47 Votes

One, Two, Three! Did Acura Strike Out With The TSX?

Agent009 submitted on 5/16/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 2:04:52 PM

59 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.usatoday.com

After making a bad first impression, the new Acura TSX wormed its way into the nearly agreeable category.

Acura, Honda's upscale brand, widened and lengthened the TSX, which is loosely based on the European-market Honda Accord (a different, slightly smaller car than the U.S. Accord), making it truly midsize and more comfortable, though still short on rear-seat knee room.

Steering was a big minus in the loaded test car. That could be a deal-breaker for some, especially in a sports sedan where all controls should be excellent. Trying to broaden the car's appeal, Acura has fussed with the steering until it's a bit too boosted at lower speed and has little on-center feel at highway speed, forcing you to make little steering motions constantly to keep the car in its lane.

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One, Two, Three! Did Acura Strike Out With The TSX?

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"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
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User Comments

Is this Acura? I thought it was Saturn.
— vladyxa (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 2:15:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

That is one seriously FUGLY car!! I don't care how much content you get for your money if it is wrapped in toilet paper what is the point!!!!!
— FactsRule (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 4:35:08 PM | | Votes: 3

Still look better than American Accord. They offer this car to someone who wants Accord that look different from numerous Accord in U.S.
— TopGear (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:23:42 PM | | Votes: 3

Saturns dont have bucked tooth grills
— SenSpeed (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2008 5:31:00 PM | | Votes: 2

not my thing, but people will buy this car because you get alot for your money.

i can applaud that
— DROOPYSAKK (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 2:24:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

Your right!!! All this for only $32,060

This is The America's Best Buy!!!!

Acura/ELS Surround® 415-watt Premium 10-speaker Sound System with 6-disc in-dash CD, DVD-Audio, MP3, WMA and DTS® changer, and Dolby® Pro Logic® II

Acura Navigation System with rearview camera and Traffic Rerouting™**

AcuraLink® satellite communication system with real-time traffic and weather

Voice Recognition system

Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights

LED backlit gauges with progressive illumination

GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system

Note Function for XM

Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® wireless telephone interface with phone book
exchange

Automated Appointments

AND MORE!!!!

ALL THIS FOR $32,060+TTL

THAT WILL COST YOU $38,600+TTL IN A LEXUS IS 250
A $6,000 SAVINGS!

— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 3:53:37 PM | | Votes: 1

silver1....you can get all of the same options in a Mitsu Lancer GTS, for under $30k with TTL.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 12:11:15 PM | | Votes: 0

Not quite...No leather, memory seating, power driver and passenger seat, 44 less hp with slightly less fuel economy at the same time, heated mirrors, hid headlights, i could go on...
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 1:58:49 PM | | Votes: 5

If you're an absolute techno-geek, sure, it's a great buy.

But at the end of the day, it won't give you a very enjoyable driving experience.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 5:14:20 PM | | Votes: 1

This was a senseless review. Now I'm no Acura die hard fan but I've recently had this car as a loaner and it's really nice to drive, especially if you like a sportier suspension setting like I do. I don't know about the rest of you but aren't you tired or reading reviews by people who are old-fashioned, behind the times, and can't even operate anything more sophisticated than a light switch? Come on get with the program, "this is not your father's Oldsmobile"!
— Reason (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 2:29:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10

What about the comments about steering feel? Was the steering OK to you?
— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 1:57:08 AM | | Votes: 2

Until Acura offers RWD, I will stay clear of the marque.
— djrickp (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 2:42:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

+1
— SHOWTIME (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 3:04:23 PM | | Votes: -1

the day Acura offers RWD, the days Infiniti, Audi and BMW is going down
— pchera01 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:30:44 PM | | Votes: 2

^You're joking.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 5:14:58 PM | | Votes: 1

i will prefer buy V6 Accord instead Tsx in same price level.
— S2000VS911 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 2:49:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

+1
— SHOWTIME (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 3:04:45 PM | | Votes: 2

Depends on what marque u like,H or A badge....
— hao420 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 9:35:31 PM | | Votes: 1

No... It depends on which car is better. In this case, it's the Accord.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 5:15:34 PM | | Votes: -1

While Acura's are reliable, TSX style is too plain to justify the premium over Honda Accord. Also, Acura is no Lexus and is not luxurious enough. Their are too many build issues of late seen in Acura models that make me question where the brand is headed. Things like uneven body panels and cheap plastic. I am a new Acura owner and agree with steering assessment. Regret my decision. Customer service is better at Honda than Acura, but this could be the dealers.
— g2ok (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 3:01:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

The Lincoln MKZ is a better car. the front Grille on the Lincoln is very detailed, as if a jeweler laser cut and polished the edges. Even the Dash board and gauges are better on the Lincoln MKX although it could use more wood.

