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What's New for the 2004 Acura TSX?
Filling the hole left in Acura's sport sedan lineup after the departure of the Integra GS-R, the new TSX intends to compete against entry-level luxury models with a low price, front-wheel-drive and a rev-happy, 200-horsepower inline four-cylinder engine matched to either a six-speed manual or a SportShift sequential automatic transmission. The Acura TSX comes one way: loaded. Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, stability control, leather seats, a power sunroof and a 360-watt sound system. The only option is a navigation system. The 2004 Acura TSX is based on the European-market Honda Accord. Advantages of the 2004 Acura TSX:
- Smooth-revving and powerful engine
- Fire-sale price tag
- High fuel economy and low emissions equals guiltless fun
Objections to the 2004 Acura TSX: - Front-wheel-drive hampers handling at the limit
- Suspension tuning is much softer than old Integra
- Competitive pricing the result of lower-grade bits and pieces
Editor's Advice:
More refined and less frenetic than the Integra it replaces, the 2004 Acura TSX strikes us as somewhat soft and detached from the task at hand: driving hard and fast. Those who demand crisp handling can select the A-Spec package which includes good stuff like a performance-tuned suspension and bad stuff like an aero body kit. Despite the last-minute addition of the A-Spec package, we wouldn't cross that BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS 300 off your list just yet.
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