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.
144 Comments on “2009 Acura TSX Review...”
Back to TopLeave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You can also login using Facebook Connect.
In Europe the reviews sound similar – Also the station wagon version has somehow magically lost 30% of the previous model’s cargo space, along with the flat cargo floor with the seats down and the electric hatch.
I think I just got my head around what happened: They must have had some focus groups and asked them what they liked about the last Euro-Accord/TSX, and somehow mixed up the “pros” and “cons”
As much as I’m disappointed in the new TSX, I’m also a little happy, because now I don’t have any urge to trade-in my 2006 6MT for a new one. But seriously, Acura WTF is up with this styling direction and general lack of driving verve, let’s hope they don’t screw up the new TL too badly (aside from the FWD thing).
The sad thing is this will sell well enough to justify its existence.
I’m as dumb-founded an everyone else about the looks of this car starting with the new “harelip” grill look that someone at Acura thought was a good look. I didn’t think the previous model was that dated. I’m also getting a little concerned about the stuffing 10lbs of crap into a 5 lb bag approach they are taking inside the cabin.
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.
FINALLY!!!
Someone who agrees with me. I always thought the previous TSX was cream of the crop for what it was. But after seeing this thing, all I have to say is a big WTF!? The car is hopelessly ugly, it’s no longer the compact “Integra 4 door” it was was and the engine, while remaining the sweet I4 it is, actually loses a couple horsepower. A friend of mine owns a 06 TSX and when she saw the styling for the new version she almost threw up.
Why does Acura see it fit to let these things loose on the road? I’d love to say the next TL won’t be such a disaster but I’ve already seen previews and the outlook for Acura’s styling looks bleak.
I just don’t see why anyone would buy this car over a G35, IS250 or A4.
I’m a huge fan of Acura. My generous wife allows me to purchase/lease a new one every two years. I’m really happy with my current RL.
However, the exterior on the new TSX gives me the dry heaves. Is it just me, or does this look like a knock-off of a 3 series BMW? Why do the Japaneses makers seem to so closely follow German styling?
Complacency has ruined many a company. Honda may call the shots here but I think even Honda needs to stop with the space shuttle interiors and
“cutting edge” designs on the outside. They are fast becoming ugly cars and that is making even GM cars attractive by comparison.
Doesn’t anyone know how to make a normal sedan anymore? Culturally are we heading down this direction with car styling?
Never let it be said that TTAC won’t rip an automaker a new one when it deserves it.
Seriously though, what happened? That interior is dreadful. Heck, the Licoln MKZ looks a nicer place to sit.
One more thouight; the refinement, quality and reliability of Acura autos off-set the iffy styling.
This is a real shame because I LOVED the last TSX – it was in the running but we snagged an SI sedan for $10,000 less – basically all the features except leather, better handling, and faster.
Acura is as much about the name as the reliability. This thing does not do justice to the brand. Why not just by an accord indeed.
@shabster:
Except that it’s more than iffy styling. It’s a bad interior, bad ergonomics, and a surprisingly harsh and uncomfortable suspension.
So it really does give some meaning to the phrase.”All Good Things must come to an End!”
….although this helps a lot by eliminating one more trip to a dealer to check out the competition….
even as a honda fanboy, I have zero desire to own this car. I’ll take the old one any day over this.
just a question for thought (though I don’t know the answer)…
did ‘acura’ have much of a choice on most of the car? the platform of the old one was replaced in the corporate stable…
not that the two are separate, but it’s probably better to blame honda than acura…
as for the old one being a ‘4 door integra’, i believe it was a little too big for that…
as for the new tsx, don’t forget, this is the platform honda/acura is planning to launch its NA diesel in…
Honda can have spotty reliability the first model year, especially early on. The 2006 Civic wasn’t so hot, but the 2008 Accord has been better.
I’d like to provide early results for the new TSX. If you know someone who buys one, please send them here:
http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php
As for the car, I don’t dislike the exterior styling as much as some people. And after reading all of the reviews trashing the steering, it felt passably average. Which is of course worse than good.
But my biggest problem with the car, one not mentioned in this review, is that the instrument panel is piled high in front of the driver. What happened to the low IPs Honda was once known for?
