2011 Acura TSX Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Acura TSX overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 TSX, and includes Acura TSX safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Just two years after a complete redesign, the Acura TSX receives numerous refinements for 2011. There’s also a new TSX Sport Wagon model, a station wagon variant that comes with the less-powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and Sequential SportShift automatic transmission.

All TSXs have revised front styling, while the TSX Sedan gets new taillights and minor tweaks to the rear end. The standard 17-inch wheels have a machined finish for a more upscale look. Inside, the TSX gains subtle design and trim modifications, contrast stitching for the standard leather, a climate-controlled center console storage box, and new heat and air conditioning vents for the rear seat passengers. Acura has also worked to further quiet the TSX’s cabin with thicker side glass, an acoustic glass windshield, and increased use of sound-deadening insulation.

On the technology front, the TSX now offers a 60GB hard disk drive (HDD) navigation and audio system with an LED-backlit navigation screen that offers a 400-percent increase in resolution. Faster and more comprehensive than before, the HDD system allows storage for up to 15GB of personal music files (about 3,500 songs), and includes a Song By Voice user interface for finding music.

Finally, fuel economy improvements result from internal friction reduction measures applied to both of the TSX’s engines.

With the arrival of the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon, there are three TSX models from which to choose: a four-cylinder sedan, a four-cylinder wagon, and a V6 sedan. Each is equipped with nearly identical standard equipment, and the only option is a Technology Package. However, Acura dealers can install numerous accessories if you wish.

For 2011, standard equipment includes 17-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with automatic operation, fog lights, and a power moonroof. Contrast-stitched leather upholstery coats the cabin, while the driver enjoys an eight-way power heated seat with two-position memory and the front passenger sits atop a four-way power heated seat. Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with satellite controls, power mirrors with passenger’s side reverse tilt-down function, power windows with one-touch front operation, and power door locks with remote keyless entry are included. Interestingly, the remote can be used to cool the TSX’s cabin on a hot day, opening the moonroof and powering all four windows down as the driver approaches the car. The premium sound system is equipped with a CD player, a USB connection, an auxiliary audio input jack, and satellite radio, and all TSXs have Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Bluetooth Audio technology. Additional features include a multi-information display with a trip computer and compass, a HomeLink garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

When you choose the TSX V6 Sedan, the price tag includes unique 18-inch aluminum wheels, push-button ignition, an upgraded braking system, and Active Sound Control noise cancellation technology.

Once you’ve chosen the model you want, its time to decide if you’re willing to pay extra for the Technology Package. In addition to its rearview camera; GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone climate control system; and AcuraLink satellite communication system with real-time traffic and weather reports, this package has a new-for-2011 hard disk drive navigation and audio system with 60GB of memory. Faster and more detailed than before, the voice recognition navigation system includes an LED-backlit screen that features 400-percent better resolution, and the Acura/ELS Dolby Pro Logic II premium audio system is now capable of storing more than 3,500 song files that can be accessed through Song By Voice technology.

Two engines are available for the 2011 Acura TSX, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6. The four-cylinder is good for 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, just 100 rpm shy of redline. Torque measurements are dependent on transmission choice. With the standard six-speed manual, the engine makes 172 lb-ft. With the available five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic, the engine makes 170 lb-ft.

With the four-cylinder engine, Acura says that the TSX Sedan will return 21 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway with the manual, and 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with the automatic. The new TSX Sport Wagon is sold exclusively with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the Sequential SportShift automatic, and gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Offered only in the TSX Sedan, the 3.5-liter V6 makes 280 hp at 6,200 rpm and 254 lb-ft of torque, and is equipped with the five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic. Acura estimates that the TSX V6 will get 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The TSX’s popular Sequential SportShift automatic features F1-style manual shift paddles on the steering wheel, Grade Logic Control software for holding a gear when climbing hills, and Shift Hold Control programming that makes the TSX more responsive when driven through curves. Every TSX is equipped with electric steering and, based on our experience, you wouldn’t know it. A double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension is designed for entertaining handling, and the V6 model includes firmer springs and recalibrated dampers for even crisper canyon carving.

