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2006 Acura TSX Road Test
Looking for an Audi A4 2.0T? Look no further than the 2006 Acura TSX. In many ways these two entry-level premium sports sedans are alike; in many ways however they differ. Both are propelled through their front wheels (unless Audi Quattro is ordered) by a 4-banger powerplant of similar size and potency, and each car is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission unless an automatic is opted for- but why would you? Both cars have beautifully constructed cabins and optimal build quality throughout. They both look great, although here I give the A4 the edge but ever so slightly. Both cars exhibit excellent handling prowess, as they should. And both cars are in the same starting blocks when it comes to price, yet I would argue that Acura stuffs more standard content into its little sled than Audi.
So where's the biggest difference in these two pearls of fuel-efficient, dynamic motoring? I find the TSX to be more refined in its operation, quieter on the road and smoother riding; simply a more pleasurable car to drive if pleasure is measured by ride comfort and serenity in addition to agility and raw performance. With this mini comparison aside, it's time to focus on the Japanese contender and let the Bavarian challenger free on the nearest autobahn. But let me assure you, it's not only the A4 that is autobahn-attuned. The TSX is a wonderful highway car that's deftly precise in the corners. It offers plenty of steering feedback and road feel to keep its driver well informed of progress at all four corners. If the TSX has a highway shortcoming, it's found in the passing lane.
To squeeze all 205 horsepower from its 2.4 litre, DOHC i-VTEC-equipped engine, the tachometer needs to hit the 7,000 rpm mark. Along the way a maximum torque output of 164 foot-pounds will arrive at 4,500 rpm. This means that working the gearbox is a must in order to coax the every scintilla of juice from the high-octane consuming mill, which is up by 5 horsepower for 2006. But hey- isn't mixing cogs at every opportunity part of the man-to-machine interface that buyers of sports sedans so earnestly seek? Yet, without shifting like Michael Schumacher, the TSX is a sprightly performer off-the-line and whenever needed. Should however the Schumacher urge arise, throwing the stick in the TSX is pure glee. It swings lightly from post to post with defined clarity and assured deftness while complemented by a light-throw, easily modulated clutch. In short, its exhilarating handling, sweet stick and high-rev punch makes the TSX a fun car to unwind when and where appropriate. And if needed, it can stop with precision thanks to a powerful set of antilock disc brakes augmented with an electronic Brake Assist program- the result of which can easily reposition a faulty hairpiece.
With a revised front fascia and several less noticeable alterations for 2006, the TSX exhibits a sporty image commensurate with its spirited nature and enthusiastic driving dynamics. Inside the cockpit a new, simplified voice-interactive navigation system is available. I found the technology straightforward to use. The large screen was particularly easy to read. The screen also doubled for viewing and adjusting audio controls and climate settings. Should the process of manually tailoring these functions be too strenuous for the out-of-shape driver, they can be administered through the use of voice commands while sitting in some of the best seats in the industry. Oddly enough, the driver's seat in my tester developed an annoying creak when G-forces were exerted or when the vehicle encountered rough road; at least I think it was the seat and not my bones creaking. I am sure this is a one-off problem that the service department could eradicate in a jiff, if not I've rapidly gone pre-osteo.
Two other oddities were noted during my road test phase. The first was the absence of automatic headlights. I drove well into darkness assuming the lights would switch-on by themselves as they would in many premium-level autos. Nope- I had to twist the end of the stalk to light my way home. The second item missing was rain-sensing wipers. Neither of these convenience installs was available as options either. I know it's nit-picky, but these days most late model premium-level rides arrive with such equipment included as standard fare. In Canada the only TSX option in addition to an automatic transmission is the aforementioned voice-activated navigation system, which I might point-out to be truly Canadian is bilingual. Despite the missing accoutrements, the TSX brings leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats and a moonroof to the game. The Audi A4 uses cloth upholstery, only provides power adjustment to the driver's seat and offers an optional sunroof at its entry-level point of departure. Along with the A4, the TSX gets pretty well the remainder of all conceivable bells and whistles, such as premium audio with 6-disc in-dash changer and memory seats, as standard equipment.
