Handsome, sleek, modern. The 2009 Acura TSX is the perfect, inexpensive luxury sedan for the young professional.
The exterior has a masculine, aggressive look. If you were to remove the logos, however, you’d have a hard time pegging it as an Acura: It lacks the personality established with the RSX and EL. Yet once you step inside, it is most definitely an Acura.
Luxurious and stylish, the TSX flaunts an instrument panel featuring sharp creases and flowing metal trim on the dash and console; a gauge layout with metal-rimmed gauges and illuminated markers; and a thick, sporty steering wheel rim with additional fingertip controls for Bluetooth and voice activation controls. In terms of convenience, it’s equipped with a dash compass, automatic up/down front passenger windows, one touch moonroof switch on the ceiling, door-mounted electric trunk release, and a passenger mirror that pivots down when the transmission is put into reverse. Major bonus: Even the base model is equipped with the moonroof and heated front seats — no additional hit to your wallet required.
The front seats are fantastically comfortable, with terrific lateral support and a myriad of safety features. The active front seat head restraints will greatly reduce any whiplash resulting from rear-end collisions. (Thank you, Honda, for eliminating a painful and preventable car-related injury. Hopefully, you can shame your auto-making competitors into doing the same.)
The new TSX is a superb drive, thanks to some improvements over the previous model: a wider track, new Showa dual-mode shock absorbers, wider standard tires, larger rear disc brakes, and new electric steering system. Braking and handling are excellent, creating a nicely controlled ride. Showa shocks fare well over Toronto’s potholes. Providing you don’t drive through a construction site, the TSX can be tossed around without punishing the car or yourself.
This sturdy machine is powered by a 2.4 litre, four-cylinder engine. No V6 is available, but it’s not needed. The four cylinder engine creates the power and torque characteristics of a V6 without sacrificing fuel efficiency, thanks to the incorporation of Honda’s i-VTEC valve control system. As well, new technologies have been incorporated into the TSX to reduce nasty emissions significantly. The TSX engine is a true compromise between performance enthusiasts and environmental enthusiasts.
My tester came with the automatic transmission. For the most part, you would never know the TSX has a four-cylinder under the hood — it’s so smooth at low revs. The engine does rev loudly once up around 4000 rpm (typical auto behaviour), but the quiet cabin makes up for it.
The TSX sits at the entry level of the Acura product line with a base Manufacturers’ Suggested Retail Price of $32,900 (a price drop of $3,300 from the previous model), and top-of-line TSX with technology package parked at $40,300. The price belies its true value: the 2009 Acura TSX incorporates all the style, efficiency, and sturdiness a young professional could want, for a lot less than you might think.
Angela Trimmer is the Women’s Post Automotive Editor. She can be reached at atrimmer@womenspost.ca
Image courtesy Acura
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