Test drive: 2009 Acura TSX
I find that cars are like people: I like most of them, but sometimes I run into one and we just don't hit it off. That's what happened with Acura's redesigned 2009 TSX. Frankly, that surprised me -- the TSX should be right up my alley. It's based on Honda's European-market Accord (a totally different car than the North American Accord). It's designed to be trim, fuel-efficient, sporty, and packed with technological gizmos. But for some reason, the TSX and I just didn't seem to get along very well. I found the car a little dull and disconnected, and I wasn't sure if the problem was the car or me.
So I decided to get a second opinion. I asked my friend and fellow journalist Brian Chee if he would take on the task of testing the Acura TSX for About.com Cars. Brian agreed... and as soon as I read his review, I realized that the problem wasn't me. Check out Brian's test drive of the 2009 Acura TSX. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
Sadly, I kind of expected that.
Even the previous generation TSX came with less umph than it’s cousin, the Accord V6. Come on Acura! You have the gadgets and styling down, let’s give the car some kick!
PS. any news on the TSX Diesel?
Yeah, the performance is disappointing considering the price. In Brian’s review he asks, “Where is Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive?” but it would sap even more of the power away from the car if it were available.
Other websites reported that Honda intended to make available a diesel 4-cylinder engine in the TSX, but that it did not pass U.S. emission tests. More recently they report that Honda is planning to come out with a V-6 version to provide the performance that is missing in the current version.
And what’s the deal with the goofy looking front grills that all of the new Acuras now have?
Also, the Acura lineup is starting to look a bit bulkier than before. Personally, I don’t really like big, extraneous, bulky fenders. I would rather have car with a body that is sleek and lean looking, almost like it’s shrink-wrapped to the frame, similar to the previous TSX and TL.
Agreed - I own a 2008 Accura TL and after a dealer visit to see the new TL I decided to keep mine for another year at least. bulky, over-engineered fascia and just too big!.
OK, so this is a car with a large-ish 4cyl that puts out not-quite V6 horsepower but gets very V6-like fuel economy numbers while sucking aptly named premium fuel. Maybe I’m missing something. Was there a point in doing that?
How about this, Acura (as if they care what I think
); Make a truly efficient 4cyl that gets at least 32mpg with a manual on regular unleaded. Then issue a more powerful V6 model that gets mileage more like the 2.4L, designed with a more enthusiastic driver in mind; one less concerned about economy and more about performance.
This current model seems like a poor compromise over which neither customer could enthuse.
I have to agree. Although I’ve never driven a TSX, I’ve always been attracted to the car. The new look leaves me cold. This is not so much because of the look itself, as it is the fact that EVERY OTHER ACURA IN THE LINE LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME. What ever happened to each car model having it’s own unique look or identity?
I agree about the packaging and cost. Right now, the new Chev Malibu has nearly as many options as the TSX, with the same or better room, and the V6 version costs about $5K less for the same fuel economy.
You guys are ruining my fun. I was going to test drive a new TSX and compare it to an older model TL.
One question. Why are the reviews so good for the new Accord and mediocre for TSX which is supposedly more upscale in all aspects?
Gary,
By all means, test the new TSX. You might enjoy it. It’s just not really a good choice for the go-fast crowd, and don’t bother comparing it to the TL; they’re too different in terms of size and power.
As for your question about the difference, the Accord and TSX are really two different animals (they’re actually two different vehicles entirely). Our Accord, designed strictly for the North American market, is 8″ longer than the Acura, and as a bigger car is not designed to be as sporting. It is marketed as a plain vanilla family sedan, and it really is (the coupe gets extra points for sportiness). The TSX on the other hand, is a car marketed as a sporting alternative to European favorites, but it doesn’t deliver on all accounts. One lives up to its hype, the other doesn’t. That’s why the N.A. Accord consistently gets better reviews.
On the other hand, if you’re talking about the JDM/European Accord, which is the same exact thing as the TSX, you get the same story, that its only as sporty as they make it seem. Its still a Honda family sedan over there, not an upmarket brand. I do, however, wish they’d bring us an Acura version of the Accord Tourer…the TSX SportWagon…I’d buy one. Guess my MazdaSpeed3 will do. No lack of power here!
A fascia that reminds me of some stellar storm trooper’s helmet visor…ummm, not good. This review gives me the felling that if you’re the kind of buyer that takes a Lexus is250 over a BMW 3 series, then this car may deserve a test drive. As for me, it’s too big, too slow and way too gizmo driven. If there ever was an indicator that perhaps the “Baby Boomers” are starting to get OLD, this could be it. I’m pretty sure this car if for them.