Straightline

I think we're about 10 years out from Acura fading away into obscurity. It's clear that Honda is not willing to put in the resources to make it a luxury division leader. It's a sad contrast to how much they invested into the American-spec Accord. And it's doubly sad when you consider the proud ground-breaking heritage of the brand (Legend, TL, MDX). If you're not willing to take bold steps with design and you don't put in the resources to be class-leading in technology or engines, you end up with Oldsmobile.

Uh...
http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/4291

I have to agree with the first poster. Acura is failing to become the luxury division it originally established to be. 201hp and 172 lb ft of torque is just weak. Now I don't need the RDX engine or SH-AWD to have been satisfied, but they are just not competitive numbers. If they are striving for entry level, they are hitting the bottom of it for sure.

I think Honda have decided that lower Acura models would simply be rebadged Honda models sold on other markets. The TSX is a rebadged European/African Honda Accord with better interior materials. Check this out: http://www.honda.co.za/main.aspx?ID=18.

Our TSX is basically the Accord in the rest of the world, including Japan (http://www.honda.co.jp/ACCORD/) where the US Accord is called the Inspire (http://www.honda.co.jp/INSPIRE/). Basically, it has come to a point where those who shop for a TSX are basically looking for a smaller, sportier, top-of-the-line Accord. I am interested in the new TSX, but I have no illusions about it being a competitor for the G35 or 3-Series.

The price range of the current TSX is $29k - $31k max loaded.
The G35's price range is $32k-$41k loaded.
So the TSX's price is merely the same as a loaded Honda Accord (USA).

Acuras are great value buys in the luxury or near-luxury segments, and every owner I've known has been very happy. But the brand lacks cachet, and that's primarily due to marketing (and perhaps some quirky styling here or there).
 
Brand snobs love to say that Acura is "just" a dressed-up Honda, but that's irrelevant if we're talking about a high-quality car. The new TSX will be a really nice car for the money. I agree that Acura will have to improve how it looks on paper to attract more customers, but smart buyers will at least take a serious look.

I love Hondas, but this is clearly a disappointment to many. The largest weakness of the last model was power, and that continues to be the problem and will be worsened by it's larger size. "Brand Snobs" saying this is a dressed up Accord aren't even close. A loaded Accord V6 in many ways trumps this, for less cash. What was the point of buying a new model if power is down from the previous generation? Giving up 70 hp on the mainstream family sedan? Bring back the Accord V6 MT, this isn't what I waited for.

The IS250, which the TSX is competing against, has a 2.5L V6 with 204 hp and 185 ft-lbs of torque. So that's actually very competitive with the IS250, and I'm assuming that the TSX is lighter and probably more space efficient because of the FWD configuration.
 
TSX shoppers will not be shopping the G35 sedan because of the price differential, but those looking for the low end 3-Series and IS250 will certainly take a look at the TSX.

Sure it compares well on paper vs the Lexus 250, but that has a 6spd auto, direct injection, rwd, cooled seats, and even I have a hard time equating the Acura brand with Lexus. Also, that car is availible with a significantly larger engine for those interested, where the TSX does not.
 
Realistically, the TSX competes with the Accord, Legacy, CTS, A4, 1 series, Passat, Milan or Mazda 6 and really looses to any of these. It'll be hard to find a comparison where this car wins anything outside of vtec.net. I'll be sure to have a few beers before I cry my way through the Car and Driver review. Hopefully the diesel is out by year end. V6 power? Find me a V6 that makes 172 ft. Lbs of torque on a premium badged car!

Ya the Lexus IS250 manual at $32k does kick this thing's ass in performance.
 
However I'd say the Acura's got a much nicer interior.

"It'll be hard to find a comparison where this car wins anything outside of vtec.net."
 
Even those guys are having a hard time with this.

TSX vs IS250? Really? I'd never cross-shop those two.

I say it needs a 220hp 190lbs ft 2.5l I5 and optional 300hp 280lbs ft 2.5l I5turbo. 2.3ls wont cut it much longer. That same engine can be used in the CR-V, Element, CSX, and RD-X. Then a 180hp 300lbs ft 2.5l turbo/twinturboDiesel engine.
 
I dont mind the style at all but the engine is a disappointment! The 5cyl from the 2.5TL and Vigor were great engines! In 1992, the Vigor had a 2.5l I% w/ 177hp and 170lbs ft. 16years later, I know honda/acura can top that!
 
I heart I5! Why doesn't honda anymore?
-Cj

They could use the 240hp/162ft-lb F22C1 used in the AP2 S2K. The thing is rather peaky, but in Type-S format, I think it'd fit well.

Like most Acura sedans there will be a "hotter" version of the TSX (Type-S) as well as a diesel in the future, at least thats what Ive been told.
 
Its kind of backwards to offer all trim levels all at once. You start out with a good base car and then add other trim levels as that keeps the vehicle interesting/fresh during its whole model life. BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, Audi, and the like dont offer all trim lines right off the bat so why should Acura?
 
"It'll be hard to find a comparison where this car wins anything outside of vtec.net."
 
Im one of those TOVers and although I do like the car so far the base powerplant seems to be my issue but Acura states the engine is much more flexible than before so we shall see. I was expecting something more in the 220-225hp range as the 325 and C300 are in that range. Not all VTEC.net members like everything Honda/Acura produces. Of late there has been more negative feedback than Ive seen since Ive been a member (6 years). The RL just got beat with a wet washrag as there wasnt 1 positive post about the car.
 
The main problem with the previous TSX was lack of trim lines. In the luxury segment people tend to like to tailor or customize their cars but Acura seemed to go with the "one size fits all" mentality and that just doesnt work in the luxury segment. Untill they realize that and a few other things they will be considered a premium brand.
 
What bugs me the most about Acura as a whole is that I know the engineering expertise and untapped potential is there but for some reason Acura (outside the NSX) has never been allowed to really stretch its legs. Now is the time Acura, now is the time.

Evolutionary, with a family resemblance now.
 
I hope it doesn't gain any weight, given they kept the 4 banger. I had thought they might use the RD-X' turbo.

And I was hoping for the SH-AWD... :(