2009 TSX Review

[EastTSX]

In case you're still thinking about making the leap...

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009-acura-tsx-review/

Guess I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[tsx4life]

wow they really played out the steroids tsx..um i .....mean the tsx.....lol

[ex-rotary owner]

Originally Posted by EastTSX

In case you're still thinking about making the leap...

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009-acura-tsx-review/

Guess I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[zhieson]

Hah, that reviewer just tried to destroy the new TSX. Haven't tested one yet, but I wouldn't buy one for reason outside of driving it.

[EastTSX]

Originally Posted by ex-rotary owner

Ok well then how about this one?

http://www.edmunds.com/acura/tsx/200...ivemanual.html

Still not too flattering I think.

Don't get me wrong, I want to like the 2009. I was holding out for the 2009 to trade my 2004. Now I'm pissed cause you can't get the 2008 anywhere. I was at a local dealer on Friday pleading to find me a low mileage 2007 or 2008 NAVI.

The salesman said the dealership normally moves 50 new cars a month...but the restyled TSX and TL are not catching on....sales have taken a nose dive. The dealership has sold a grand total of 4 cars this month to date...and its not because of "the economy" he assured me.

I hope brighter days are ahead for Acura.

[ex-rotary owner]

well i dont think the review is bad.
at least just off the pros and cons section, it seems to achieve acura's goals.
Pros: Comfortable seats, impressive standard features list, solid build quality, user-friendly high-tech features.
^ thats pretty much what acura's trying to achieve to break into the " luxury " segment. at least they got that much of it right, right?
Cons: Mediocre braking, lifeless steering, outgunned by most V6 family sedans.
^ i dont see how those cons can be a problem, after all. this is a 28-32k car, you cant possibly have everything you want.besides, its suppose to be outgunned by most V6 sedan anyways, its a 4 banger, it saves a lot of gas, and for the price vs standard luxury items, it cant be beat.
besides, most of us mod cars here, so mediocre braking can eventually be " fixed " lol. but really, for a sub 3400 pounds car, the steering is not bad. it tightens up quite nicely once its on the freeyway too.

[EastTSX]

I take comfort in the fact that Acura is already working on the 3rd generation TSX...not a moment too soon.

[nnnick]

I have a 2009 right now as a courtesy car while my car is getting some maintenance done, and I really think my car looks nicer inside and out. The interior of the 09 seems a bit too overdone, too many black plastic parts, and it loses that classy look of the previous gen. The exterior has grown on me a lot (and the grille is a lot better than the TL at least) but I'm suprised how disappointing it was...

The powertrain is more smoother and more responsive though, that's the one high point that kind of made me jealous...

[Draconis77]

I completely disagree. I was given an '08 while my '09 was being worked on and it just felt like my '02 Civic fancied up.

[ttk5]

I just got a 2009 TSX and personally, I really like it. Every car has its pros and cons but the cons dont heavily way out the pros like the review might infer. I am very happy with my new baby.

[TSX69]

2009 Acura TSX
Expert Review

MSRP Price Range: $28,960 - $32,060
Invoice Price Range: $26,638 - $29,481
Price With Options: 4 Trims Available
MSN Ratings & Reviews
User Rating: 9.8 Read Reviews
MSN Autos Rating: 9.0 Read Reviews

Review: 2009 Acura TSX
By Tom Wilson of MSN autos
Rating: 9
Bottom Line:
Zingy and nimble, the athletic TSX is the successful person’s first reward. Now Acura has rebuilt the 4-door sports sedan, added high-tech pizzaz and massaged the styling to keep up with the automotive Joneses.

Pros:
* All new; all better
* Sharp handling
* Easy on fuel for a performance car

Cons:
* No Super Handling-All-Wheel Drive option
* Pricey Technology Package hoards the goodies
* Some may miss high rpm “hit”

What to wear when you’re up and coming? If it’s automotive fashion, Acura’s TSX sports sedan is a chic pick. Natty. Lean. Electronically savvy. Zippy and with a nod to the environment, the TSX impresses the boss and pleases the performance soul without bragging or brawling. Acura’s carefully rendered second generation TSX retains all the performance while adding better handling, electronics and sophistication.

Model Lineup
Because a sports sedan’s lot in life is well-defined, the 4-door-only TSX is optimized with a single 4-cylinder powertrain and pleasantly taut suspension. Additionally, as a premium brand Acura sells only well-equipped vehicles, so the TSX boasts an impressive list of standard features. In fact there is only one major option, the Technology Package. It groups the audio upgrade with a voice-activated navigation, traffic, weather and rearview camera system.