In designing the TSX, Acura wanted to create a safe car, and it has succeeded. An Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure design is intended to make the TSX crash-compatible with a wide range of vehicles, and pedestrian injury mitigation design includes a hood, hood hinges, and windshield wiper pivots that easily deform if the TSX hits a pedestrian. Six airbags protect the TSX’s passengers, and the car comes standard with stability control, traction control, and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

For 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has restructured its crash-test program, and the TSX has not been re-tested using the new standards. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the TSX Sedan its highest rating of Good in the offset frontal, side impact, and rear impact crashworthiness evaluations.

Consumer Reports recommends the 2011 TSX, despite dropping its prediction for reliability to average this year. J.D. Power and Associates continues to look upon the TSX favorably, assigning an above average prediction for long-term dependability.

New for 2011, the Acura TSX Sport Wagon takes everything that’s good about the TSX Sedan and adds the ability to carry 25.8 cubic-feet of cargo with the rear seat raised and 60.5 cu-ft with the rear seat folded. We spent a week driving one in Southern California, toting a toddler and a baby in the back seat with a full-size stroller tucked under the cargo area’s tonneau cover.

Acura’s advertisements for the TSX Sport Wagon show a drifting TSX Sedan transforming itself into a station wagon as it pirouettes around an apex on a racetrack. The voiceover says: “We began with a sports car, and ended with one.” Well, not exactly. First off, the helmeted driver would have needed to yank the handbrake to get a front-wheel-drive TSX to drift through a corner like that. (Acura admits as much in the fine print, which says that stunt driving techniques were used.) Second, no car with 201 horsepower, 170 pound-feet of torque, a 57/43 front/rear weight distribution, and 3,600 pounds to tug around with the front wheels will ever be confused with a sports car.

That said, the TSX Sport Wagon is a sporty car, as long as you’re not driving up a hill, or trying to merge with 75-mph traffic flow with the entire family on board and a cargo area full of stuff. It feels athletic in terms of its steering, braking, and suspension tuning, with a firm but never harsh ride quality. Even the transmission is geared to deliver lively response in urban settings, making the TSX Sport Wagon plenty of fun to drive in most people’s daily lives. And, we averaged 23.2 mpg in a mix of city, highway, and back road driving. Still, it seems like Acura ought to be offering the TSX Sedan’s excellent 3.5-liter V6 engine in this model as an option.

The TSX is certainly comfortable, even if the rear seat is snug for taller adults. The front seats are models of perfection, plush yet supportive, covered in soft and supple leather, and equipped with substantial side bolsters that cradle you in comfort. Add top-quality materials, excellent build quality, and the kind of attention to detail and refinement that makes any owner feel like they got a great deal, and the TSX Sport Wagon makes for a wonderful companion during the daily grind.

Still, we can’t help but wonder if a Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI with all the trimmings makes more fiscal sense. Or if spending a little extra to get an Audi A4 Avant with a terrific turbocharged four-cylinder engine and Quattro all-wheel drive might be more satisfying. What the Acura brings to the table is a strong record for dependability, coupled with a dash of style and a healthy load of standard features. For many station wagon buyers, that might be as compelling an argument as Acura needs to make.

Acura continues to improve the TSX, this year adding a cool-looking station wagon model to the lineup. Entertaining to drive, the 2011 Acura TSX combines a promising track record of safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency with technology, luxury, comfort, and, for 2011, utility in the form of the TSX Sport Wagon. Indeed, the Acura TSX seems to have it all, and while the TSX’s styling might deter some buyers, we’re acclimated to its funky face. Now, if we could only get the V6 engine in the Sport Wagon, the TSX would be just about perfect.

By Christian Wardlaw