The Acura TSX

I have not been able to get as excited about Acuras as I did in the old days

Remember what the last entry-level sedan from Acura looked like? Neither do we. To refresh your memory, it was a four-door version of the Integra coupe, yet it had neither the performance nor the luxury to stand out in a category flooded by outstanding competitors. The all-new TSX does not exactly pin the needle on the styling meter or carry the swagger of a stout V6, but in all other aspects, handling, refinement, comfort, amenities, it is a far more memorable sedan than its featureless predecessor. With prices expected to fall between $25,000 and $30,000, the TSX is aimed squarely at the likes of Audi's A4 1.8T and BMW's 325i, both vehicles representing the lesser powered but higher-volume models in their respective lineups. Although widely recognized as leaders in their class, the Euros smaller-displacement engines and somewhat limited feature lists leave them susceptible to well-executed attacks from up-and-coming luxury brands like Acura. The company is aware that a sizable number of buyers in the entry-level luxury sport sedan class buy purely on the basis of prestige, and the TSX makes up for its lack of pedigree with a spec sheet that's hard to ignore. The 2.4-liter engine, for instance, may only have four cylinders, but with 200 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, the TSX is more than a match for the European elites. Twin-balance shafts render the all-aluminum engine as smooth as any Bavarian straight six, and with variable valve timing and a 7,100-rpm redline, the engine thrives at high rpm.

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