2011 Acura TSX: First Look

Competes with: Buick Regal, Lexus IS, Infiniti G25
Looks like: Acura’s “shield” grille is better integrated
Drivetrain: 201-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder; 280-hp, 3.5-liter V-6; six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions
Hits dealerships: November 2010

For the 2011 model year, the Acura TSX undergoes a midcycle refresh, which brings a more cohesive version of Acura’s look, an update to the interior as well as improved fuel economy.

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Up front, the new 2011 Acura TSX sedan goes under the knife. There’s a new front-end, revised chin spoiler, new fog-light design and an updated grille to better incorporate Acura’s controversial new corporate design. There are a few slight changes to the taillamp design. Overall, you’d be hard press to tell a 2010 and 2011 TSX apart if it was passing you by. We were shown the minor evolution when the automaker debuted the TSX SportWagon earlier this year.

On the inside, Acura has upgraded some trim pieces, using darker-colored hues and new silver trim on the steering wheel and door handles. There’s a new parking brake handle and contrast-color stitching on the leather seats, door armrests and center console. There’s also new acoustic glass laminate in the windshield and side windows, as well as other cabin improvements that should decrease road noise.

A new navigation unit is offered on the TSX’s Technology Package, featuring LED backlighting, improved resolution and performance, and a 60-gigabyte hard drive. Fifteen gigabytes can be used for music storage. Heated and cooled rear seats are now available, too.

The 2011 TSX features the same four-cylinder and six-cylinder powertrains from last year, but internal improvements deliver better fuel economy from both engines. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder now gets 22/31 mpg city/highway with the five-speed automatic transmission and 21/29 mpg with the six-speed manual; that’s a 1 mpg improvement for both city and highway mileage from each transmission compared to the 2010 model. The 3.5-liter V-6 gets 19/28 mpg, which is up from 18/27 mpg for the 2010.

The revised 2011 TSX goes on sale Nov. 23 and will have a starting price of $29,610 for the four-cylinder and $35,150 for the V-6, excluding an $860 destination charge.