Last week, my business partner and I took a long road trip in her 2009 G37-S, which has about 66k miles and is like new. It has the ubiquitous Nissan/Infiniti V6, old-school hydraulic steering assist, and AWD. I drove for several hours, on both Interstates and back roads in Upstate New York and Vermont, so of course I couldn't help but compare to my 2010 TSX.

Despite the Infiniti's power, AWD, and slightly better steering feel, I would have preferred my TSX on the back roads. The TSX's lower weight and MT would have been more entertaining, and IMO would have provided a more precise driving experience. I think I could have driven faster too, but that's probably because I have so much more experience in the TSX. I think it's also because my TSX has better tires. The TSX has a slightly smoother ride, but it's not a huge difference.

On the highway, however, the Infiniti's effortless power and better on-center steering feel were fantastic. It was almost like being back in my old Saab 9-5 Aero, which owned the highway. The Infiniti's automatic, which was a buzzkill on the back roads, worked beautifully. I love the TSX, but as we know, it needs to be pushed to make real power, and even then it can't compete with a V6 AWD beast. Plus, IMO, the TSX has terrible on-center steering feel, which is perhaps its greatest sin as a driver's car. I want my next car to provide a highway experience more like the G37. It won't be hard to find similar acceleration, but decent on-center steering feel seems to have almost disappeared in cars with electric assist.

Surprisingly, the Infiniti's interior isn't much better than the TSX's. It's slightly more luxurious, largely thanks to some nice splashes of real aluminum trim, better leather, and some nicer materials here and there. It has a great stereo too. But the seats aren't necessarily better, and the overall feel of the switchgear is about the same. The Infiniti is nicer, but I wouldn't say it's in another class.

Overall, considering the TSX's much lower price and serious power deficit relative to the Infiniti, I think it compares quite well.

Its hard to walk away from everything the TSX offers...even if it is a front driver. In terms of value for price, quality of construction, cost of ownership, driving dynamic, and features...there is absolutely nothing at all that can touch it.

After mine is worn out, I don't see anything in the "nearby" price range of what a new/used TSX costs. I will probably make the jump to a 3 series BMW, which, IMO, is the benchmark for small/midsize sedans.

The TSX is a hidden gem, though.

Manual in this car is fantastic! My buddy also has a G37-S (auto). Sure, its a great car but I did not care for it. The interior seemed cramped. I love my black on black SE interior too, but i get so worried about the suede seats. Under the hood of the G37-S looks like a money pit!

TSX:

Made in Japan (thats huge)
Manual (its a breed thats on the endangered list!)
Very light on its feet, but no low end torque, but the linear power as the RPM's rise is a blast! I love it.
Like Roland said, its a a fanatic bang for the buck and for the price there just isnt anything like it.

I have driven Camaros, GTOs, Trans Ams, Supercharged V6's and other various American muscle my whole life, that could smoke the G37-S. For a tried a true four banger, this car kicks ass and does not leave something to be desired imo. I never really saw the desire to really speed on the highway in my opinion anyway.

I mean I like the TSX and I own 04 manual beater and my wife drove a 2013 TSX SE but I've also owned a 2010 and 2012 G37-S Coupes. I think all of you are being delusional. TSX is great for what it is buts not anywhere near class of a G37 but it wasnt designed or priced to be.

They're certainly not in the same class because of drivetrain configuration and size differences.

The pricing is similar, however. And on that basis, one may be faced with the choice between the 2 cars if they were shopping for a sedan...or shopping for any configuration of car of any type within the same price range, as a lot of people do. They're also both Japanese "luxury" re-brands. Yes?

The TSX offers a better overall package. And its a bit of a niche car because it doesn't really fall into a class. "In a class of its own" is where a lot of Hondas/Acuras fall. That's brilliant marketing. Because of this, its not competing class wise...but as an overall package. As an overall package, its hard to beat the TSX...and it has a more universal appeal than a car that falls strictly within a class.

This is interesting considering I've been thinking about trading for a G37S. However I don't want the sedan (reminds me of a Nissan Altima too much) and was looking at the coupe, but for now I think I'll stick with the TSX considering the lack of space in a 2 door. Thinking about the power in that car and being RWD had me giddy for a moment though.

Curious about the money pit comment. Are you referring to the reliability?

