To keep the TSX competitive, Acura has added five horsepower and given its crisp-looking entry sedan a mild exterior freshening. We think this is enough to keep the TSX in the hunt with Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes - especially at its $28,505 entry price (including $615 destination fee). The refreshed TSX lands right into the mix in terms of power, and the massaged bodywork gives the TSX a sportier and more aggressive appeal.
Making a compelling case for itself, the 2006 Acura TSX does everything an entry-level luxury car should, and does it well. However, it doesn't excel in any particular category. Unlike the competition, you can't get a V6 or AWD by spending a little extra cash. Aside from the value it possesses, no singularly spectacular characteristic sets it apart from the rest of the class, making it the stealth car of the entry-level luxury class and a great choice for those that like to fly below the radar. Unfortunately for Acura, most entry-luxury car buyers want to proclaim to the world that they're on the fast-track to success.
Overview
Acura makes it easy to select a TSX, which comes in one trim level with your choice of a manual or automatic transmission and an optional navigation system with voice recognition technology. Just because there isn't a long list of options, don't think you're getting stuck with a basic car. The Acura TSX comes standard with leather upholstery, heated and power adjustable front seats, a power glass moonroof, HID headlights, and a premium sound system.
Under the hood, the TSX's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine gets a five horsepower increase, but it's barely noticeable - especially with the automatic transmission. Because it's a high-revving motor equipped with variable valve timing, the Acura TSX's power is best accessed with the manual transmission, stirring the gears to keep the motor in the upper end of the rev range. Keep that in mind when buying, because the TSX's entire character is determined by your transmission choice. With the six-speed manual, the Acura TSX is fun and sporty if you keep the revs up. With the five-speed automatic, the Acura TSX is just another mundane, but nicely appointed, commuter car.
Outside, the TSX gets new front and rear bumpers that incorporate sharper lines, as well as revised side sills and a refined grille. The headlights and taillights have also undergone minor changes. The Acura TSX rides on new nine-spoke, 17-inch wheels wearing Michelin P215/50R17 all-season performance tires. Four-wheel disc, antilock brakes (vented up front) bring the TSX to a stop. Road shock and body motions are absorbed and controlled by a double wishbone, sport-tuned front suspension and a five-link rear suspension utilizing an aluminum knuckle and double tubular wishbones. The aluminum knuckle produces a weight savings of 13.2 pounds and provides 50-percent better rigidity. The TSX is also equipped with rack-and-pinion steering, and a front shock tower bar helps keep turn-in crisp.
New for 2006, the Acura TSX features an electronic brake assist system. Microprocessors analyze the driver's braking habits under normal conditions, and when braking is applied that is out of normal parameters the system fully activates the ABS to stop the TSX as rapidly as possible. The Acura TSX is also equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), better known as stability and traction control. When it comes to safety, the Acura TSX ranks high in crash tests as well as in features. This year, the Acura TSX comes standard with dual-stage front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, side-curtain airbags for all outboard occupants, and the usual roster of safety features found on all new cars. Thanks to this safety gear, and solid engineering, the Acura TSX achieves a five-star front NHTSA rating as well as a five-star front side- and four-star rear side-impact score. In the offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the TSX gets a "Good" rating. Consumers expect safety when purchasing a luxury vehicle and the 2006 Acura TSX delivers.
Aside from the automatic transmission, the only thing that potentially holds the Acura TSX back is the fact that both Audi and BMW offer a four-year/50,000-mile warranty that includes all scheduled maintenance during that period. Acura doesn't. Good thing it's essentially a Honda, and not a German-engineered sport sedan that's expensive to maintain.
Acura TSX
Acura TSX
Acura TSX
Acura TSX
Acura TSX
