2005 Acura TSX Test Drive

Dancing Around The Competition

The 2005 Acura TSX is a lithe and willing performer that can be too stiff over the long haul. It's also a superb value and much more reliable than competing German sedans.

Performance

Acuras are known for their lightness and precision, and the TSX is no exception. The steering is responsive, but can feel too heavy in tight traffic or parking lots.

The shift lever of our test vehicle's six-speed manual transmission was a pleasure to use and great for wringing power out of the car's 200-horsepower, four-cylinder engine.

Acura says it used a four-cylinder instead of a six-cylinder engine in order to keep the vehicle's overall weight down and to preserve the car's nimble character. It musters nearly as much power as the six-cylinder-equipped BMW 325i and Mercedes-Benz C230 and matches the turbocharged Audi A4 2.0T. Bear in mind that cars shouldn't be judged on specs alone. Every vehicle has unique performance parameters that can only be felt and understood by driving it. Some cars look great on paper, but are a disappointment on the road, and the reverse can be true, as well.

+ enlarge image  |  view gallery >

The TSX's engine is smooth and revs willingly with plenty of power for passing and merging onto highways. If you like out-running other motorists, the TSX might seem underpowered. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the TSX equipped with a six-speed manual at 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, while the automatic gets 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway.

The sophisticated suspension is great at keeping the car planted during spirited driving on twisty roads but quickly becomes fatiguing and harsh on the highway and rough pavement. The punishing ride was hard to tolerate after only a week of driving. This and the encroaching road, wind and engine noise sucked the enjoyment right of longer trips.

Safety features are abundant, with dual-stage front airbags and side and side-curtain airbags, traction control and anti-lock brakes all standard features.

Bullet-proof reliability is one of the best cases — besides bang for the buck — to be made for buying a TSX over its higher-clout German competitors. BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz make beautiful and sophisticated cars that break down more than the average vehicle, according to Consumer Reports data.

The TSX should be worry-free, especially since it comes with 24-hour roadside assistance at no extra charge, and the first scheduled tuneup (other than routine fluid changes and inspections) is at 110,000 miles.