Performance, luxury and styling all in one package is something I don’t get a ll too often in a test car. The Acura TSX offers all that plus a whole lot more, which makes this car a very popular choice for enthusiasts who need a four-door car.
First off the TSX is the only vehicle in the Acura range that is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, which for some is a very interesting proposition. Combine this with the standard 2.4L double overhead cam engine with 201hp and you have a real winning combination.
I found this engine¬/manual transmission combination to work well with easy shifting and good power when down shifting was needed. The only snag with the manual transmission was that the computer held the engine speed up when going through the gears, which made the changing of gears a little odd until you became use to it.
As with most Acura’s, the TSX is a fine handling car, very comparable to vehicles like the BMW 3 series. Fuel economy for the highway is about 7 litres per 100km which is good for a car of this size and performance level. As for around the town, fuel consumption is realistically around 10 litres per 100km – what you might expect for a performance type car.
Inside the TSX, you find a well-appointed car with all the amenities that most people have come to expect from a luxury car. The seats were of course leather but more on the sporty side with slight side bolsters for better grip during spirited driving. As for comfort, they were about average which was a little disappointing. Rear seating was comfortable and offered good headroom.
The only problem I encountered here was that getting in and out required a little more twisting, something I didn’t anticipate with a car of this size. What was very generous was the trunk, which on a shopping trip easily swallowed our big weeks load of groceries with ease.
All the gauges were easy-to-read and view in all lighting conditions. Controls in the centre dash area took a little getting used to, based on the fact that there were a few I had to find and become accustomed to using. However, properly adjusted, the driver could adequately see with no real thick pillars that might affect visibility. The large sunroof on my test car was an option I really enjoyed as it opened up wide enough to really enjoy the scenery above and around the car.
I have to admit I have always been a fan of the Acura line and especially the TSX. I have always found the lines of the car pleasing, which is not always the case for me with Asian cars in general. Like most cars, they aren’t perfect but the TSX seems to handle most of want I want in a sporty luxury car and at a starting price of $34,000 I could be persuaded to buy one myself.
