Acura TSX
Vivé la difference–if you can find it |
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By Richard J. Newman
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NITS: An automatic up-down button on just the driver's side window seems a bit chintzy in this price range. Also, a piece of plastic on the bottom side of the driver's side seat had popped loose on the test car. That could have been the result of abuse by a prior driver–or a sign of suspect workmanship.
G-FORCES: I drove the TSX before checking out the specs, and assumed I was gassing a V-6. I was quite surprised when I learned that so much power could be squeezed out of a four-cylinder engine. The 200-horsepower "VTEC" is as confident as many V-6s, with less rumble and strain. Tight cornering is outright fun, yet the TSX retains a forgiving highway ride.
GIZMOLOGY: The test model came with the optional navigation system and made nice use of the central display module, which houses touch screen controls for the air conditioner and radio station presets. You have to do some mental toggling between buttons on the dash and the touch screen commands, since radio and climate functions are split between the two. But once you adjust, most controls are pretty intuitive. Same with various readouts, which can appear either on the navigation screen or on a separate display at the top of the dashboard. Once you memorize where the clock, radio data and other info is, it's all fairly user-friendly.
KID MARKS: Here's where the TSX is a practical family car. Kids can climb in and out easily. Toddlers or post-toddlers can reach the door handles and should be able to open and close the doors. Cupholders in the rear center armrest are a useful resting place for juice boxes and the like. One drawback: The rear seats fold down for extra cargo space, but the trunk liner juts into the gap and restricts the width of the pass-through.
ENVIROMETER: Not yet given a "green vehicle" rating by the EPA. Mileage ranges from 21 mpg/city to 31 mpg/highway, depending on the transmission.
CRASH COURSE: The TSX has not yet been tested by the government or by private testing organizations. The '03 Accord, which is structurally similar, earned 10 stars out of 10 on the government's frontal crash test. Side impact and rollover test results are due out later this year. Details:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP/
Cars/2373.html.
HOT OR NOT: Hot. Well, warm. Styling is enticing, though conservative.
PRICE POINTS: Base price is $26,990. Price as tested: $28,990.
MORE INFO: http://www.acura.com/models/
model_index.asp?module=tsx
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Model year tested: 2004
Comparing the TSX, Acura's new entry-level sedan, with the Honda Accord four-door that debuted last year is like one of those children's puzzles where you have to circle the subtle differences in two pictures that, at a glance, look nearly identical. And the similarities are no accident, since Acura is Honda's upscale brand. Oh, there are a few variations in the sheet metal–a crease here, a flare there–and the TSX has a more stylish front grille. Inside, it's the same game. There are a few touches in the TSX meant to evoke luxury and performance, but otherwise it simply copycats its came-first cousin. The overwhelming similarities have led some critics to dub the TSX a marginal upgrade of an already bland car, with Acura badging being the only real distinction.
I disagree. The TSX, in fact, is exactly what I wish the Accord were–a sporty, spunky ride with some vigor to complement its practicality. Yes, Honda could have been more creative in distinguishing the Acura product from the everycar it's derived from. But driving enthusiasts will find the differences aren't so subtle after all. The Accord is such an accomplished vehicle that it's hard finding anything to complain about–except its lack of personality. The TSX compensates for the ennui. Instead of mimicking the Accord's pillowy ride, the TSX is a road-hugger, with 17-inch tires and a stiffer, reinforced chassis. Steering is taut, cornering rigid. The tighter ride means a few more road vibrations percolate up to your fingertips, but I still found the car's comfort to be well inside the range that most drivers would consider pleasant. The TSX is peppy, too, milking an impressive 200 horsepower from a silky four-cylinder engine. The six-speed manual transmission has a substantial mechanical feel, but is as easy to manipulate as a kid's computer joystick, thanks to "short-shift" calibration. The overall effect: There's a fun factor that I never felt even in the most souped-up Accord.
As for the "luxury" connotation that comes with the Acura name, the TSX is a bit of a disappointment. The interior is certainly comfortable, with standard perforated leather upholstery and Honda's thoughtful workmanship. But it's no match for the slick styling in Lexus's low-end lineup, or the clever elegance of the Audi A4. The TSX doesn't hold up to true sports sedans, either. It's a front-wheel drive layout, for one thing, so the front wheels quiver a bit when you're accelerating around a curve. Rear-wheel drive sedans like BMW's 3 series or the Cadillac CTS provide a more stable feel when you're pushing the car. And the 200-horsepower engine, while sporting, is a lightweight next to potent power plants like the 260-horsepower V-6 in the Infiniti G35.
Here's the kicker though: Fully equipped, the TSX comes in at only about $27,000, including amenities like a moonroof, a six-disk CD player, and dual climate controls. That's an impressive package for the price, which is certainly lower than most cars that can claim the "luxury" label. Acura, true to the parent company's utilitarian roots, has also simplified the pricing strucutre. There's only one option–a $2,000 navigation system–and there's no additional charge for the five-speed automatic transmission. So the true price, minus taxes, will be under thirty grand no matter what. The pricing and options structure puts the low-volume TSX in a curious spot relative to the mass-market Accord, since the uppermost Accord comes with a V-6 that provides 40 more horsepower than the TSX, for about $700 less. I suppose Honda could just as well have called the TSX an Accord, and given it a sporty designation like SX or GT. Whatever it's called, I'm glad it's out there.
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