Acura TSX: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Acura TSX choice depends chiefly on whether you want the lighter first-generation Sedan, the more versatile second-generation Estate 5-door, the involvement of a Manual gearbox, or the stronger acceleration of the later 3.5 AT. Both generations use FWD and naturally aspirated Gasoline engines.
The Acura TSX choice depends chiefly on whether you want the lighter first-generation Sedan, the more versatile second-generation Estate 5-door, the involvement of a Manual gearbox, or the stronger acceleration of the later 3.5 AT. Both generations use FWD and naturally aspirated Gasoline engines. The first generation ran from January 2003 through February 2008 with four listed versions; the second ran from March 2008 through May 2014 with five listed versions. For efficiency, the first-generation 2.4 AT with 200 hp has the lowest stated combined consumption at 9 l/100 km. For acceleration, the second-generation 3.5 AT is quickest at 6.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Buyers needing an Estate 5-door must choose the second generation.
Acura TSX generations: Sedan or Estate 5-door?
The first-generation Acura TSX is a Sedan offered from January 2003 to February 2008. Its four listed versions are two 2.4 AT specifications and two 2.4 MT specifications, producing either 200 hp or 205 hp. Kerb weight ranges from 1465 kg to 1535 kg. Among versions with a stated figure, ground clearance is 120 mm. This generation is the direct choice for buyers who prefer the Sedan body or want the lowest kerb weight in the catalogue.
The second-generation Acura TSX is an Estate 5-door offered from March 2008 to May 2014. Its five records cover 2.4 AT, 2.4 MT, and 3.5 AT versions. The 2.4-litre versions produce 201 hp, while the 3.5 AT produces 280 hp. Kerb weight ranges from 1535 kg to 1669 kg, and every listed version has 150 mm of ground clearance. Compared with the first generation’s stated 120 mm, that is an increase of 30 mm. Production records beginning in April 2010 add another 2.4 AT specification and a 3.5 AT specification within the same generation; they are not separate generations.
Acura TSX engine specs and version comparison
All versions have a front, transverse engine, Distributed injection (multi-point), four valves per cylinder, no boost, and FWD. The 2354 cm³ engine is Inline with four cylinders; the 3471 cm³ engine is V-shaped with six cylinders.
| Generation and exact version | Output | Torque | Engine | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 2.4 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp / 147 kW | 232 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 5-speed | FWD |
| First generation — 2.4 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp / 147 kW | 232 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| First generation — 2.4 MT, 205 hp | 205 hp / 150 kW | 225 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| First generation — 2.4 AT, 205 hp | 205 hp / 150 kW | 225 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second generation — 2.4 AT, 201 hp, 233 Nm | 201 hp / 147 kW | 233 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second generation — 3.5 AT, 280 hp, top speed not measured | 280 hp / 206 kW | 344 Nm | 3471 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second generation — 2.4 AT, 201 hp, 225 Nm | 201 hp / 147 kW | 225 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second generation — 2.4 MT, 201 hp | 201 hp / 147 kW | 225 Nm | 2354 cm³ | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| Second generation — 3.5 AT, 280 hp, 250 km/h | 280 hp / 206 kW | 344 Nm | 3471 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 5-speed | FWD |
The 2354 cm³ versions produce approximately 85.0–87.1 hp per litre: the 200 hp versions yield about 85.0 hp/l, the 201 hp versions about 85.4 hp/l, and the 205 hp versions about 87.1 hp/l. The 3471 cm³ 3.5 AT produces about 80.7 hp/l. The larger engine therefore has lower power per litre but provides 75 hp more than the strongest first-generation version and 79 hp more than a second-generation 2.4.
The 3.5 AT also supplies 344 Nm, which is 119 Nm more than the 225 Nm second-generation 2.4 specifications and 111 Nm more than the 233 Nm 2.4 AT. Its peak output arrives at 6200 rpm, while every 2.4 reaches peak output at 6800 rpm.
Acura TSX performance and fuel economy
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 2.4 AT, 200 hp | 9.1 s | 231 km/h | 10.2 l/100 km | 7.3 l/100 km | 9 l/100 km |
| First generation — 2.4 MT, 200 hp | 7.9 s | 227 km/h | 11.8 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km | 10.2 l/100 km |
| First generation — 2.4 MT, 205 hp | 7.9 s | 229 km/h | 12.4 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km | 10.7 l/100 km |
| First generation — 2.4 AT, 205 hp | 9 s | 232 km/h | 11.8 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km | 10.2 l/100 km |
| Second generation — 2.4 AT, 201 hp, 233 Nm | 9.3 s | not measured | 10.7 l/100 km | 7.8 l/100 km | 9.4 l/100 km |
| Second generation — 3.5 AT, 280 hp, top speed not measured | 6.9 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation — 2.4 AT, 201 hp, 225 Nm | 9.1 s | 228 km/h | 11.2 l/100 km | 7.8 l/100 km | 9.4 l/100 km |
| Second generation — 2.4 MT, 201 hp | 8.1 s | 229 km/h | 11.8 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km | 10.2 l/100 km |
| Second generation — 3.5 AT, 280 hp, 250 km/h | 6.9 s | 250 km/h | 12.4 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km | 10.2 l/100 km |
The clearest gearbox comparison is within the first-generation 200 hp pair. The 2.4 MT reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, 1.2 seconds sooner than the 2.4 AT at 9.1 seconds. The trade-off is a 1.2 l/100 km increase in combined consumption, from 9 to 10.2 l/100 km, while top speed falls from 231 km/h to 227 km/h.
