I am trying very hard to choose between the '09 Acura TSX with Tech package and the '08 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 with NAV. I am having difficulty convincing myself that 4 cylinders are enough. Also the gadgets and comfort are more prevalent on the Acura. But is that worth the extra $3,000? I have driven both cars on a short test drive but still cannot decide. Is there truthfully a big difference between the two or am I just overthinking this. Will I even notice the power difference after a few days? I currently drive a V8 SUV, which obviously does not compare. I would even consider trying another make, perhaps a blend of the two, if you can recommend one.
You’ve hit the nail on the head when you said there’s more tech and comfort features on the Acura, which is why Acura is Honda’s luxury brand. You’ll have to decide how much value those features have for your personal tastes. For example, if you want iPod integration, a navigation system that gives traffic and weather reports, as well as high-intensity-discharge headlights, those are some of the features available on the TSX.
If you’re more concerned about everyday usability, then the Accord might be a better choice since it’s larger, less expensive and more powerful. Cars.com editor Mike Hanley has reviewed the 2009 Acura TSX and the 2008 Honda Accord, and gives his thoughts on both cars below.
“I'd say go with the Accord. While the four-cylinder engine in the TSX offers enough power, the V-6 in the Accord gives you more horsepower with nearly as good gas mileage; the Accord sedan gets an EPA-estimated 19/29 mpg city/highway while the TSX with the automatic transmission is rated at 21/30 mpg.
“The Accord is a bigger car than the TSX, and this pays dividends in the cabin as the sedan has a large backseat and a trunk that's larger than the TSX's. In terms of cabin luxury, the top-of-the-line EX-L trim level holds up well to the TSX's interior, too.
“If you're looking for even more value, you should check out the four-cylinder version of the Accord EX-L. It drops another $2,000 or so off the price of the car, still offers good performance and gets better gas mileage than the TSX.”
For more information, check out Cars.com’s reviews of the TSX and Accord.
Learn more
Don't be a fool, buy the V6 EX-L. I just went through the same exact comparison and choose the Accord. I recently came out of a TL so I know how great Acura's are. The bottom line is you will want the additional power and the extra room never hurts either. The gas mileage between the two cars is really minimal. Buy the V6 Accord and you will not regret it. It's the best car I have ever owned and at $25,000 it's a steal!
I'd consider the TSX more of a sports sedan with (better handling), while the Accord is designed as a family sedan (more quiet and comfortable). Which is more important? The larger size is the other consideration or the better handling performance. If you don't need the extra space of the Accord, the smaller car is easier to drive and park in the city.
I think this is a personal preference on which characteristic you like more. You can't go wrong on either cars.
As for 4-cylinder versus V6, the 4-cylinder is usually good enough for more people. I drove an older 4-cylinder EX for a few years and it was plenty of power, even with 5 pasengers. It really depends on if you really need the extra power. I know a few people with the older V6 accords wish they got the smaller engines because of gas prices.
The Accord is a much better value over the TSX. The difference between the 4 and the 6 are simply where is your priority. If you are all about the fuel economy the 4 is the way to go. If you really need to win every stop light race then get the 6. I really cannot recommend TSX. A friend dumped one after less then a year. It certainly was not sporty in fact it was dull to live with was one of his top reasons for leaving it. The only real reason to buy it over the Accord is for the extra toys it offers. That is a lot of extra money for a few toys, you really have to want them bad and not care about the money to justify it. The three cars are so different in cost/purpose one of them should clearly align with the kind of driver you are.
The Accord is about as far removed from a driver's car as you can get.
Honda has an moronic transmission interface. P R N D5 D3 2 1
You really can't use D3 for anything other than decelerating the vehicle. You can't use it for protracted periods of time, say descending a long mountain grade, because it is too shortly geared.
It is there to make up for the undersized/underperforming brake system.
2 is for 2nd gear starts, but you have to constantly move it back to D. (it hits rev limiter)
That is FAR less useful than just installing a button to lockout 1st gear. So you can just drive in the snow, and drive assertively in the wet.
Get the TSX, let the Accord take the larger depreciation hit.
Go for the Accord V6..it has engine VCM so your vehicle will run on 6/4/3 cylinders as the situation requires. So I would guess you get similar milage as the 4 cylinder. After a while when you've got over the toys etc. you need a car that get the job done at the best price and be quite while doing it. The 6 cylinder engines at highway speed are much smoother that a 4. Plus the comfort and space..eventually the best bang for the buck.
nobody said anything about the fact that the accord looks shitty LOL
The gearing of Honda's automatic transmissions is sufficiently tall while in top gear.
In the new TSX, top gear is almost 30 mph per 1,000 engine revolutions. The Accord V6 is only about 28mph.
