Overview
The second-generation TSX made its debut at the New York International Auto Show on March 20, 2008, before going on sale on April 24, 2008 for the 2009 model year.[15] In terms of size, the TSX was larger than its predecessor with 3.0 in greater width, a 2.6 in wider track and a 1.3 in longer wheelbase, and the length grew by 2.4 in. Curb weight increased by approximately 100 to 150 lb.[16]
Making its debut on the new TSX was Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, which was designed to reduce accident impact on occupants. In the United States, the TSX came standard with luxury features like leather seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power driver's seat with memory, sunroof, Xenon headlights, and added a USB port music interface;[17] in Canada this configuration was known as the "Premium Package" as there was a base trim available with the four-cylinder TSX that has cloth seats and halogen headlights, and without the USB connector, memory seat function, and fog lamps. The TSX had an optional technology package, which included a navigation system, real-time traffic and weather, and a 10-speaker premium sound system with DVD-audio capabilities.
For the United States, Acura also added a "Sport Wagon" body style of the TSX in late 2010 for the 2011 model year.[18] The wagon was available with the I4 engine and 5-speed automatic.[19]
In 2009, the 2010 model year TSX added an optional 3.5L 280 hp V6 engine, shared with the Acura TL, and which was not available for the CL-series Accord sold in Europe.[20] It came standard with the five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and 18-inch alloy wheels, and was available in either Premium or Technology trims.[21]
In 2010, for the 2011 model year, the TSX received a facelifted upper grille with horizontal slots, a thin chrome molding surround replaced the wide silver surround, a redesigned front bumper cover with body-colored sections between the upper grille and each headlight, wider body-colored "verticals" in the lower grille separating revised foglamp areas, and a chrome trim piece added to the trunk lid between updated taillights. Inside included more LED lighting, new LED/VGA navigation screen and system functions with Technology Package, center console HVAC vents for rear occupants, and new trim colors, woodgrain, and metal finishes.[22]
In 2011, for the 2012 model year, Acura introduced an all new Special Edition model. The exterior featured a more aggressive front spoiler giving it a sporty look, reminiscent of their old sports coupe, the RSX. Other cosmetic upgrades included a rear bumper fascia, side sills, and a "Special Edition" badge on the trunk lid. In the interior, Acura made sport-minded appointments including synthetic suede seat inserts with red backing. There was red stitching on the shift knob, seats, and steering wheel, along with red ambient lighting featured on the gauge cluster, overhead lighting, and footwell lighting. The pedals were also upgraded to aluminum.
In late 2013, Honda announced that the TSX would be replaced with the Acura TLX sedan and that they would discontinue sales of the TSX model in 2014.[23][24]
Engine
The second-generation TSX uses a base engine similar to that of the first-generation TSX. The engine is a 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine reaching 201 hp (150 kW) and 172 lbft torque.[25] While the rated power of the new TSX engine is 4 hp lower than that of the 2008 model, Acura says the new engine distributes power across a much wider rpm range, which along with the increased torque, provides an increased feeling of power for the driver. The transmission choices remain 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual, though the automatic version became equipped with steering-wheel paddle shifters for optional manual shifting.
In February 2009, for the 2010 model year, the Acura TSX has an optional 280 hp 3.5-liter V6, shared with the larger Acura TL, and which was not available for the CL-series Accord sold in Europe.[26] The V6 engine is only available with the 5-speed automatic transmission.[27]
The Acura TSX was slated to receive a high-performance 2.2-liter i-DTEC clean turbodiesel engine in the 2010 model year, after having already offered it for the CL-series Accord sold in Europe.
TSX Sport Wagon (2011)
The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a badge-engineered version of the CW-series Honda Accord Tourer station wagon.[29] The Sport Wagon was unveiled in the 2010 New York Auto Show.[30] The TSX Sport Wagon is mechanically identical to the TSX sedan, sharing the 201-horsepower Honda K engine 2.4L DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel independent sports suspension. Unlike the sedan, the Sport Wagon is not offered with the 6-speed manual transmission nor the V6 engine.[31][32] The Sport Wagon offers 60.5 cu-ft of rear cargo area (with rear seats folded down; 25.8 cu-ft with the seats up), rear seats with 60/40 fold-down design.
For the United States market, the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon went on sale on December 21, 2010 for the 2011 model year.[33] Acura Canada said that they would eventually sell the TSX Sport Wagon, citing market conditions as the reason for the delay, but ultimately was never marketed in Canada.
2012 TSX Special Edition
The 2012 TSX Special Edition is a version of the TSX commemorating the 25th anniversary of Acura, with a 6-speed manual or Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission, a more aggressive front spoiler, rear bumper fascia and side sills, 17x7.5-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels with a dark grey finish, a "Special Edition" badge on the trunklid, perforated black synthetic suede inserts and red backing upholstery, unique red stitching and red-lighting throughout the interior, aluminum pedal covers and a black headliner material replaces the standard grey headliner used on other TSX models.[38]
The Technology package includes ELS audio system and hard-drive based navigation system.
The TSX Special Edition was unveiled in 2011 Orange County International Auto Show.[39]
In Canada, a very similar model to the US model SE called the A-Spec was also released, sharing the same features as the American model. It had an A-Spec badge on each fender, and came with unique 18” multi spoke alloy wheels which were both silver and dark grey.
Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found the 2009-11 TSX to have an overall driver death of 7 deaths per million registered years, the 2nd lowest of midsize four-door cars, and both single-vehicle crash death rate and rollover death rate of 0.[40][41]
