX comes with either a six-speed manual or
five-speed automatic transmission (no extra charge for the automatic).
Acura says that the TSX sports sedan combines a
2.4-liter engine, drive-by-wire throttle control system and “race-bred
suspension with an ergonomic interior filled with the latest technology to
deliver performance, refinement and style.”
Fuel economy is 21 mpg city/29 highway for automatic,
and 22 city/31 highway for manual models.
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