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.