Topic: 2010 Acura TSX V6 Tech; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

This is the TSX that Acura fans have been clamouring for since the model was introduced in 2003 as a 2004, says James, as the company has finally dropped its smooth and powerful 3.5-litre V6 under the hood.

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[Weexy]

$43K for this.  Yikes !!

I'll be interested in this review -- I had an '04 TSX before my current TL.  When I sat in a 2010 I was really disappointed with the interior, it was a downgrade from the old version IMHO.  Just had a cheap feel to it - certainly not worthy of a 43,000 price tag.

I'll be interested in James' take on the driving experience

[carsncars]

Really, honestly preferred the old TSX. This new one has a "big car" feel to it--feels more like a TL than a TSX. The old TSX felt quite spritely and compact on the road, and the dash wasn't a huge, swept-out plethora of buttons. I do agree--the previous gen's interior was a more pleasant place to be. I suppose the new one adheres more to Acura's "technology" theme, but I haven't warmed up to it at all.

I guess the market tends to want larger cars, but this is the reason we didn't get a TSX when it came time to replace my mum's car. Too bad, she really liked the old one.

[Erik]

I am really torn on this one.
Just seems like a wrong move in my opinion. The last generation was a very sweet car.

[1TSX]

What disappoints me the most with this car is:

1) Steering feel/weight
2) Size increase
3) Same 2.4L engine. Where is the 2.3L Turbo???
4) Looks worse than our TSX

[Benhaze]

Funny I glanced over the article picture on the main page several times thinking "another article about a TL?" only to realize in the forum section the article was actually about the TSX...

[b16vtec]

This is a major disappointment.  For years, people have been asking for a higher performance TSX.  Most people suggested that the Turbo I4 from the RDX would have made a nice addition to the line-up.  What does Honda do?  Instead of listening to the people, they give us a V6.  I have no problem with 280hp.  But, the V6 negates several things that made the TSX so special:
1. Balance: the TSX V6 is now too nose heavy.
2. Agility: the base TSX is a tossable car. The V6 is much less so.
3. Decent Price: the last time I checked, the V6 is about $400 from a base TL sedan.  Wouldn't a lot of people pony up the money and get into the bigger, more luxurious model?
4. A world-class 6-speed manual.  Are you telling me that Honda can't offer the manual??  They have one available.
I don't know if having the Turbo 4 would necessarily make the TSX faster than the V6, but with less weight, it would have retained some of the balance and agility of the regular 4 cylinder model.  And, the Turbo 4 is pretty smooth and linear, at least in its application on the RDX, so there is no reason to believe it wouldn't be in a TSX.

[CanuckG35]

Agree with what's mostly been said so far.  Lately, it's almost as the though Honda wants to do the opposite of what their customer's want and ask for.  I was a big fan of the previous gen TL and TSX, but I can't begin to like the current models no matter how hard I try.  At $43k (even though it is equipped with the tech package), the TSX is priced too high. The TLs start at $40k and the Infiniti G starts at $39k.  I am also surprised that the TSX is only equipped with a 5AT as well.   

[roscoe]

Agree with all comments thus far. Honda/Acura really seems to be floundering in their corporate philosophy and design strategy: failing to heed customer wishes, failing to implement forced induction engines across the lineup, questionable-looking styling cues, and on and on. Not mention that their vehicles are quickly gaining weight and losing out on fuel economy.

This is a bad, bad direction for Honda/Acura to be taking at a time when they should be capitalizing on Toyota's decline and Infiniti's lack of brand effectiveness.

[dutch]

Interior looks great (in pics anyway), and I am sure with the 6 there is lots of get up and go. However I just can't get past the nose on these. I know that people want to stand out in a crowd with their vehicle choice, but there has to be a better way! Honda/Acura seems to have lost their styling abilities in the last few years, pity.

[Jaeger]

Arguably the least-ugly Acura.  But a 5-speed auto?  In this day and age?  From a supposed premium luxury brand? And no stick?  Not for me.

