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2012 Acura TSX

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2012 Acura TSX Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.8

In a class defined by prestige, opulence and sticker prices exceeding the $60,000 mark, the 2012 Acura TSX will appeal to anyone looking for a luxury midsize sedan or wagon at a non-luxury price. Often overlooked, the TSX offers classy styling and appointments that reflect the high levels of comfort, refinement and convenience that have become hallmarks of the Acura brand. And while not as much fun as something like a BMW 3 Series, the Acura TSX nevertheless offers a supremely comfortable ride and perhaps the best value in the segment.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you are looking for a well-appointed premium luxury vehicle that delivers ample fuel economy, a simple pricing structure and an envious reliability record, the 2012 Acura TSX is a smart choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you live in an area where inclement weather is the norm, the TSX's lack of an available all-wheel drive system (AWD) may constitute a closer look at the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class or Audi A4.

KBB Expert Ratings

  • 7.8
  • 8.0
  • 7.4
  • 7.4
  • 8.2
  • N/A
How It Ranks

#22

out of 36

MPG

#30

out of 35

Horsepower
View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.3 out of 10
View all
consumer ratings
2012 Acura TSX Low/wide front photo What's New for 2012

The 2012 Acura TSX sedan adds a new Special Edition Package consisting of several exterior design upgrades, unique red interior illumination, and microfiber seat inserts with red stitching. The TSX Sport Wagon replaces its spare tire with a tire repair kit, greatly increasing its under-floor storage capacity.

Driving the TSX
2012 Acura TSX Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions When it comes to all-around driving fun, we could hardly ask for a better balance of enthusiasm and comfort. We like the optional 6-speed manual's precise shifting action and the...

5-speed automatic's aggressive Sport mode, the latter being especially welcome on the automatic-only V6 model. The 2012 Acura TSX encourages a quicker pace when the road begins to meander, and adequately absorbs surface irregularities and external roars when cruising. If there's a fly in the TSX ointment, it can be found with Acura's efficiency-enhancing electromechanical power steering system. A lack of feel that sometimes borders on numbness (depending on which KBB editor you ask), the TSX is no match for competitors such as the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series when it comes to accurate steering feedback. While most vehicles require subtle steering input when traveling straight down the highway, the TSX seems to require constant, unnatural-feeling corrections.
Favorite Features

Surround Sound System
Audiophiles will have to have this comprehensive premium sound system. Included in the Technology Package, the 5.1 DVD-Audio Surround Sound is so utterly clear and clean, it puts all other stock systems to shame.

Feature-Packed Navigation System
The 2012 Acura TSX offers a sophisticated navigation system with a high-resolution 8-inch display featuring sharp LED backlighting. Gracenote software helps you find music via voice commands, and voice activation for the navigation that allows for voice input of city and street names, Zagat restaurant information, weather conditions and real-time traffic information and rerouting. A rear backup camera is also part of the package.

2012 Acura TSX Details
2012 Acura TSX Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo Interior

With precise fit and finish and a warm, upscale ambiance, the cabin of the TSX is as comfortable as it is attractive. The contemporary layout is awash with high-quality materials and supple leather-trimmed seating surfaces. The available navigation system takes some getting used to, but elsewhere, the control surfaces are intuitive and clearly displayed. The rear seats feature a 60/40 split design for cargo flexibility while the TSX Sport Wagon features a class-leading 66.2 cubic feet of cargo space - comparable to most compact SUVs. Thanks to its larger interior dimensions, the TSX provides generous rear-seat legroom and head room.

Exterior
2012 Acura TSX photo

The 2012 Acura TSX's exterior is sleek and stylish, with defined wheel arches, honed body lines and a creased waistline. The face is distinguished by angular projector-beam headlights and Acura's signature, yet controversial, shield-style stain chrome grille. The available 18-inch alloy wheels complement the TSX's athletic design while dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets for both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder models convey a sporty sense of symmetry.

Notable Equipment
Standard Equipment

The 2012 Acura TSX boasts a long list of standard equipment that includes xenon headlights (up to three times brighter than traditional halogen headlights), Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, iPod integration and an auxiliary audio jack for MP3/WMA players, steering-wheel-mounted controls, leather seating with driver-position memory, moonroof and dual-zone climate control. The V6 TSX adds 18-inch alloy wheels, 1-touch ignition key start and Acura's new Active Sound Control system, which works by eliminating exterior sound entering the cabin. All the safety gear is included, such as six airbags and Acura's ACE body structure for enhanced energy dissipation during a crash.

Optional Equipment

Every bit of optional equipment available on the 2012 Acura TSX is wrapped up into one mouth-watering Technology Package, the highlights of which include a world-class DVD-Audio Surround Sound system and a comprehensive advanced HDD navigation system, both of which are detailed in the "Favorite Features" section of this review.

