Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study, the Acura TSX received 2 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings.

Performance and Design – The 2009 Acura TSX is a redesigned model and had not yet been included in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL) when this review was originally published.

Predicted Reliability – The Acura TSX was a redesigned model for 2009 and is too new to have been included in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures dependability of 2006 model-year vehicles. However, based on the performance of previous Acura TSX models in both our Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability studies, the predicted reliability rating for the 2009 Acura TSX is 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Acura TSX is equipped with a 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. With the manual transmission, the TSX is rated to achieve 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Models with an automatic are rated to get 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Our review vehicle, an Acura TSX with the automatic transmission, averaged 23.4 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the TSX’s standard 18.5-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 430-mile range between fill-ups of premium unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Acura TSX gets 5-star crash-test ratings in frontal- and side-impact crash testing, as well as a rare 5-star rollover rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the Acura TSX a “Top Safety Pick,” because it comes standard with a stability control system and received a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and a “Good” rating for rear impact protection.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Acura TSX consumes 13.7 barrels of petroleum annually with the 5-speed automatic, and 14.9 barrels of petroleum annually with the 6-speed manual transmission. The resulting carbon footprint ratings are 7.3 and 8.0 tons of air pollution per year, respectively.

All versions of the Acura TSX receive a national air pollution score of 6 out of 10 and a California/New England air pollution score of 7 out of 10.