synthetic

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009-acura-tsx-review/

By Justin Berkowitz
June 25, 2008 -

You may not know this, but Acura has only two executives. One of them oversees the design and build of fantastic, fun, reliable, affordable cars. This suit was responsible for all the Integras, the NSX, the Legend and the original TSX. The other executive has the reverse Midas touch. He botched the RSX, let the NSX stagnate for a decade, and shot the Legend in the head and gave us the RL. And now that sonofabitch got his hands on the new TSX. To say the result is disappointing is to say that gas is becoming a bit dear. Advance? I don't think so.

The last TSX's sheetmetal was as neat and tidy as an OCD's tie rack. The new model is as ugly and confused as a meth addict living under a highway overpass. The TSX's profile is just plain hideous, complete with Mercedes S-Class-style over-blistered wheel arches and Grandpa's belt line. Every detail has a strange shape. The TSX's trapezoidal grill is smiling, angry-eyed Pokemon. The doors and door handles are disco ball-styled with some 30 different surfaces.

Prior to seeing this car's exterior, I thought some of these shapes were only theoretically possible. Not to put too fine a point on it, it looks like Acura hired an inebriated M.C. Escher.

The interior is worse. While the button-laced steering wheel is slicker than the hair on the sorority girls that will be driving it, the center console is an ergonomic disaster zone. There's no design per se, just hidden buttons adrift in a Black Sea of more buttons. That said, they're all well-marked. If you have reading glasses and don't mind taking your eyes off the road to play button, button, where the Hell's that button, you're good to go.

The TSX's polymers are corporate parts bin in quality, but there are huge panel gaps, coral-sharp edges, misaligned pieces of trim and some fauxluminum that looks like it came from the Chinese factory that cranks out the fenders for the 1:24 70 Chevelle™ Baldwin Motion Plastic Model Kit. But hey, the TSX's gauges are handsome and clear. Oh, and did I mention that this diminutive, svelte-bottomed writer found the Acura's entry model cramped in both the front and back seats?

By now, the odds are in Acura's favor, right? Surely the Euro-style driving experience which glorified the previous iteration will make up for "Why Did You Think You Can Dance?" aesthetic and functionality missteps. Hint: nope. If you drove and loved the previous TSX, you'll want to drive over to the Discovery Channel. Specifically, the Myth Busters demolition department.

The TSX's steering is now "electric motor drive." To laypeople, that means "Oops. We meant to put that Novocaine in your mouth, not your forearms." The helm's too light, and there's no feedback, except for occasional bursts of torque steer. For a vehicle that used to boast razor sharp steering, this is a great leap backwards. The car's handling and cornering are perfectly adequate– which puts the TSX painfully middle of the pack. It's a disappointing descent to mediocrity.

The official press release paints the Acura TSX as some kind of high-tech commuting professional car. So why is the double-wishbone (with rear multi-link) suspension is abusively harsh and jarring, and noisy to boot? The target demographic drink expensive coffee. In the TSX, they will be wearing expensive coffee.

The TSX's powertrain is new model's sole bright spot. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is as smooth and refined as a V6. It puts out enough horsepower (201) and torque (170 ft. lbs. @ 4300 rpm) to motorvate the Acura from rest to 60 in a none-too-thrilling 7.7 seconds. While that's on par with similarly-powered competitors like Audi's base A4, so what? Equally disappointing (given the lack of thrills involved), the autobox TSX's offers 21/30 mpg. That's only slightly better than the V6 Accord's 19/29.

And what ABOUT the Accord? The TSX is tagged at $2500 more than a comparably equipped (i.e. four-pot) Accord EX-L, rewarding oxymoronic stealth badge snobbery with a whopping 11 horsepower and a logo that would flummox a Jeopardy contestant. Or, for $200 less than the TSX you can drive off the Honda lot in a loaded 268 horsepower V6 Accord. And that's just in the Honda corporate stable. You could fill an entire 800-word article with "better cars than the Acura TSX that cost around $30k."

