Acura TSX

TSX key facts and specifications

Two generations of the Acura TSX

Acura had sold the Integra saloon in this class before. For the TSX it took the sporty Accord built for Japan and Europe, which was smaller and more agile than the American Accord. The first car went on sale in April 2003 as a 2004 model. Its cabin came from the Honda Inspire sold in Japan.

The second generation was revealed at the New York show on 20 March 2008 and went on sale on 24 April 2008. It used Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. Every TSX of both generations came from the Sayama plant near Tokyo.

First generation: the 2.4 i-VTEC and a manual gearbox

The K24A2 engine was the heart of the first TSX. This 2.4-litre four revved freely and gave 149 kW (200 hp) at launch, rising to 153 kW (205 hp) for the 2006 model year. American buyers could choose the six-speed manual, which had a magnesium casing, or a five-speed automatic at no extra cost.

The 2006 update, on sale from November 2005, brought a new front and rear, side skirts, fog lights and new wheels. Later years added a tyre-pressure monitor and satellite radio. Car and Driver put the TSX on its Ten Best list for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Second generation: bigger body and a V6 option

The 2009 car was 76 mm wider and 61 mm longer, with a 33 mm longer wheelbase. It weighed 45–68 kg more than before. The 2.4 engine now gave 150 kW (201 hp) and 233 Nm, slightly less power than in 2008, and the automatic gained paddle shifters.

For the 2010 model year Acura added a 3.5-litre V6 shared with the Acura TL. It produced 209 kW (280 hp) and came only with the five-speed automatic and 18-inch wheels. A planned 2.2 i-DTEC diesel for North America was cancelled in favour of hybrids.

The 2011 facelift brought a new grille, bumper and LED lights, a revised navigation screen and rear air vents. According to the old 1cars text, the update also reduced engine friction for better economy and added thicker side windows against noise. The navigation system in that version used a 60 GB hard drive with 15 GB reserved for music.

A Special Edition marked Acura's 25th anniversary in 2012. It had a body kit, 17-inch wheels, red interior accents and aluminium pedals, with either gearbox.

Sport Wagon and the end of production

The Sport Wagon arrived on 21 December 2010 as a 2011 model. It was the European Accord Tourer with the 201 hp four-cylinder and an automatic only. Luggage space ranged from 731 litres (25.8 cu ft) to 1,713 litres (60.5 cu ft) with the 60:40 rear seat folded. Canada never got it. Full details are on the separate TSX Sport Wagon page.

In late 2013 Honda announced that the TSX would end in 2014. The Acura TLX replaced both the TSX and the TL, while the smaller Acura ILX took over as the entry model.

Fuel consumption and running costs

The 2.4 four-cylinder is the cheaper engine to run and easier to service. With the 65-litre tank, a second-generation 2.4 covers about 690 km between fills at its combined figure, by our calculation. You can turn those numbers into a yearly budget with the 1cars fuel cost calculator.

Cabin, equipment and space

Standard equipment in the US was generous: leather, dual-zone climate control, a power driver's seat with memory, a sunroof and xenon headlights on the second generation. The Technology package added navigation, live traffic and weather, and a 10-speaker audio system with DVD-Audio. The old 1cars text lists an 8-speaker, 360-watt system as standard on the 2011 car.

The rear bench is best for two adults, although three fit on short trips. Boot space is the weak point: about 354–374 litres, small for a mid-size saloon. The old review's verdict was the same, wishing for a bigger boot.

Safety ratings

The IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 7 per million registered vehicle years for the 2009–2011 TSX. That was the second lowest among mid-size four-door cars, with no deaths in single-vehicle or rollover crashes.

Sales and reliability

By our calculation, Acura sold about 321,000 TSX saloons in the US between 2003 and 2015, plus about 10,000 wagons. Consumer Reports recommended the car in 2004 and called the used model a "Good Bet" in 2007. In November 2006 CNN named it the best saloon for resale value. As with any older car, check the service history and the condition of the automatic gearbox.

Racing success

The TSX also raced. RealTime Racing won the Touring class manufacturers' title of the SCCA World Challenge in 2005 and again in 2006, sharing the second title with the RSX. Peter Cunningham took the drivers' crown in 2005 and 2008, and Pierre Kleinubing in 2007.

Rivals and which Acura TSX to buy

The best TSX for most buyers is a 2011–2014 second-generation 2.4 with the six-speed manual. It has the facelift and the most responsive drivetrain. The V6 is quicker but heavier at the front, and the Sport Wagon is the rare, practical choice. A late first-generation car with the 205 hp engine suits buyers on a smaller budget. Compare a TSX with its rivals in the 1cars comparison tool, and see the Accord it was based on in the Honda Accord overview. Other models of the brand are listed on the Acura catalogue page.