Jalopnik
As I said in my TSX-tease at midnight the other night, the four words I'd use to describe the new 2009 Acura TSX, would be "competent yet remarkably boring." But let's be clear, that's not to say the new TSX is bad — it's just, you know, not the best foot forward for the Acura brand. But there's a bit of a problem as the TSX is, and always has been, the entrée to Honda's luxe brand — a means to move buyers from those high-volume Accords to lesser-volumed, but higher profit Acuras.
I had high hopes for this new model — I'd spent a week behind the wheel of a 2006 TSX and found myself pleased enough with the responsiveness, handling and slightly-tweaked engine that I was willing to overlook some of what I perceived to be "issues" with the '06 model. One issue I'd had was the power provided by the 2.4-liter in-line four. Another was the numbness of steering. But, overlook them I did and it was easy to do, as the old TSX had a cabin that while sound-dampened, was not overly so — and it gave you the engine sound that could mask the reality of the car's real power output. Overall it was a fun little four-door that, while not overly memorable, didn't find many haters. So the bar for the new model ain't what you'd call overly high.
The new TSX not only meets the bar, it exceeds it. Unfortunately, it's the wrong bar. For starters, let's take a look at the new-look of the exterior. For starters, the front of the car gets the new double-plenum grille already found on the new 2009 RL. While some may like the wide-mouthed front, I did not. Same is true for the interior, which blends plastics like a SoCal fruit smoothie shop.
But materials aside, the interior's got some nice qualities. There's the driver's seat, which bolsters you competently in the corners and there's also the Technology Package which includes the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition and the neat-o AcuraLink Real-time traffic and weather systems that give you dynamic traffic rerouting in your navigation around jams. There's also the Bluetooth hands-free system included as a standard, as well as a really easy-to-use standard USB port that'll do a commendable job of integrating your iPod with the killer Elliot Scheiner-tuned 10-speaker sound system. Also, the big, thick steering wheel felt comfortable and firm in my hands. It also felt numb.
Seriously, the 2009 takes that particular quality to an all new bar-busting high. I felt as distant from the road in the new TSX as I'd felt in the 747 flying into LAX the day before. It's not just the steering that had as little feeling as a college one-night stand, it was also the enhanced sound dampening. While it may help make the '09 TSX quiet as a tomb, it also denies one the sound one would hope for from an actual sports sedan.
But, with some pushing and prodding, the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine of the 2009 Acura TSX was able to provide some pleasant sounds but not the true satisfying engine note you expect from a real sports sedan. Along the twists and turns of the SoCal two-lane state roads, I found myself able to generate the sounds I was looking for out of the little mid-size four-door. Unfortunately, there was precious little room left 'til I hit the redline and that necessary shift up to fourth gear. I'd get a little bit of what I was looking for with each and every turn, but it never seemed enough to truly fill my enjoyment meter.
But the demographic for the TSX may not be searching for the same thing I was. Acura tells me the four purchase reasons given by buyers are:
1.) A well-made vehicle
2.) A fully-featured vehicle
3.) A reliable vehicle
4.) A reasonable price or deal offered
This contrasts sharply with the top four reasons I normally use to make my purchasing decisions. Those are:
1.) Fun to drive
2.) Fun to drive
3.) Fun to drive
4.) Dependable...in the car's ability to be fun to drive
So maybe the TSX isn't for someone like me. But Acura's hoping it'll be for some more buyers then they'd had in the past few years — with a desired sales target of 40,000 units — 7,000 more than targets for the previous generation. So if what you're looking for is a little bit more than what you can get from the standard fare of mid-sized sedans, you may find yourself looking at the new TSX, but if you do, realize that it's just not a luxury sports sedan. Even an "entry-level" one. What you will find yourself with is an over-priced Accord.
The 2009 TSX may be the entry-level for the Acura brand, but frankly we expect more from the bottom rung of the ladder from any luxe brand given the competition from the likes of BMW, Lexus and Infiniti. Maybe our minds could be changed with a diesel or higher-powered option, however neither is currently available.
(Hat tip to Jeff @ Temple of VTEC for help on the car-to-car photos!)
Comments
Saturn: a different name of company, the same kind of car.
Good God, American Honda's trying to turn Acura into Lexus or what?!?
I think your "over-priced Accord comment nails it right on the head. I don't find any compelling evidence that the TSX offers that much more than a significantly less expensive, and roomier Accord. The previous generation TSX was styled to my liking, but this one, not so much. It's a real head scratcher as to what exactly Acura brings to the table that Honda doesn't.
