Redesigned from the ground up, the 2009 Acura TSX is 2.4 inches longer overall (extending the wheelbase 1.3 inches), and it’s also 3 inches wider (which gives it a track 2.6 inches wider).

2009 Acura TSX 6-Spd MT

The TSX starts at $29,675 (including $715 shipping), a reasonable beginning for an entry-level luxury sports sedan. The 201-horsepower direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine gives the sedan more than enough power. It’s a quick car and more power might make the front-wheel drive unwieldy.

Don’t allow distractions

The mileage is good, with the manual hitting 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The automatic gets 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The steering, with its torque sensing, variable speed power assist rack-and-pinion set up, does a good job of eliminating torque steer — that pull to one side during acceleration. But on the highway the slightest touch of the steering wheel causes the car to twitch like a bug on a windy day. Adjust the stereo and whoa, you’re in hitting the cat’s eyes on the freeway with a thumpa, thump, thump.

The six-speed manual transmission in my test vehicle was smooth and clicked through the gears effortlessly.

The longer wheelbase gives this sedan a smooth ride, but the sports-tuned suspension remains firm. The TSX uses an independent double wishbone in the front and an independent multilink double wishbone in the rear. On tight turns, there is little body roll and the TSX stays true through the curve. On big sweepers, the sensitive steering remains a little jerky.

A gentle hand can still control the TSX well; just don’t try to eat a Whopper while driving on the highway.

Clean, powerful looks and the sports sedan is a looker.

Unlike the more sedate first generation, the new sports sedan has a much meaner look, adopting the new chunkier (pudgier?) face of Acura. The new look starts with the solid grille that almost resembles the leading edge of a guillotine blade. The big air intakes below the bumper are book ended with round fog lamps, and everything on the front end looks powerful. If one comes up behind you, you’ll think there’s a V-8 under its hood.

The Xenon High Intensity Discharge headlights, which are standard on the TSX, push around the corner of the front end.

While the front end is crisp and straight edged, the profile is more traditional, well proportioned and elegant. The wheels are kept from the edges with equal overhang in the front and rear. The rear end lifts slightly higher than the front, giving it a more athletic stance that follows the car’s A-line through the door handles down to the front end.

The roof line curves cleanly to the rear deck lid and the chrome trim around the windows adds a luxurious touch.

Accommodating cockpit

The bigger body on the TSX creates a bigger interior.

The dual cockpit design is comfortable, even for some of the super-sized drivers found on American highways.

While the overall layout of the dash has a nice flow, the centerstack down the middle is a mess. Knobs and buttons and the giant dashboard goiter stick out like an embarrassing disfigurement. The goiter operates the navigation screen and is easy to use after a few minutes of testing, but its size is overwhelming.

But there’s a reason for so many buttons. The TSX, when you purchase the technology package, comes loaded with features.

It starts with the 10-speaker ELS surround-sound stereo system. The 415-watt stereo can give you crystal clear sound from CDs, DVD audio, Mp3s, USB connection and XM Satellite radio. The navigation system includes real time traffic information and AcuraLink weather.

The TSX also hits the mark with all of the expectations of a techno-friendly car. Push button start, Bluetooth connectivity for a cell phone, dual zone climate control, steering wheel controls for the stereo, cruise control and phone, keyless entry, leather-covered center console, HomeLink remote control system and a host of other features are all standard.

Really, the interior is comfortable. The second row provides plenty of room for three children or two adults (with 34.3 inches of legroom).

It’s also a safe vehicle. Fully loaded with front- and side-curtain airbags, the TSX includes tire pressure monitoring, integrated crumple zones, anti lock brakes, electronic stability control and vehicle stability assist.

Upping the size of the TSX does offer some amenities the smaller, first-generation model didn’t, such as more space and a smoother ride. And the technology package will keep any closet geek content.

The TSX always better. — (info.detnews.com)