But really, the 2009 TSX doesn't suck because there are better choices. It sucks because it's ugly, the interior's cramped, the steering's awful, it's no fun to drive and the suspension is laughably loud. And okay, a little bit because the last TSX was so much better (which now becomes a legend, so to speak). Honda needs to put the right people back in charge of their supposedly upmarket brand before it becomes a total irrelevance. Or, in this case, after.

synthetic

I have to say, as cruel as the reviewer comes off, I can't really disagree with much of what he say's.

Craig-D

This review has been posted before on this board. Berkowitz is certainly entitled to his opinions, but he's off on a few things. He references a comparably-equipped Accord as a beter deal, but there's no such thing as a comparably-equipped accord. They don't offer all the equipment the TSX has. You don't get the same interior materials quality and sharper styling either. He needs to drive the two back-to-back. The TSX's suspension is clearly tuned for Europe, while the softer Accord's is for the U.S. There's really no comparing the two cars. They are very different. If getting the most bang for the buck is really his thing, he can go get a Mini Cooper S

Lastly, I'm not sure what configuration he drove to get that 7.7 0-60 time. That sounds like the auto. If you really want the best sports sedan experience, you get a stick, which will knock a second off. Car & Driver got a 6.7 sec 0-60 out of one. Let Berkowitz price out the TSX's intended comparably-equipped competitors . You're looking at $5 - $10k more. Does the TSX has its weaknesses? Sure. But a savings of $5 - $10k can make me forgive a lot of shortcomings.

mr21

At least the 2G TSX won't get mistaken for a 2002 Civic

vitocorleone

Very true. Instead it'll be mistaken for a Saturn!

kyle-wdp

I considered the navi v6 accord before making my purchase......I just liked the Tsx a lot better. The accord is less stylish in my opinion. There are other cars I could have had, I am very brand loyal.....plus from what I have experienced, resale is better than any other brand.

jlukja

wakeupnlive

I have not driven the new 09 TSX yet, but I went to my local dealership last Sunday to see the new model in person. The dealership had more of these (probably 10-15) than I expected. At the end of the row of new TSX's was a 2008 TSX and at the other end of the row were 2008 TLs. Based on looks, I prefer the new TSX over either of those cars. I can't say that I'm definitely going to buy an 09 TSX, but it's currently at the top of my list. I care more about looks, and uniqueness (I won't buy a Camry or Accord) than speed.

PittIsIt

this reviewer is very critical. he says nothing about interior bells and whistles. seems to be more drive only focused and not amenities focused. i have a 1st gen, and probably wont trade up (anytime soon - only 35 k on my 06 and i just got new tires and brakes).

DAYTA

Really funny you mention that, because the FIRST thing I thought of when I saw the 2G TSX was a Camry. It's gotta be that horrid grille :

Colin

Like a broken record.....

kjamsf

PittIsIt

DAYTA - your avatar and the 2nd gen TSX have similar grills
anyone else agree?

rondog

iTrader: (1)

damn, I couldn't get thru half;f that article, they guy just abuses the use of witty comparisons way too much.

DAYTA

Fixed

spurfan15

I'm honestly amazed these TSX looks-comparisons are still being made. Maybe some of you are just really bad at identifying cars on the road, because I could never mistake the new TSX with any of these vehicles. I've seen quite a few new TSXs and I spotted them immediately, and I've seen all of these other vehicles listed and they look nothing like the TSX to me.

Craig-D

Of course the new TSX looks nothing like the other cars those people claim, like the Saturn Aura, etc. That's just haters doing what they do best - hatin'.

vitocorleone

I've bought hondas and then acura's exclusively for almost 20 years and currently own an '04 TSX. I am entitled to my opinion about the bland, confused, derivative appearance of the latest TSX, thank you very much. Doesn't mean I hate the car, just that I'll never buy one. I want Acura to survive so that they can hopefully come out with an attractive vehicle (to me) with the next generation when I'll actually be considering buying a new one.

TS_eXpeed

Dude!
That's exactly what I thought about it when the pictures were first released. Lots of people jumped on me for my thought. Lol. I stuck with it.

