#CAS09 There wasn't much to see at the debut of the 2010 Acura TSX V6. Its new 3.5-liter engine was not on display and even if the hood wasn't open, most of the engine is covered in black plastic anyway.
It's a serious engine, though, 280 hp from 3.5 liters, same one that's in the base TL. Putting that much power through the front wheels should make for some interesting steering feedback when you power out of corners, but the TL seems to handle it quite well.
Thankfully, this TSX gets an upgraded suspension that includes larger 18-inch wheels and tires. They're still of the all-season variety, but at least they look better. The lack of a manual transmission is another slight disappointment.
Expect to see the 2010 Acura TSX V6 in showrooms this summer, with a price that splits the difference between the current TSX and the base TL. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
rtgarcia says:
03:33 PM, 02/11/09
I'm interested in seeing how much this is going to cost. The current car w/4cyl starts at $29,160, and the TL, $34,955. It better be under $32,000 to stay competitive, especially with the G37 sedan starting at $33,250 and sending 328hp to the rear wheels (almost 50 more hp)
stovt001 says:
03:41 PM, 02/11/09
Why do car companies still think sending fairly high horsepower in a car that is supposed to be sporty through only the front wheels is a good idea? It isn't.
hondacura4 says:
06:26 PM, 02/11/09
Wow, another V6 Acura sedan thats based off the Accord....how unique =(. Id much rather have that marvelous I-DTEC 2.2 diesel as Acura truly needs something different in its portfolio not the similiar packages in different wrappers.
My patients has almost gone Acura as Ive waited since the purchase of my 2003 Acura CL-S 6MT for you to bring a car to the market that would truly be competitive on a global scale. Sadly that hasnt happend yet. Maybe its time for me to sample something from Germany......
billt9 says:
06:33 PM, 02/11/09
So that girl's name is TSX? They charge for her by the hour or by the day?
OH, car. A tiny car in the corner. I see.
lexuslvr says:
06:54 PM, 02/11/09
Yawn... haven't I seen this before, oh wait I have the TL Type-S. But that car's better looking, offers a 6-speed manual, and will cost less because its been out on the market longer. The Exact same as the previous generation TL. Dammit Honda you can do much much better than this re-run.
Empee says:
07:56 PM, 02/11/09
I'm going to join you guys in cocking a brow at this development. The defining aspect of the TSX is that it engages the driver via its fluidity rather than raw power. Some believe a few more horsies wouldn't hurt since the car is so well-balanced, but I don't think dropping more weight on the front axle by way of a V6 is what they had in mind.
As rtgarcia, hondaacura4, and lexuslvr have more or less pointed out, the biggest problem is that as is, there doesn't appear to be much preventing overlap with the base TL, much less fostering distinction relative to the other options thirty-plus grand opens consumers to. Partial as I am to Acura, this one leaves me cold.
spinchild says:
08:33 PM, 02/11/09
If only they'd put the 2.4L turbo engine from the RDX into the TSX and make it a Type-S...that would be wonderful. Throw some sharper suspension, a manual transmission, and more aggressive front and rear fascias, and they'd have a winner on their hands. This V6 version is them trying to fill a gap in the cheapest way possible.
billt9 says:
06:23 AM, 02/12/09
This car is so boring and generic,
Edmunds had to replace its picture with the
HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE.
And the girl.
estreka says:
07:16 AM, 02/12/09
I'm bored with Acura these days. Long gone are the exciting days of the NSX and Integra.
Empee says:
07:27 AM, 02/12/09
"If only they'd put the 2.4L turbo engine from the RDX into the TSX and make it a Type-S...that would be wonderful."
I agree, spinchild, if only because if teamed with SH-AWD and an optional stick, there wouldn't be anything quite like it in the market other than the Audi A4, which would be outgunned in 2.0T trim and nearly matched in 3.2 trim.
"This V6 version is them trying to fill a gap in the cheapest way possible."
An excellent deduction. Don't get me wrong, as a CL-S owner, I love the hell out of the J-series V6s. And I'm actually not all that thrilled with Acura becoming yet another top-tier aspirant. But if that's what they're set on, then they (IMO) have got to play with more courage. To paraphrase hondaacura4, another V6 Acura sedan based off the Accord simply won't do for that goal.
1487 says:
08:59 AM, 02/12/09
this car is going to be too close to the TL. I dont get this at all. They should have offered a small V6 or turbo 4 with better mileage than 18/26. This is going to hurt the TL big time.
hondacura4 says:
03:50 PM, 02/12/09
"If only they'd put the 2.4L turbo engine from the RDX into the TSX and make it a Type-S..."
Spinchild, from what Ive gathered the K23T wouldnt fit in the TSX as its top mount intercooler and turbo plumbing wasnt part of the initial TSX design. The TSX (Euro Accord) was mostly designed in Europe while the RDX was designed 100% in the USA, keep in mind the RDX and TSX are on totally different platforms.
My ideal TSX lineup:
Base 201hp AT/MT
Diesel 180hp AT/MT
Turbo4 240hp AT/MT
A 240hp turbo 4 TSX would be much less likely to beat up on the 280hp base TL, at least on paper.
On the business side, it seems the optional V6 makes the TSX more desirable to the previous TL owners who are put off by the new, larger and MUCH uglier TL. The V6 will also more than likely help TSX sales increase a bit. I guess the decision is smart for Acura but to myself (and apparently others) its just ANOTHER Japanese FWD V6 sedan.
tryan says:
03:26 AM, 02/13/09
Unfortunately, I think this is the result of people clamoring for more power in the TSX, and Acura's marketing people perceiving that Americans favor more displacement over forced induction to net this gain, which is usually the case. Unfortunately, a relatively heavy 3.5L V6 makes an already soft-in-the-middle redesigned TSX even less adept at corner carving.
Unless I really needed four doors, I think I'd save $5,000 and buy a loaded Accord Coupe V6 with the 6-Speed manual before I bought the V6 TSX.
Hondacura is right on the money, and Honda is usually pretty good at differentiating themselves and/or carving out their own niche. This relatively unoriginal thinking is very un-Honda-like indeed....
minibro77 says:
10:21 AM, 02/13/09
Acura get rid of that godawful beak on your cars. It looks just plain stupid! Their designs have become so much less engaging in this newer generation. Ugh!!!
sgude says:
03:49 PM, 02/16/09
Wow -- I didn't know this until today. A jump from 2.0 to 3.5 is going to wreak a bit of havoc on the dynamics of the car. The TSX is about a light, responsive feel, but I can't imagine that the big six will be able to retain that. It'll be fast in a straight line, but I hope it has good brakes to slow for the curves.
I don't think the RDX motor would work in this car either, until Acura gets the fuel mapping of that engine right. One of my best friends has an RDX and her fuel mileage is routinely about 17 mpg. It's a snappy, strong motor, but sucks gas.