Used 2012 Acura TSX Consumer Reviews

Good, sensible car

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.

Better than I expected!

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.

TL owner moving down but not by much...

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.

Love This Car

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.

Not giving this love up!

I love this car so much that I bought it after lease ended 2 1/2 years ago. I still love this car and have a hard time finding anything comparable to convince me to replace it. The pep this little 4 cylinder has is surprising. The tech package stores all the songs I've loaded in via cd or I can play off an auxiliary device. The interior is beautiful. The new TLX has gaudy, shiny buttons on the dash and corny wood grain on the console . I would lose several of the compartments I use in my 2012 that they didn't continue on the new models. The one thing that makes me consider a new car is that, after a long wait, Acura finally offers heated steering which is a luxury, desirable in the East. It's comfortable in the front seat. A little small in the back, but I've fit three teens in it without complaint. The trunk is small, but I don't plan to bring an elephant home in this car anyway ***they've asked for an update on how I feel about my 2012 TSX today. I still LOVE my car. It's beautiful, it is the best car I've ever had and continues to prove to be very reliable. Acura, as a company has also proven to value their loyal customers.

Not great at anything but good at everything.

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. :)

Excellent value for the money - but not perfect

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 TSX w/ Technology 2.4L 4 cyl.

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.

TSX V6, no navigation

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.

Solid sedan

Well rounded sports sedan that is reliable in all situations. Steering is sharp and crisp, and the car handles the road like it has all wheel drive even though it is only front wheel drive. Very light on its feet, while at the same providing a quiet and comfortable ride. Torque comes in as soon as you press the gas and VTEC power keeps climbing on the 4-cyclinder like it will never stop -- you would be surprised it's not a V6. Appreciate the large bright HID headlights and standard fog lights that light the road far ahead. Have seen over 35mpg on long trips. I prefer that it has a traditional 5 speed automatic to alternative cars that use CVT. Large, cavernous trunk. Would say this is a steal for those shopping on the used car market.

Budget Luxury

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.

Great car for the money

I ended my 2009 C300 lease and looked at the TSX when i found a zero down 313 a month lease 10k miles/yr and 36 months. The car is very nice for the price and i generally really enjoy it although there are some minor drawbacks. Coming from a 6 to a 4 is a downgrade. It sounds like any other japanese 4 which means its whiney. Although the gas miliage is excellent and exceeds expectations and has plenty of power for me. 25 in town and 33-37 on the hwy. The driver seat is just ok and it hits me a little high. i cannot seem to lower it enough to make it comfortable. The passanger is perfect however. The radio is average and the dash has some cheap looking plastic in places.

Simply Amazing!

I recently bought a lightly used 2012 TSX w/ Tech Package and I couldn't be happier with it. Everything people mentioned about it in earlier reviews is absolutely spot on. The more I drive it, the more I appreciate the efficiency of it. The handling is like that of a sports car with very nimble steering response and smooth acceleration off rest point. I would mention that getting the Tech package is well worth the money since it would really bring up the oomph factor of the handsomely designed cabin.

Love my TSX

I got this car in November and it is the best thing I have ever driven. It gets good gas mileage and it's plenty fast enough. I love the feel of the interior and the seats are very comfortable. I had been driving a Honda Accord for the past 10 years, so this car was a big step up for me. What sold me on the TSX was the cost. For a loaded Accord it would have been $28,500 and I paid $29,500 for my TSX. The new Accord felt like a toy, but the TSX feels like more like a sports car/luxury car. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

What a great mid-sized car!

Performance & handling are both outstanding. Have never enjoyed a car more.

Acura for life!

Fantastic car! My car now has over 200,000 miles and have never had a single issue. I’ve owned a 2009 MDX prior to this (which my parent purchased from me and own still), and theirs too has never had an issue. The reliability of these cars cannot be understated! To this day, the car still feels solid without a hint of an approaching problem. Obviously you can’t purchase this car new anymore, but if you want a used luxury car, and not pay an arm and a leg for maintenance, this is it. Overall, great car, and it’s because of my experience with this car, is why I’ll probably never buy another brand.

AWESOME ACURA!

