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2009 Acura TSX Review

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Gauges are large and quick to decipher at a glance
ConsumerGuide

A much more aggressive stance than before
Autoblog

Not as streamlined as the original 'flying wedge' design
Edmunds

After five years on the market, the Acura TSX was due for an overhaul. For 2009, Acura offers that overhaul in the form of a complete redesign both inside and out, though reviews are mixed on whether the styling on the new 2009 Acura TSX is a success.

The 2009 Acura TSX is a simple, entry-level luxury sedan, and accordingly, it offers only one trim level with one exterior style. Some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com praised the redesign, with reviewers at Car and Driver feeling that "the 2009 TSX has far more road presence to catch people's eyes," though the "jury's still out on Acura's new guillotine grille." Cars.com writes that the new 2009 Acura TSX features "new headlights, a new grille that incorporates Acura's shield design, and an aggressively styled lower bumper" that makes the Acura TSX seem "sporty without going overboard." Reviewers at Autoblog characterize the "sharper, edgier styling" as "polarizing for sure," and note that it "looks better in light colors." Notable exterior styling complaints on this 2009 Acura come from Automobile, where reviewers feel that the "seventeen-inch wheels on [their] test car were pretty dull," and also Edmunds, which adds that the TSX's various styling elements "try too hard to mask an otherwise mundane sedan."

While the exterior of the Acura TSX may draw mixed reviews from the automotive experts, the interior tends to fare better. Car and Driver finds the new interior features "arcing, undulating, fanning, multilayered, and inset sweeps of black, silver, and titanium-hued trim" that, while having the potential to "give the eyes a workout," still offer a "made-at-Acura familiarity." Cars.com reviewers love the "all-new styling that includes a tiered dashboard, a new gauge cluster and controls, and an integrated control knob." One drawback to the interior design is that the "2009 Acura TSX is awash with dashboard buttons," according to Edmunds, and "although the layout is logical, the sheer quantity of little black buttons (upwards of 40) would make a 747 pilot feel at home." However, ConsumerGuide praises the interior for featuring gauges that are "large and quick to decipher," along with "clearly marked" controls.

Conclusion

The 2009 Acura TSX emerges from its redesign with a more distinctive exterior and its traditional interior virtues.


Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Shoppers looking at the 2009 Acura TSX will probably be considering other front-wheel drive vehicles, and possibly all-wheel drive vehicles, but more expensive rear-wheel-drive sport sedans such as the BMW 3-Series and Lexus IS are likely above their budget and wants. The Subaru Legacy GT has performance that rivals the TL, though its handling is a little more crisp and all-wheel drive makes it more all-weather-friendly. The Legacy’s back seat is also tight. However the Legacy isn’t as quiet and refined as the Acura. The Nissan Maxima is another alternative; it’s not as feature-rich as the TSX, but it has a torquey V-6 engine that gives it scorching acceleration off the line. The base, front-wheel-drive Audi A4 2.0T is also a worthy competitor, with similarly good fuel efficiency and edgier performance without a sacrifice in ride. Versus any of these competitors, there’s another big selling point: Acura dealerships.

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See the Acura TSX in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. thoughts on TSX after Accords

    By mark | Posted: Oct 7th 2008, 03:16:43 PM

    I bought a new 09 TSX in mid-July after buying four Honda Accords over the last 18 years. Compared with my last V6 Accord (2003) the TSX has a few drawbacks. Less space in interior console and door pocket area, door pockets that don't hold drinks as well, more rattles and buzzes at 4000Km than the Accord has at 90,000Km, the need for high octane fuel, disappointing fuel milage (no better to date than V6 Accord), no strut to hold up hood, a ridiculously small battery (we have real winters in this part of Canada), reduced rear seat room, and a fairly cheap single player CD. In Canada Acura charges 25% more than US prices, so this is no bargain car. The car is okay, but less than I was expecting from the Acura division. Next time I will look elsewhere to buy.

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