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When my friend and colleague Brian Chee reviewed the then-all-new 2009 Acura TSX, he found it to be a competent car that left him feeling a little empty. Having spent my fair share of time in the TSX, I was inclined to agree. For 2010, Acura has attempted to turn up the TSX's excitement factor with a new 280 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 engine (link goes to photo). Is this new-found power the transformation that the TSX needs? Read on.
Larger photos: Front - rear - interior - all photos
- Extra power is a huge improvement
- Expensive
- Complicated controls
- Rivals do the job better
- 280 horsepower V6 is new for 2010; 201 hp four-cylinder also available
- Price range (TSX V6): $35,660 - $38,760
- Model tested/price: TSX V6 w/ Tech Package, $38,760
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 17 MPG city/25 MPG highway
- Best rivals: Infiniti G37, Audi A4, Lexus IS
Ever since Acura introduced the TSX, critics have dogged it for its lack of power. The four-cylinder TSX is actually respectably quick with a manual transmission, but the automatic does run out of breath rather rapidly. The new 280 hp V6 -- which comes exclusively with a 5-speed automatic -- solves the power problem nicely. It leaps off the line and races up to highway speed, although passing power is a bit lacking. The soundtrack is better -- I'll take the V6's snarl over the 4-cylinder's buzz any day -- and the lack of four-cylinder vibration gives the TSX V6 a more grown-up feel.
A bigger, heavier engine can easily throw off a car's handling, especially a front-driver like the TSX. Acura compensated for the V6's extra 200 lbs with revised front springs and shock absorbers, plus they tweaked the electric power steering for better response. Result: The TSX V6 feels just as nimble as the four, maybe even more so. And the added power makes it a lot more enjoyable in the curves.
But the V6 can't solve all of the TSX's problems, chief among them the plasticky, button-laden dashboard, which doesn't jibe with my idea of luxury. And it's pricey: At $36,550, it's a staggering $5,500 more than an automatic four-cylinder TSX. It's also $1,500 more than an Infiniti G37, which is faster and more fun to drive; $2,300 more than a Lexus IS, which is quieter and more luxurious; and almost $5,000 more than an Audi A4 2.0T, which is a better car all around. Adding the TSX's tech package -- navigation, Bluetooth, backup camera and a fancy stereo -- brings the price up to almost $39k. Sorry, Acura, but that's just too rich for my blood.
At the end of the day, the V6 is a huge improvement over the four-cylinder, but it's still not enough to move the TSX to the front of the pack. It's a nice car, but it still leaves me with that empty feeling. -- Aaron Gold