TSX BEST CAR OUT THERE AND TL! I OWN EVERY TSX/TL GENERATIONS THEY ARE AWESOME!!! My Acura’s have more than 200k Miles and run STRONG! LIKE A DREAM. ONLY CHANGE MY OIL AND TRANSMISSION OIL

Poor Man's 3 Series (and then some)

Read all the reviews and bought a black Special Edition. Paid just over $28k and it is the best "drivers car" you can get at that price, hands down. The sports interior on the SE is roomy and as nice as an M3; all the controls and fit and finish are what you'd expect in an Acura. Seats are perfect and standard equipment is plentiful; base stereo rivals upgraded stereos in other cars. Handling is on par with a 3 series, steering included. Despite the occasional review about vague "on center" steering feel, it is only in contrast to the previous car -- hardly noticeable and far from an issue. Takes corners with a nimbleness that only a 3 series can rival, but for $10k+ more.

Exceeded my expectations

Just picked up my silver tsx special edition automatic the other day, and it far exceeded my expectations. This car is great! Rock solid build quality, and very comfotable and luxurious. Ultra responsive steering, acceleration, and brakes. This car really is a blast to drive. I really can't believe this car is so much fun to drive, and feels so tight, responsive, and powerful. The interior and exterior additions of the special edition package really bring an already great car up to another level.

Almost perfect car

This car has one flaw and it is something you want to consider before buying. It has a extremelly rough ride. If you are going to buy one test drive it on a highway that is not perfectly smooth and on some cracked pavement. You want to drive it for at least 30 minutes to start to get a feel for it. The car is so much fun to drive that its easy not to notice the rough ride until its too late. It can get very annoying if you drive on the highway for more than ten minutes or so. Everything else about the car is perfect!

New owner of acura

this is my first Acura. Always drove Honda Accord. Bought the Tsx Special Edition. Like the kool wheels. This car is nice. Except it needs a keyless entry and ignition. Acura really dropped the ball here. Most luxury cars in year 2012 have this feature. Also, arm rest for driver could reach forward a bit further, but this is a petty concern. Leather feels so thin, it appears to be vinyl. Ive been assured it is indeed genuine leather, but gee, not like the leather they used to put on cars! Glad i got the 6 sp standard transmission, fun to drive. Trunk space seems small, compared to Honda accord. Also, no pass thru from trunk, into rear seats. Other features are ok. But for the price, Acura dropped the ball on a few key items. Hate the sight lines- we had to remove rear head rests to better view out the back. The car sits low and it is hard to see clearance out of the windows, sometimes. Honda Accord and CRV had far superior sight lines. Also, Why is gear knob covered in metal? This gets too hot in smmer sun, and too cold in winter freeze, making it v uncomfortable to touch, 80% of time-- Bad design, again. We switched it out for a leather gear shift cover. C'mon Acura, devil is in the details. Acura missed the boat in several areas of detail on this car! Also, im NOT USING PREMIUM GAS, despite the recommendation by Acura to do so. After 3 years and 30,000 mi., it seems to be doing fine on regular gas. ANY OPINIONS ON THIS? Let me hear your thoughts. UPDATE : AFTER 7.5 years and now 70,000 mi., I remain happy with this car. True,it is not driven hard, and is v well maintained. Still, it remains reliable, fun to drive, and low maintenance. So, I'm hoping she goes another 10 years! We will see.... all of the above, earlier concerns remain justified... but all in all,I'm happy with the car. Thank you , Ann UPDATE-- still using regular gas, not premium. After 6.5 years, all is well using Regular , no problems with gas choice. UPDATE, Sept, 2021. Car is now 10 years old and has served me well. Still drives good, handles good, all accessories work, etc. Who can complain? Devil is in the details and here, all the details are still good. If only it had an automatic fob, or smart key. The car at 10 yrs old has only 80,000; I walk or ride my bike as much as possible. Biggest issue w this car is it sits v low and bumpers are easily scratched and scraped from running up against curbs- I guess that is driver error? Anyway, love this car and hope it goes another 90,000 miles for me!

