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You know what a Honda Accord is, don’t you? Yep, it’s that competent and durable sedan that wins plenty of accolades for its sheer competence. Of course, it’s also about as exciting as a pet rock. That doesn’t matter to hundreds of thousands of people who buy an Accord each year because of its quality, reputation, and well thought out details that make it such an easy conveyance to live with. Still, for more enthusiastic drivers, the Accord remains something of an appliance.
Overseas in Europe, the Accord exists over there too, but in somewhat different form. It’s a little bit smaller and a little bit sexier. It’s also positioned a bit more upscale in Europe too as a competitor to cars like Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. Acura saw fit to bring the last European Accord over as the TSX, and now that nameplate has just entered its second generation.

The new TSX is definitely bigger than the last model, but quite a bit smaller than the US Accord. One notices this most in the back seat, which is a bit tight in legroom compared to the cavernous US Accord rear seat. It is also styled a bit more expressively than the last TSX, but overall it lacks the cohesion and elegance of the best Europeans. Still, as it was designed to go head to head with European executive sedans, the interior is mostly up to European standards in terms of material quality and textures. Honda has always had great interior assembly quality, but the materials used in the TSX certainly look more upscale.

Just a little tight back there…
It’s got a good deal of multimedia technology crammed in as well. Mostly, the system is similar to what’s available in the Accord; the rotary knob-operated system incorporates navigation, audio, and full iPod control (not just an auxiliary-in jack). Unlike the version in the Accord, the TSX’s system also incorporates real time traffic information. The system is really very easy to use once you get the hang of it, but the graphics look a bit last generation.

The TSX is a bit unusual in the segment for being available ONLY with a 4-cylinder engine. It’s a 2.4L 4-cylinder making 201HP. It’s essentially the same engine found in the 4-cylinder Accord, but tuned to run on premium fuel for slightly higher power and torque. It’s paired with a very positive-shifting 5-speed automatic. Is it enough power? It’s not overtly fast, but that’s not the whole story. This engine is just so willing rev and feels so enthusiastic doing so that it always feels quick and fun. The excellent fuel economy is an added bonus; it is capable of 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

Complementing this willing powertrain is a very adept and capable chassis. Like the engine, the steering and suspension are expertly tuned such that the car feels extremely light on its feet and willing to attack corners with ease. It’s just such an easy car to drive quickly, with the powertrain and chassis working together with uncommon fluency and fluidity. Yet the car rides very comfortably as well – it’s a smooth and very controlled ride that always inspires confidence while at the same time giving the car a very relaxed character when it’s not attacking bends. Seriously, every component of the car works together in perfect harmony, as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney might say. Few cars feel so well integrated and harmonious.
Ultimately though, the TSX’s charms are subtle. It doesn’t have a prestigious German badge, and its overall look both inside and out don’t impress in the way an Audi or a BMW does. In a way, one must be a real driving enthusiast in order to really warm up to this car – an enthusiast who values the drive experience more than design or image. For those who do, this car is really a pretty compelling choice.