As much as I dislike the newer Lincoln MKS, I think it is a great lady's car and will likely be a huge hit with lady customers at the Lincoln showroom.

I really think Lincoln is starting to pull ahead of Acura. The new Lincoln V6 is on Wards 10 best List. Plus they have turbo-chargers coming along with Ford's development of a smaller clean Diesel.

And to top it off, you really can't beat Ford's seats. they have always been over-built and comfortable. I've heard BMW owners that love thier cars, but hate thier seats.
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 3:21:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -11

Well spoken. People will always underestimate Lincoln until they drive em.
— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 6:38:40 PM | | Votes: 1

ummm...mercuy, what year of wards 10 best engines are you talking about? if youre talking about this year, the linc/ford v-6 isnt on it, unless you meant the ford mustang's v-8.
this years 10 best are (alphabetically):

audi 2.0 turbo I-4,
bwm 3.0 turbo I-6
daimler 3.0 turbodiesel v-6
ford 4.6 v-8
gm 3.6 v-6
gm 6.0 v-8 hybrid
honda 3.5 v-6 <-----in the accord, btw
mazda 2.3 turbo I-4
nissan 3.7 v-6
toyota 3.5 v-6

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2008 6:06:59 PM | | Votes: 1

Since its introduction 2 weeks ago, we have sold about 10 units of the new TSX. The original TSX took close to a month to sell the 1st one.
The steering is dramatically different from the outgoing model. With regards to that, I think Acura sees the TSX to be a competitor to the Lexus ES more so than to the German cars. With that said, the feel is very Lexus like and very Un-Acura like. I don't know yet if that is good or bad.
The seats are some of the best you will sit in at this level and the stereo upgrade with the Tech pack is a must have. For anyone who hasn't driven on, stop in to your local dealer and give it a try. It just might surprise you. Then again, with the steering, it might not.

V-10 NSX
— jsell (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 3:33:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

I thought they were going to badge the new NSX as a Honda.

The ES competes more against the TL as far as pricing, features, and size. The TSX is moreso the IS.
— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 1:25:27 AM | | Votes: 2

How about adding the engine from the RDX and now you have more power and a lot more potential power.

http://www.caroftheday.org
— garythepowers (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 4:22:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Baby beast.....
— hao420 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 9:37:29 PM | | Votes: 2

Wacura
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 4:52:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Wacura?? More like Sacura or I personally prefer Sakura.

— hamproof (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:18:41 PM | | Votes: 0

Does sakura mean cherry blossom in Japanese?
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 7:00:56 PM | | Votes: 3

Saku (without 'ra") mean Condom in Japanese.
— hao420 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 9:40:06 PM | | Votes: 1

yes, sakura means cherry blossom

im half japanese, btw:)
— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2008 6:08:59 PM | | Votes: 1

FWD lineup, and where the heck is their v8? With the new TL pushing 300hp where does that put the RL? Also you won't appreciate how ugly the new grill looks until you see it in person. Although I think they did a good job at making the car look bigger than the previous gen. Where Acura excels is offering some nice tech features, but now Infiniti offers that and much more too.
— jl114 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:32:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

They could easily snap on a new grille. Although I’m not a fan of this car, you can’t judge a car by its plastic grille. A handsome grille does make it easier at trade in or sell out of your driveway in a few years.

I like the looks of the RL, but i didn't like the RL interior. Too small for a flagship.
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:39:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Acura is on the blink of below 10K unit/month.
Great job, Acura. When are you firing your CEO and product planners anyway? The CEO should have taken a strong position against Honda on the RWD and V8 looonnngggg time ago.
SH-AWD is not for everyone. Who needs AWD in a sedan unless you push hard on every corner or live in snowy area.
— ceric (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:43:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

luxury isnt about practicality...its about abundance
— SenSpeed (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:57:10 PM | | Votes: 3

Silver1, your not going to get an IS250 with nav and hid for 32K.....
— AMiodynski (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 5:52:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

No, I stated that you can all that in a TSX but in a Lexus IS 250 it would cost you $38,600+TTL IN A LEXUS IS 250 A $6,000 SAVINGS FROM A ACURA TSX WHICH COST $32,060+ TTL FOR A FULLY LOADED ONE...
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 6:25:47 PM | | Votes: 4

