The 2014 TSX Sport Wagon->ke275 is the perfect example of Acura->ke10 giving shoppers a competitive, unique and well-built luxury station wagon for just above $30,000. And what does the market say in response to the only low-roof hauler in a time when Shooting Brake and coupe bodies have never been hotter?

The market yawns, then saunters over to the RDX sitting nearby in the (usually totally empty of humans) Acura->ke10 showroom floor. A slightly taller ride height and a V-6 engine are available for a few thousand over this classy and nimble TSX Sport Wagon.

For that cash, the RDX brings much, much newer infotainment controls and available AWD that the TSX lacks.

But the RDX is wearing (even worse) looks these days that are like a melted and shrunken MDX. Or maybe a mushed up Starburst candy.

So the RDX solution is not quite as appealing as when the RDX was a spunky turbocharged bandit.

After being outsold by the brand's crossovers by more than twenty to one, the TSX wagon is 100-percent carryover for 2014. Some new pics that are not renderings or a photochop are welcome from Acura->ke10, but the TSX is in a holding pattern while Acura tries to define its future strategy.

The TSX Sport Wagon is not alone in offering frugal family transit with great quality and handling. The BMW X1 is a sporty and quick rear- or all-wheel-drive crossover new in America for 2013, while the Mazda CX-5 is even a bit more eager in corners than the Acura->ke10.

But for the shopper who really wants to make a wagon envy statement?

Please follow the jump for all the details on the 2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

acura-tsx-sport-wagon

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: acura-tsx-sport-wagon
Pros
Cons

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 201
  • Torque: 170
  • Transmission: 5-Speed Auto
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Sport Wagon is the best-looking TSX out there. Rich paints look terrific and the lines in profile and the rear are quite refined and luxurious.

Taut creases are a welcome merit versus the fugly TL, and even the door handles have a very special nickel brightwork. These door handles are unique to the TSX and the Euro Accord, many people will be delighted to know.

In front, things are a total disaster zone. Like a car styled well at first, but then ruined with the beak-like nose, some retro headlights and a width that seems like a bumper car. Too narrow and tall to really ace the fast wagon styling test.

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

106.4 In

Overall Length

189.2 In

Overall Width

72.4 In

Overall Height

57.9 In

Track (front and rear)

62.2 in

Ground Clearance

Unladen: 5.9 In / Fully-Laden: 4.3 In


2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - 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

- Roof rails (TSX Sport Wagon)

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Dealer-installed Exterior Options

- 18-inch diameter 10-spoke aluminum wheels with ebony or chrome-look finish

- Wheel locks

- Sport Package with unique front underbody, side sills and rear bumper and 18-inch 10-spoke aluminum wheels (bodywork available painted in factory TSX colors)

- Rear bumper appliqué

- Front and rear splash guards (available painted in factory TSX colors)

- Body side protection molding (available painted in factory TSX colors)

- Door edge guards (available painted in factory TSX colors)

- Car cover

- Nose mask

- Door visor

- Moon roof visor

- Back-up sensors

- Engine block heater

- Remote engine starter

- Crossbars – Silver (TSX Sport Wagon only)

- Ski Attachment (TSX Sport Wagon only)

- Bike Attachment (TSX Sport Wagon only)

- Roof Box (55- x 33- x 18-inch) (TSX Sport Wagon only)

Interior

FEMA is on standby for the interior as well. Despite being made exceptionally well, and including really expensive materials… the TSX is as tech-savvy as Time magazine.

Buyers may also find it is a bit tight on elbow room and cargo space, to say nothing of the miniature back seat.

Overall, the Acura is behind the times for tech systems inside the TSX despite the optional nav, via the technology package. Missing elements include:

- Missing: Adaptive cruise control

- Missing: Bluetooth streaming audio integration

- Missing: Electronically-operated tailgate

- Missing: Active radar-based safety systems like blind-spot assist, lane-keeping assist or city braking functions

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Interior Dimensions

Seating Capacity

5

Headroom (Front/Rear)

37.6/37.0 in.

Legroom (Front/Rear)

42.4/42.4 in.

Hip Room (Front/Rear)

55.6/54.2 in.

Shoulder Room (Front/Rear)

57.8/56.1 in.

EPA Cargo Volume

31.5 cu. Ft. (seats up), 66.2 cu. Ft. (seats folded)


2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Interior Features

- 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

- 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

- 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)

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

- Leather-covered front center console with sliding arm rest

- Multi-Information Display (MID)

- HomeLink remote control system

- Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror, Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors

- Two 12-volt power outlets

- Blue LED interior lighting, Digital clock

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Tech Package

- 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

- Power actuated rear tailgate (TSX Sport Wagon)

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Dealer-installed Interior Options

- Sport-style steering wheel with perforated leather

- Sport-style transmission shift knob with perforated leather

- Interior trim kit with Dark Metallic color

- Steering wheel trim with Dark Metallic color

- All-season floor mats

- Trunk tray, Cargo organizer, Cargo Net

- Cargo Liner (TSX Sport Wagon only)

Drivetrain

The TSX wagon is slower than the sedan, thanks to a slightly higher curb weight than the base TSX automatic. The dimensions also grow about four inches in length, thanks to a longer rear overhang.

The overall driving enthusiasm of the TSX shines through in the TSX wagon. The wagon even has more neutral handling than the sedan with thanks to a weight distribution closer to 50:50 versus the sedans. The wagon comes in at 57:43 front-to-rear ratio front to rear versus the TSX V-6 sedan’s 62:38. The shift toward the rear helps the TSX wagon hold corners tighter than expected and makes the car much less prone to under-steer.

The only drivetrain for the wagon is a front-engine, front-drive 2.4-liter four making 201 horsepower for an estimated 8.2 second 0-to-60 sprint.

2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon - Mechanical Specs

Trim Level

TSX Sport Wagon – Automatic

Engine Size and Type

2.4-liter 16-valve I-4 i-VTEC VTC, chain-driven DOHC

Peak power

201 horsepower

Peak torque

170 pound-feet

Transmission

5-speed auto

0-60-mph

8.2 seconds

Top Speed

138 mph, limited

EPA Mileage City/Highway/Combined

22/30/25


Price

The 2014 TSX Sport Wagon is priced from $31,985.

Competition

Mazda CX-5

The cute and perky CX-5 is a huge hit with shoppers. It blends some big-crossover road stance with a sharp new styling suit outside. As ever, the Mazda is an eager little beaver that is more than happy on mountain roads.

BMW X1

The BMW X1's base pricing is in the TSX neighborhood, but the only one that really stands out is the M Sport trim with color-matched bumpers versus faux off-road items on the entry trims. Even so, the X1 is fast and really fun to drive in standard rear- or available AWD.

Conclusion

Acura is in a really bad place. The new MDX and RLX are barely light facelifts, maintaining or worsening the serious problems the cars must face in a hyper-competitive luxury market.

In the market, Acura's brand cache is barely on the radar either. It is perhaps above Hyundai if you say so, but not really.

Such little product or footprint for the luxury brand means the future is not yet a sure thing. We bet most Acura dealers would change the sign out front to a big H in a heartbeat if given the chance.