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The rising price of gasoline makes Acura look smart because it kept a four-cylinder engine in the redesigned 2009 TSX rather than switch to a more powerful V-6 like many of its competitors did.

Acura, which is the American luxury division of Honda, must have a good crystal ball.

The TSX, based on the European Honda Accord, seems to be a just-right size. Its wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than the 2008’s, and overall width is up by 3 inches. The cabin is 2.6 inches wider, and that gives occupants a bit more shoulder room. Rear-seat legroom is improved as well.

The styling is new, yet the car retains cues that let you know it is related to the previous model. The edges are sharper and the curves more pronounced in a design that Acura calls “advanced emotion.” The grille’s broad swoosh of brushed silver is becoming Acura’s signature look, and it mimics a similar design on the MDX and the redesigned RL. The grille surround looks a bit heavy, but the rest of the car is lean and athletic. Bold wheel arches and 17-inch wheels add muscularity and stance.

Prices start at $28,960 for the base model and $32,060 for a car equipped with the technology package that includes a voice-activated navigation system, backup camera and a surround-sound stereo.

The TSX has a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower. This engine produces 172 pound-feet of torque, and that gives it strong throttle response from low speed. Fuel economy is rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway with the automatic transmission.

A six-speed manual transmission is available for those who like to shift for themselves, but Acura predicts that nearly 90 percent of buyers will choose the five-speed, sportshift automatic transmission. That is how the test vehicle was configured.

I drove both the manual and the automatic at Acura’s press launch of the new TSX, and the automatic is certainly my choice. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the engine felt livelier with the automatic than it did with the stick. The high-torque character of the engine matches up perfectly with the automatic.

Paddle shifters on the steering wheel are handy for changing gears, and they can be used for a quick downshift without moving the shift lever out of drive.

The TSX cabin is not only larger than before, but it is more refined. The instrument panel wraps into the center console in a way that makes the front seat feel like an airplane cockpit. The instruments have floating needles, and the navigation system uses an 8-inch LCD screen in the center of the dash.

The front bucket seats grip your body and are as comfortable as any seats I have sampled. The headrests that are designed to move forward to help mitigate head and neck injuries in the event of a rear impact.

Acura’s navigation system now has real-time weather information that enables the driver to see current weather for the area, one- to three-day forecasts and severe weather warnings. The weather function will be especially valuable for drivers on a long trip.

Acura’s navigation system also provides real-time traffic alerts via XM satellite radio. The screen shows traffic snarls and suggests alternate routes.

The premium audio system features ELS surround sound developed by Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer. The ELS system is phenomenal, and I think it may be the best-sounding standard car audio system I have heard when used with an audio DVD. Ten speakers provide 500 times more resolution than a standard CD player.

An MP3 player can be plugged into the car and accessed through the car’s steering-wheel controls. The tech package also includes Bluetooth phone compatibility.

A sporty sedan needs good handling, and the TSX doesn’t disappoint. The taut suspension, supple ride and 17-inch wheels provide more than adequate grip for vigorous driving, yet the ride quality does not suffer. The stiffer body structure also plays a role in the tight handling on the road.

Price

The base price of the test vehicle was $32,060. Destination charges bring the sticker price to $32,775.

Warranty

Four years or 50,000 miles.