ACURA TSX Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Acura unveiled the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon at the 2010 New York Auto Show, and besides being a re-badged European Honda Accord Tourer, it featured a few important differences.

With a more and more aggressive styling, the TSX aimed directly at mid-size premium vehicles. The sedan version was already on the market since 2008, but without a station-wagon shape to cover a young family's needs, it was difficult for Acura to increase its sales. The design-team from the badge-engineering department didn't tear a sweat when they made it.

At the front, the TSX Sport Wagon sported the specific Acura grille with a fat chromed slat at the top, under the hood's edge. At the bottom, the side scoops were adorned with silver covers around the fog lights. At the rear, the station wagon received a new set of revised taillights and a rear license plate garnish that added more visual appeal for the TSX.

Like the rest of the TSX range, the 2011 models received more visual upgrades. It sported a refreshed design for the centers stack with darker trims, silver door handles, and a new steering wheel. For the rear seats, Acura installed a set of vents for heating and cooling. In its station wagon shape, the TSX offered 472 liters (16.7 cu-ft) of space with seats up and up to 1.713 liters (60.5 cu-ft) with the rear bench folded.

Unlike its European sibling, Honda offered the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon with a choice of two engines: the 2.4-liter inline-four and a 3.5-liter V-6. While the former was available with a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic as an option, the latter featured a standard five-speed automatic.

Even the previous model was hard to beat in the entry-level luxury sedan market, as it offered an attractive styling, along with high-tech features and excellent driving dynamics for a great price.

For 2009, the redesigned TSX improved in some regards, however, in other aspects, the previous model was considered to be superior.

As an example, the new TSX came with a new electric steering that wasn’t as responsive as the hydraulic steering mounted on the previous TSX.

The exterior design was a matter of personal taste, therefore, some might have found the old Acura looking better.

However, the 2.4-liter unit that produced 205 hp was redesigned to offer more low and midrange power, as the old engine seemed a little underpowered.

A single trim level was available, but a well-loaded one including 17-inch wheels, xenon HID headlights, a sunroof, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port and an auxiliary audio jack.

Customers could go for the optional Technology Package that added a rear-view camera along with a navigation system with voice recognition included, real-time traffic and weather forecasting.

Heavily redesigned for 2009, the TSX included enhanced interior room, as well as a revised exterior design an a few practical features.

Safety wise, the TSX came with standard antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, front and side airbags.

The Acura TSX was introduced on the North American market in 2003 as a 2004 model and it was related to the European seventh generation of the Honda Accord 2.4i, also known as the Accord CL9.

The best-seller Honda Accord received an upgrade to the premium car segment in the U.S. after it was rebadged as the Acura TSX. Its sharp look with narrow angles on the headlights and taillights was an important step forward when compared to the same year of the U.S.-market Honda Accord. Strangely, the seventh generation of the U.S. Honda Accord had older engines, from the F-series, while the TSX featured the latest generation K-series engines.

The spacious cabin was good for five adults, even if the middle seat from the back didn't offer too much legroom. On top of that, the retractable rear armrest was bulky. For the front seats, there was enough room and features. For the audio system it had a premium-sound system named „Acura premium sound system", and the loudspeakers were from Bose. A navigation system with a touch-screen LCD display was available as an option.

The platform featured double-wishbone front suspension on the front and multi-link type in the rear, tuned for handling more than comfort. The standard transmission was a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic and sequential transmission was offered as an option. Unlike the Acura TL with which it shared the bodywork, it didn't feature a limited-slip differential.