This is my second TSX

My 2006 TSX was a great car, six models later the 2012 is still unbeatable when it comes to value, luxury and sportiness. I considered the usual subjects: Mercedes C250, the BMW 3, and Audi A4. For me the TSX still provides more bang for the buck than any of them, with the vaulted Acura reliability I am used to. My only complaint is about the tech package. You get a lot more features but simple tasks become much more cumbersome and take many more steps to complete.

Acura did not stand behind their product.

I bought this car last December, after two weeks of driving I notice a whistling noise coming out of the dash, only when the AC is on and the car is moving, it is a high pitch noise that come and goes in intervals of seconds, very annoying, I call the dealer, by the way the dealer was great they did everything in their power to fix this issue, it took 3 tries to notice but finally they heard it, to make a long story short, my car was out of commission for 60 days, 30 days straight, they replace the expansion valve, evaporator, performed recovered/vacuum/charge the system, and I'll almost forgot they replace the bluetooth too cause was not working, finally after phone calls and sending letter

True Sports Sedan

Our 2012 Acura TSX, 280-hp, 3.5-liter, V6 (same engine as the TL) is a rare bird. There are only 3 available in Florida at this time, limited colors (do you like silver?) and customers cannot at this time, order from the factory. Nature’s calamities to Acura/Honda plants in the Pacific rim have caused a paucity of this model. We traded a 201-hp, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder 2011 TSX (which is a beautiful piece of work and fun to drive) for this model. We also have a 2007 Acura TL, which we will continue to own as it has low mileage, it’s garaged nightly, and its aesthetics are more pleasing to us than the current model. We waited for a new TL exterior (a design which, being on the cutting edge, would take other manufacturers a few years again to replicate) but this new, Crystal Black Pearl with Ebony interior TSX is just gorgeous. Along with certain other unmentionable devices, it will “Blow your hair back”. It’s the true sports sedan I’ve always longed for. Yeah, maybe you’d class it as “entry level luxury”, but the truth is, “I know better”.

Comfortable/Reliable/Stylish

This is my second TSX. I love this car. Very comfortable on long distance drives. Best gas mileage in its class. Disappointed Acura decided to morph the TSX & TL into the TLX.

Love at 1st sight!

I own the Red TSX SE.. I saw it parked in front of the dealership and i drove it home 2 hours later! I absolutely love it! Reliable, Beautiful & Affordable! The power steering system broke a few years ago, i had it towed back to the dealership and they covered all the repairs! I have no plans to replace this car anytime soon!

Never a regret

I bought my TSX when I returned from living out of country . I was hoping it would be dependable and it had never let me down. Bought with 7k and now have 164k -replaced tires , brakes , rotors , batteries. Other than that not a thing . Horrendous in snow but to be expected .

Fun, sporty little 6 speed

No key fob for auto lock/entry or start ….gotta do it the old way with a key Not a fancy car but fun to drive w 6 speed manual, and good mileage.

Sin Wagon

The 2012 Acura TSX Wagon is a distinctive-looking automobile. I will wager that most people will not see one everyday unless they own it. The car I bought came equipped with Continental VikingContact Winter Tires. They are serving me well in January, but I know they won't last until Autumn if I leave them on. I expect that I would have preferred the 6-cylinder version, but the 4-cylinder may get better gas mileage, and I am not racing anybody. The TPMS warning comes on every time I start the car, but that is a quirk with which I can live. I hope to enjoy this vehicle for 5 years.

Really, really, Love the Acura!

This auto is the best in all areas!

Love the Car...HATE Acura of Ocean NJ

The TSX is a very nice sized luxury car, but all is ruined by the terrible service at Acura of Ocean. This New Jersey dealership does not care about its customers at all. They are rude and difficult to work with. They do not listen to their customers and never fix things the first time. Twenty four hours after a very expensive service, my car breaks down on the Garden State Parkway. It had to be towed because of a dead battery, something Acura of Ocean was to have checked a mere day prior. Acura of Ocean totally ruined buying and driving an Acura. I will NEVER buy another Acura. By the way, I called the Home Office of Acura and they could care less as well!!!

Great Car

I love this car.

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