I was quite taken with the gauge cluster and found it to be both manly and modern all at once, but more than once, occupants in the car with me commented on how truck-like and bulky they were; how they didn't suit the car at all. To each their own, I suppose.
Buttons aside, interior space and comfort is pretty fantastic. Visibility from the driver's side is great and the front seats are comfy enough to stay that way on long hauls. The backseat is a wee bit tight, but as long as you like your travel buddies, you'll be OK. Cargo volume is relatively small at 396 litres, but then that's to be expected in a sedan.
Where the Acura really shines is in the drive. And I have to admit, I wasn't expecting it at all. I've driven Hondas and Acuras in the past, and they all kind of felt the same; very Honda. But there was something different about the TSX that caught my attention. Perhaps it was the sportiness I liked, or the smooth ride, or maybe it was both. But the Acura TSX drove very much like a BMW all week, and that surprised me.
Equipped with a 2.4L, DOHC, i-VTEC 4-cylinder, the Acura TSX has 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, both of which aren't mind-blowing numbers. However, it was enough to make the car feel quick and responsive when coupled with the 5-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to the Tech package loaded on my tester, the TSX also sported paddle shifters on the steering wheel, which actually worked very well when needed. Normally, I stay away from sport shifts in autos as they can be laggy and jerky, but the Acura's system was swift when asked to perform, especially when the shifter was in the “S” position.
There was something very luxurious about the way the Acura handled itself; at least it was luxurious for the $38,000 price tag the TSX Tech sported. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the smoothness of it all, and actually enjoying the automatic transmission (something I usually get pretty bored with by the end of the week). This is one of those rare testers I could actually see myself owning, something I would consider if I was in the market for a car in that class.
The TSX really isn't the best-looking sedan on the road, but if you can squint hard enough to get into it I guarantee you'll enjoy the ride and revel in the interior fixings. It is, after all, an Acura and like Honda, they have a reputation for build quality and driveability, and this reincarnation of the TSX is no exception.
Buttons aside, interior space and comfort is pretty fantastic. Visibility from the driver's side is great and the front seats are comfy enough to stay that way on long hauls. The backseat is a wee bit tight, but as long as you like your travel buddies, you'll be OK. Cargo volume is relatively small at 396 litres, but then that's to be expected in a sedan.
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| The Acura TSX drove very much like a BMW all week, and that surprised me. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Where the Acura really shines is in the drive. And I have to admit, I wasn't expecting it at all. I've driven Hondas and Acuras in the past, and they all kind of felt the same; very Honda. But there was something different about the TSX that caught my attention. Perhaps it was the sportiness I liked, or the smooth ride, or maybe it was both. But the Acura TSX drove very much like a BMW all week, and that surprised me.
Equipped with a 2.4L, DOHC, i-VTEC 4-cylinder, the Acura TSX has 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, both of which aren't mind-blowing numbers. However, it was enough to make the car feel quick and responsive when coupled with the 5-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to the Tech package loaded on my tester, the TSX also sported paddle shifters on the steering wheel, which actually worked very well when needed. Normally, I stay away from sport shifts in autos as they can be laggy and jerky, but the Acura's system was swift when asked to perform, especially when the shifter was in the “S” position.
There was something very luxurious about the way the Acura handled itself; at least it was luxurious for the $38,000 price tag the TSX Tech sported. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the smoothness of it all, and actually enjoying the automatic transmission (something I usually get pretty bored with by the end of the week). This is one of those rare testers I could actually see myself owning, something I would consider if I was in the market for a car in that class.
The TSX really isn't the best-looking sedan on the road, but if you can squint hard enough to get into it I guarantee you'll enjoy the ride and revel in the interior fixings. It is, after all, an Acura and like Honda, they have a reputation for build quality and driveability, and this reincarnation of the TSX is no exception.
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