As a current TSX owner, I sadly have to agree with this article. When I first got wind of the new TSX, I hoped and prayed until my knees bled that it would receive the RDX turbo motor. My prayers went unanswered.
Not only did the engine remain relatively the same, the ‘09 TSX is now the bloated, slow equivalent to the current TL. See here: http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42818
If, by chance, Acura drinks too heavily one night, we might see the RDX motor in the revamped TSX. IMO, that’s the only way to salvage this car.
Ugly. A buddy of mine has an older TSX, and it’s a great car. This, not so much.
I have an ‘05 TSX. Overall, I love the car – but with one major gripe: road noise on bad pavement, especially concrete. On nice roads, it’s perfect.
I got a look at 2 new ’09s the other day. The overall outer styling wasn’t bad, except for the grill. It looks like Star Trek stole the Saturn emblem or something.
Inside, they destroyed one of the great features of the car – simplistic controls. There is an economy of buttons in my car, and I like it that way. My nav system is butt simple to use. The new one looks like I’d need an IQ of 300 to operate correctly.
Honda totally lost focus on this one.
Also.
“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.”
Brilliant.
I, too, found the last TSX to be downright delectable. Tidy, conservative-but aggressive Euro-styling, great handling and decent fuel economy.
Now Honda seems to be floundering a bit. A bit too much for me. I’ll not bother test driving it as this review is similar to UK reviews.
Yuck!
The front grill reminds me so much of a Saturn.
I blame this on Chris Bangel, at least the exterior styling. What is the deal with Honda following his stupid direction, they guy is a no talent hack. I have a feeling that clown is going to send a lot of design in a backwards fugly direction for the next decade because so many people buy those ugly BMW’s and other manf. draw from their success.
Honda is seriously missing the ball lately with their fat ugly cars. It’s a shame I was really looking forward to this new TSX being even better than the last and raising the bar for everyone else.
If this is the spiritual successor to my 1991 Integrs GS Sedan, Acura is SO screwed.
Until it was stolen, I loved that car.
This thing is soft, anonymous, and forgettable.
I drove and thoroughly enjoyed the previous TSX, and it was universally lauded in the automotive press.
Honda used to have a reputation of improving their models every time out. Now, with the current Accord, the RL, and the new TSX, they seem to be regressing. Honda’s losing their mojo.
So another Honda favorite enters the pantheon deeply loved but horrifically managed Japanese classics (which seem to be mostly Hondas).
I’ve always respected the TSX in that while it wouldn’t set the asphalt on fire at least it looked good, was a great place to be and it was great fun to drive.
So…what’s the point now? Why bother? Almost any sedan with an embossed V6 badge(many of which come in at thousands less) would eat this thing’s lunch. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, buy an Accord EX-L V6!
I usually fit in with Honda’s mentality but the new TSX / RL are just terrible. The mechanics are still great and well built but their styling went from neat looking to over reaching in just 3 years. The old TSX (which we own a 2004 model) was actually one of the best looking Honda sedans I’ve owned and seen. Even the factory package and optional silver star wheels make it quite a good looking car. The interior was nice and still holds up well after 4 years of family duty and 55k miles.
The 1G TSX was so well done all Honda had to do was slightly tweak the look and interior not hit it with the ugly stick.
But I have yet to drive the new one – will take take one for a test drive when we bring her 2004 TSX into the Acura dealer for a pre track inspection (brake bleed, mechanics check) as my wife will be driving it at her first high performance driving school.
“I blame this on Chris Bangel, at least the exterior styling. What is the deal with Honda following his stupid direction, they guy is a no talent hack. I have a feeling that clown is going to send a lot of design in a backwards fugly direction for the next decade because so many people buy those ugly BMW’s and other manf. draw from their success.”
I don’t know who Chris Bangel is, but Chris Bangle is one of the most influential car designers in recent times. At a time when all cars were starting to look the same, he radically changed BMW car design for the better. There’s a reason other car designers copy his designs… because they’re good.
Chris Bangle designed the E39 5-series and the E46 3-series. What was wrond with them?
“horsepower (201) and torque (170 ft. lbs. @ 7300 rpm)”
I think the RPM figure belongs paired to the horsepower one, not the torque one. 170 lb*ft * 7300 RPM / 5252 = 236 HP.
@SunnyvaleCA:
Oops! Corrected to 4300 RPM for the 170 lb ft of torque.
