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2009 Acura TSX Safety Review

July 28, 2008

SAFETY | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

Good, frontal offset test; good, side impact test
IIHS

Incorporates Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body technology
Cars.com

The 2009 Acura TSX is, to put it simply, an excellent performer in the safety category. Whether in regard to crash tests or safety features, the 2009 Acura TSX doesn't disappoint.

Both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests show that the Acura TSX is remarkably good at keeping its occupants protected during a collision. For 2009, Acura has earned the NHTSA's highest rating for the TSX, a full five stars, in front and side impact tests for both passengers and drivers. The IIHS also gives the Acura TSX its highest rating, "good," for both frontal offset and side impact tests. Furthermore, the IIHS was so impressed with the Acura TSX's survivability that it awarded the 2009 Acura TSX a Top Safety Pick. Much of the credit for these test ratings should go to the fact that the TSX "incorporates Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body technology," which, according to Cars.com, makes sure the "car's crumple zones are fully utilized."

Aside from superlative crash-test ratings, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the 2009 Acura TSX also offers a typical assortment of standard safety gear. Edmunds lists the standard gear on this 2009 Acura as including "antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags." Cars.com adds that other noteworthy safety features include "active head restraints for the front seats" and "a backup camera" that comes with the "optional navigation system." It might be worth opting for the nav feature; ConsumerGuide reports that while "visibility is good all around...the outside mirrors are on the small side."

Conclusion

The 2009 Acura TSX boasts the best possible crash-test ratings, but it would be nice to see that backup camera come standard.

SAFETY | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAGood, frontal offset test; good, side impact testIIHSIncorporates Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body technologyCars.com The 2009 Acura TSX is, to put it simply, an excellent performer in the safety category. Whether in regard to crash tests or safety features, the 2009 Acura TSX doesn't disappoint. Both National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests show that the Acura TSX is remarkably good at keeping its occupants protected during a collision. For 2009, Acura has earned the NHTSA's highest rating for the TSX, a full five stars, in front and side impact tests for both passengers and drivers. The IIHS also gives the Acura TSX its highest rating, "good," for both frontal offset and side impact tests. Furthermore, the IIHS was so impressed with the Acura TSX's survivability that it awarded the 2009 Acura TSX a Top Safety Pick. Much of the credit for these test ratings should go to the fact that the TSX "incorporates Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body technology," which, according to Cars.com, makes sure the "car's crumple zones are fully utilized." Aside from superlative crash-test ratings, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the 2009 Acura TSX also offers a typical assortment of standard safety gear. Edmunds lists the standard gear on this 2009 Acura as including "antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags." Cars.com adds that other noteworthy safety features include "active head restraints for the front seats" and "a backup camera" that comes with the "optional navigation system." It might be worth opting for the nav feature; ConsumerGuide reports that while "visibility is good all around...the outside mirrors are on the small side." ConclusionThe 2009 Acura TSX boasts the best possible crash-test ratings, but it would be nice to see that backup camera come standard.  2009 ACURA TSX STYLING | [8 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "Gauges are large and quick to decipher at a glance" Autoblog: "A much more aggressive stance than before" Edmunds: "Not as streamlined as the original 'flying wedge' design" After five years on the market, the Acura TSX was due ...

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:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. By mark #1, Posted: 10/7/2008

    thoughts on TSX after Accords

    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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