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Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Modern, Stylish, Feature-Rich"
Pros: This car has heaps of new features compared to 2008 & prior models. The 2009 TSX non-tech comes with tire pressure sensors, automatic headlights, and a USB dock, allowing control of an iPod OR a standard USB flash drive from the steering wheel!.
Cons: Wheel styling is seriously lacking. The rims are identical to those found on older (circa 2005) TLs. This is probably a strategy to "update" future models, but at terrible cost to the 2009. DTRLs are not aggressively located (too close to center).
Summary: I moved up to the 2009 TSX from a 2006 TSX. The Grigio dark copper/graphite color is strikingly elegant. Although exterior styling resembles the circa 2006 models, this is a total redesign inside and out. Added length and width make this car appear as large as a pre-2009 TL. Inside, this benefits rear seat passengers, who now enjoy a lot more legroom. Other interior differences are the premium sound, which - on the non-tech - is FAR superior to the rather dismal offering in my 2006 TSX, and includes a sub woofer for deep and thumping bass. Besides the aforementioned tire pressure sensors and automatic headlights, the dash has been totally redesigned into a modern, sporty look that includes a smaller-diameter steering wheel that provides an excellent grip and sporty feel.
On the exterior, the mirrors are much stubbier (shorter and taller) compared to the 2006 TSX. Although from inside, they look ridiculous, this actually doesn't detract from the aggressive front-end. The extra chrome on the grille might take some extra getting used-to (especially on darker colors), but it adds a modern and aggressive touch. This aggressiveness is belied by the poorly-placed daytime running lights, which are too close to the center. This makes the car look too much like a Saturn. A better placement would be to the extreme sides (where the parking lights are) or to use the fog lamps. Also aforementioned is the poor wheel design. This is the most frustrating thing about this car, because it is so blatantly Acura's cheap way to "update" the design on future models. I would have loved to swap my 2006 rims if they let me keep the new tires. A hidden trunk release button is a nice touch, even though there's a button on the fob. Regarding the fob, it is now one-piece with the retractable key like higher-end Acuras, another small - but nice - touch.
Performance is good, but not great. While cornering is superior and more responsive than my 2006 TSX, acceleration could be better. The 201hp engine is only slightly smaller than the 204hp of the 2006, but it is clearly less-powerful. While my 2006 had great performance at higher RPMs, this engine clearly lacks that extra "umph" near red-line. The flip-side to that is much better gas mileage. Where I used to get 23MPG in mixed city/highway, I am got 31MPG on my first tank and 28MPG on my second one. This trade-off did not affect my score because of this, but others may consider it bogus or bonus.
All-in, this is a great car and a worthwhile upgrade. The car is still almost 100% manufactured in Japan, and while other luxury brands are being outsourced abroad, that is a very important selling point. Wheel styling and DTRL placement are the only reasons I'm giving the car 4 - instead of 5 - stars. Consider the 2009 carefully before taking on it's competitors.