It does sort of look at a Camry.

And for those that say "Well if you look hard enough, a car will look like any other car you want it to..."

...what did the 1st gen TSX look like!?!? Hmmm????

That's right. Didn't think so.

chibianh

It looked like a Camry Solara.

MMC Racing

Over a month now with the 09 TSX and I really enjoy the car.

TommySalami

Nah dude, the Mugen grille is waaaaaayyyy nicer than the 2g TSX grille

CiViCKiDD

The new TSX isn't *that* bad, but honestly I'm glad I bought an 08. It just seems more elegant than the busy (exterior and interior-wise) 09 TSX imho.

wong05tsx

iTrader: (6)

Eh? I commute daily from the the south bay, passing through the east bay, into san francisco for work, and ahve yet to see a 2G on the road.


On the last discussed topic, however;
Ive been on a constant lookout for a 2G on the road, and when i do think I have spotted one, it turns out to be a lexus es
and I do agree the front looks similar to that of a camry

spurfan15

I drive the east bay to south bay commute. I've seen 5 or 6 TSXs around town and on my commute.

I have seen lots of Camrys and they look nothing like the TSX IMO. The Camry is extremely bubbly -- it seems to be bursting at the seams. It has less aggressive stance and styling. The Camry's grille is also completely different. In fact I just saw a few Camrys today and thought about the similarity suggested here and I had to laugh.

I have also seen plenty of Saturn Auras -- there is no mistaking that car for the TSX.

The Lexus ES I can see because of the tail light similarity. On first glance it could be mistaken for the TSX because of that. The front end is nothing like the TSX, and the cars are quite different on further inspection.

Everyone has different takes on car styling, but I completely disagree with these TSX comparisons.

genrec tsx

I completeyl agree with you. Most of those comments are coming from people who actually think they are funny.

TommySalami

Saw 2 new TSX's today. It looks decent, but the 1g looks much better

Powered by Honda

Thats the nature of subjective opinions...


1G looks sooo dated now....all my honda buddies agree. We cant even look at it now.


Before a PWP would drive by slammed on volks back in 04 and we would all be like, "hot"

Now its like..."ewww cant believe we used to like that thing"

Its kinda amazing how fast our minds changed. Almost rediculous.

Craig-D

You are indeed entitled to your opinion. But those of us who own 2nd gens are tired of hearing from the 1st gen folks about how ugly our car is and how you'll never buy one. Do you see us going over to the 1st gen page to say over and over again how bland we think the 1st gen is and how we're glad we waited until a redesign? How would you feel if you had to read dozens of posts like that on the 1st gen page each day? If 1st gen owners want to read about the second gen they are welcome here. But if all they are going to do is bash it, why not do it over on the 1st gen page where fellow 1st gen fans can nod in agreement? I just don' t understand the 1st gen fans' need to make sure we know they like the 1st gen better, our car has an ugly grill, and that it looks like the Saturn Aura.

Colin

I have suggested to the mods that this endless posting of the same things over and over again will hurt this community. It's not hard to see that there is less participation here of actual owners and I believe this is because this bashing has been allowed to continue unabated. Maybe we need a 2nd gen owner as a mod for this forum?

TommySalami

HOw does it look like a Saturn? I don't see it

MMC Racing

I see "haters" say all the time the new GT-R looks like an impala because of the tail lights.. About as ridiculous as some of the comparisons in this thread.

IceMan711

Did most of these so called "haters" happen to have an older model GT-R?

I think my favorite quote so far is this one:

Yeah sure buddy. If I just bought an 08 TSX I'd be sour too. It's OK.

cg2006TSX

When the TTAC review was first posted, I posted the following observation:

"The Truth (About Cars). Sometimes the truth (about cars) is hard to accept. One of the nicer aspects of an internet forum is the ability to create a community of like-mined individuals, for example those who choose to embrace an alternate view, based not as things are, but as we would prefer them to be."

The above statement addressed the simple fact that the 2G TSX has received more unfavorable reviews than favorable reviews from the press, not to mention present and former Acura owners and car enthusiasts in general.

