The 2014 Acura TSX has officially been unveiled and in the two years since it received a facelift, the model sure looks like it's need of another one.

That's not a knock on the TSX per se, just an observation based on the improvements its competitors have had since then. There are still some pretty interesting qualities to one of Acura's->ke10 sportier models, including the rather spacious interior cabin and the refined handling characteristics, but if the Japanese brand has any intention to keep up with the times, it's pretty important that it starts with arguably the first thing customers will notice when in the market for a new car.

The TSX SE model is back, though, and that's a huge plus, especially for those looking for a cheap yet performance-inclined midsize sedan->ke142. The return of the two powertrain options also gives the TSX a little performance variety, much needed considering that it's segment has some pretty strong competitors that offer equal amounts of horses with more features catered to enticing buyers to splurge money for their respective models.

But Acura opted to keep still with the 2014 model. It should be enough to get the TSX its fair share of looks, but not enough to put it over the top as one of the most desired models of its class.

acura-tsx-sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: acura-tsx-sedan
Pros
Cons

2014 Acura TSX Sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Acura TSX Sedan
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 201
  • Torque: 172
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2014 TSX doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence as far as cutting edge design is concerned. It's in dire need of some cosmetic changes that's further exacerbated by the constant upheaval going on in its surroundings.

Still, it could've been worse, and there are a few elements that we do appreciate, including the addition of xenon high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights and a glass moonroof. The latter, in particular, offers a nice sporty touch to the whole TSX package.

Large rims (17 inches for the standard trim and 18 inches for the TSX V-6) for its segment also improves the sedan's stance while under-body spoilers on the front, side and rear of the TSX Special Edition likewise increase its visual appeal.

Overall, though, the design of the TSX is still pretty stale, relative to what we've been seeing from other brands.

Time for a cosmetic change, Acura.

Standard Exterior Features

-Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights (with Auto on/off feature) and integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

-Front bumper-integrated halogen fog lights

-Dual exhaust outlets with polished tips

-Folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators and heaters

-Driver-side rearview mirror Reverse gear tilt down function

-Speed-sensing windshield wipers with mist feature

-Heat-rejecting window glass along with auto-timer defroster for rear glass

-Electronic trunk release

-Sport-minded front spoiler  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Sport-minded rear bumper fascia  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Sport-minded lower side sills  (TSX Sedan SE)

-"Sport Edition" badge on trunklid  (TSX Sedan SE)

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Interior

If only Acura paid as much attention to its exterior design the way it did in the interior, then we'd be talking about a real head-turner of a midsized sedan.

The standard leather with contrast-color stitching in the cabin will immediately drive up its comfort and posh ambiance. Seat function was also addressed, thanks to a standard eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support and a passenger seat with its own four-way power adjustment capabilities.

Interior space was also addressed to allow comfortable seating for as many as five passengers while the center console was designed with the kind of streamlined attention-to-detail that won't take time getting used to. The buttons are neatly placed without too many complications.

Technology on the cabin also wasn't compromised, as evidenced by the available Technology Package, which includes an LED backlit full VGA navigation screen, a rearview camera, a Song By Voice (SBV) user interface, and a hard disk drive that can hold as much as 15 gigabytes worth of downloadable music.

To enjoy that audio experience, the TSX was also given the Acura/ELS Surround Premium 10-speaker Sound System, designed and developed by Acura with help from Grammy award-winning recording engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner.

Interior Dimensions

Trim

TSX (Sedan)

TSX V-6

Head Room, front

37.6 in (955 mm)

37.6 in (955 mm)

Leg Room, front

42.4 in (1,078 mm)

42.4 in (1,078 mm)

Hip Room, front

55.6 in (1,411 mm)

55.6 in (1,411 mm)

Shoulder Room, front

57.8 in (1,468 mm)

57.8 in (1,468 mm)

Head Room, rear

37.0 in (941 mm)

37.0 in (941 mm)

Leg Room, rear

34.3 in (872 mm)

34.3 in (872 mm)

Hip Room, rear

54.2 in (1,377 mm)

54.2 in (1,377 mm)

Shoulder Room, rear

56.1 in (1,426 mm)

56.1 in (1,426 mm)


Standard Interior Features

Seating and Trim

-Leather-wrapped sport-style steering wheel

-Perforated leather trimmed seating surfaces with contrast-color stitching

Power-actuated, 8-way adjustable driver seat (with adjustable lumbar support and two-position memory function)

-Power-actuated, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat

-Heated front seats

-Driver and front passenger seat back pockets

-Locking 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with center armrest

-Carpeted floor mats

-Custom seat upholstery with red colored perforated suede inserts  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Red stitching for seats and shift knob  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Special black colored headliner material  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Sport-minded aluminum pedal covers  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters with bright silver plating  (TSX Sedan SE)

-Unique red lighting for instrument cluster, overhead lighting and footwell lighting  (TSX Sedan SE)

Comfort and Convenience

-Dual-zone automatic climate control system with micron air-filtration

-Bluetooth HandsFreeLink cellular telephone interface

-Premium sound system with AM/FM tuner, in-dash CD/MP3/WMA player, Radio Data System (RDS), speed-sensitive volume control, 7-speakers, 8-inch subwoofer and 360-watt amplifier

-XM Radio with Note function music reminder

-USB port and AUX jack connectivity for external music players

-Steering wheel-mounted illuminated controls (cruise control, audio, telephone, multi-information display and available voice recognition)

-Tilt and telescopic steering wheel

-Power-operated glass moonroof with tilt feature and sliding sunshade

-Auto-up/down driver and passenger power windows, power door mirrors and power door locks