So the Accord is going to be working with a large throttle opening while in 3 cylinder mode (1.74 liter mode) just to maintain forward speed.
So you really purchased an Inline 3...
The VCM programming might have to ratchet up the power by operating in 4 cylinder mode (skip-fire-fire-skip-fire-fire) 2.31 liter displacement, instead of 3 cylinder if the AC is running, or you are hitting some hills or headwinds.
and if that isn't enough, back to 6 cylinder operation.
How much 'smoother' and 'quieter' will all this 3/4/6 cylinder switching/operating really be?
My wife drives a three year old Odyssey with pretty much the same V-6, except it only has 3 cylinder or 6 cylinder modes. The shift between 3 or 6 cylinder operation is virtually undetectable except by watching the light on the dash. I drive a Mazda3 (4 cylinder automatic), and its engine is amazingly smooth and quiet . I haven't been in a new 4 cylinder Accord, but I'm sure a Honda 4 would be at least as good as my Mazda. By the numbers, the 4 cylinder Accord is the obvious winner, so it comes down to what the extra toys and power are worth to you, and which one you just like the best.
My wife drives a three year old Odyssey with pretty much the same V-6, except it only has 3 cylinder or 6 cylinder modes. The shift between 3 or 6 cylinder operation is virtually undetectable except by watching the light on the dash. I drive a Mazda3 (4 cylinder automatic), and its engine is amazingly smooth and quiet . I haven't been in a new 4 cylinder Accord, but I'm sure a Honda 4 would be at least as good as my Mazda. By the numbers, the 4 cylinder Accord is the obvious winner, so it comes down to what the extra toys and power are worth to you, and which one you just like the best.
donnan O,
what car are you leaning towards?
I asked the same question throughout the summer and just purchased my 2009 TSX with Tech package two weeks ago.
Both cars are wonderful - here's what made me choose the TSX:
1. Better side impact crash test results for rear passengers (TSX earned 5 stars, Accord earned 3 stars)
2. Better technology - XM Nav Traffic, Weather, and iPod/USB integration (Note: the 2009 Civic now has the same iPod/USB integration as the TSX - this is different than the Accord's AUX input, which doesn't allow for track selection, etc. using the car's control's)
3. HID headlights are on the TSX and not available on the Accord
4. The TSX offers an extra year of warranty over the Accord, with loaner service at the dealer
Good luck - you can't go wrong either way!
Ken,
TSX is not new (in regars to your "...plus, the tsx is still fairly new...")
In Europe TSX is their Accord.
But to me, Accord is much better value. Also, TSX is a small car ans Accord is a large car. If a person needs a car with nice back seat, the TSX will not make it - it is cramped.
I have a TSX and really like it. I drive about 20k miles per year so the comfort of the car is very important. The seat is very good.
I've been driving a TSX for the last three years. It's responsive and a great deal of fun. I do not, however, recommend the TSX if you do a lot of driving in snow. I've skid, at very low speeds,even in a little slush.
I just got a 09 Accord Coupe EX-L with Navi,and the front,side,and rear spoilers,which make the car look a lot better,and meaner.I got the six speed.If gas was still at 4.00 a gallon I might have gone with the Auto for the cylinder dropping.I have owned six Accords and one Acura 3.0CL.The Acura was horrible.We had all sorts of problems.The costliest being a new transmission(3,000 dollars).I love my new Accord.The polished Metal color is my personal favorite.My suggestion is to leave the Acura alone,and go with the accord.The Accord looks Meaner in the front,and man does it fly.The center console looks complicated with navi.,but once you get used to it,its easy,most of the stuff can be used with your voice.I hope this helps.
You really hit the nail with the hammer about gas going back up Ted.Still falling.He's right about getting the Accord though,but get the EX-L 6 spd with Navi.Don't pay extra money for the name.You can get the HID headlights on the Accord now,and I don't know where Rob is getting his info on the airbag numbers.In consumer reports the Accord has all full red dots on everything.If you want to drive a more whimpey looking car,get the Acura,because the Accord is the best looking one I've ever owned out of the 6 I've owned in 20 years.
See if your question has already been asked and answered
Your question has been successfully submitted to Ask.cars.com. It will now be reviewed by our editors and we'll answer it soon if we think it's a useful question. You will be notified via e-mail when the answer is posted. Ask.cars.com tackles your questions about new cars and the car-buying process. Unfortunately we can't answer questions regarding:
Have our experts answer any of your questions about new cars.
Don't worry — we won't publish your last name or email.
go for the accord 4 cylinder. cheaper to buy, fuel (gas will eventually go back up), insure, and you're still getting a very good car.
plus, the tsx is still fairly new. i bet there are some "bugs" that have yet to be discovered and solved.
hope you reply as to which car you ended up getting. good luck!!
(go with the accord 4cyl)