While playing favorites among sample test drives is not a good way for a vehicle reviewer to behave, it happens. What appeals to you and would even buy creeps into your psyche. And so it was with the 189 inch long 2013 TSX Sport Wagon built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan for the Acura Company. Full disclosure; I absolutely loved this wagon.
For me and maybe for you a wagon configuration is what a car should be. Just envisioning the back filled with treasures of groceries or even the dog is enough to get me salivating. The space a wagon provides even a small wagon is so useful and purposeful.
In short, everybody ought to have at least one wagon in the family. Acura’s thinking on this TSX wagon is to put lots of awesome goodies in a neat package. The package includes all the important safety features including stability assist.
When I hopped in and fired up the TSX Sport Wagon I had yet to study the Maroni and engine size. In fact, I drove the 201 hp, 2.4 liter DOHC 16-valve i-VTEC engine for quite a distance thinking it was a 6-cylinder. The surprisingly spry 4-cylinder provided great power and confidence so much so I was literally blown away finding out that this 5-speed, automatic four-cylinder had the pep and step of a six. What’s more this automatic has a Sequential Sport Shift so if you want to drive it more like a manual you can, for me I love the simplicity of an automatic. If you have a hankering for a real manual transmission check out the TSX sedan which offers a 6-speed. The vehicle’s launch was happily peppy although a touch jerky at times it was nothing to complain about at a cocktail party.
You are probably thinking, “Oh, most wagons are so boxy and boring.” Save your breath, not this one. The styling and design is distinctive enough for me to find it in a giant Costco parking lot. This TSX has an overall dynamic curve of the body that moves down the line of the vehicle making you almost forget it’s a wagon. Officially called a Sport Wagon it owns the title with the design cues that provide a kind of structure that is aerodynamic, smart and good-looking all at the same time. The long nose in the front and the curved back deck all play into sporty styling. You want people to see you get out of this car. It has personality.
The test car was the Vortex Blue Pearl which took my breath away. In my notes I wrote, “Love, love the blue…whooo hoo hoo!.” It comes in other colors for sure, although I think the Vortex Blue is over the top in the outrageously beautiful cannot live without the color category.
Stepping in to the interior you are hard pressed not to notice the supple leather seats. This well-designed interior offers easy reach to decent size buttons and dials on the center console for the pilot and co-pilot. The powered standard driver’s seat has an 8-way adjustable ability and the heat is mighty nice. The adjustability is infinite with so many places to move and an adjustable lumbar support, too! My 5’ 5” inch height fit nicely behind the wheel and it was easy to find a good driving position. The passenger seat has a standard 4-way power seat with heat as well, a nice touch as many cars today ignore passenger comfort, not the TSX Sport Wagon.
There are dual zone heater controls for the front passengers which is always a get along in the car relationship helper. The standard radio is probably fine; the sample vehicle had the surround sound, it was simple to use and produces some awesome rockin’ sound.
The Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights were precise and direct without blinding the on-coming traffic. Headlights are like your eyes the cleaner, the clearer, the better you can see the safer you can be. The lights in the cabin and gauge illumination all naturally placed; no complaints as good lighting all around abounds.
It goes without saying that a wagon is a fancy storage cart. This one does not disappoint. The multitude of rear area configurations make for great flexibility. My Costco errand included a vacuum cleaner purchase for my parents; the bulky box easily fit with seats configured like butter and the standard power tailgate door rose up and down from the key fob for ease of loading and unloading and was well, so nice…so nice, especially for a lady all by herself. The easy functionality of the whole package made me want it more. What’s an even nicer little plus are all the bins and storage areas, cubby holes, change holders and beverage holders. You can store a lot in this wagon in hidden little areas away from prying eyes.
Most importantly I liked the way the TSX Sport Wagon drove, especially the way it took the corners with ease and merged with ample power. Although I know many people have commented this is a quiet vehicle I found it a bit noisy on the freeway; but not a deal breaker. Best of all I felt very centered in this blue TSX Sport Wagon, giving me lots of confidence in the ability for me to drive it well and manage it in hairy situations you often find on every day roads. Knowing you’ve got the power to drive out of trouble and hold your own against the V6’s and V8’s your going nose to nose with on the Interstate builds confidence.
