Acura TSX Test Drive - Is Anyone Paying Attention?

Yes, tres chic.

crapan......chose the right name, nothing but crap comments

i think its nice looking especially in person, and in this pic....the last TSX Im sure I will get deboosted for this but who cares, looked like an economy car it was bland and boring with a small any car shape, with a 4 cylinder, the Honda Accords Wheels, nothing about it said premium to me, in fact the Honda Accord V6 made better sense as it had more space, more power, and an arguably nicer interior(which they both looked very close), i could never get why you waste the money on one unless you couldnt afford a TL, and just had to have an Acura....the new one at least looks like an upscale car on the outside

I will pay atention if their offer the engine from the RDX...<

I still feel like the 08 Accord Coupe V6 6 speed manual is a better buy than the TSX.

Well this will likely be the best looking car in their line up for a while (and thats not saying much because the looks are just ok at best). Although I usually hate car and driver articles, I am not surprised by the results.

I was behind a black one on I95 earlier this week. It is kind of strange looking with the odd front wheel arches.

I have seen a few lately on the roads. They don't really make you wanna stare as it drives by. It blends in WAY to much with the scenery. The car is essentially a European Accord with an aging 4 cylinder engine that needs some kind of boosting or change. The Acura RDX engine would be a nice fit, still a 4 cyl, but has a turbo for good power output. I think somewhere around 260ish.

Acura has gone blind and is setting themselves up to be the next Bangle's. They are gonna need some major changes as I said before and fast. I already pointed out what they should do and I will say it again.

1) new design team, instead of giving us the same exact car with different fascias, recreate the designs to be more appealing and competitive with competition.

2) more power is always a good option. Offer people two engine choices like most upscale makers do. I don't even think you can get a 4cyl. in a Lexus anymore (maybe the is250).

3) Bring back the RSX as a G37, C70 competitor

4) S2000 version in Acura trim to compete with the Z4

5) AWD on most all models, not hard considering the Honda Element has a 2.4L 4 cyl. with AWD, oh wait thats the same engine that is in the TSX!


Basically they need to redesign, expand their lineup and offer more power. Acura had a good product, now they are letting it slip away drastically because they are being cheap, and unresponsive to consumers. Just look at the new Honda Pilot, regardless that SUV sales are falling, that redesign got no good reviews on its look. Honda is a company that loves to go backwards apparently. No more LED taillamps in the TL or Accord, no more projectors for the Pilot. Before long they will be like BMW and charge for sunroofs, HIDs, ipod connectors, alloy wheels, leather. You know, the reasons people buy luxury cars in the first place.

Bangle still sold/sells well irreguarless.

how is the 4cyl in this car lousy? Being efficient and smooth must make it lousy right? It must also be the reason why TSX's are actually selling fairly well. One of the few models that are selling better than previous years.

I find this article funny because Car and Driver's actual road test contradicts this one.

Which US publications would you consider to be better?

Acura is dead. Let's all accept it.

Try not to get a whiplash when the new NSX is introduced... also, the new TL will be the best handling and one of the quickest in it's class with the most advanced AWD system only BMW can dream about.

Auto001, what cars are in the TL's class? For the FWD model, it would be the ES350 (and the TL would handle better I would guess). For the AWD version, would it be the 335xi and G35x? I would bet those two cars (with better weight distribution due to their original RWD set up) would still out handle the front heavy AWD TL.

People cross shop TL with 3/5-series, C-class, A4, Passat, Legacy, G35, Maxima/Altima, CTS etc., most who buy these cars don't care about FWD-RWD setup, actually where there is lots of snow, more will stay away from RWD. I wouldn't call SHAWD a fwd car anyway as you can send power to even one wheel only.

So what you were saying in your first comment is that the new TL is going to outhandle the 3-Series, 5-Series, and G35? You can't be serious.

I dont think its ugly however its nothing to get excited about either.

No it's not "ugly", but it's a very underwhelming for a so called "luxury" brand.

You said what I didn't get the chance to!

I predict, (drum roll please) the TSX sales will take off when they start advertising the diesel.

Speaking of audi, are they bring the new a4-TDI to the States?

Nice car but not an enthusiasts car. Driving that car will provide zero thrills. So I'm not sure why we're even talking about it here. How about something more newsworthy? Instead of this harmless car.

Driven the new TSX twice. It may not the the pure enthusiast vehicle the previous version was, but why is no one complaining that the previous TSX was also a European Accord?

My only complaints about the new TSX are the grille and the greater amount of interior noise level (from my 07 TL). But I could happily live with the TSX for a few years if I choose to go with a lower lease payment.