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- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 11 reviews Back to product review
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4.5 stars
"A Euro Accord by any other name still perform better than specs inidicate"
Pros: Very balanced sport sedan with goo ride, handling, performance and fuel economy
Cons: Premium fuel, a tad too much heft, restictive visibility due to thick "A" pillars and high rear end
Summary: Given this is my fourth "Honda", my comparisons tend to be skewed relative to previous generations.
Acura (Honda) has done an exceptional job here in terms of fit, quality, features and overall performance. While styling may be viewed as too conservative by some, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, it is less likely to be viewed as dated 5 years from now.
Despite some negatives (mostly nitpicks), there is great deal to like about the TSX. Let's get one thing cleared up first, while parent company Honda markets the TSX as an Acura it really is a fully loaded "Euro Accord." The major difference being the instrument panel, the Euro Accord uses the same IP and center stack as the North American domestic Accord.
Before it ever was introduced in North America as the 2004 TSX in mid 2003, it received countless awards in Europe and Japan as a breakthrough model and European car of the year. So any misgivings concerning it's origins should be put to rest immediately. In fact, when asked what car I own, I always refer to it as a European Accord first and an Acura second.
Honda has done a realistic job hiding the car's front wheel drive layout and made the TSX into just everything a sport sedan should be. Handling and steering are linear, well centered and communicative. The 4-wheel disc brakes offer short, controlled stopping distances with good modulation and no discernable brake fade during heavy stop and go traffic.
As for the ride, though somewhat firm it is never harsh. The suspension setup is very comfortable, poised and well balanced. In fact, after several 7 hour trips we always arrived relaxed and never fatigued or beat-up. The 17" seven spoke alloy wheels and Michelin P215/50 R17 tires offer good grip with a quiet and smooth ride.
Despite many high tech features and materials including the use of lightweight magnesium alloy for the 6-speed manual transmission housing, the TSX carries a little bulk. Combined with a manual transmission and navigation system it weighs 3241 lbs (1465kg), zero to 60 times are in the 6.6 - 7.4 second range depending on which review you read.
Because of the weight, power is strong but not exceptional. With a 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine rated at 200 HP @ 6800 RPM torque is only 166 @ 4500 RPM. Maybe not the stuff of legends but very credible. Interestingly, off the line acceleration can come up surprisingly quick with the manual transmission despite the low torque and added heft. Where the TSX really comes into it's own is during long distance drives and mountain curves. Even serving daily commuter status can be fun too.
Don't be misled into thinking the TSX is an underperformer. On the contrary, even though the numbers tell one story, the drive contradicts those figures. It's always interesting how specs can be misleading. Reading about a car is one thing, driving it however can reveal far more than you ever thought. As mentioned, this car can handle! The 6-speed manual is smooth and precise, never notchy.
Only on rare occasions, the "drive-by-wire" system has interfered with faultless shifting. Occasionally during spirited starts in first gear, the system was unable to react fast enough to the input given by the accelerator. The net effect was engine speed might sometimes lag a split-second after you pressed the accelerator. In other words, RPMs did not spin-up quick enough to allow an upshift.
If you have ever driven a turbocharged car, the condition would compare with turbo lag. It?s the equivalent to that nano-second delay before the turbo spools up and the power comes on, as I said it is rare. After speaking with owners of other drive-by-wire vehicles with manual transmissions this condition appears widespread among newer cars. The root cause may be the use of computer-controlled servos replacing direct acting linkages.
This minor "glitch" aside, all other Honda superlatives still apply here. Switches and controls are very intuitive and well placed, they glide and click with reassuring quality. Every interior and exterior gap and seam, are thinner than you expect and very consistent. Interior materials actually do rival models that are more expensive. Example, the armrests on each door of the TSX is not only leather covered, but comfortably padded. A difference you really appreciate on long trips.
Electroluminescent LED gauges never "wash out" in direct sun and are always visible. These are far better than previous generation LCD displays. The 360 watt, 8-speaker stereo never distorts, but higher quality speakers and more advanced sound technology wouldn't hurt.
The navigation system is sort of a mixed bag. Those who do not like it or feel it too expensive will feel vindicated in rejecting it. Others, such as myself, will not understand how they lived without it. The biggest irritant is the safety disclaimer or initial screen. Warning of the potential hazardous effects while driving and operating the controls, it appears at every startup... every time.
The safety aspects become somewhat diluted if you understand how most drivers interface with the system. By mandating a long time-out (about 45 seconds), the system tests drivers' patience (which is not very long), encouraging them to skip the screen and drive off almost immediately. When the "OK" button does appear they set their destinations (or adjust other functions) at the first opportunity... usually while driving. Ironic, isn't it, sort of defeats the purpose of the warning?
This nitpick aside, Honda's previous generation of navigation systems only displayed a disclaimer for about 15 seconds, why the change?
While true many of the controls are integrated into the navigation system display screens and are too "nested" to access quickly, there are shortcuts to mitigate this. For example, redundant radio controls are available on the steering wheel for basic functions and are immediately operational at startup. As well as a secondary display across the top center of the dash indicating volume, radio stations, CD info, time and climate control temperatures.
While I do enjoy the technology, I also find some areas lacking. As mentioned elsewhere, real time traffic data would be a tremendous help. Though the voice recognition is helpful it isn't always able to recognize every spoken command and it's response time feels a little slow sometimes, this is the price you pay for being a technology pioneer
It is important to keep in mind these systems are still evolving and each succeeding generation is improving exponentially. Speaking of price, I do agree $2000 is steep for a navigation system. But in retrospect, this was true for early adopters of anti-lock brakes, HID headlight, air bags, etc.
In time as with previous technologies not only will the prices decline, but the level of refinement and sophistication will improve as well. It simply a matter of want vs. need. If you want and gotta have it now, you will pay - otherwise wait for next time.
Either way, with or without the navigation system the TSX is really one fine car. Not perfect (what is?) but far better than any previous Accord and at least equal to, if not better then competing models.
What really puts it over the top for many is the value. Power everything is standard including a pair of supportive and comfortable full power, heated, leather seats; moonroof; dual zone climate control; 6-CD in dash changer; steering wheel controls; HID headlights; folding split rear seats; stability control; leather covered tilt and telescopic steering wheel and much more.
Try comparing European car against the TSX and after you recover from sticker shock you will begin to appreciate it's value. When factoring reliability, retained value lower insurance costs it really becomes a no brainer. But what really grabs you is the ride. Drive a TSX and you will discover just how much fun and satisfying a Euro Accord can be.