In the second generation, the 2.4 MT takes 8.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h, exactly 1 second less than the 2.4 AT with 225 Nm. The Manual consumes 10.2 l/100 km combined, 0.8 l/100 km more than that Automatic’s 9.4 l/100 km. Their top speeds are nearly identical at 229 km/h and 228 km/h.
The 3.5 AT cuts the acceleration time to 6.9 seconds. Against the 2.4 MT, it is 1.2 seconds quicker; against the 2.4 AT with 225 Nm, it is 2.2 seconds quicker. Where consumption is stated for both, the 3.5 AT and 2.4 MT each use 10.2 l/100 km combined, although the 3.5 AT uses 0.6 l/100 km more in the city and the same 8.4 l/100 km on the highway. Fuel-economy figures for the other 3.5 AT record are not measured.
Acura TSX dimensions, weight, tank, and wheel sizes
The first-generation 2.4 MT with 200 hp is the lightest listed TSX at 1465 kg kerb weight. At 200 hp, it carries approximately 7.33 kg per horsepower. The first-generation 2.4 MT with 205 hp weighs 1495 kg, or about 7.29 kg/hp. The first-generation 2.4 AT versions weigh 1505 kg at 200 hp and 1535 kg at 205 hp, equivalent to about 7.53 and 7.49 kg/hp respectively.
Second-generation 2.4 versions weigh either 1535 kg or 1626 kg. That corresponds to approximately 7.64 kg/hp at 1535 kg and 8.09 kg/hp at 1626 kg. The 3.5 AT records weigh 1626 kg and 1669 kg, giving approximately 5.81 and 5.96 kg/hp. The 3.5 AT therefore has the strongest power-to-weight result despite being among the heaviest versions.
Gross weight is 1920 kg for the first-generation 200 hp versions, 1985 kg for the first-generation 205 hp versions, and 1980 kg for the second-generation 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT records weighing 1535 kg. Gross weight for the remaining second-generation records is not measured.
Every Acura TSX version has a 65-litre tank. Ground clearance is 120 mm for the first-generation 200 hp versions, not measured for the first-generation 205 hp versions, and 150 mm throughout the second generation. Wheel sizes are not measured for every version.
Which Acura TSX version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 2.4 AT with 200 hp if stated fuel economy matters most. Its 9 l/100 km combined, 10.2 l/100 km city, and 7.3 l/100 km highway figures are the lowest in the data. It also reaches 231 km/h, although its 9.1-second acceleration time is slower than either first-generation Manual.
Choose the first-generation 2.4 MT with 200 hp if you want the lightest car and strong acceleration without moving to the larger engine. At 1465 kg it is 40 kg lighter than the equivalent 2.4 AT, and its 7.9-second acceleration is 1.2 seconds quicker. Its combined consumption rises by 1.2 l/100 km.
Choose the first-generation 2.4 MT with 205 hp if power per litre is the priority. At approximately 87.1 hp/l, it has the highest specific output listed. However, the extra 5 hp over the 200 hp Manual does not reduce the stated 7.9-second acceleration time, torque falls by 7 Nm, and combined consumption increases by 0.5 l/100 km.
Choose a second-generation 2.4 AT if you want the Estate 5-door body with the lower stated combined consumption among second-generation versions. Both fully measured 2.4 AT specifications use 9.4 l/100 km combined. The 1535 kg version with 225 Nm is 91 kg lighter and accelerates 0.2 seconds quicker than the 1626 kg version with 233 Nm, while the latter uses 92 fuel instead of 95.
Choose the second-generation 2.4 MT if you want the Estate 5-door with a Manual gearbox. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and has a 229 km/h top speed, but its 10.2 l/100 km combined consumption is 0.8 l/100 km above the comparable 2.4 AT.
Choose the second-generation 3.5 AT if acceleration and power-to-weight matter most. Its 280 hp and 344 Nm deliver 0–100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The version with the complete performance record reaches 250 km/h and uses 10.2 l/100 km combined. Its 5.96 kg/hp figure is substantially better than the 7.64 kg/hp of the 1535 kg second-generation 2.4. The other 3.5 AT record is slightly lighter at 1626 kg, but its top speed and fuel consumption are not measured.