Full Test: 2010 Acura TSX V6

TSX doesn't need a V6. That's what the TL was always for. The TSX was the successor to the 4-door Integra and it should've stayed as a 4-cylinder.

A V6 is pretty much heresy. But I'm sure it'll sell because people are willing to blow money on things that are over-priced and un-needed.

The TL is going to feel the pain after this car gets launched. Watch. The TSX is cheaper and looks better- who is going to buy the FWD TL now?

Just look at the presentation of the engine under the hood. That is freaking gorgeous. Say what you will about Americanization, the engineers at Honda know how to present their handiwork. That alone makes me want to trust Honda, and I have yet to own one.

Where's the diesel?

Almost $38,000!! Are they nuts?
You can have your "presentation" under the hood. It got a mediocre review at best. The thing is average in acceleration, average in handling, has a bad highway ride, and too much road noise! I'm done with Acura...

...a face only a mother (or fanboy) could love.

Still way too ugly. I prefer the old integra.

how ironic that folks are talking about the "overpriced" SHO that costs about the same as this car while offering similar mileage, more space, better acceleration and a quieter cabin. Terrible braking for a sports sedan and its not even faster than the Malibu V6 which has 30 less hp and similar weight. If I wanted a FWD car with a V6 and a nice nav system I would get the 6 and save $6k.

btw, this car is too expensive too.

I won't even consider it until it looks at least decent. However, even if the styling was good, everything else just seems OK. Nothing really game changing here.

That $38K price tag includes the technology package (navigation, etc.). Without that, it stickers at just under $35K. Still not great, but not as bad either.

$38K?

For that price I could buy the larger, more powerful, more featured, more luxurious Taurus SHO.

:)

atha:

The 6 has all the same equipment and more space for about $32k. All you get for $6k is the Acura badge. This car makes way more sense at $31k than $38k.

I find it appalling that we're discussing outrageous prices of cars without even batting an eye. Anything over $30K in this segment is entirely way over-priced.

I cant believe the price wasnt referenced in the road test. Nor was the jump in price relative to the 2.4L model. I guess money is no object when discussing an Acura even though its really a Euro Accord with a new grille. Someone needs to ask why this car is worth thousands more than other FWD midsizers with big V6s.

Wrong motor.

It needs the 2.3 turbo out of the RDX. Now that's a Honda motor.

"The TSX was the successor to the 4-door Integra and it should've stayed as a 4-cylinder."

The Altima always was the smaller 4-cyl brother to the Maxima, and then Nissan gave it a V6 in '02. That didn't turn out so bad.

I hear all the carping, but you guys have to realize that the $32-$40k market is extremely crowded, and can now be differentiated into 3 distinct niches: fullsize (Genesis, G8, Avalon), RWD sports (3-series, CTS, C-Class, IS), and midsize, FWD (Maxima, CC, MKZ, 9-3, S60, this thing).

Compared to other entries in the latter class, I think this thing compares favorably.

I do wish that this were the real Accord V-6 at Accord V-6 prices, though.

Too much money especially considering the drivetrain was already developed and installed in the 07/08 TL Type-S and 09 TL. I dont understand where all the additional costs came from. Just another FWD V6 Honda sedan.

Id skip the V6 and get the I4 6MT/Tech, or (if it was available) a 6MT i-DTEC diesel/Tech.

"It needs the 2.3 turbo out of the RDX. Now that's a Honda motor."

That would have been nice G8GT however Acura stated the K23T wouldnt fit.

altimadude,

The difference is that the Altima competes directly with the likes of the Accord, Camry, Malibu, etc. All of which have had V6's since the late 90's. The Altima has been competing with them for a couple decades. It's not a big leap to throw in the V6 and kick it up a notch. Also, the Maxima was always their "big" sedan. Kind of like the Impala was to the Malibu.

The Integra never competed against the 3-series. There's no point in announcing that the TSX was the 4-door successor if they're just going to target the 3-series anyhow.

Besides, the 2.4L isn't that far behind what the I6 in the BMW puts out in the way of power.

This car provides an instant remedy for the astonishingly ugly TL. Not necessarily a good thing for Acura, but good for the buyers that might want to own a FWD TL - and still keep their breakfast down.

Re. "It needs the 2.3 turbo out of the RDX. Now that's a Honda motor."

I agree. I always thought that was a great motor stuck in entirely the wrong vehicle. Honda needs to get their collective heads screwed on straight.

roar:

I would buy the CC over this car- better looking inside and out. Not crazy about the Maxima. I would just get the 6 and call it a day. The TSX doesnt have any features not found on the better looking Mazda. The TSX would better separate itself if it had more premium content. HIDs, heated seats and nav arent enough to make a luxury car in 2009.

this car has the same grill as the "astonishingly ugly TL."

^^ The TL's astonishing ugliness extends well beyond its grotesque grill.

If only Acura could make an attractively styled car to compete with the likes of the BMW 3 series.

Whoever designs these cars has seriously lost their way.

If only Acura could make an attractively styled car - period.

jaeger1 - I couldn't agree more. We had an RDX and while I'm no fan of buzzy turbo screamers, I can appreciate how fantastic that mill is. I hated just about everything else about that "car", but the drive train, never. It's an absolute gem.

hondacura4 - I didn't know that. They're not trying hard enough. If people can shove LS's anywhere they please, Honda could figure this out. ;)

I gave up on Honda a while ago. Too bad really, we had 3 MDX's from 2001-2005 (loved 'em) a '04 TSX (great car) and that RDX. Then they got fatter and uglier.

"hondacura4 - I didn't know that. They're not trying hard enough. If people can shove LS's anywhere they please, Honda could figure this out. ;)"

G8GT, it wasn't the actual engine itself that couldn't fit as the K23T is in the same family as the normally aspirated 201hp K24. Its the additional turbo components such as the intercooler and plumbing that would require either a much higher hood line (RDX has top mount intercooler) or a substantially reconfigured front end to house the cooler and plumbing. Either way Acura would have had to pay big bucks in another round of crash testing and other certifications to get the car to market. In the end with the V6 already found in many variants of the TSX chassis (RL/TL/Accord), it was a much easier and much cheaper way to give the TSX some oomph.

Regarding all the comments on styling, although it is a highly subjective topic, I'm pretty sure that no styling language has been as universally derided since the height of Pontiac's plastic-cladding phase, culminating with the 1st Gen Aztek.

In my highly subjective opinion, the last generation of TL and TSX were far more attractive than their current iterations.

In response to the discussion on price, remember this is MSRP. Less than a month ago, I brokered a deal on a 2009 TSX I4/6 Speed / non-tech for just a breath over $26k - a screaming deal for this feature laden, yet visually challenged car. It might take a year on the market, but I can see the base TSX V6 leaving showroom floors for closer to $30k.

tryan:

Almost all cars are available with discounts so any car competing with the TSX is also available well below MSRP. Local dealers are offering $2700 off Mazda 6 models including factory rebate.

I dont think the TSX is nearly as ugly as the TL. The TSX isnt pretty but its not offensive.