My buddy spent quite a few bucks on various dealer visits. He had a manual before the auto, and he ended up trading it back into the dealer. The clutch slave cylinder went out twice. The problem is that it is enclosed in the transmission! Both times he said it happened without warning/signs of failure.

Well put. The tsx can be outfitted to look aggressive, and really takes well to exterior modifications (lowering, rims, etc). It also can be clean cut/tinted in black and look like a business mans car. The G37 is roundy and looks too generic. I just dont like anything about it.

FWIW, I put 96K mi on an 08 G37S coupe (manual). I bought my TSX Wagon w/27K mi when it was three years old. I think the TSX interior and build quality are much higher than the Infiniti. Everything seems to fit better and work better in the TSX. I think the reliability of the TSX is better than the Infiniti. Can't imagine buying another Infiniti. About 8 years ago, we looked for a replacement for my wife's Altima. She drove a new Altima and said she liked it. I persuaded her to drive an Accord and a Camry. She immediately noticed the improvement over the Altima (driving feel, ride, comfort, build quality), and she's not a car person, at all. She ultimately picked the Camry because of the option packages and she preferred it's personality (I said she isn't a car person) over the Accord, and never looked back at the Altima. (P.S. When she replaced the Camry, I also had her drive a Mazda 6. She fell in love with how it drives, and picked it over another Camry. Shes' got 36K mi on it and is sold on it.)

Having owned a variety of Hondas and Acuras since my first 1983 Prelude, I really appreciate the strengths of my current 2012 TSX wagon......it's a veritable Swiss army knife for my daily purposes, it's fun to drive, the inline 4 is smooth and responsive, build quality is appropriate for a 'Euro Accord' and I seldom see another one on the road, which makes it feel a bit exotic.

this is the beauty of having options! if one car doesnt do it for you; there are plenty more in the same segment....which now-a-days; the mid-sized sedan/coupe segment is full of wonderful cars!!

Full?!! Wonderful?!!

Idk.....

it's a tight segment.
there's everything from M3's to Chevy SS' to TSX' and then everything in between.

the new Guilia is pretty sweet!!

Oh...you mean contemporary used cars?

The Guilia is nice as a lease or a short term car. Its a Chrysler Fiat Alfa mix. Hard to know whether to bulk up your warranty or your fire insurance...perhaps both? Nice looking car, though.

Well, since I've owned both of these cars I can comment. First off, the Xs is not a true sports package for the G. It's a cosmetic package which only gives you sport front bumper, wheels, and seats and a badge. The real sports sedan is the RWD S which comes with a 6spd, RWD, LSD, big brakes, faster steering ratio and better wheels and tires. It's a whole different car.

A stock X sedan is a bit of a boat but with a few suspension mods it makes a massive difference, on mine I've bigger front and rear sway bars, new KYB shocks and Eibach springs, along with some wider wheels and better tires. It stays flat and corners better than my TSX ever did. Also, the steering feel in the G is worlds better than the EPS my 2010 TSX had.

The G is bigger than the TSX, so I don't think you can really compare them as the same class of car. The interior of the G is nicer, and the trims are real aluminum (or in my case, real wood) as opposed to the TSX's plastic trims. The non sport seats in the G are absolutely terrible, and I much preferred the TSX seats. The G has a nicer Bose audio system, and automatic adaptive cruise control (which is my favorite feature.)

And finally, reliability. The G has given us 0 issues in 115k miles / 10 years of ownership. Seriously the most reliable car anyone in my family has had. Even my TSX had more issues, with the alternator going bad and VTC actuator grinding problem.

I completely agree. After all of these years I still enjoy driving the car every time I get behind the wheel. I've had some annoyances over the years (mostly with the electronics) but the car has held up well and people who get in my car who aren't really car people so wouldn't really know any better ask me if it is a newer car (granted, I take care of it but it still goes to show how well it has held up over the years). I foresee me being in the market for a new ride soon but she's been good to me and I will definitely miss her when she is gone.

I have to jump in this... I'm the type of person that never seems to settle on anything and is always looking for something better, it's a curse.
However, I feel that my tsx is my forever car. I also have the SE model with all black interior with red stitching. I just.... love the car and everything about it.
If I was to ever replace it... it would be replaced by the new turbo Civic si or the type r!
Reliabilty is king in my universe.