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Used 2012 Acura TSX Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
33 reviews

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Pros
Cons
4 out of 5 stars

Good, sensible car

josevi, 02/23/2019
2012 Acura TSX Special Edition 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful

I have owned a Special Edition 2012 TSX since new. The black on black car looks sharp, inside and out. Coming from a headache-inducing 02 Jetta, I went to Acura based on its reliability reputation (which, I see, has changed for the worse as of late). The car has not disappointed on that end. It was affected by the Tanaka airbag recall, and my dealership took care of it speadily. There was a piece of trim that was a little loose and, that too, was taken care of to my complete satisfaction. Less impressive is, however, my dealership inability to replicate an intermitent problem that the car has had with its power lock master switch for a while until, of course, it was no longer under warranty. Lesson learned for the future and I will take of this myself. After six and a half years, the heating is presenting an intermittent issue. I'd rather it did not, but I think this number of issues is more than adequate in a car that is over six years old and serves in Chicago. If you are thinking of buying one second hand, go for it. It is extremely comfortable, and well put together. After a long road trip, you will arrive to your destination in quite good shape - the front seats are armchair-like, with just the right amount of firmness and hold (they are nicely heated too, although a mid setting would be great). It is reasonably quiet inside, with muted road noise. The trunk is spacious and you have enough interior storage. I suspect that the Bluetooth is not amongst the sharpest out there, but it does the job. The sound system is quite good and the dual zone climate works very well. The interior (I choose cars from the inside out, as the interior is the part of the car you see most) is very well put together, and has a very clean and rational layout. The only problem I have with it is that the paddle shifters (which, incidentally, I never use) can get in the way of seeing some controls (windshield wiper and light settings). The car has a sporty stance and, indeed, it is powerful enough but it is not a 3 series. Mine is equipped with the 4 cylinder engine (6 cyl. and Honda automatics? No, thanks) and it is responsive in most situations. If you want to take it to the track, this is not the car for you, but you will be just fine in the highway. My favorite part of its driving behavior is its steering. I find it responsive and quick. Summing up: very good all-around car. It will take you to work in comfort and allow you to go on longer trips comfortably. It is quite reliable and fairly economical to run -apart from the general maintenance and the two issues above I will be taking care of soon, it has only needed some brake work (it is, at the end of the day, a Honda). Premium fuel is recommended, but you can run it on regular. Thanks for your time.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Better than I expected!

oldsnwbrdr, 04/24/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
35 of 37 people found this review helpful

It's interesting to read reviews from those who traded "down" from a European brand. I did the same, and my monthly lease payment is $120 lower than the Mercedes C300 AWD Sport I traded in. My family actually prefers the Acura for a lot of reasons... the only things I miss are the 6-cylinder refinement and the Mercedes bank vault build quality.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

TL owner moving down but not by much...

dadoftwogirls, 02/14/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful

I was tired of getting 17.5 mpg on premium gas around town with my 2009 Acura TL. I looked at BMW, Mercedes and Audi. However, I just couldn't justify the extra money. Everything cost EXTRA. I went back to Acura and they had a Milano Red Limited Edition loaded TSX on the showroom floor. I immediately fell in love with the looks and bought it on the spot. To me it is the most agressive looking Acura with the body kit. It just looks sexy and strong. Although I am giving up a lot of power vs. the TL, I am also getting about 6 miles a gallon farther down the road. In addition, I hardly ever found a time when I could 'drive' the TL agressively. At this point, I am not missing it much.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love This Car

thumper16, 07/30/2012
2012 Acura TSX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful

I've probably have had 20 new cars and that many used in my life but can't say I've liked any more than this. Love the size, the quality in and out, sound system, handling, gas mileage 25-35. Have had it about 6 months and 6,000 miles-no issues.

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4 out of 5 stars

Not great at anything but good at everything.

Frank_T1000, 08/31/2022
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

My 2012 Acura TSX CU2 (4 cylinder) is easily the best car I have ever owned. I have had many other vehicles that where bigger, smaller, slower, faster, more efficient, less efficient, ugly, stylish, fun and boring. What I love so much about this car is how good it is at so many things. It's quick, sporty, stylish, practical, efficient, luxurious, spacious and reliable. There are very few cars, based on my experience and research, that checks all those boxes. With that said, the TSX is not best or even great at any of those things I mentioned. It's not the quickest, sportiest, most practical, most efficient, most luxurious, most spacious or arguably most reliable (Toyota/Lexus are generally considered more reliable than Honda). However, is does all of those things well and few other cars, if any, can say the same. I have never happier with a car as a complete package. I love that it is fun to drive; I love that it has more than enough power when I need it; I love all the standard tech you have to pay extra to get in other cars (even new cars today); I love the fuel economy (with somewhat conservative driving, I get an average of 31.5 mpg in 60/40 mix of highway/city - Honda really underrates their mpg); I love the spacious trunk; I love the reliability (bought mine used with 110K miles and have had zero issues including no oil burning). I even really like the styling and loved it after I blacked out the beak with vinyl. Now, the car isn't perfect. Like I mentioned a lot previously, it's not particularly great at anything. You will find cars that are more spacious, more efficient, more practical and more powerful/faster. So, if you are weighing any one of those categories more than the other, the jack-of-all-trades nature of the TSX may not be what you are looking. I also do have a couple things I am not a fan of in the TSX. The first is the pretty cramped back seats. For a mid-sized sedan, I would have liked my passengers to have a bit more leg room. Second, it's a bit annoying that it runs its best on premium (91+ octane) fuel. I suppose that is what gives it it's sportiness, but it's not really powerful enough to demand premium in my opinion. Thankfully, premium is optional if your really do not want to pay extra (the car has a noticeably different character when running on 87 octane though). Overall, I love this car and I have never been happier with any other car (and I have owned many cars). My research showed this was the best all-round sport sedan you could find and it really paid off. I am one very happy 2012 Acura TSX owner. Hope this info is helpful. :)

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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