2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Despite the TSX being a top choice in its class, Acura has not rested on its laurels, as a host of major updates have been made for the 2011 model year. Topping the list, the TSX’s exterior look has been freshened, along with a wide array of new features and technology—with particular attention paid to further improving fuel efficiency, overall quality and cabin quietness.

While the TSX sedan received significant updates for 2011, the big news this year is an all-new TSX variant—the TSX Sport Wagon. With crisp styling and added utility, the TSX Sport Wagon is a smart alternative for those considering a compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV).

Besides offering better fuel economy, the TSX Sport Wagon provides a cargo area comparable to that found in many compact SUVs. Plus, the TSX Sport Wagon offers a multiconfigurable rear cargo area (with numerous hidden storage areas), a low lift-over height allowing for easy loading and unloading, and an available power-actuated tailgate.

Acura’s philosophy of smart luxury is well evidenced by the combination of great looks, a luxury interior available with a wide variety of technology features, and excellent safety features. Thanks to this great mix of attributes, the TSX has the largest percentage of buyers under 30 among all luxury sedans, and has remained the volume leader within its segment, according to Global Insight.

On the outside, all TSX models received a new front fascia, revised chin spoiler, new fog-light assembly and an updated grille for 2011. New underbody panels team up with the updated front end to improve aerodynamics. At the rear, redesigned taillights and a rear-license-plate garnish add more visual appeal.

With the new Sport Wagon model, sport-sedan styling and added utility are combined—a perfect mix for those who lead an active lifestyle without sacrificing fuel economy. For such customers, the TSX Sport Wagon reflects their passion for performance and athleticism while also supporting their active social lifestyle with roomy, comfortable seating for five.

Incorporating a unique high-rigidity rear-body structure with a special hoop-style cross-section, the TSX Sport Wagon provides excellent body strength.

The standard 17-inch, 5-spoke aluminum wheels for the 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder models (sedan and Sport Wagon) now incorporate a machined lip on the face of the spokes. Split 5-spoke 18-inch aluminum wheels remain standard on the TSX sedan with 3.5-liter V-6 engine.

Inside, all 2011 TSX models receive a host of visual upgrades in the form of revised styling for the center console, darker trim pieces, brightly finished door handles, an updated parking-brake handle and new details for the steering wheel.

In addition, contrasting-color stitching is new for the leather seats, door armrests and center console.

Rear-seat occupants will enjoy added comfort thanks to the addition of heating/cooling vents mounted at the rear of the center console, and the TSX’s center-console cargo compartment is now climate-controlled.

The all-new TSX Sport Wagon features an even greater level of utility over the TSX sedan. Besides offering a generous 60.5 cubic feet (cu ft.) of rear cargo area (with rear seats folded down; 25.8 cu ft. with the seats up), the wagon’s rear-opening height of some 28 inches allows for the storage of bulky items such as large boxes, furniture, bicycles, four full-size golf bags and even surfboards.

In addition, the Sport Wagon features four hidden compartments for out-of-sight storage. A 2.4-cu-ft. storage area is cleverly located beneath a lift-up hatch within the load floor.

Smaller items can be placed in a 0.2-cu-ft. storage area (hidden by a removable panel) located in the side panel on the driver’s side, or in one of two 13-inchlong storage areas near the main in-floor storage area.

With a low lift-over height of about 24 inches, loading heavy items is simplified. For increased security, standard is a retractable cover that prevents rear cargo items from being seen should a passer-by look into the rear windows.

Even with the second-row seat in use, there is generous cargo space available in the Sport Wagon. The rear seats have a 60/40 fold-down design, so one section can be lowered to generate more cargo room while the other section can remain in the up position to accommodate a rear-seat passenger.

Both seats can be folded down to attain the maximum cargo area replete with a loadflat floor that is nearly 70 inches long. As expected, the Sport Wagon incorporates a variety of tie-down hooks for keeping cargo items secure.

The TSX Sport Wagon’s 60.5 cu ft (rear seats folded down) of rear cargo area is more than most other wagons in the category—including the BMW 3 Series (54.7 cu ft.) and the Audi A4 (56.5 cu ft.). The TSX Sport Wagon also rivals (or beats) the cargo capacity of some compact SUVs.

Acura is known for its outstanding array of user-relevant technology, and the 2011 TSX further expands on this concept. The TSX with an available Technology Package now includes an LED backlit full-videographics-array (VGA) navigation screen (that generates 400% higher resolution than before), improved navigation-system functions (faster performance, improved search ability and expanded map coverage), Song By Voice (SBV) user interface, a 60-gigabyte hard-disk drive (HDD), and the ability to download 15 gigabytes of personal music to the TSX’s HDD.

With the ability to store more than 3,500 songs, there is no longer a need to carry CDs on board.

Acura has always emphasized building an interior that is exceptionally quiet, and for 2011, all TSX models have even greater cabin serenity thanks to items such as a new acoustic-glass front windshield, even thicker side glass, increased use of sound-deadening insulation, improved floor mats and new underfloor covers.

The 2011 TSX lineup remains fun to drive thanks to two powerful engine choices: a spirited 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a high-torque, 3.5-liter V-6. For 2011, both engines received numerous improvements to reduce internal operating friction, that help improve fuel economy and increase engine life.

As a result, the friction-reduction measures significantly improve fuel economy, as evidenced by improvements in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ratings for city, highway and combined fuel economy, for both the 2.4-liter I-4 and the 3.5-liter V-6 engines.

New automatic-transmission programming helps maximize the engine output by allowing for “shift-hold control” during cornering, along with smartshift” functionality that allows for semimannual operation when in drive—not just when in sport mode.