Under the Hood
2012 Acura TSX Engine photo

The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is coupled with either a slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic that features a manual shifting mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. As with so many Honda and Acura vehicles, the TSX's i-VTEC engine is at its best when pushed hardest. Those seeking better low-end performance should look at the 3.5-liter V6. With 280 horsepower on tap it's sure to be a scintillating ride, although without a manual transmission, probably not as much fun as the base car.

2.4-liter inline-4
201 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
172 (manual), 170 (automatic) lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg (manual), 22/31mpg (automatic)

3.5-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
254 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/28 mpg

Pricing Notes

The 4-cylinder TSX starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) just over $30,000 and tops out at about $33,500 with the Technology Package. The V6 models start around $36,000 and can reach close to $40,000 when loaded. To get a better idea of what people in your area are paying for their TSXs, check out Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price in the "What should I pay for my new car?" section on our homepage. Factoring sticker price, equipment levels and residual value, the 2012 Acura TSX may be the smartest buy in the entry-premium arena. It's one of a handful of premium-branded cars that starts at $30,000, it's loaded with the most modern of conveniences, and its projected resale values best those of competitors like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Volvo S40, and even mirror those of its corporate stablemate and industry resale benchmark, the Honda Accord.

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2012 Acura TSX Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating
9.3
Out of 10

Based on 122 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car
  • Value
    9.4/10
    Quality
    9.5/10
  • Reliability
    9.6/10
    Performance
    9.1/10
  • Comfort
    9.3/10
    Styling
    9.4/10

Great Car

By big bob (IN) on Monday, February 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
10/10
Styling
10/10
Comfort
10/10

Pros: "Great car and great value"

Cons: "Road noise could be lower."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"40000 miles and absolutely zero problems, zero rattles, zero complaints since day 1. Great mileage and fun to drive."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Traded my 2007 TSX for my 2011 TSX

By Chuck G (GA) on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
9/10
Styling
9/10
Comfort
10/10

Pros: "Good looks, great ride, reliability, and resale"

Cons: "Ride is not as sporty as previous model"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I owned a 2007 TSX and loved it. When the new car fever came I looked at several other cars but bought a 2011 TSX. I do love this car. The 2011 model feels roomier inside and due to the change in the body style you do feel like it is wider. The ride is quieter and smoother than the 2007 model. So overall I am pleased. Now that I have owned by car for 15 months I will say that the 2007 model was more fun to drive. Maybe the smooth ride in the 2011 model has diminished my feel for the road. That is my only negative comment on the 2011 TSX. I get 1-2 MPG more than I did with my 2007 in city driving. Highway MPG is about the same. Having owned a TSX since 2007 I will say that I have never had to have any repairs done. I have regular maintenance done and there was one very minor recall on my 2007 model that Acura fixed very quickly. Overall this is a high quality car that drives nice and looks good. In a few years I might even buy another TSX."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Can't stand this car - and trapped in a lease

By AcuraNewbie (GA) on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,593

10 3.0
overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
3/10
Value
5/10
Reliability
8/10
Quality
6/10
Performance
5/10
Styling
9/10
Comfort
8/10

Pros: "Seats are comfortable; good cargo room & MPG."

Cons: "Too many to list."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Disclaimer (my own) - I have owned many American, Japanese and German cars over the years, and I have a particular fondness for the German engineering, so bear this in mind when reading my review that follows. Where do I begin? First, there is very little "sport" to this sport wagon. Steering is less than communicative, and handling is so-so. Sportwagon is a minomer in this case. The interior materials are, unfortunately, typical Honda, i.e., look nice from a distance and feel good at first touch, but much lower quality than is appropriate for this price point. The leather on the driver's seat is already showing abnormal wear, and I'm by no means overweight. The door panel material is too soft/sueded, so it has developed a glaring shiny spot where you typically rest your elbow. The outside temperature guage seems to be confused, as one day it's telling me the temp is 74 (when it was actually 60), and another it's 10 degreees cooler than actual outside temp. I should point out this is NOT at startup, but after the car has been running/driven a good 15-20 minutes. The car has 201 hp and a 5-sp automatic, and it's just not a good pairing for a car this size. There have been more than a few times when merging w/highway traffic was a little exciting, and not in a fun way. Of course, with torque of only 175 bhp, I'm not sure how a 5-speed could do anything useful with so little power. This brings me to the transmission; with only 5 gears and a NON-turbo 4-banger, the engine noise of this car gets seriously irritating above 65 mph. Getting this car to track straight was a joke for the first 6k miles, although that could have had something to do with the tires not having been broken in; but seriously, other auto makers seem to be able to account for that, so why can't Acura? And then how about added options? Well, seat heaters are great when they work well - but they don't in this car. They take forever to heat up (compared to Audi, BMW, and even GM vehicles), and then once they do I swear you can feel every heating element wire as it coils through the seat - it's a targeted "hot wire" feeling, like an old heating pad with a worn-out cover, not a nice, overall enveloping warmth that you'll find on the other vehicles mentioned. The toggle switches for the seat heaters are mindlessly placed on the horizontal surface next to the gear selector, where they can easily be switched "on" without realizing it. Any idea how much fun that was on an August day in Georgia? It ain't pretty... I say all of this as a cautionary tale: if you have ever driven anything with a sporting flair- or anything German- and enjoyed the experience, then you will NOT be happy with this car. If, however, you are accustomed to Honda or Toyota vehicles and are a fan (and I'm not knocking those that do - there are folks who prefer Japanese engineering over German, and vice versa), then this may be a worthy addition to your home. But when the service advisors at the local dealership point out that this car really wasn't well thought-out by Acura, what can you infer from such statements?"

