2006 Acura TSX Published 1/26/2006

It is on everybody's list. In fact for the third year in a row the editors of Car and Driver Magazine named the 2006 Acura TSX one of the "10 Best Cars." Capturing the "Best Sports Sedan" designation, this prestigious magazine can't say enough how the TSX stands out in a very competitive field of excellent cars.

I too love the 2006 Acura TSX, but my week driving the smaller of Acura's sport sedans left me questioning if this was truly the best Sport Sedan value on the market.

Acura is the premium division of Honda Motor Company so you will pay a premium price for the Acura TSX. It is a mark of true luxury when potential owners are faced with very few decisions other than color selection. Both the 6-speed manual and the 5-speed automatic transmission vehicles carry a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of $27,890 plus $615 for destination. Adding the exceptional voice controlled GPS based Navigation System for $2,000 brought my delivered test vehicle up to $30,505.

Standard equipment is hardly standard on the 2006 Acura TSX. Fully integrated Bluetooth connectivity lets drivers make and receive hands free phone calls direct from compatible mobile phones. Recognizing 650 separate voice commands the driver can control audio, and navigation functions without ever taking hands off the wheel. This level of technical integration is carried through the entire vehicle.

Drivers can electrically adjust the soft perforated heated leather seats eight different ways and set the memory for ultimate personalization. Dual Automatic Climate Controls, Tinted Moonroof and Cabin Air Filtration are just a few of the amenities included in the base price. Some luxury brands still foolishly make buyers choose and pay extra for options like heated seats. With Acura everything is designed to work together.

In many ways the 2006 Acura TSX is the perfect Sports Sedan and my criticisms are few and minor. The advanced 2.4-liter I-VTEC four cylinder engine producing 205 horsepower provides excellent power at higher RPMs. However, one must be careful in judging performance by numbers alone. Honda often produces vehicles such as their 2000 roadster with impressive horsepower ratings but limited torque. This forces drivers to drive at higher RPMs in order to maximize performance. The 165 lb. ft. of torque simply did not impress this muscle car loving, tire squealing, ex-teenager at normal city driving. Get it out on the road and the true performance nature can shine.

I often like my music loud and frankly I expected more out of the 360 watt eight speaker Premium Sound System. The quality was excellent but one of my favorite XM radio station had a special mix that I cranked to the max. It was great quality but I expected more volume. Eardrums should bleed with 360 watts.

Finally, it's hard not to compare the 2006 Acura TSX with its big sibling TL. The Acura TL is larger and more powerful. There is more room in the back seats and is simply a better vehicle. But the 2006 Acura TL is over $5,000 more than the Acura TSX. For those of us on a budget this can mean more than $100 per month in car payments. So while we may aspire to an Acura TL a TSX is a good compromise.

Acura faces stiff competition in this segment. The Audi A-4, Saab 9-3, Cadillac CTS, Infinity G-35, BMW 3-Series, and even the Mercedes Benz C230 all offer exceptional Sport Sedans in the low $30,000 range. Each of the competitors at this level offer something unique such as the quattro all-wheel-drive option from Audi or the turbo charged excitement from Saab. Who can argue the driving dynamics from BMW or the pure prestige from Mercedes Benz? Yet in the end, I can't think of another vehicle with as many features and as much advanced technology for the price. Add in the undeniable reliability of Honda with Acura's 4/50,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty and extended powertrain warranty of 6/70,000 and you have a true winner.

Best Sport Sedan? You be the judge, but the 2006 Acura has to be on your test drive list before you buy an upscale Sport Sedan.

2006 Acura TSX

Luxury Sport Sedan

2.4 liter I-VETEC engine
205 hp, 164 lb ft torque

MSRP as driven $30,505

22/31 mpg

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