CD Article: 2006 Acura TSX

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

Since its introduction in 2003, Acura has sold a lot of TSXs, and 2005 was its best year ever, reports Laurance Yap.  “It's not hard to see why,” he says.  “The TSX pushes both the emotional and rational hot buttons of entry-level luxury car buyers..it offers impressive performance, entertaining handling, and plenty of luxury features; plus it's priced well, is a practical car with lots of room, and thanks to slow depreciation and great fuel economy, is cheap to own and run.”      More...

[a4_tom]

TSX is a hard car to fault in all conceptable areas. If Acura brought over a TSX wagon, we would seriously considered it against A3 SB and Passat wagon.

[toolatecrew]

They need to find a way to keep the price the same or close and put the RDX's 2.4 Turbo engine with mucho more torque and Awd drivtrain in the TSX. It would be a poor Mans audi S4.

[JSCC]

They need to find a way to keep the price the same or close and put the RDX's 2.4 Turbo engine with mucho more torque and Awd drivtrain in the TSX. It would be a poor Mans audi S4.

Hmmm... Type-S + A-Spec? Around $40,000?

[jww]

Acura pricing is starting to move higher up the ladder lately. Think about it - only a few years back you could get a loaded TL for the same price as the TSX is now. I do agree that it is a nce vehicle, and certainly has earned a pretty solid place in Canada. I see way more TSXs than G35s these days. I sure would love to see Acura do a mid-size RWD luxury performance sedan though.

jww

[Shnak]

yeah I agree... $36k base price is too much for a 4 cylinder engine IMO... At that price, it should either come with a small V6 like in the IS and 3-series, or with a turbo engine...

The TSX is a lot of car, but for $36k, I think I would look elsewhere, maybe the IS 250 RWD. Or even the base 323i, which starts at less than the TSX.

If the TSX would still be 32-33k as it was when it launched a few years ago, it would be a great deal... but its price has raised too much, and too quickly.

[JSCC]

If Infiniti wants to sell more cars, the simple solution is a G25 with 200HP+ 2.5L V6, or a G30 with 250HP+ 3.0L V6, which are both already available in the JDM Skyline.

And start at around $35,000.

[footlong58]

yeah I agree... $36k base price is too much for a 4 cylinder engine IMO... At that price, it should either come with a small V6 like in the IS and 3-series, or with a turbo engine...

The TSX is a lot of car, but for $36k, I think I would look elsewhere, maybe the IS 250 RWD. Or even the base 323i, which starts at less than the TSX.

If the TSX would still be 32-33k as it was when it launched a few years ago, it would be a great deal... but its price has raised too much, and too quickly.

The IS250 and 323i may START at the same or slightly less than the TSX, but option them out to equal what the TSX come's with STANDARD and you're paying 10 G's more...

[Shnak]

IMO, and it might just be me, stronger and smoother engine >>>>>>>>> a few extra features...

[curls]

IMO, and it might just be me, stronger and smoother engine >>>>>>>>> a few extra features...

Have you driven the TSX, especially with a 6-speed manual?  If not, I can't see how you can comment on the smoothness of the engine, as it's one of the smoothest I've EVER driven (incl. the G35 coupe I drove for one week last summer)

Value-wise, the TSX is one of, if not THE best, in the $25 - $45K range.  As others have said, if you are to get a comparably-equipped BMW, Audi, Lexus, etc... it'll cost you over $43K very easily.

[Shnak]

yeah but the TSX with its 4-cylinder engine is NOT comparably-equipped to the base IS, G35 or 3-series. It simply is not. It probably is the smoothest 4-cylinder ever made, but it's still a 4-cylinder, and you still need to take it up high in the rev range to get decent power, and you need to continually change gears to get the most out of it.

Give me a 2.5L V6 engine any day of the week over the TSX engine.

If my wallet can afford owning a BMW, I'd take the base BMW over the TSX, without question.

[Bullet Blue]

It probably is the smoothest 4-cylinder ever made, but it's still a 4-cylinder, and you still need to take it up high in the rev range to get decent power, and you need to continually change gears to get the most out of it.

That's what makes a manual transmission fun! 

[Howswedeitis]

The TSX doesnt do anything for me...to my mind it's just another gutless (see no low
end torque) Japanese sports sedan. I read recently the Euro version (Accord) scored
well out of the top 10 cars in it's segment in Europe for handling. However here
everyone praises it's handling which is no better than the average. For my money
if a FWD car is in this range is to be considered I'd go for the Saab 9-3 anytime.

[a4_tom]

They need to find a way to keep the price the same or close and put the RDX's 2.4 Turbo engine with mucho more torque and Awd drivtrain in the TSX. It would be a poor Mans audi S4.

All the rumors have indicated Honda is going to do exactly the same with next TSX, with that wonderful Super Handling AWD!

[Bullet Blue]

All the rumors have indicated Honda is going to do exactly the same with next TSX, with that wonderful Super Handling AWD!

Very Intriguing! I'd say if Honda did that, I'd be great for them. They could do the same for the TL.

[a4_tom]

Very Intriguing! I'd say if Honda did that, I'd be great for them. They could do the same for the TL.

If TSX is getting SH-AWD, TL should be getting one. Honda wants the Acura line-up to be SH-AWD covered, in order to challenge Audi Quattro.

[si]

AWD is heavy.

I've driven loads of TSX's, they're fun and well equipped.  They really shine on twisty roads, but do lack some torque for your average 401 joe.

Although FWD still sucks in this car, it's agility and value make it one of the best in this segment.

[MKII]

Value-wise, the TSX is one of, if not THE best, in the $25 - $45K range.  As others have said, if you are to get a comparably-equipped BMW, Audi, Lexus, etc... it'll cost you over $43K very easily.

You mean $35,000 - $45,000 range.


Its alot of money for a re-badged Accord.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think the TSX is a gorgeous, well-rounded, high-quality package. I would love to have one.

I wish the pricing still started at $34,5, and Acura has to watch how far they push this with the Euro brands coming down in price, but it's still excellent value.

Good fuel economy, rides well but is combined with agile handling, the interior is spectacular in look/feel/execution, manageable but useful size, good price, superb content. It's a winner to me.

[Giant Dwarf]

Howsweditis, I'm thinkin' you've never driven the TSX.  Shnak, I know you haven't.  It's certainly NOT gutless.  The power is smooth and linear and as you rev it higher, becomes quite impressive.  Certainly on par with the performance of the much heavier and thirstier V6 in the Mazda 6 and superior to the entry level I-6 that BMW had put in the snooze-machine 320i (and presumably similar-feeling 323i). 

The number of cylinders doesn't make or break the deal IMO, but rather how the car uses the power its got.  The TSX uses it pretty well and given it's mid-30s pricepoint, its equipment levels and superb quality, it makes it a tough act to beat still.