Along with luxury comes sensibility. The TSX is equipped with Acura's Vehicle Stability Assist and traction control programs. These "minders of physics" help keep the TSX properly connected to the roadway when traction is compromised or inertia exceeds grip, which is another way of saying, "when bravado exceeds brains." With that equation in mind, Acura implanted a full array of inflatables into the car's cabin, including front airbags, side airbags and side curtain airbags. When properly utilized, these devices are tremendously effective at saving lives and reducing collision-induced injuries; simply put, they make motoring a safer mode of transportation, which in the TSX is fuel-efficient as well. The TSX is rated at 10.8 and 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres of city and highway driving respectively. The vehicle also has a decent amount of cargo room for a compact sedan. Many of you will be familiar with my cargo capacity litmus test, which involves inserting my full-size road bike into a vehicle.
Once the 60/40-split rear seat was folded down, all that remained was the need to drop the bike's front wheel and- voila; she fit snugly into the TSX's trunk. As much as I yearned for time in the saddle this week, I yearned for time behind the wheel. The TSX is a polished performer that delivers a tremendous amount of driving pleasure for a price that closely matches that of a loaded Honda Accord or an entry-level Audi A4. In Canada, the TSX is stickered at $35,900 sans the voice-activated Navigation setup. Few cars in this price range can match the performance, sophistication and refinement delivered by Acura's rewarding little TSX.
SCCA Pro Racing - Acura TSX Receives Competition Adjustment Prior To Road America
ELKHART Lake, Wis. (Aug. 17, 2006) – SCCA Pro Racing announced today a competition adjustment for the Acura TSX in SPEED Touring Car competition, effective this weekend at Road America.
The TSX will have 50lbs added to its base weight, bringing it from 2650 to 2700lbs, and now has a maximum rear weight distribution of 40 percent, down from 42 percent.
“The SPEED Touring Cars are very close, as you can see when you look at lap times,” SCCA Pro Racing Senior Technical and Race Operations Director Harry Turner said. “However, data pulled from the TSX shows an advantage in certain types of corners that should be balanced by this adjustment. This is really some fine-tuning that is going on based on this season’s data.
“As with any adjustment, our goal is to have these cars still in contention to compete up front with the other cars. We maintain our belief that these cars, as well as those adjusted on the GT side, still have a strong chance to contend for race wins and podium finishes with the other models in the series.”
Acura TSX A-Spec Concept
What Is It?
Acura TSX A-Spec Concept
What's Special About It?
Based on a car that actually began life as a European-market Honda Accord (in Europe and Japan the TSX is the Accord), the TSX A-Spec Concept is one of the most striking styling exercises in the Honda/Acura booth.
Restyled front and rear bumpers improve both ventilation and downforce, while widened fenders and sills accentuate the stock TSX's already arresting proportions. A carbon-Kevlar rear spoiler and two-part carbon-Kevlar rear diffuser dress up the rear end without being tacky.
Track width is increased slightly less than 1 inch to fill the fenders while 19-inch wheels and 245/35 tires round out the visual enhancements. Brembo four-piston calipers and cross-drilled rotors fill the void in the huge wheels.
For the interior, there's aluminum trim on the doors and instrument panels as well as carbon-Kevlar trim on the doors and center console. The highly bolstered Recaro seats are finished in leather and suede. There's also a custom three-spoke steering wheel and aluminum pedals.
The only upgrade to the 205-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is a high-performance exhaust system, which exits via dual outlets through the center of the rear bumper. The six-speed manual is stock, too.
What's Edmunds' Take?
The A-Spec TSX is a brilliant idea. The car begs for more enhancements since the TSX is already blessed with one of the best platforms in the Honda/Acura line. But the most needed mod isn't in the looks or handling department. This car really needs more power. — Josh Jacquot
