Mother Proof's view

I’ve been reviewing cars for MotherProof.com for several years now, and I’ve reached the point where I’m reviewing cars for the second time. What’s most interesting to me is that while the model often has changed only a little, my situation has changed a lot. It’s very different reviewing a car when your kids are in different kinds of car seats.

For example, if you’re using an infant carrier and rear-facing car seat, a car needs a lot of legroom (which I think us moms should call “seatroom”) in the second row. Accessible, easy-to-use Latch connectors are vital here. Forward-facing convertible seats also require accessible Latch connectors, but you can skate by with a little less seatroom. Boosters (with or without backs) don’t require as much seatroom, but need a flatter, non-contoured seat in order to fit properly. Boosters also require seat belts and receptors that little hands can access and use easily. While the 2006 TSX I tested a couple years ago was a great little car for young kids in convertible car seats, it became my arch nemesis now that my kids are in boosters.

The TSX is very difficult for kids to buckle themselves into. While the space in back is good and the car is comfortable, the seat belt issue is a deal-breaker for me. My daughter actually cried out in frustration at one point, “I don’t want to go in the blue car! I want to go in our car!” I actually pawned the TSX off onto fellow mom-reviewer Em so she and her older kids could test the car’s seat belts. I figured that older kids could work the belts more efficiently. Here’s her assessment:

“The buckle receptors are really awful. The backseats are bucket-ey for comfort of non-car-seat passengers, so when you try to put a booster in them the booster slides to cover the buckle just enough so the kids have to move their seats, sort of angled toward the door, every time they get in. My kids have started complaining, especially because there aren’t many other cool kid-features for them in back. XM radio helps, but Hannah Montana only has so many powers.”

The rest of the car is nice, but it seems to lack the power I remembered it having before. It’s a four-cylinder, and it doesn’t have any get-up-and-go. It’s fine for point A to point B driving, but it doesn’t have the oomph I expected. I’m chalking that up to the fact that it’s an automatic, not a manual, but if you’re thinking of buying the TSX, you should know that all of its competitors have V-6s (and are also a little more expensive). The steering was tight and kind of fun, and the front seats were comfy and contoured. It was all black leather and dark – very “sport package.”

Em and I both liked the secret compartment in the center stack, next to the driver’s right knee. It’s a great place to stash toll passes, tissues and secret candy bars.

So here’s what I’m saying: The TSX is kinda fun, kinda maddening. If you have small kids or large kids not in boosters, you’re in good shape. But if you’re in booster seats for a while, you may want to steer elsewhere.

*For more information on the 2009 Acura TSX and its safety features, visit Cars.com. With questions or comments regarding this review, write to editor@motherproof.com.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS

Latch Connectors: 2

Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair

Fun Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Some

Specs

2009 Acura TSX FWD S

Base price: $28,960

Price as tested: $32,775

Engine: 201-hp, 2.4-liter I-4

Fuel: 20/28 mpg

Length: 186.2″

Width: 72.5″

Ground Clearance: 5.9″

Turning Radius: 18.3′

Cargo space: 12.6 cu. ft.

NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings

Frontal Impact

Driver’s side: n/a

Passenger’s side: n/a

Side Impact

Front occupant: n/a

Rear occupant: n/a

Rollover resistance: n/a