Thanks for the catch.
I saw my first one of these in the flesh last week and its even worse in real life then the pictures let on – particularly with the rear spoiler the whole thing has the visual coherency of Picasso’s cubist phase.
How very sad – the last TSX was so good.
Tally my vote too…..I’m an ‘04 TSX owner who’s extremely disappointed with the new one. Would never even consider an ‘09 just because they’re SO UGLY!!!
This is sort of typical of Honda, or of any company where the engineers run roughshod** over other departments. It’s like the bizarro version of General Motors (”accountants run amok”) except that, instead of rabid cost cutting, you get a well-engineered car with that appeals to the guy who designed it, and that guy has a very inflated opinion of his market sense.
The steering is a perfect example of this; I’m sure it’s a technical marvel that’s reliable, uses hardly any power and makes great coffee, but it’s not as good, from the consumer’s POV, as the older hydraulic rack. The button bonanza and suspension crunchiness is probably the same attitude.
The Germans do this, too: ramming products down their customers’ collective throats because, dammit, they’re engineers, they know everything. At least Honda usually makes a reliable machine.
Styling, well, styling has never been Honda’s thing. They get it right on occasion (Odyssey, 2G CR-V, 7G Civic, 6G Accord) but they also go off on tangents very, very often (Element, 3G CRV, any Prelude, 7G Accord, four-eye Integra). I can’t fault them for the TSX’s look, because ugly-but-noticeably seems to be the theme du jour for luxury brands. No one wants quiet elegance anymore; they want “IN YOUR FACE, LOOK AT MEEE!!!” styling. The last Acura models were the exception, not the rule, when it comes to styling.
(** I once had the misfortune of managing in a company run by engineers. Nice people, but the professional arrogance was terrifying.)
Justin, you really nailed this review. I hated the steering as well, but the handling was pretty good due to the really stiff suspension. The car moves well laterally, but you have no idea how much to turn the wheel or what’s going on with the tires. Kills any kind of confidence.
However, I thought the engine was lacking. Maybe it’s good with the manual, but in the automatic, 200hp to move 3400 lbs seems a bit inadequate in this class. Oh, and I actually like the styling, minus the grille. Aftermarket TSX grilles will fly off the shelves.
Big vote for the Accord Coupe V6 from me.
Your opening comment about two executives in charge of Acuras surprises me. I didn’t think the first TSX was designed with Acura in mind. You wouldn’t happen to know which of the two is in charge of the car that I don’t think should be given the NSX name, would you?
For those of you (like me) who swear that you’ve seen this mess of an interior before – you have. Inside the original Tribeca.
That’s right, this Acura’s interior was born from the womb of the flying vagina.
improvement_needed:
as for the old one being a ‘4 door integra’, i believe it was a little too big for that…
When the Integra was transformed into the RSX, Acura dropped the 4 door Integra. However, they realized that a 4 door Integra was integral (so to speak) in plugging the hole between the RSX and the TL and thus, the TSX was born.
So the TSX is for those who loved the RSX’s playful and fiesty nature, but needed 4 doors and couldn’t afford the TL….thus TSX = 4 door Integra replacement.
And again I say….I hate this car’s styling. I shudder at imagining what the next gen RL will look like.
Aside from it’s boxy look – I really liked the Element’s look and even better when the 2wd SC models came out. Very funky looking and different yet versatile, fun to drive, decent mileage, very good road manners and handling, plus compact dimensions so you can park it in tight spaces. I’d note that other drivers would give odd looks versus the hate you look that Hummer drivers get. If you camp or do a lot of sports the Element is plain and simple awesome. Tailgate to sit on, tons of room inside to change for the beach, etc. A lot of beach vball players own these and love them as they can drive out on the beach.
The new TSX is just one big WTF.
Put the new TSX and the old one side by side and test them back to back. How is the 2009 version an improvement?
2006 TSX owner
I’ve praised my ‘06 TSX many times on TTAC, and as I type this the Acura dealer is finishing up service for the Rack and Pinion on it. They gave me a loaded ‘09 TSX as their service loaner, with 1400 miles on it – and they can’t give me my car back quick enough.
