2009 Acura TSX March 2009
Having never driven the TSX, I was excited to get behind the wheel. Acura has been one of those auto makers that has quietly found its place among the entry level luxury brands and my goal with this drive was to get a good feeling for the Acura brand. I wanted to put the car to the full consumer test.
Before we chat about my experience, let’s talk a little about Acura. As part of the greater Honda family of cars, the Acura brand has been around since 1986. Many cars have adorned the Acura logo, but when I think of Acura…I think of the Acura Integra, which was one of two cars originally launched by the brand. The other was the Acura Legend. The Integra was a customizer's dream. The automotive aftermarket took hold of the Integra. Larger wheels, exhaust systems, custom stereos and suspension kits became common place on an Integra. In 2001, the Integra was replaced by all-new Acura RSX. Hoping to capture the same market, the RSX was more refined and matured than the Integra and opened up a new channel of customers.
Over the past few years, Acura has refined its cars to compete with Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln and Buick. However, one could argue that Mercury and possibly Saab and Volvo are also in the competitive mix, as all of the companies have entered the luxury market in one way or another.
The DRIVE – First Impression
Doing a solid vehicle review, having noted this in the past, is never really about horsepower and performance for me. It’s always part of the vehicle review and something worth mentioning, but doesn’t really give the consumer the whole story on the car. So, getting behind the wheel of the TSX for an initial impression was going to involve some great freeway driving and some stop and go city driving. Sounds like fun right?
Well, my initial impression of the TSX was great. I expected less creature comforts and amenities for an entry level luxury sedan. With a sticker price of $32,000, the car came equipped with everything needed to make a full court attack on the pavement. Navigation, Park Aide, Bluetooth, Back-up cameras all came equipped on this TSX. In the past, options like this didn’t exist for entry level luxury cars, so I was pleased to see technology making its way to an entry level luxury sedan.
(Back-Up Camera)
However, all this technology doesn’t come without minor hiccups. In California, hands free communication is the law, so having a quality Bluetooth is a must. This might be minor for some, but for me this was pretty significant. The connectivity of getting the Bluetooth paired with my phone wasn’t very easy. And after pairing it…the system asked me every time I made a call if I wanted to connect each time. It could possibly be user error on my part, but given that I live and breath cars, it still gave me a hard time! Putting all this aside, I asked callers on the other end how clear I was and unfortunately they felt I wasn’t that clear. Towards the end of my test drive…I opted to use my own head-set.
The Navigation worked well and the back-up system was very functional. I particularly loved the XM feature in the car…but then again, I love this feature in any car!
Under the Hood…Performance
This is where Acura truly separates itself from other auto makers. The engine on the TSX was flawless. The 201-hp, 2.4 liter i-Vtech engine was magnificent. I know that I often avoid HP/performance chatter, but this car was just fun to drive. The power band was up around 4500 rpm and shifting up through the gears was enjoyable with the 6-speed manual transmission. Based on the new sleeker profile of the TSX, I also could feel the stiffness of the chassis and the cars “rail-like” qualities. From a performance standpoint, I look for the “fun-to-drive” factor and this car met all those qualities.
(Nightime Shot of Aggressive Front Grille)
Inside the TSX
The interior of the TSX is very clean and open. It’s roomier and more spacious than I thought it would be. The leather seats were very comfortable and hugged you ever so slightly giving off a solid “sports” car feeling. The illuminated gauges in front of the steering wheel really present an additional aggressive and sporty look. The Instrument Panel is also very modern and full of buttons. Dual climate, navigation, back-up camera and an easy to click controls highlight the technology in the TSX.
(Interior of TSX)
The Bottom Line - Balance
I like the TSX. It’s definitely the car for the young business professional that’s looking for technology and sport at an affordable price. If Bluetooth is important for you, I would suggest exploring this further at an Acura dealership to learn about the pairing and functionality. I am on the phone the entire time I am in the car, so having a state-of-the-art Bluetooth is critical. Balance is the best word that comes to mind with the TSX. It’s well-crafted and perfect for the daily driver.
The TSX starts above $29,160 (base) and tops out around $32,260 (6-speed manual w/Touring Package).
(Front 3/4)
(Rear 3/4)