2009 ACURA TSX

Acura is presenting the second generation of the TSX. As so often is the case with a new generation, the TSX is larger in size: 6.6 cm longer and 7.8 cm wider, with increases of 6.5 cm in track width and 3.5 cm in the wheelbase. It is also 59 kg heavier. The TSX sedan is still a front-drive powered by a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Interior and trunk

The easily accessed cabin is now roomier. New seats hold the occupants more snugly in place with larger side bolsters, and they now have active head restraints. The driving position is very good. Legroom is adequate but the sunroof limits headroom for tall people. The wide doorsills collect grime.

Rear entry and exit are difficult because of the narrow door openings. The bench seat is comfortable for two adults only; the middle section is not very accommodating because of the floor tunnel and the shape of the seat. Legroom is adequate but headroom for tall people is very tight. The seatback folds in a 60/40 split but the opening to the trunk is a bit narrow. The seatback folds higher than the trunk floor with a slight forward incline.

The average-size trunk is poorly served by a rather narrow opening that limits the size of items that can be stowed inside. The lid opens fairly high. You sometimes have to pull several times on the releases to fold the seatback because they don’t flip the seatback sections forward.

Convenience and safety features

The cabin is very well finished in quality materials. Soundproofing could be improved to reduce road noise. There is an abundance of very good storage spaces.

Instrument displays and controls are well laid out and all are illuminated at night. The new analog gauge cluster has DEL backlighting. Also noteworthy is a voice- activated navigation system that recognizes 100,000 words and 1.7 million city and street names. The TSX has as many controls as the Honda Accord but with a better layout. However, a good period of adaptation is still required. The air conditioner is underpowered in that it has to be set at 18oC to obtain the cool air most other systems provide at 20oC.

As the windshield is deeply recessed from the front roof pillars, especially at their base, snow can build up and prevent the wipers from reaching their full scope, which can force the wiper motor. The washer nozzles are under the edge of the hood and can easily be blocked by snow.

Safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, side and curtain), four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, stability control, five head restraints and good headlights. Visibility is very good in all directions except on a three-quarter-rear angle and rearward when backing up.

In U.S. government tests, the TSX obtained five stars out of five for front-occupant protection in a frontal impact and for all-occupant protection in a side impact. It earned five stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the TSX a Good rating, its highest, for driver protection in a frontal offset crash and for all-occupant protection in the side and rear impact tests.

Engine and transmission

Engine performance improves despite a 4-hp power decrease. Torque increases by 8 pounds and the compression ratio goes from 10.5 to 11. Torque not only increases, it is now available over a wider power band, which makes the engine more flexible, less peaky and more pleasant in normal driving. A new air admission system that increases air intake by 9% and a new exhaust system that increases exhaust flow by 15% enhance both engine performance and fuel economy.

The 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine develops 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque (172 lb-ft with the manual transmission), for adequate acceleration and pickup in normal driving. For more punch on initial acceleration, you have to wait until the engine reaches 4000 rpm and keep it at least at that level to maintain any kind of significant performance. In reality, despite the improvements, this engine still won’t satisfy performance fans, who could choose the RDX’s turbocharged 2.3-litre engine—provided it’s well tuned—for a solution if Acura were willing to offer it. The TSX’s engine meets ULEV2 ultra-low emissions vehicle standards.

The five-speed automatic transmission is always very, very smooth. It is well geared, and relatively quick in manual mode.

On the road

For the first time an Acura is equipped with dual-mode shock absorbers. A simple mechanical system quickly adjusts damper to road conditions, permitting variations in the speed fluid circulates in the shock orifices. The suspension is firm and usually comfortable, but there can be a very firm (read stiff) bounce on some bumps. Road holding is excellent and in winding turns the TSX has a tenacious grip for a front- drive vehicle, remaining stable and predictable. The TSX also gets electronic power steering for the first time. The lighter steering system improves acceleration and reduces fuel consumption. The system is well weighted, stable, precise and relatively quick. It transmits a bit of road sensation. The level of assistance in our test vehicle tended to change abruptly and steering became heavier in the middle of a long curve. The four-wheel disc brakes are powerful and resist well to fade after several emergency stops at highway speeds.

Inspection

Our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical centre showed that the TSX rests on a sturdy platform that is well protected against corrosion. The overhead camshafts are chain driven.

Conclusion

The second-generation Acura TSX is more balanced and bourgeois than before. It is still lively and fun to drive, once it’s reached cruising speed, yet feels more substantial and more comfortable. Acura could easily meet the expectations of sporty drivers by concocting a Type-S version mating the 2.3-litre turbocharged engine to the excellent SH-AWD all-wheel drive system.

PROS: comfortable front seating, road holding, smooth automatic transmission, handling, careful construction, good standard equipment

CONS: perfectible soundproofing, rear access, modest power, narrow opening with seatback folded, washer nozzles under hood edge, windshield recessed from A-pillars

2009 ACURA TSX

Engine: 16-valve, 2.4-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 201 hp at 7,000 rpm Torque: 172 lb-ft from 4,300 to 4,400 rpm (Automatic transmission: 170 lb-ft from 4,300 to 4,500 rpm) Transmission: 6-speed manual; 5-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 270.5 cm Length: 472.6 cm Width: 184 cm Height: 144 cm Weight: 1,542 to 1,587 kg Tires: P225/50R17 Maximum towing capacity: 450 kg Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption with automatic transmission Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 9.6 L/100 km (29 mpg) Highway: 6.5 L/100 km (43 mpg) Test result: 9.5 L/100 km (30 mpg) Test temperature: 13 °C to 28°C

CO2 emissions: 3,938 kg/20,000 km

Fuel tank capacity: 70 litres

Fuel requirement: premium grade gasoline

Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 10.2 seconds 60–100 km/h: 6.4 seconds

Competition: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS, Mercedes C-Class, Saab 9-3

Warranty: ‚ Full basic coverage: 4 years/80,000 km ‚ Major components: 5 years/100,000 km ‚ Surface corrosion: 4 years/80,000 km ‚ Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km ‚ Emissions control system: 4 years/80,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system)

Factory replacement parts: ‚ Rear bumper: $992 ‚ Front brake disc: $198 ‚ Brake pads: $75 ‚ Muffler: $385/$907 (left/right) ‚ Front fender: $528

Price according to trim level: $32,900

Main options: ‚ Premium Package: $3,300 ‚ Technology Package: $6,100 (Premium Package included)

Price as tested: $39,000

Freight and preparation: $1,725

Dealers: Quebec: 11 Canada: 41

© August 2008. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec