June 2011

Vehicle Profile: The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

If “station wagon” makes you think of wood-sided land-barges lumbering about the highway, you’re 25 years behind the times. Acura’s TSX Sport Wagon combines all the sport and luxury features that have built the brand, along with the ability to haul your stuff around without sacrificing a truly fun driving experience.
 
Like a sports sedan with the room of an SUV
 
Acura’s SUVs are renowned for their excellent drivability, but for customers who prefer the razor-sharp driving characteristics of a sports sedan, the new TSX Sport Wagon is a delightfully compelling solution. Based on the superb four-cylinder TSX sports sedan, the Sport Wagon delivers the dramatic good looks and invigorating dynamics of the four-door. Of course, that’s to be expected – it is a TSX after all. What changes the game, however, is the volume held within the interior.
 
Like the sedan, there’s room for five adults to ride in comfort. Unlike the sedan, the TSX wagon can gobble up a full 25.8 cubic feet of cargo in the space behind the second-row seat. And if you call for more serious hauling, simply fold down the backseat to open that space up to a whopping 60.5 cubic feet. That’s definitely SUV-grade space. For example, the BMW X3 sport utility has a cargo space of just 19 cubic feet with the seats in place, and a maximum of just 56.6 cubic feet. The TSX Sport Wagon has no trouble hanging with its sport-ute competitors, and it handily outclasses wagon rivals like the BMW 328i Sports Wagon (58.0 cubic feet) and the Audi A4 Avant (50.5 cubic feet).
 
In addition to the impressive standard cargo space, the TSX Sport Wagon also has hidden storage beneath the rear cargo floor and an additional compartment inside the left wall that’s designed to provide quick and easy access to roadside emergency equipment like flares, a first aid kit and the like.
 
Signature Acura performance
 
The Acura TSX Sport Wagon’s heart is in the form of a 2.4-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder making a stout 201 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift paddleshifters directs that juice to the front wheels. Enhancements to the 2.4-liter for the 2011 model year result in more efficient operation, which translates into an impressive EPA-estimated 22 mpg in city driving, and 30 mpg on the highway. In comparison, the BMW achieves only 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway and the Audi achieves 21 in the city and 29 on the highway.
 
Acura’s history of delivering excellent driving dynamics is bolstered even further with the arrival of the TSX Sport Wagon as well. The new body style delivers more favorable weight distribution, ensuring that the driver will experience every bit of excitement he or she expects behind the wheel. This isn’t one of the land yachts you grew up with – it’s every bit the modern Acura.
 
Superbly equipped from the start
 
While some of the Acura TSX Sport Wagon’s German rivals leave a host of desirable (and in some cases, commonly expected) features off their standard builds, the TSX comes exceptionally equipped even in its standard trim. Starting at $30,960, every Sport Wagon is outfitted with elegant perforated leather seats. The front seats feature power adjustments (eight-way driver and four-way passenger) and heaters for driver and passenger alike.
 
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® is also standard equipment with support for up to six paired wireless phones.
 
Audiophiles should find the standard seven-speaker, 360-watt audio system to their satisfaction. In addition to MP3/WMA CD compatibility, it also includes XM Satellite Radio, a USB audio interface with full iPod integration and a traditional auxiliary jack for other portable media devices.
 
At night, drivers are sure to appreciate the standard Xenon High-Intensity Discharge headlamps. On other sport/luxury sedans, you’d likely find yourself paying extra for them.
 
Technology Package creates a peerless overall experience
 
So well equipped is the Acura TSX Sport Wagon that the only add-on package available is the outstanding Technology Package. This value-packed assemblage of features puts the TSX over the top. For example, GPS-linked Temperature Control tracks the sun’s position relative to the car and makes on-the-fly temperature adjustments on the sunny side of the cabin to ensure the preset temps are maintained.
 
The cabin is also upgraded to include an eight-inch VGA color display, which shows the view from the Technology Package’s backup camera and serves as the main interface for the navigation system, which includes AcuraLink™ Real-Time Traffic and Weather reports, and Zagat® restaurant reviews. Voice Recognition allows the driver to enter destinations without fiddling with controls, and also gives the ability to use voice commands to control the upgraded Acura/ELS Surround Sound System – a 10-speaker, 460-watt audio system with Dolby® Pro Logic II® circuitry for an immersive audiophile experience.
 
Practically exciting
 
With six airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and more, up to 60.5 cubic feet of cargo space, the satisfying dynamics of the TSX sports sedan and an exceptional level of both standard and available equipment, the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is the ultimate alternative to the SUV.
 
Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
  
MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $860.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary


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