Jaeger

[Steve The Car Guy]

Hey folks,

I've had the chance to drive the TSX V6 and no negative words can come out of your mouth after driving it.  The suspension (and brakes) have been adjusted and tuned to compensate for the extra weight so you can still throw her around like you always could. 
Acura has always focused on sportier driving so obviously they would not ditch that long-standing goal as a sports/luxury maker.
 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

James, disagree people have been waiting for the V6 in this car. The beauty of the TSX was having a slightly larger than compact luxury loaded car with sporty flair, decent power, attainable price, and 4-cyl fuel economy. I don't expect the V6 to account for many sales, and although I see quite a lot of value in this car it's priced too closely to the TL with the V6. Personally think I prefer the TSX being of the less is more mantra, but even I would be struggling with which to choose.

That said, admittedly I do prefer this V6 over a turbo-4 like the one in the RDX.

[Loudpedal]

i actually like this car.  i see it not so much as a competitor for TL sales, but rather it may pull in sales that may otherwise be lost due to the style of the new TL.   3G TL owners may find this car palatable, where the new TL may not be (due to either style or size).   Also, after owning and driving cars with engines of multiple configurations, IMO a V6 would be preferred to a turbo 4--especially in this class of car.   

[CanuckG35]

Hey folks,

I've had the chance to drive the TSX V6 and no negative words can come out of your mouth after driving it.  The suspension (and brakes) have been adjusted and tuned to compensate for the extra weight so you can still throw her around like you always could. 
Acura has always focused on sportier driving so obviously they would not ditch that long-standing goal as a sports/luxury maker.
 

If that's their focus, they should of switched a RWD platform a long time ago.   

[Jaeger]

i actually like this car.  i see it not so much as a competitor for TL sales, but rather it may pull in sales that may otherwise be lost due to the style of the new TL.   3G TL owners may find this car palatable, where the new TL may not be (due to either style or size).   Also, after owning and driving cars with engines of multiple configurations, IMO a V6 would be preferred to a turbo 4--especially in this class of car.   

Good point.

Jaeger

[Blueprint]

Around Montreal, the new TL appears to be a hit, the larger TSX not so much.  I fully expect the TSX V-6 to fall flat on its (ugly) nose.  Nissan has a similar pricing overlap with the Maxima and G37, and the current Maxi is just about as rare as an Avalon.

Hopefully, the TSX wagon will be available with the four+stick combo.

[Weexy]

i actually like this car.  i see it not so much as a competitor for TL sales, but rather it may pull in sales that may otherwise be lost due to the style of the new TL.   3G TL owners may find this car palatable, where the new TL may not be (due to either style or size).   Also, after owning and driving cars with engines of multiple configurations, IMO a V6 would be preferred to a turbo 4--especially in this class of car.   

Good point.

Jaeger

I'm with you both -- the TSX is the 'least ugly' vehicle in their current line up and I think is pretty similar to my TL.
But, this car barely registers for me... maybe because i've driven Acura's for almost 8 years now and am just ready for something different. 

[Benhaze]

James, disagree people have been waiting for the V6 in this car. The beauty of the TSX was having a slightly larger than compact luxury loaded car with sporty flair, decent power, attainable price, and 4-cyl fuel economy. I don't expect the V6 to account for many sales, and although I see quite a lot of value in this car it's priced too closely to the TL with the V6. Personally think I prefer the TSX being of the less is more mantra, but even I would be struggling with which to choose.

That said, admittedly I do prefer this V6 over a turbo-4 like the one in the RDX.

Funny because I so agree with James. The TSX V6 is an appealing proposition to replace my wife's Mazda6 GT V6. Naturally aspirated high strung I4 is not considered at all (even by the wife who is not passionate about cars). It's fine in a SI, not so much in the class the TSX is competing with. The Mazda6 GT V6 was an easy pick over the TSX in 2004 and would still be over an I4 TSX today.

$40K seems a bit high for a TSX (without the tech package) but then again a Mazda6 GT V6 is $37K. Is $3K for the Acura badge excessive? I'm sure many folks could argue it is not. I personally think both price tags are too much but clearly both manufacturers think (hope?) there are folks ready to pay the admission price.

[dasiuyan]

Around Montreal, the new TL appears to be a hit, the larger TSX not so much.  I fully expect the TSX V-6 to fall flat on its (ugly) nose.  Nissan has a similar pricing overlap with the Maxima and G37, and the current Maxi is just about as rare as an Avalon.

Hopefully, the TSX wagon will be available with the four+stick combo.

That's my wish too. Personally I prefer cloth seat; I sure the wagon would not offer this combo with, let say, HID.