Thats about a $120 difference in car note,,,,
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 6:27:39 PM | | Votes: 4

For the exact same features and not to mention that the TSX is much bigger than the Lexus IS inside and out and just as reliable. So why not choose the TSX, seems like a much better buy, unless you want the bragging rights to just say I drive a "Lexus" that it will cost you $6,000 more to have say so Lexus symbol and same features.
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 6:38:28 PM | | Votes: 5

Looks like your typical Honda :-)
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 6:18:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

I forgot to add in Bore-Mobile :-)
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 6:18:37 PM | | Votes: -5

It's a perfectly fine vehicle.

The problem with Acura is that it doesn't know who it is. Is it a step-up brand for Honda or is it a real premium luxury contender?

When Honda finally answers that question, it might make more sense. Until then, we'll continue to see competent, if unremarkable vehicles.
— Maverick2020 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 6:51:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

i totally agree with your comment, i saw the tsx while i was having a scheduled maintenance done on my car, the BMW lot also sells Acura. In person it isnt a bad looking car i thought it looked nice honestly, the interior wasnt bad either.....just not a luxury cars interior....seemed a bit downmarket though. Acura like you said doesnt seem to know what they want to be its like they are Hondas Mercury or Lincoln, or above there like Jaguar was. The TSX interior is way to close in style, and quality to the Accord which isnt a knock on quality but it looks so close to it. Acura either needs to push their variants further upmarket than what they are and compete head to head with Lexus, and others, it appears they are almost afraid to
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 8:32:16 PM | | Votes: 6

Funny, I saw my first one on the road home from work. What a horrid design. Honda is seriously losing touch with designing decent looking cars!

I don't care what the content, it is very harsh on the eyes!
— GinsterCQ (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 8:52:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

It's all ruined by the rhinoceros-like grill!

If they tone that thing down, it would look... pretty much just like the old one...
— spydogoc (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 9:12:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

this car will be succesful for the same reason the old tsx was.

people who cant afford a IS or a 3 or an A4 will buy a tsx.

i would take a v6 accord too, but to many acura still has more prestige and as a result they will be drawn to this car.

its a great bang for your buck
— DROOPYSAKK (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2008 11:07:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

One thing that nobody can deny is that the TSX is good at getting consumers into a reliable Upscale car at an affordable price. True entry-level luxury.
— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 1:26:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

true.

friend of mine got an acura integra a few years back. his previous ride was a CHEVY baretta!

imo, honda/acura made a BIG MISTAKE in dropping the integra. AND the real names on the rest of the line. meaningless letters make for anonymous cars.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 4:40:07 AM | | Votes: 2

Performance/Luxury cars need to be Rear Wheel Drive, No exceptions.

Drivers in this segment are very skilled at driving and too sophisticated for technology junk like AWD and stability control. These things make the car's handling feel artificial.
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 2:33:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

So all people who can afford a luxury car are skilled drivers? Gimme a break.

And what about (since you seem to love the good old days) the Caddy Eldorado? That was FWD.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 5:53:27 PM | | Votes: 1

The Edsel Dilemma!

This car might be another Edsel.

The ugly grille of the Ford Edsel made it the worst selling car in history. It was a decent car, but the design of the grille made people avoid it like the plague.

I think guy’s wives probably said, “you’re not going to put that ugly thing in our driveway.“
Hence, the car faded into history, only to be found in car museums now.

Sometimes esthetics are everything.
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 2:43:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Edsel_Citation_Convertible_1958.jpg

One year later, they cleaned it up, and toned down the grille, but it was already too late for the car.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Edsel_500px.jpg
— mercuryguy (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 2:54:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

This segment is entirely too competitve to be "an ok-decent car".

Total failure of a vehicle.
— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2008 6:40:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Acura has got it all wrong. They just can not seem to make a car as popular the TL.
— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2008 6:01:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

This TSX is really out of place. WHen it was introduced they clearly knew the TL was still around. Why price the TSX a few grand cheaper than a TL when the TL looks more upscale on the exterior & interior(ESPECIALLY).

The TSX should have just been a CL replacement not a sedan!
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2008 10:25:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

The 2009 RL has a rear biased SH-AWD. better to put the 300 HP to the road.
— BradMacPro (View Profile)

Posted on 5/21/2008 1:52:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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One, Two, Three! Did Acura Strike Out With The TSX?

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