Up Close: 2009 Acura TSX

This is actually the second time I've been able to inspect Acura's new entry-level sport sedan, because the automaker invited journalists to drive the 2009 TSX last month. A full review of the sedan hits Cars.com tomorrow morning, but here's a brief rundown on the new model.

Acura has taken a few more chances with the TSX's styling, giving it larger fender flares and a small shield grille. I find it stylish, but some sport sedan shoppers might wish Acura had made things even a little more radical.

The cabin features Acura's typically good materials and attention to fit and finish. For 2009, Acura has replaced the TSX's touch-screen navigation system with a more-in-vogue knob-based system that uses a large dial in the middle of the dash to control navigation functions. Standard leather front seats are comfortable though the passenger side seat, which doesn't have adjustable lumbar support, is less so.

Despite its positive qualities, the new TSX has a problem, and it has more to do with other sport sedans that are competing for the same buyers, like the similarly priced 306-hp Infiniti G35. With a 105-hp advantage and rear-wheel drive, it's hard to see how an enthusiast buyer says no to the G in favor of the TSX. There are many more photos of the TSX below, with live shots to be added later this morning.

Related
2008 New York Auto Show: 2009 Acura TSX

Comments

[Pierre]

"Despite its positive qualities, the new TSX has a problem, and it has more to do with other sport sedans that are competing for the same buyers, like the similarly priced 306-hp Infiniti G35. With a 105-hp advantage and rear-wheel drive, it's hard to see how an enthusiast buyer says no to the G in favor of the TSX".

This is very true. HOWEVER, people who shop for the Infiniti G will never shop the Acura TSX, THEY will shop for the Acura TL, a new version of which arrives this fall. The reporter's comments in the previous paragraph,defy credability. It is hard to believe that s/he is a reporter on things automotive and cannot tell the difference between an Infiniti G35 and an Acura TSX

[Dave T.]

He knows the difference. The problem is Acura pricing the TSX in G35 territory. I think the TSX has a market though. It's just not the sport sedan market.

[L.S.]

I would've loved to see Acura take this to the next level in sportiness and make it a fun to drive little sedan. It would've been the natural choice since they decided to stick with the 4 cylinders.
As it stands right now, I only see it as a poor-man's version of the TL. Not good!

[Mr.t]

Anoyne else think Honda/Acura have an affinity for TONS of center-stack buttons?

[Dave T.]

Agreed Mr. T.

[umair]

I dont like the styling too much, and the power goes down from the 2008. I am glad i have the 2008 TSX.

I agree with the blogger to an extent...but even so, a top of the line TSX and a similarly equiped G35 sedan has a price differential of over 5K...and judging from the numbers, there a significant differential in the mileage too although that is offset by the performance superiority of the G sedan...

With fuel prices rocketing up...an entry level luxury sedan for 32K, delivering 28mpg on the hwy is a good bargain...

[J]

Mr. Dave.

If I am not mistaken, the G35 starts at $31,850. And the 6MT version starts at $32,650.
The current TSX starts at $28,190 for both 5AT and 6MT.
That's more than 3000 dollars difference. Which is approximately 10% of the price of the vehicle.
On equipment's side, the TSX has Bluetooth standard, front power seat memory standard, front heated seat standard, fold down rear seat back standard, heated mirrors standard, moonroof standard.
By the time the G35 gets those equipments, it should be at a much higher price than it already is when comparing to the TSX.
And best of all, I just can't even believe you guys are comparing 2 vehicles that has such a big difference in their engine displacement and configuration.
The TSX has a 2.4L inline 4. The G35 is a 3.5L V6.
A 1.1L advantage yields about 100hp.

[Infosaur]

I guess I'm in the minority that finds this styling derivative and heavy handed.

Acura used to have very subtle forms. This is brash to the point of vulgar.

The flanks look cheap, punctuated by fenders flares that are abrupt and flat. The grill plate looks like a piece of scrap metal that some janator left lying on the styling model and nobody caught untill it when into production. The lights look like a 3 year old Mazda.

That being said at least someone in INTERIOR design has their head on straight. Too bad it can't be transplanted into a better looking car.

[Hman]

I think that the new tsx is just what some people are looking for. I live far away from where I work and drive for about 2 hours a day so fuel economy is important. What I wanted was an exelent interior which the new tsx has, but also i wanted to have sublte good looks. I honeslty dont think that the pictures do the car justice. I didnt want the stlying of the car to be overly dramatic like the new c class. I wanted the car to look good and unique. In my opinion this car has nearly everything i want. One of my only gripes is the ugly tachometer

[Mike Hanley]

J,

Granted, the TSX does indeed start at a lower price than the G but its price range easily overlaps the G, too. That's not to say you'll get an equally equipped G for the price of a TSX, but for someone looking for a sport sedan handling and performance likely trump available features to some degree. The horsepower advantage of the G is even more impressive precisely because the price ranges of the two do overlap. I'm not the only one making this comparison, though; Acura also says the TSX competes with the G as well as the BMW 328i and Mercedes-Benz C300.

[Hman]

Has anyone seen the new floating gauges that they use.....very mercedes

[R.G]

I love almost everything about the car,except that i thought it would have slightly more horsepower instead of slightly less.also,im not crazy about the rims and wonder if they are going to have 18inch sportier rims as an option.

[daver]

Man, I'm in the market for a new 4-door sports sedan and want to like this car. why, o why, couldn't they have made this faster/sportier with the redesign? they'd have a winner for sure, if say, they used the same powerplant as the Civic Si and made a sensible car that could sprint to 60 in 6ish seconds. Oh well. The G definitely seems like a better bet for those of us who want more bang in our buck.

[Joe L]

The design is definitely a hit with the MDX clues, however I would like to see more uniqueness to the TSX, rather than an upscale Accord! Acura would probably have a niche market for TSX if they had made it rear wheel drive with a 4-cylinder turbo (from RDX).

[wjl001]

The design is definitely a hit with the MDX clues, however I would like to see more uniqueness to the TSX, rather than an upscale Accord! Acura would probably have a niche market for TSX if they had made it rear wheel drive with a 4-cylinder turbo (from RDX).

[Scott Meckling]

I have just bought the new tsx (premium package, canadian specs). I agree that pictures do not do this car justice. A similarly equipted G is almost 7 grand more. The two cars don't really compare in any significant way. The real competition that I cross shopped were A4 2.0, S40, BMW 323(Canadian only) and Merc C230. The Acura wins hands down in that group.