2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon Reviews

Acura TSX Sport Wagon

While reviewers say the Acura TSX Sport Wagon is sporty, it won’t be sporty enough for all buyers. Just know that the TSX Sport Wagon is cheaper and has more cargo space.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is only available in front-wheel drive, which some reviewers say limits its versatility. If you need a wagon with all-wheel drive, check out the Audi A4 wagon.

The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is new for this year. The TSX Sport Wagon comes in one trim.

While there is no shortage of Internet wagon-loving fan boys, these masters of the keyboard simply aren’t buying enough wagons. Based on Honda’s global compact and midsize architecture, the Acura TSX Sport wagon is the premium brand’s first foray into the world of roomy five-doors.

Outside of North America, you’ll find this wedge wagon with a Honda Accord badge. While the American Accord sprouted cup holders and a big back seat, the global car got in shape to square off against cars like entry-level BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 models.

You’ll have to settle with an Acura TSX sedan. The up market TSX Tech Package adds navigation, an ELS audio system and a power tailgate.

Volvo, long synonymous with Euro-style five-doors, will officially exit the traditional wagon market for 2012 in the U.S.

Viewed head-on, the Acura TSX Sport wagon is indistinguishable from its sedan brethren. No, it’s not the prettiest wagon, but neither is the Acura TSX the market’s sexiest entry-luxury sedan. Mirroring the TSX sedan, the Sport wagon receives aggressively bolstered leather-trimmed seats, a three-spoke steering wheel and paddle shifters, all of which give off a genuinely sporty vibe.

Stretching closer to midsize territory than its European rivals, the Acura TSX has to work its 2.4-liter four-cylinder to keep up with traffic. Those Pilots also helped give the Acura TSX a nicely damped, premium-feeling ride. Undisturbed over the roughest roads on our test circuit, the TSX’s well controlled suspension belies its middle-of-the-road roots.

The Sport Wagon will be powered only by the company's 2.4-liter inline Four hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual override.

In line with Acura's position in the market, the cars are well-equipped as standard but will offer one option: a Technology package that adds a hard-drive-based navigation system, an upgraded ELS stereo with 15 GB music-storage capacity, and a power tailgate.

With the same 106.4-inch wheelbase as the Acura TSX sedan and just a 3.6 inch-longer overall length, the Sport Wagon's chassis features control arms up front and a multilink system at the rear.

Based on the European Accord Wagon as it is, the Acura TSX Sport Wagon boasts generous cargo capacity. The rear compartment features hidden under-floor storage compartments and a flat cargo floor.

Being of European origin, the Wagon has enhanced pedestrian-safety features designed to meet tightening EU reg, and it also boasts six airbags, an active head-restraint system, and VSA, Acura's vehicle-stability-assist system.

The car's interior also received upgrades, with new door panels, LED foot lighting and carbon-gray and silver garnishes.

The first few miles reveal Acura's TSX Sport Wagon to be much like all of Honda's products. Steering, as in most Acura models, is wickedly accurate, and the electric power-assist system has not completely censored feedback.

With the selector back in the normal Drive position, the TSX will shift economically on a light throttle.

As size becomes less of an indicator of luxury status, the Acura TSX Wagon looks better and better. For a Acura TSX Sport Wagon with the Technology package, the price goes up to $34,610.

The Sport Wagon is a logical extension of Acura's range, given the fact it has already converted the European Accord for the TSX model. With concerns about fuel economy and the environment growing—particularly among the target audience for this car—Acura's timing may be good.

We applaud any shift from big SUVs into wagons anyway.