Used 2012 Acura TSX Consumer Reviews
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Not great at anything but good at everything.
Frank_T1000, 08/31/2022
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 8 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. :)
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Excellent value for the money - but not perfect
mtsn, 04/10/2012
2012 Acura TSX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
I traded in an aging BMW X5 with a V8 that I loved but couldn't handle the expensive repairs any longer. The TSX with technology package is roughly $12-$15k less than a similarly equipped BMW, Audi, Mercedes and also $5-10k less than a similarly equipped Infiniti or Lexus. I've been very pleased on the value the car offers for the price, but it definitely does not drive "German". The 4 cylinder noise is not pleasing the ear, but it does offer decent power and economy. The safety ratings are excellent, the sound system is very good, it has lots of standard equipment (xenons, leather, sunroof, bluetooth), and is a very solidly built car. I am happy with my purchase...but I still miss my BMW :)
2012 Acura TSX for sale near you
3 of 12 listings
- Special Edition SedanMSRP: $11,989101 mi away
- Technology Package SedanMSRP: N/A199 mi away
- Special Edition SedanMSRP: $9,99189 mi away
See all 12 listings
2012 TSX w/ Technology 2.4L 4 cyl.
Jack, 11/02/2015
updated 11/04/2016
2012 Acura TSX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Traded in my Honda Accord at 199,000 miles. Liked the reliability and fuel efficiency of the 4 cyl. Accord and found a TSX for about the same price. I am not sure if it is a sporty, economical car or a economical, sporty car. It is a bit smaller than the Accord, comparable to the BMW 3 series in size and appointments. The engine performance is not near the BMW, maybe the 6 cyl. would be better. The "Technology" package is great, a lot of stuff I don't use, but it has a Rockin' Stereo! Look forward to taking it up to 199,000 miles too. Review 2: Mileage over 60k; with the 93 octane gas and a K&N air filter, the car just purrs. No apologizes from the 4-cyl. engine. Also added a pair of front slotted rotors and pads from Tirerack. The only negative is the backseat is tight for adults, also any driver over 6'2 might feel cramped. Review 3: Over 70,000k; All is Well... Still Rollin'... getting tired of paying for premium gas, but the performance difference is noticeable.
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TSX V6, no navigation
mountainroad76, 02/15/2013
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I wanted a good sounding engine, reliability, and refinement as the three dominating factors in that order. I was sick and tired of hearing a nasty exhaust, the constant problems, and lack of refinement that my inherited 04 explorer had. This Acura is better in every way except cargo/seating capacity that I never needed. It is especially fun to drive; it begs you to drive it hard. The deep, refined growl of the engine is priceless, though the effervescent purring of the I4 would have satisfied me. Handling is excellent, but the ride is quite stiffer than a Lexus, and it is louder at high speeds. At least you won't fall asleep! Not a great city commuter, but very fun for highway/mountainous.
Budget Luxury
Termitesforhirhe , 10/19/2019
2012 Acura TSX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
If you need just a little more spunk than the average 4 banger sedan comes with, you definitely need to check out this car. These are one of the best kept secrets in the used car industry, I think. Mechanics have told me these have much fewer problems even than similar Accords - one reason being they are built in Japan and are true imports. In typical Honda fashion (of which I have had two previously) this car doesn't win any one contest - there is always a car that can do better with any given task. What you get with Honda products is great balance, and a "Jack of all trades" mentality, plus excellent resale, reliability, and fuel economy. The highs of this car include the zip and handling, which are impressive for the low price I paid. It's not quite the sports car that the Infiniti G37 was that I test drove, but this will satisfy most. Fuel economy is 26 mpg mixed, which is right on target with estimates. I've been getting away with running 89 octane. Premium is recommended but not required. With that good of MPG I don't plan to use 93. Visibility is good as well. The tech package brings an awesome stereo with 10 speakers - I'd buy it for that reason alone. The navigation is 7 years old, so I don't even use it. I just use my phone. Seats are very firm, bordering on rock hard, but do contour well and seem to fit just right, and the leather is nice, along with overall interior materials. The silver console trim inside scratches easily, but otherwise interior is top notch. A lot of reviews ding the copious amount of buttons on the console, but in 2-3 days using them all is second nature. I also love this car because there aren't 3-4 of them at any given intersection, like my previous vehicle. There's a bit of exclusivity that comes along with driving one. Drawbacks are minimal, but the biggest is probably the back seat. It's very tight- no two ways about it. I've owned a VW Jetta and a 2010 Civic, both shorter cars, that had much better leg room in the rear. My Accord coupe was the same if not better, actually. Luckily, the driver and front passenger have plenty of space. This is obviously not designed as a family car, but rather one intended to pamper the driver. Ride is a bit loud and harsh at times too, in typical Honda fashion. You make up for it with excellent, go kart like handling, but don't expect plush, Lexus-like riding here. You'll be disappointed if that's what you're trying to get. Bluetooth music disconnects a lot, and it overall is a primitive system compared to newer cars, but in a 2012 I'm just happy to have it at all, as many cars of that era still used aux inputs. Overall, like I said up front, if you can live with the very few quirks, and want something a bit different, this is an excellent choice. If you want something a bit bigger, the TL has a lot of the same strengths in a bigger package. I opted for the TSX for budget reasons, plus I just don't need or want a car that big, but the TL is definitely worth a look. I've not had this car long, but based on the 10 or so other Honda products my family has owned, including a 2008 and 2011 TSX, I predict issues will be few and far between, and regular maintenance keeps almost all of them at bay.
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