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2004 Acura TSX Review

April 3, 2008

 Marc K. Stengel's avatar Marc K. Stengel
EditorMarc K. Stengel

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This is the story of a Japanese car that was designed for the European market yet is being sold in the United States.

Think about this for a moment: Honda, the brilliant, inventive David in a world of automotive Goliaths, has lately sought to capture a share of the European sport-sedan market with a version of the Accord designed specifically for Euro roads and driving habits. The Honda Accord in the U.S. isn’t anything like it, because our U.S. roads and driving habits aren’t anything like Europe’s. But the Euro Accord, re-badged as the 2004 TSX from Honda’s premium Acura division, is now available to U.S. drivers who consider themselves Europhiles. If you can keep track of the pedigree permutations, you have to wonder — will it work?

Sporting intentions

I am the first to say, “I hope so.” But here’s the thing: I had the same hopes for the Ford Contour sport sedan several years ago. Having driven the hugely popular European Ford Mondeo on many occasions in the U.K., I became enthralled with its nimble, responsive handling; willing, pint-size powerplant; and manageable, parkable size.

For the U.S. market, Ford scarcely changed the Contour at all. It was fun, efficient, compact. It was also a total flop. Ford yanked the Contour unapologetically and hopes no one ever notices how quickly that car was here and gone — even though the Mondeo remains popular in Europe to this day.

So here I sit biting my fingernails wondering if Acura’s impressive TSX will suffer similar reactions from fickle U.S. car buyers. Because in America, it’s one thing to say you’re selling a European-flavored car; but don’t go so completely Euro that you ignore our all-too-American prejudices. Why, even BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi denature that portion of their fleets destined for stateside.

GET CURRENT PRICING GET AN INSURANCE QUOTE     This is the story of a Japanese car that was designed for the European market yet is being sold in the United States. Think about this for a moment: Honda, the brilliant, inventive David in a world of automotive Goliaths, has lately sought to capture a share of the European sport-sedan market with a version of the Accord designed specifically for Euro roads and driving habits. The Honda Accord in the U.S. isn’t anything like it, because our U.S. roads and driving habits aren’t anything like Europe’s. But the Euro Accord, re-badged as the 2004 TSX from Honda’s premium Acura division, is now available to U.S. drivers who consider themselves Europhiles. If you can keep track of the pedigree permutations, you have to wonder — will it work? Sporting intentions I am the first to say, “I hope so.” But here’s the thing: I had the same hopes for the Ford Contour sport sedan several years ago. Having driven the hugely popular European Ford Mondeo on many occasions in the U.K., I became enthralled with its nimble, responsive handling; willing, pint-size powerplant; and manageable, parkable size. For the U.S. market, Ford scarcely changed the Contour at all. It was fun, efficient, compact. It was also a total flop. Ford yanked the Contour unapologetically and hopes no one ever notices how quickly that car was here and gone — even though the Mondeo remains popular in Europe to this day. So here I sit biting my fingernails wondering if Acura’s impressive TSX will suffer similar reactions from fickle U.S. car buyers. Because in America, it’s one thing to say you’re selling a European-flavored car; but don’t go so completely Euro that you ignore our all-too-American prejudices. Why, even BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi denature that portion of their fleets destined for stateside. GET CURRENT PRICING GET AN INSURANCE QUOTE This is the story of a Japanese car that was designed for the European market yet is being sold in the United States. Think about this for a moment: Honda , the brilliant, inventive David in a world of ...

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