Aside from the Technology Package, TSX buyers need to choose between the equally priced manual or optional automatic transmissions — a surprisingly close choice as we’ll see. Another is to run with the standard 17 x 7.5-inch 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels and P225/50R-17 all-season Michelin Pilot tires, or opt for the 18-inch wheel upgrade.

Don’t worry if the Technology Package is out of reach. Standard audio is a 7-speaker sound system with CD, XM radio, Bluetooth for hands-free connectivity, MP3 and USB music interfaces. HomeLink remote control is also standard, as is a power moonroof, heated leather seating, HID headlights, fog lights, heated side mirrors, plus front, side and curtain airbags. Base TSXs really aren’t.

Under the Hood
Defining the TSX’s lean personality is its tuned version of parent company Honda’s 2.4-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine. Designed to rev, the TSX mill whips out 201 hp at 7000 rpm and 170 lb- ft of torque at 4300 rpm when coupled with the 6-speed manual transmission, or 172 lb- ft at 4400 rpm with the 5-speed automatic. To keep the TSX lithely responsive there is no V6 option.

That’s no loss, since the 4-cylinder’s sophistication and light weight make a formidable combo. A die-cast aluminum block with iron liners and dual balance shafts is just the beginning. Breathing is via 4-valves per cylinder, optimized by variable valve lift, duration, and intake-cam timing. For 2009 the intake tract has been enlarged and the compression ratio raised to a sporting 11.0:1. The only downside is a premium-fuel requirement.

It’s worth noting the automatic transmission offers paddle shifting and actually nips the manual gearbox in fuel mileage ratings. The EPA says the manual gearbox box scores 20/28 mpg (city/hwy), while the automatic is rated at 21/30. A lower final drive ratio for the manual (4.764 vs. 4.438:1) is the likely culprit.

Inner Space
Acura says the TSX cockpit blends, “luxury, performance and technology in equal measure” and it’s a pretty apt description. Polished aluminum and leather mingle with a mix of digital and analog instruments to form an inviting, comfortable driving space with a high-tech vibe. Standard features abound, from comfort items such as heated seats to techy 12-volt and USB interfaces. Sporting aids include well-placed paddle shifters and dead pedal.

Increased shoulder room, freshened instrument graphics and a thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel represent some of the detail improvements, but the major upgrades are in the optional Technology Package’s electronic aids. Three interior colors — Ebony, Taupe and Parchment — are offered.

On the Road
Slashing through mountain curves confirms Acura’s strengthening of the TSX’s body shell. This was accomplished via a cross-braced roof, replacement of bolted body junctions with welding, and more high-strength steel. The A-arm front and multi-link rear suspension — along with the subframes to which they attach — are both more rigid and better isolated from the cabin for reduced road noise.

Another improvement is the electrically assisted power steering. It gives intuitive feel and quick response, greatly aided by the inherently light 4-cylinder engine sitting atop the front axle.

As a sports sedan with luxury intentions, the TSX deftly walks a narrow line between handling and a plush ride. New dual-mode shocks seem to do an especially good job soaking up sharp impacts. The latest TSX corners a pinch flatter, with more accurate steering, yet rides at least as well as the earlier-generation TSX.

The new TSX’s underhood personality remains willingly revvy, but is considerably smoother and slightly meatier in the mid-range. The old car’s distinctive jump in power at very high rpm is gone, replaced by a silky tear up to redline. Combined with the chassis’s increased accuracy, the TSX is a thrill to whip through tight turns, yet relaxing on straight stretches.

We sampled both the manual and automatic transmission and couldn’t decide which we enjoyed more. Urban commuters can opt for paddle shifting knowing they aren’t giving up a hint of performance; in fact the automatic feels faster than the manual. Of course, the manual-transmission buyer maximizes the interaction and total control of conventional shifting.

Our final powertrain thought is that the TSX is not really any faster than before — but it didn’t need to be. It is more refined, however, and now gets up to 2 mpg better mileage.

Right for You?
If the $29,000 to $35,000 pricing is within reach, the thought of buying premium gasoline doesn’t deter, and a shot of agile performance makes your everyday driving more fun, then you’ll enjoy the TSX. There are many sport sedan choices in this price range, including the more conservative BMW 3-Series or the turbo-powered Volvo S40. But the TSX’s balanced platform and welterweight personality give it an important place in the hot sedan universe.


Longtime Road & Track contributor Tom Wilson’s credits include local racing championships, three technical engine books and hundreds of freelance articles.