2006 Acura TSX consumer reviews

We can't say enough good things about this car. It seems to have everything we are looking for in a second vehicle (primary family car is the Honda Odyssey)... fits four comfortably, decent fuel economy, 4 audio inputs - radio, xm, cd, ipod w/ 8 speakers, good warranty, leather, heated seats, sun roof, fun to drive, safe, reliable and affordable. It speaks quality without the unwanted pretension. We eventually see our kids driving this car (5 years from now - the car this replaced was a 14 year old Volvo), and think there is more than enough performance for them... any more and we would worry. The only real complaint that I have, and this holds for our Odyssey too unfortunately, is that the car does not come with Auto on/off headlights. This was an innovative feature over a decade ago on our Nissan Minivan, you would think that vehicles in the mid to high 20s would have this feature. It is conspicuously noticeable when you have had it, and no longer do, a reminder every time you turn your lights on that your old beater beats your new ride in at least one category. But that is still insignificant in the overall value equation, which I would argue is near impossible to touch. At least for us, and people looking for an excellent second vehicle that will likely be in service for over a decade. Now if I can only get an aftermarket auto on/off switch... yeah I know dream on.

This car doesn't have the flash and dash of similar cars in its price range, but sit inside, get to know the features, take a test drive and you'll understand why other TSX drivers have that contented look on their faces.

For buyers looking for a great all-around combination of performance, value, handling and style, the Acura TSX is hard to beat. While there are many cars that can outdo the TSX in any particular category, there are few that do so many things so well at such an affordable price. In fact, one close competitor to the TSX is its Honda Accord sibling. The Accord offers comparable performance (from the 4 cyl., 5 sp. manual), and even better from the V-6. However, if it's performance and value in a small, affordable package, you can't go wrong with the TSX.

I test drove the BMW325i, the Acura TSX, and the Lexus IS250. While I liked the BMW, the Acura had everything that I wanted at a much better bang for my buck! In addition to great handling I needed a car with great comfort and all the hi-tech gizmos...and the Acura has it all. The car drives better than the BMW (base model) though the BMW wins when you add the sports package to it! However, the BMW base model which is about $2K more than the Acura TSX (w/ Nav) that I got - is hard to justify unless you want the brand name alone. If you want a great drive, great features and a great price - seriously consider the TSX.

The 2006 Acura TSX ranks with a 1990 Infiniti Q45 and a 1972 Citroen Pallas as the finest cars I've ever owned. (Three Cadillacs and a Mercedes fall way below.) Advances in technology make it difficult to compare my favorites directly; but this is what I like especially about the TSX: 1. I get 23mpg city and over 30 highway (with AT). 2. The interior is super-comfortable. The driver's seat and steering wheel adjust to ideal positions. The leather is soft but the seating is firm. 3. The controls are well positioned and easy to manage. 4. The speedometer and other indicators are bright and easy to read. 5. The sound system is excellent. The auxiliary jack for MP3 and other players is a welcome feature. XM radio is also a plus. 6. Buttons can be programmed to open community gate and garage doors. 7. The $4,000 dealer upgrade -- springs, tires, spoiler, etc -- is worth while. (I declined the $2,000 navigation system.) 8. The trunk is large and has a pass-through capability (not available on the TL, which is more expensive but doesn't look a lot different from the TSX). 9. There is no ashtray or cigarette lighter, since Acura research indicates only three percent of its buyers smoke. But the cupholders and center and side storage spaces are large and convenient.

I've had the 2006 TSX for a couple months now and it has been a pleasure to own. The car has a smooth drive with great handling. The sport shift transmission has been fun to play with. I was able to get 32mpg on a long trip on the highway. City mileage has been not as good as advertised (I get about 19-20mpg), but still good for a luxury car. It does bother me that I have to put premium in, but I've learned to live with it. The best part of this car is the interior. Every time you sit in the car you feel great. The seats are comfortable and inviting (not counting the center seat in the back). The audio system and speakers are superb. A great feature is the aux input that allows me to hookup any portable audio device with a headphone out. I highly recommend this vehicle for future buyers.

We have had our TSX for 2 weeks and have really enjoyed it. Roomy inside but not too big outside. Has enough power for freeway driving and still gets 28-30 mpg for mixed driving. The cruise does a good job at keeping a constant speed on rolling highways. Thought the MX radio was a waste of time, but am thinking about subscribing when the trial period is over. Wish that the doors would lock by themselves just as a safety feature, and the super premium gas is a little hard to put in with the prices as they are. Would recommend this car to friends unless they want a large car.