Competition in the compact, luxury sedan segment has been fierce the last few years. The beneficiaries of the rivalry are those in the market for a high-value upscale sports sedan. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi now offer entry-level sedans that compete bumper-to-bumper with the TSX, which is unchanged for 2012.

Despite the beady-eyed competition, the TSX V6 brings a lot to the game. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

An accomplished competitor
Despite tussling more than ever with Acura’s TSX, the German brands don’t take anything away from the Japanese fighter. The TSX is a high-value choice that’s offered with either a 4- or 6-cylinder engine.

The base TSX is stickered at $31,890. That money will secure a nicely equipped unit powered by a 2.4L 200-hp 4-cylinder engine linked to an automatic 5-speed transmission or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

My tester was positioned at the top of the TSX chart, which meant it received V6 power, perforated leather upholstery, navigation and many other features such as High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, premium audio and shift paddles. Note – the manual transmission is not available with the V6 engine.

With its Technology Package and V6 engine, my top-of-the-line tester carried an MSRP of $43,785. While $43K isn’t out of line for the TSX given its content and performance capabilities, it does open many other doors in the upscale/premium market, including those of an Audi A4 quattro and a Mercedes-Benz C 250 4MATIC.

Both of these German contenders are equipped with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and carry slightly lower MSRPs than the TSX Technology V6; they are however, near the bottom of their respective model lines. Still, they’re well equipped and provide far superior traction to the front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup beneath the TSX.

Quality uncompromised
Irrespective of where the TSX shakes-out when contrasted against rivals in the segment, there are several aspects of Acura’s candidate that highly impressed me. First is the remarkably precise build quality of this vehicle.

The perfect fit and alignment of all body panels, including the four doors, hood and trunk were quite astonishing. The exceptionally narrow gaps between panels and doors, hood and trunk, were strikingly precise. And that level of accuracy is evident within the car as well.

The tightly assembled cabin uses high quality materials that look subdued and business-like yet sporty enough to inspire. Instruments and controls are logically arranged and intuitive to interpret and use from day one.

I’ve always enjoyed my time in the cabin of the TSX since its 2003 introduction. Its front seats are firm and supportive while leg and headroom are both beyond expectation for this size of vehicle.

Once settled into the cockpit, things come to life as the engine ignites all six cylinders.

The tightly assembled cabin uses high quality materials that look subdued and business-like yet sporty enough to inspire. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)