Compact station wagons like the Acura TSX have long been a favourite of mine because they handle like a sedan, are more fuel-efficient than an SUV and yet still have a versatile cargo space big enough for sports equipment, bikes or a few home improvement supplies.
Sport wagons are popular throughout Europe for precisely those reasons, and Acura’s TSX wagon is a thinly disguised version of the European Honda Accord Tourer. It’s too bad these little wagons haven’t caught on better in this country.
Acura touts the sporty character of its wagon, but the fact that it is only available with a 201-horsepower, four-cylinder engine means that fuel efficiency takes precedence over outright performance. The wagon’s four-cylinder engine has nice low-end torque, and that means it steps away from a stop very nicely. It feels more energetic than the horsepower might suggest, but I’m glad to trade good fuel mileage for the kind of outright performance a V-6 would offer. The EPA mileage rating is 22 in the city and 30 on the highway.
The TSX is an ideal size for urban living. The 106.5-inch wheelbase improves legroom for rear-seat occupants, and the greater width, compared to the previous TSX, gives more shoulder room.
The wagon’s athletic styling is decidedly European. The pronounced wheel arches and lean flanks work nicely with the extended roof line. Acura’s controversial signature grille has been toned down, and it looks better.
The TSX cabin is comfortable and refined. The instrument panel wraps into the centre console in a way that makes the front seat feel like an aeroplane cockpit. The instruments have floating needles, and the navigation system uses an 8-inch LCD screen in the centre of the dash.
The front bucket seats grip your body and are as comfortable as any seats I have sampled. The headrests are designed to move forward to help mitigate head and neck injuries in the event of a rear impact.
Acura’s navigation system now has real-time weather information that enables the driver to see current weather for the area, one- to-three day forecasts and severe-weather warnings. The weather function will be especially valuable for drivers on a long trip.
Acura’s navigation system also provides real-time traffic alerts via XM satellite radio. The screen shows traffic snarls and suggests alternate routes.
The premium audio system features ELS surround sound developed by Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy Award winning producer and engineer. The ELS system is phenomenal, and I think it may be the best-sounding standard car audio system I have heard when used with an audio DVD. Ten speakers provide 500 times more resolution than a standard CD player.
An MP3 player can be plugged into the car and accessed through the car’s steering-wheel controls. The tech package also includes Bluetooth phone compatibility.