Now, I think that the review is slightly harsh, but that’s why I come to TTAC – realism. But to wit, the main points stand. The steering is…disconnected. It’s responsive outside of the center position, but in the center position, the feedback is horrible. The bigger body introduces a much more ‘floaty’ feel at speed (I don’t recommend my methods, but I’ve had it up to 100mph just to see), and then the numb center point on the steering furthers that float. The handling is no longer as sharp as my trusty ‘06, yet even with those issues, they seemed to have eliminated a good deal of the body roll. This is probably due to the somewhat wider stance of the vehicle. It’s definitely got more low-end power, and accelerates quicker, and doesn’t sound bad while doing it.
The interior, I think, isn’t bad, considering it’s target audience (28ish-40ish salary climbers), and I certainly had no issue figuring out what I needed to do where even with the navi. That said, I’m a techie and figure that stuff out quick. The center stack is much higher than the old TSX, as is the hood, so it’s more difficult to judge proximity than before. There is a deluge of buttons, and that’s definitely a problem…however, there are voice commands for the radio and nav, so at least there is some reprieve.
However, I don’t understand how the interior can feel cramped. I’m 6′3 275, and I was quite comfy, given that it has more room than the model it replaces. You can say that the controls are cramped, but the interior on the whole is downright roomy. The gauge cluster is pretty good lookin, but depending on the position of the steering wheel, can be difficult to see. Not sure about how the fit and finish was an issue, as the one I’m driving had the usual Acura level of fit and finish. Perhaps it was an issue with the review vehicle.
As for the exterior styling…I don’t hate it, and like some aspects of it, but I HATE the grille. It’s incredibly cheap looking. I’m still a bigger fan of the previous model’s styling as opposed to some of the deep cutting on the new one, but the new one isn’t horrendous as some are making it out to be. At least the back quarter of the car is sleek and sharp, which is more than I can say for the Altima (which perennially has the ugliest rears, IMO). The wheel wells on the new TSX are where I think the design went awry. It would look 100% better with less overstatement on those, which just look too Nissan-ish. I think the overall thoughts behind the design were to have some similarities with the base 3 series, and the IS250. In the process, they went from slick and understated, yet classy to angular, sort of slick, and way overstated and cheapish (grille), maintaining only a fraction of the class.
I’m also not quite sure why Acura stays with the same Michelin MXM4 tires, which are dreadful on that car. Considering the price of that rubber, you’d think they could go cheaper and put on something better, like bridgestone potenzas. Hell, even the General Exclaim UHP’s are better than those Michelins, and they cost half as much!
Well, the Audi 2.0T engine delivers as much power, more torque over a broader range, and just about the same gas mileage. And that’s before you add a $600 ECU upgrade.
I’ll give the TSX an advantage in the stick-shift department (at least verses the A3; the A4 stick is pretty nice). But most TSXs and A3s/A4s come with an automatic. The A3’s DSG really shines.
Quattro will be available in the A3 2.0T automatic for 2009. Even with quattro, the A3 will sticker for about the same price as the TSX. The A4 gets a major overhaul for 2009, boasting more power and some 250 lb*ft of torque over a broad range… yes, the base engine will have 250 lb*ft of torque before an ECU upgrade.
That A3 Quattro may have the same ‘base’ sticker, but will end up about $3k more once you add all the options that are standard in the TSX.
That was one reason I went with a TSX when I bought it – it only comes 2 ways – loaded, or loaded with a Navi. I liked the A3 a lot when I compared it back in ‘06, but the value of the TSX won out.
Simply put – the previous TSX was a Honda through and through – solid across the board in all categories, but not the best in any of them. And I can’t fault it for that.
Another staggering disappointment from Honda.
Jaeger
What were the previous ’staggering disappointments’? I mean, we’re not talking about GM here…Even though some aspects of this car leave something to be desired, it’s still miles beyond most of what detroit is offering.
Very nice exterior. This is how modern cars should (and would) look like. The interior is a bit cluttered and should have been simpler.
“Arg, we don’t know what we’re doing”
I like the commercials they are running on tv. Other than that, this car is trash.
This is about the fifth negative article I have read on the TSX. I considered it because of its manual transmission. But once I decided on an automatic I thought the 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6 was a much better deal: better ride, smoother engine, more room and cheaper at $24,988. Bought one last Saturday. Although I would have preferred a car little smaller like the TSX for its maneuverability.