2004 Acura TSX

The LED backlit analog instruments are large and legible, and the blue ambient lighting coordinated well with our Arctic Blue Metallic tester.

Other interior features (remember, they're standard) include heated front seats, locking 60/40 split folding rear seat, rear seat armrests, dual-zone automatic climate control with micron-air filtration system, carpeted floor mats, 360-watt Acura Premium Sound System with in-dash 6-disc CD changer and eight speakers, in-dash CD storage compartment with illumination, illuminated power-window switches, power windows, door mirrors and door locks, Homelink remote control system, side-window defoggers, outside temperature gauge, and two 12-volt power outlets. To get to all these wonderful accoutrements, the TSX comes with remote keyless entry with window controls (and a panic button, if needed—but let's hope not).


The TSX is the first Acura to come with standard side-curtain airbags. It also includes front dual-stage/dual-threshold and front-seat side airbags with passenger height and position sensors. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is also provided in the outside rear seating positions to better secure the kids. To keep the folks up front from scrambling around (sans directions), the optional Acura Navigation System features an 8-inch screen, a comprehensive destination guide with seven million points of interest, fast route calculation and voice recognition linked to audio and climate control systems. If you travel a lot to new and interesting places, the $2,000 price tag may be an investment worth making.


While all the creature comforts are enough in and of themselves to push the TSX straight to the head of its class, the real force behind this new Acura is its 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with drive-by-wire throttle control. Perfectly matched to the close-ratio 6-speed manual in our test car (the 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic is available at no additional cost), the TSX flawlessly produces 200 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm via "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC), a system first introduced on Acura's NSX sports car. By varying valve lift, VTEC enables the engine to produce powerful low-end torque as well as top-end tenacity—the best of both worlds.

The force behind the TSX is its 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine, which flawlessly produces 200 hp at 6,800 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm.

With V-6-like performance, the TSX gets surprisingly good gas mileage. EPA estimates for city/highway driving are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the manual and 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway with the automatic. As with any vehicle, high-adrenaline handling of the TSX may send you to the station a little sooner—but when you really want to devour some pavement, the TSX will supply the inspiration.


Short shift throws and rack-and-pinion steering convey driver confidence while the 4-wheel independent suspension—double-wishbone front and rear with multi-link assist in the back and stabilizer bars fore and aft—helps you hold it together as the 200 horses do their dance. For added assurance, the Acura TSX gets 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and traction control.