2006 Acura TSX Review
2006 Acura TSX Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+53
Used TSX for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- An engine that loves to rev and sounds good doing it, sharp handling, slick six-speed manual transmission, upscale interior look and feel, long standard equipment list, top-of-the-line navigation system.
Cons
- Not much power until the engine gets revved up.
What’s new
The Acura TSX receives minor engine, feature and styling changes for 2006. The car's 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine has been modified to produce a bit more power; it now makes 205 horsepower and 164 lb-ft of torque. Inside, there is an upgraded optional navigation system that's faster, has more points of interest and includes access to a Zagat restaurant guide. A hands-free cell phone interface and a digital audio media auxiliary jack are also new. Exterior enhancements for the 2006 Acura TSX include redesigned front and rear fascias, new side sills, foglamps and new alloy wheels.
Edmunds says
Between its long list of high-end features, well-trimmed interior, agile handling and willing engine, the 2006 Acura TSX is one of the best values on the market when it comes to affordable sport sedans.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.58 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$243/mo for TSX Base
TSX Base
vs
$187/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
The Acura TSX is an entry-level luxury sport sedan that is positioned and priced between Acura's RSX sport coupe and the more upscale TL luxury sedan. Introduced in 2004, the TSX is actually based on the European-market Accord, a car that is much different in form and function than the American Accord. That Honda recognizes the vast differences between the American and European market is just one indication the TSX is on the right track.
Some potential buyers might be surprised to learn that the Acura TSX comes with a four-cylinder engine only. This is a luxury-branded car, and even the Accord can be had with a V6, right? But from Acura's standpoint, the four-cylinder has advantages in weight reduction and price while still making competitive amounts of power (205 horsepower for 2006).
Honda and Acura are well-known for their intuitive, ergonomically efficient interior designs, and the TSX is no exception. The expansive cabin is instantly inviting. Soft-touch leather abounds, with no cheap, hard plastic surfaces that allude to cost-cutting measures. Like its TL and RL siblings, the 2006 Acura TSX is truly a luxury car. The TSX competes mainly with lower-end versions of the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, as well as the Lexus IS 250 and Volvo S40. While it doesn't really have the prestige of the German cars, the Acura TSX rates highly with us because of its premium interior and very impressive standard features list. If a luxury-branded vehicle is what you must have, you should know that this Acura car is the most refined example of a well-equipped entry-luxury sedan under $30,000 and fully deserving of any attention you give it.
Performance & mpg
All TSXs come with a 2.4-liter, DOHC four-cylinder making 205 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque that drives the front wheels. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with a Sportshift feature. When it comes to fuel economy, the Acura TSX rates 22 city, 31 highway with the automatic and 21/30 with the manual.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with BrakeAssist, traction control and a stability control system are all standard. Side-impact airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for both front and rear occupants are also standard. In front-offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Acura TSX received a rating of "Good," the highest possible. Side-impact testing resulted in an "Acceptable" rating, the IIHS' second highest. In NHTSA tests, the TSX earned a perfect five-star rating on all counts, except for rear side impacts, where it received a four-star rating.
Driving
The TSX's 2.4-liter four delivers all the sophistication you'd expect from an Acura car. While a four-cylinder is usually not ideal in a luxury car, this one is so refined that some owners may give up on V6s altogether. The smooth six-speed manual transmission is well suited to the 205-hp four, and shifts are precise and the gates easy to find. Of course, you can't go wrong with the smooth-shifting automatic, either. Handling is equally impressive, if not more so, as the steering is quick and exact while the precisely tuned suspension holds body roll in check. During more subdued driving, the 2006 Acura TSX never forgets its luxury branding and delivers a solid, compliant ride that always feels just right.
Interior
Inside, the Acura TSX offers a beautifully furnished interior that looks and feels more upscale than you would expect. The driver-oriented cockpit has large, easy-to-read gauges and controls and performance-engineered front bucket seats that feel great. Rear legroom is more generous than in most competitors and passengers will find plenty of foot room under the front seats. As in other compact luxury sedans, a fifth passenger will suffer in the center seat.
2006 Acura TSX models
The Acura TSX entry-level luxury sedan has seating for five passengers. It's available in only one trim but with such an extensive standard features list you're not likely to want anything more. Included on every model are items like 17-inch alloy wheels; HID headlights; heated, power-adjustable driver and passenger seats with driver's memory; leather upholstery; an eight-speaker, 360-watt audio system with XM Satellite Radio and an in-dash CD changer; dual-zone automatic climate control; and a sunroof. An impressive DVD-based navigation system with voice-activated software is the only option.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Acura TSX.
