2004 Acura TSX Test Drive

Slightly larger than a BMW 3-Series, the TSX sedan challenges its German rival with a 4-door sports sedan that includes all the good stuff for less cash. And that includes a choice of transmissions at no extra cost. Prices: US $26,490. Canada: $35,750. Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles. Warranty Canada: 4-years/80,000 km.

Heritage

In Europe, the Honda Accord is smaller and more driver-oriented than its American sibling. An excellent platform on which to build a sports sedan. In North America, Honda's Acura division, seeking to establish itself as a builder of sports sedans, had nothing to compete against BMW's all-conquering 3-Series. What better, then, than to take the European Accord, fit the most powerful 4-cylinder engine available, upgrade the running gear, trim it out with some luxury touches, add a few Acura visual cues, and sell it as a 2004 Acura TSX? This, however, gave the 2004 Acura TSX two obstacles to overcome: (1) the placement of the driving wheels, since no car with front-wheel-drive has ever matched a rear-driver for the sheer pleasure of steering through corners with the throttle pedal and (2) that illusive characteristic called image. We can't account for the second but as you will see in a moment, the 2004 Acura TSX almost completely disguises its front-wheel-drive layout.

Coachwork

We think the 2004 Acura TSX is quietly handsome. Highly supportive perforated leather seats plus an elegant strip of wood-patterned trim across the dash and continuing onto the doors, makes for a secure, attractive environment. Rear seat passengers get ample headroom, barely enough legroom. Two adults is the max in back. Dual climate control is standard, as are heated front seats. I regret to say, though, that forward sightlines are not up to Acura’s usual standards. The dashboard layout is exemplary, with large, easily-accessed controls (few of them, thankfully). The 360-watt sound system is located at the top of the console, the air control system is in the middle, a pair of easily-reached cupholders below. A center armrest is horizontally adjustable. Instruments are perfectly laid out, and so pretty with their blue-on-white LED appearance you'll be tempted to leave the lights on all the time. Entering through the rear doors is almost painful, while closing the front doors is awkward because of the long reach. Liftover to the 2004 Acura TSX trunk is high, as is the trunk itself, compensating for a lack of depth. The rear seat folds down but don't expect to slip DIY table tops through the narrow opening.

On the Road

Performance is what the 2004 Acura TSX is all about. The 200 hp, dohc four offers plenty of off-the-mark thrust with passing characteristics similar to a V-6. Acceleration is not what we'd call dramatic but the enthusiast won't be disappointed. You can choose a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic at no extra cost. A quick flick of the shifter puts the automatic in manual mode but why bother when this transmission does the thinking for you? (Though it does have a slight tendency to hunt between gears in some situations.) Acura has done a fine job disguising its front-drive heritage. Cornering is flat, secure, almost neutral. Precise, responsive steering with a small, leather-covered wheel adds to the pleasure. Vehicle Stability Assist helps prevent spins or off-road slides by neutralizing understeer and oversteer but if you'd rather control those tendencies through throttle and brakes, the system can be switched off. Ride is firm yet not stiff enough to disturb passengers. Although this is a very quick sporting sedan it is also a quiet one; wind and tire noise have been subdued to an amazing degree, while the engine, controlled by a drive-by-wire throttle, emits a muted tone of power when pushed.

Summary

The 2004 Acura TSX is exceptionally well-equipped for crash protection. It includes side-curtain airbags front and rear; dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's airbags; side airbags for the driver and front passenger. While the TSX is too new to have been tested by North American safety organizations, the Accord on which it is based rated highly in European crash tests. So... has the 2004 Acura TSX taken the measure of its arch-rival? In many respects, yes. Performance is equal to or better than BMW’s six-cylinder 3-Series. With VSA to maintain a safe line through corners, the front- vs. rear-drive argument is irrelevant. In addition, the 2004 Acura TSX offers more roominess and cargo capacity. Luxury, however, is where it really scores. BMW tosses in a little of this, a little of that; Acura goes all out to prove that even at a price of just US$26,490, you deserve special treatment.