Yeah, I'll stick with 7 El Caminos.
This is exactly what I feared for the new model. They're shaving costs and making it bigger and more disconnected. The TSX was a unique vehicle - more confident than a Civic, but still light on its feet and more fun to toss around corners than any FWD vehicle should be. It was a great alternative to the Germans for those who buy instead of lease. Now it's just a 4/5ths scale Accord.
@graverobber: Isn't the TSX actually quite a bit smaller than the new giant Accord? I'd even bet the TL is smaller inside than the Accord.
Off to do some research...
My Honda fanboy co-worker starts fap fap fapping when you talk of anything Acura... when I said "yeah but the TSX is basically a re-badged Accord" he got a look on his face similar to the kid on the playground who just got his ball taken away.
ahh, the photos!
its sooooo bright outside!!
NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!
This is interesting, because this car is basically the European-market Accord.
very very very very very ugly grill piece
"Its just an overpriced Accord"
Thats actually what I think of everytime I get into my TL.
"Its an accord with leather bits and sat-nav. . ."
@BrianH: If he's a Honda fanboy, why does he care? A lot of TSX owners rebadge theirs anyway.
@ash78: Yeah. The new Accord is gigantic. The coupe is probably a better comparison.
I think a lot of people will still pay for the TSX just because it's made in Japan, not Ohio.
If you take the top chrome piece from the grille and scootch it down about two inches, it looks just like a Malibu.
If you take a cheeseburger and add another three slices of cheese and nuke it all in the microwave for about three minutes, what comes out looks all oozy and deformed just like the dash. That or an art piece by Giger *shudder*.
For much of the very same experience, including the engine, do your bit for the American economy and buy a Malibu or Taurus, instead.
I bought an 08 TSX in August. To be Frank I bought it becuase for less than 30k it couldnt be beat feature/resale/value wise. It just can't. I didnt want to drive a boat (ie accord) but was ready for something nicer than the Civic and Integras I was coming from. I bought a 6 sp TSX to keep some of the fun factor of my previous cars and all in all am happy with my choice.
I was cross shopping with a new GTI/Civic SI/ and Legacy GT. All those were more "fun" to drive, but the TSX provided the best all around package.
The 09 looks a little bigger, but styling is more evolutionary then revolutionary. Acura needs a sportier version of this car that aims for people like me who are looking for something sporty and fun (turbo 4 from RDX, agressive lip spoilers, lowered a bit perhaps) instead of making this car more towards lame folk who typically buy them.
Wake me up when they make it RWD.
I just couldn't envisage myself walking into my garage, seeing my shiny TSX and exploding with anticipative glee about the good times we were going to have together.
Reliable, comfortable, good residuals etc. But reeks of Household Appliance.
Mr. G "Frank" Money: If they make these "more towards lame folk who typically buy them", they'll make money by selling quantity to said lame folk. Obvs, if you want something sportier, you'll have to move away from Acura - it seems they don't want that market anymore.
Yo, I haven't heard that many similes in a post since Spinelli left...
@G_Money: The statement:
"I was cross shopping with a new GTI/Civic SI/ and Legacy GT. All those were more "fun" to drive, but the TSX provided the best all around package."
Is logically fallacious.
@peakay: Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Spinelli and I are sitting here scratching our noggins on that one.
@ash78:
I would bet you are correct. I think the Accord can accommodate five for short periods, and in the TSX the "bitch-seat" is more for show than for stow. That being said, I don't think they are terribly different in interior space for the four primary places. I would wager that the TSX has a 12CF or less trunk, and the Accord is a more commodious 14+.
The Battlestar Galactica visor is not a good look...on this car, anyway. They'll address the power issue with a Type S, undoubtedly, especially with the new Accord V6 looking like a better deal.
Wait a second! Checking Edmund's pricing, I see you cannot get a 4-door Accord with a V6 and manual tranny. Very tricky, Honda MoCo!
"Obvs, if you want something sportier, you'll have to move away from Acura - it seems they don't want that market anymore."
It still amazes me that ten years ago you could get a lightweight tuned IntegRSXa from that company, not to mention the NSX.
They thought it would sell better. They are probably right.
Ex-wife Butt Ugly. The new Accord looks so much like the Chrysler Sebring that's also Butt Ugly. Honda also has some major problems making motorcycles look decent.
Well, all I can say is we make DAMN good Fruit Smoothies in SoCal.
Oh Acura TSX ... You will always be an Integra to me. I don't think I will ever love you. Least of all now that you've packed a few more pounds and the facelift went wrong.