Naturally, those who have purchased 2G TSXs would prefer not to read the poor reviews or 'bashing', but in a larger context, I'm sure you would agree that it is a small price to pay not only for the principle of freedom of speech, but also a healthy forum. Nothing will hurt this community more than a knee-jerk reaction to silence the widespread negative reaction to Acura's recent offerings. Granted, it may impact Acura's bottom line, however they should have thought of that before introducing the 2G TSX.

I do agree that just about everything other than "I love my TSX" has already been said of the 2G TSX. As one can easily determine based on post counts and traffic, everyone else has already moved on. Here we are in July and I've counted all of ten 2G owners. With time the bashing and negativity will fade, and all concerned will accept the TSX for what it is and what it is not.

Craig-D

I love it when uninformed folks play loose with the facts. While it is true reviews have been mixed, the fact is the majority have not been more positive than negative. I've read every one I can find - many of which come from local papers around the country. The fact is most reviews have pointed out various things they don't like about the car, but concluded it's still pretty nice overall. Relatively few have panned it as a total disappointment like TTAC or Edmunds. Most of the heavy hitters like Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Automobile, and Road & Track mostly praised the car. The major players that hated it like Edmunds are in the minority actually. R&T had these notable tibdits to say when compared to the 1st gen: "Its styling has more impact, its width is a full 3 in. greater, its interior is now more "TL Jr." than "Civic Sr." ; "So the focus has changed a bit here, a little youth and athleticism traded for more maturity, sophistication and style..." That sound unfavorable to you?

The haters would like to think the condemnation of the TSX is widespread because that would help justify their hating. They like to cut and past little snippets of things reviewers didn't like but conveniently forget to note the overall favoable conclusions of the reviews. But just because one wishes something to be true doesn't make it so in reality. But don't take my word for it. Tally up all the major car magazines and every review you can find in any other media. Then come back and try to tell us the 2nd gen has received more unfavorable reviews than favorable.

2009TSX

I am a new 2G owner and I really researched my decision before buying. I took out everything I could get my hands: V6 Camry, Mini Clubman S, Audi A4, Malibu LTZ, VW GLI, Accord (V6 and 4cyl) and the Civic SI to name most of them before making my final choice.

Really, I think were the problem lies is that Acura needs to come out with a TSX-S to take care of the people who want the TSX to be better suited for the sports enthusist. Bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, 18in rims, put in the RDX turbo engine and a body kit and you take care of 90% of the critics complaints.

Honestly, I don't think I have entirely agreed with a "professionally critiqued" review in a long time now. No matter how many bad "critic reviews" I have read, the 2G TSX is getting rav reviews from the people that actually own and drive the car everyday. The owner's satisfaction rating at Edmunds is 9.7 out of 10?!!! Not too bad for a car that I'm supposed to hate.

cg2006TSX

I find it entertaining that those who refuse to accept the 'truth' about the 2G TSX continue to personally attack who simply state the facts as they are, not delusions of what we would like to believe.

"Uninformed."

"Haters."

I have no need to personally attack those who believe the 2G TSX is a great car. If you believe 2G TSX is a great car, bully for you. I am not threatened by your opinions, why are you threatened by mine? As far as your "informed" analysis of 2G TSX reviews, perhaps you need to re-read the following from sources other than those who rely on industry ad dollars:

TOV: http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=749011

Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=126300

Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=125231

USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...N.htm?csp=Cars

Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...015/BUSINESS02

Beyond the above, let's just say the quotes that you provide, much like what Acura uses within their own advertising, is faint praise at best.

Read between the lines of the major car mags, and the truth is there for those want it. For those who prefer something else, I guess you've found a home.

[R]isque'

Want an unbiased review from someone that has actually driven the car, and not cut and paste?
http://www.caradvice.com.au/14471/20...y-navi-review/

How can the Honda Euro and Acura TSX be so different???

[R]isque'

you seem like a hater to me cg2006TSX. sorry.

TommySalami

^^Nice wheels on the AU model