14 people out of 27 found this review helpful

High line car features for a regular price

By Dave (FL) on Monday, October 01, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,600

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
10/10
Styling
10/10
Comfort
9/10

Pros: "Interior quality, handling, steering, audio system"

Cons: "Rear seat room"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"2010 silver Acura TSX 4 cylinder automatic with black leather. First the bad, the rear seating area doesn't have a lot of room, however my son who is 5-10 and about 230 fits back there and tells me "dad, it's fine, the seats are so comfortable" lol. But I think the room is tight. Now the good!!! I have owned this car for three days and I can tell you being a car guy and having been in the business for 10 years, this car is worth the money, which is very little compared to what you get. Many people talk about the domestic mid sized sedan look, however I think this cars snout and rear end set it apart. The xenon headlamps with fog lights are very nice and bright with a crisp line. The headlights never get in the mirror of the car in front of you which I hate. Sitting in the Acura TSX the first thing you notice is the high quality of ALL the materials inside. They didn't skimp on anything. It's well laid out. It feels like your in a well fitted cock pit of a jet plane while seated. Passenger space and leg room are great. All the controls are well placed and easily mastered after a few drives so don't get overwhelmed. The acceleration is fine for a four cylinder and the gas mileage if far better than advertised. I will get over 500 miles on my first tank driving mostly city and normal driving habits. Lifting the hood will verify the quality as it feels like it is made of pure steel. Mostly driving German cars, I enjoy the feel of sturdiness and quality. Acura maintains the Honda reliability and gives you the premium touches that most consumers crave. The switchblade key fob looks very cool and is easy to operate. The steering is amazing and effortless and the handling is very good. Suspension is good and while you feel some bumps the nice seats make up for that. The interior is quite and the premium sound system is plenty for anyone who enjoys music. Love the Bluetooth hookup to my iPhone which is very easy to set up. I'm usually very critical of all cars but really they only bad thing I can find on this car is that in the middle right part of the driver seat it seems to be a bit uncomfortable however the whole seat in general is way above average. I am 6-1 and weigh about 250 so this might be the reason for that. Hope this review helps. Don't forget that Acura has extremely high resale value and when you factor in the quality and reliability, it's a best b in my opinion. Have fun."

11 people out of 11 found this review helpful

Wow, what a pleasure to drive. Comfortable seats.

By Wally (WY) on Sunday, September 23, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0
overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
9/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
9/10
Styling
10/10
Comfort
9/10

Pros: "Best bang for the buck! Sweet ride!"

Cons: "Aero dynamics create floating effect."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The four cylinder is much better for fuel economy. The dark color is suseptable to water spotting in certain areas. Driving is fun again. Electronics can be mastered by repetition and assistance from a young person age of 14. Driving in high windy areas cause constant vigilance when steering. Acceleration is remarkable for the size of the 4 cylinder motor. Very reliable, no mechanical hickups or electrical Gremlins. Handles better than most rear wheel autos in mountainous terrains when roads are wet or slushy. Somewhat low to the ground, be careful of curbs."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

This car is GREAT in all aspects.

By Buckeye (IL) on Sunday, September 16, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,000

10 10.0
overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating
10/10
Value
10/10
Reliability
10/10
Quality
10/10
Performance
10/10
Styling
10/10
Comfort
10/10

Pros: "The car is fun to drive with the paddle shifter."

Cons: "premium gas"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Actual millage is 22 city, 35 highway. I use Mobil 0W-20 synthetic oil. I also use mid-grade high teir gas and performance does not suffer. The car shouldn't have to use premium gas. The sun roof should close automatically when the car is locked from the outside or the engine shut off. I expected high quality from Acura and they delivered. Accessories well laid out."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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