I've always heard that the TSX was like a 4 door replacement for the axed Prelude. This one just keeps moving farther away from that fun little car. Even though I'm now a grown up home owner, I'll still keep my Prelude SH...
if its not RWD, theres no need to drive it.
@13oostedwgn: You saw a Saturn too? Good, I'm not alone!
This is obscene. Can't anyone make a midsize car that doesn't look like shit anymore?
Oh, thank you, CHEVROLET. I totally didn't see that one coming.
@FuzzyPlushroom: (yes, and Nissan [the Altima, not Maxima], and Ford)
what a disappointment. When the Audi A4 came out, the styling was perfect. Each design since then has improved on evolution. You see the transformation. With the TSx, Honda has taken the perfect shaped sports sedan and made it an overpriced Hyundai! Shame on you Honda! Make this the last version of TSX and bring back the Prelude.
@ Ray: you said, "... there's a bit of a problem as the TSX is, and always has been, the entrée to Honda's luxe brand ..."
What about the Integra / RSX?
@my favorite car is a motorcycle: In Canada, we have the Civic-based CSX as the entry model: [www.acura.ca]
The one easy fix about this car would be to change the grill with an aftermarket billet somethingorother. Either that, or order the car in silver, then the whole thing kind of disappears.
A friend of mine has the previous version of the TSX, only with an Automatic. Nice enough car, but I asked why he went with the TSX instead of the roomier TL. Since he's been in the Automobile leasing business for many years, his leasing model loses less cash when factoring residuals than the TL, or even the Accord. It actually makes sense. Near Luxury Marks retain a higher percentage of their value compared to standard marks, and the entry level Near Luxury Model will lose, on average, less overall cash, that their higher priced brandmates.
I gues you could use the same formula using Mercedes (C Class vs E Class) BMW (3 Series vs the 5), and on and on.
The last sedan from Japan inc. I really liked was the weirdo Lexus GS with the Gatling gun headlights. Those were cool. I'm still holding out for a slightly rusty and dented CTS-V.
@ phrancis: I've heard the same thing about the TSX, my understanding is the earlier model used an improved version of the 200hp engine from the late 90s/early 00s Preludes...
My mother-in-law went from a 99 Prelude to a 05 TSX... having driven both the similarity is noticable...
What Honda was thinking with the reincarnated TSX I don't know, with them I've come to expect very strange design decisions every few years (where they take a great design and make it awkward for the sake of change)...
Wow, it's amazing how negative comments swell on the new TSX when you guys haven't even seen or driven it. I am an Acura salesperson, as well as a licensed SCCA racing driver. I recently completed the TSX ride and drive comparison open only to employees. Not only does the car have more standard features than the competition, in many ways it is a superior performer. When tested against the Lexus IS250 RWD, BMW 328i, and Audi A4 2.0T, the TSX in my hands was 1.2 sec quicker on our temporary circuit in our test. All the other test-drivers were quicker in the TSX too. The Lexus is way too softly-tuned in it's suspension, the Audi is plagued by awful understeer and no power in the low-RPM range, and the BMW's plasticky interior appointments with few standard features lessen the value of the only close competitor in terms of driving dynamics. Granted, the car could do with a few more horsepower, but it's still a great car. When the car is released for public sale on April 24th, go to your dealer with an open mind and drive one...you will come away with a smile. And don't worry, more horsepower is on the way, possibly in the form of a derivative of RDX's 2.3l I-4 turbo in a future Type-S model. Plus the 2.2l turbodiesel is coming next year.
I just bought my daughter a 2004 TSX NAVI with 25,000 miles on the odometer. What a sweet car. I had a little history with the TSX before the purchase. Actually, I drove one back in 2004 when I had my RL in for service and the Acura dealer gave me one as a loner for a couple of days. It was love at first sight when my daughter saw the car when she came home from school. When it came time to upgrade her from my old 1987 Legend 4 door, she mentioned the TSX (I had already begun looking but in another direction -- the defunct RSX). She really wanted the NAVI which added to the price I figured I would have to pay. Fortunately, I got it done and she is real happy. Why do I think that the new ones (2009s) are not made (like all previous TSXs) in Japan. Anyone spied a VIN number yet>
Does anyone know where the 2009 TSX is being made (US, Canada or Japan)? I just bought a 2004 for my daughter and its an awesome car. This is my third Acura purchase (first was a brand-new 1987 Legend 4dr and the second was an Acura verfied pre-owned 1999 RL).
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