5 star(89%)
4 star(8%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
208 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
2006 TSX - Well Designed/ Solid/Reliable Vehicle
Andrew S, 09/06/2016
2006 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
I have a 2006 TSX that I bought with 92,000 miles and it is still running strong at 145,000 miles. The only repairs I have made on the car were the alternator, passenger door lock actuator, idler pulley & seized rear brake caliper. It drives nice, accelerates decently for a 4-cylinder and has almost no rattles or squeaks for it's age and mileage. I would definitely recommend this … vehicle as a used car if you can find someone who maintained it well. The original Michelin MXM4 tires are worth the extra cash as they match perfectly with the car's handling abilities (wet or dry). I wish the HID headlights were made of glass as the plastic fades into a ugly haze. The leather seats are in perfect condition and the interior hardware has held up nicely. The Bluetooth phone feature doesn't work as well as newer cars and I have difficulty consistently connecting to my phone. Other than that it's a fantastic car and I really love everything about it.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Buy it! You won't be disappointed!
coraline, 01/13/2012
2006 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
We bought this car used the summer of 2010.
It had about 43K on it. It was totaled last week with 84 K on it.
We never had a problem with the car.
We did the standard maintenance and never had to think about it. The car wrecked well.
I was rear ended by a large truck traveling at a high speed.
I walked away from the wreck with a broken nose saying that I wanted another Acura. The impact … shifted the car off the frame so badly that the plastic components on the inside popped off; however, the passenger compartment stayed intact.
It doesn't matter how a car looks or even if it has a good repair history--what matters is will you walk away from a high-impact wreck.
5 out of 5 stars
Get one
Nick lemmon, 12/03/2016
2006 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
The thing I love about this car besides performance, looks and handling is the fact that there are no major inherent problems with this vehicle. So years, makes models of cars have known major issues like bad transmissions, electrical issues etc. but this car has had none. I've owned mine for 4 years and have only had to do basic regular maintenance stuff, oil and filter changes, new … tires, brakes battery....so if your looking for a good performance car with little to no major issues go with a tsx.
4.13 out of 5 stars
If I ever leave BMW I would buy another Acura
npalafax, 12/06/2012
2006 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
Bought my 2006 TSX in 2009, was pre-loved.
Was a great upgrade from my Mazda6, the car was very reliable basically a Honda in a different skin all the way around. Nice car I would seriously have trusted it to go AT LEAST till 200k.
But I took a friend to buy a new car.. a BMW... and ended up trading it in for one also. By far a great safe car. Love the standard bluetooth in a 2006! And … all the standard features vs not so standard on bmw :(
2006 TSX Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $27,890 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $248/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the TSX include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
Related Used 2006 Acura TSX info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota Matrix 2012
- Used Cadillac Escalade 2013 For Sale
- Used Maserati Coupe 2010
- Used Nissan 350Z 2010
- Used Buick Regal Sportback 2016
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Acura TSX 2013
- Used Acura TSX 2012
- Used Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2013 For Sale
- Used Acura TSX 2010
- Used Acura TSX 2014
- Used Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2012
- Used Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2014
- Used Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2011
- Used Acura TSX 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 M8
- 2025 Audi Q7 News
- 2023 Dodge RAM 250
- 2023 RS 3
- Audi RS E Tron
- 2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door
- 2023 Jaguar F-TYPE
- 2025 Kia Niro News
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 2024
- Audi S6
Research other models of Acura
- 2024 Acura MDX
- Acura Crossover RDX
- 2023 Acura TLX
- Acura TLX
- 2023 Acura MDX
- Acura MDX
- 2024 TLX
- 2023 Acura RDX
- 2024 Acura RSX
- Acura RSX 2023
Research similar vehicles
- Honda Civic 2024
- Lexus Is 350 F Sport
- Genesis G70
- 2023Subaru WRX
- BMW I7
- 16 Chevy Malibu
- Nissan Sentra
- BMW 3 Series
- 2024 Chevrolet Corvette
Other models
- New Volvo XC90 for Sale in Livonia, MI
- Used Porsche Taycan in Christiansburg, VA
- Used Hyundai Santa-Fe-Xl in Frederick, MD
- Used Honda Civic-Del-Sol in Vienna, VA
- New Hyundai Elantra-Hybrid for Sale in Canandaigua, NY
- Used Chevrolet Avalanche in Clearfield, UT
- Used BMW Activehybrid-5 in Surprise, AZ
- New Land-Rover Range-Rover for Sale in Mullica Hill, NJ
- New Audi A6 for Sale in Ann Arbor, MI
- Used Buick Encore-Gx in Newark, NJ