-Remote activated, auto-open side windows and moonroof  "quick vent" function

-Remote entry system with Acura personalized settings for driver's seat

-Leather-covered front center console with sliding arm rest

-Door storage compartments

-Front and rear dual beverage holders

-Overhead storage compartment for sunglasses

-Overhead map lights

-Multi-Information Display (MID)

-Dual trip meters

-Maintenance Minder system

-HomeLink remote control system

-Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror

-Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors

-Two 12-volt power outlets

-Rear window defogger

-Blue LED interior lighting

-Digital clock

-Active Sound Control system  (TSX V-6 Sedan)

Technology Package Adds:

-Acura/ELS Surround 415-watt (460-watt with Sport Wagon) Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, DVD-Audio, CD, DTS, AM/FM radio, XM Satellite Radio with Note function music reminder, 15 GB hard disk drive memory (HDD) media storage system, Song By Voice and Dolby Pro Logic II

-Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition and rearview camera

-AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting

-AcuraLink Real-Time Weather

-AcuraLink Satellite Communication System with Automated Appointments

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Drivetrain

A choice of two engines will be offered for the 2014 TSX. One is the standard 2.4-liter inline-four that produces a tidy 201 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, good enough to hit 00 mph in a little under eight seconds with a top speed of about 137 mph.

A more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 is also offered, this time with 280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. With the V-6, expect the TSX's 60 mph time to improve to the low seven seconds with an estimated top speed of around 143 mph.

Engine Specifications

Powertrain

TSX

TSX V-6

Engine Type

2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder

3.5-liter 60-degree V-angle, 6-cylinder

Horsepower

201 hp at 7,000 rpm

280 hp at 6,200 rpm

Torque

172 lb-ft at 4,300 rpm (6MT); 170 lb-ft at 4,300 rpm (5AT)

254 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm

Redline

7,100 rpm

6,800 rpm

Bore & Stroke

3.42 in x 3.89 in (87 mm x 99 mm)

3.50 in x 3.66 in (89 mm x 93 mm)

Displacement

143.6 cu in (2354 cc)

211.8 cu in (3471 cc)

Compression Ratio

11.0:1

11.2:1

Induction System

Lightweight composite intake manifold with Programmed multi-point Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and Drive-By-Wire™ throttle system

Dual-stage intake manifold with PGM-FI multi-point fuel injection and Drive-By-Wire™ throttle system

Valvetrain

Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®), 4-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC, chain-driven camshafts and Variable Timing Control™ (VTC™)

Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®), 4-valves-per-cylinder, SOHC, belt-driven camshafts

Engine Block

Aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners

Aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners

Cylinder Head

Aluminum head with pent-roof combustion chambers and 4 valves per cylinder

Aluminum heads with pent-roof combustion chambers and 4 valves per cylinder

Emission Control

EPA TIER 2 – BIN 5; CARB LEV II ULEV

EPA TIER 2 – BIN 5; CARB LEV II ULEV

Ignition System

Electronic Direct

Electronic Direct

Alternator

12 volt – 105 ampere

12 volt – 130 ampere

Battery

12 volt - 45Ah

12 volt 72Ah

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded (recommended)

Premium Unleaded (required)


Safety

The 2014 Acura's standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, ABS, dual-stage/multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags, side curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Taken together, it was enough to propel the 2013 model as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Good to know that all of those features remained in the 2014 model.

Safety and Security Features

-Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE) body structure

-Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control

-Collapsible steering column

-Driver and front passenger dual-stage, multiple-threshold front air bags, and front side airbags with passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)

-Two row side curtain air bags

-Adjustable-height front seat head restraints with active head restraint system

-Driver and front passenger seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load-limiters

-3-point seatbelts for all five seating positions

-Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat mounting system for outboard rear seats Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

-Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual location indicators

-Theft-deterrent system with electronic immobilizer

Pricing

Excluding the two trim options for the TSX Sport Wagon, the sedan trim lineup of the TSX will have five different price points, ranging from the standard TSX's $30,635 price tag all the way to $39,275 for the TSX V-6 with Technology Package.

Trim

Price

TSX

$30,635

TSX Special Edition

$31,635

TSX Special Edition with 6-Speed Manual

$31,635

TSX with Technology Package

$33,735

TSX V-6 with Technology Package

$39,275


Competition

2014 Mercedes CLA-Class

If there was a model that effectively told the TSX to raise its game, its the new Mercedes CLA-Class. Let's face it, the German compact sedan is on its way to becoming a major force in its segment and it's likely that it'll do so at the expense of models like the TSX.

It's got comparable performance credentials thanks to its 2.0-liter inline-four engine that knocks out 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Add that to a reasonably price tag in the vicinity of $30,000 and the cache of being a Mercedes and you have a car that's going to be a hugely competitive model to all of the cars in its market.

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2014 Lexus IS

Another new model that's going to give the TSX some fits is the 2014 Lexus IS. In addition to sporting the brand's new design language (that inverted trapezoidal upper grille and the slanted lower grille are as distinctively Lexus as they get), the new IS will also feature a versatile choice of engine options, including a pair of V-6 offerings.

Again, it's another new model that has the looks, performance, and technological know-how that should be a cause for concern for Acura.

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Conclusion

Other than an exterior that looks like it belongs in the late-1990s, the TSX is actually a pretty nice midsized sedan. The interior is top quality and the engines offerings are competitive to other models in its segment. It handles well, too, and the return of the world-class Acura/ELS Surround System makes the sound-thumpin an enjoyable experience.

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

B

Still Works Well On Corners

Performance

B-

Nice Engine Options

Look

D

It Badly Needs A Styling Update

Value

C

At This Point, The New Models From Other Brands Are More Interesting

Overall

C

It's Getting Left Behind And Needs Some Catching Up To Do