Used 2012 Acura TSX Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Better than I expected!
oldsnwbrdr, 04/24/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
33 of 35 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.
Good, sensible car
josevi, 02/23/2019
2012 Acura TSX Special Edition 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
14 of 14 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.
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TL owner moving down but not by much...
dadoftwogirls, 02/14/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
22 of 23 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.
Love This Car
thumper16, 07/30/2012
2012 Acura TSX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
12 of 12 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.
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 15 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 :)
Not great at anything but good at everything.
Frank_T1000, 08/31/2022
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 7 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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Great car for the money
flyboiord, 04/06/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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.
Not giving this love up!
ell, 05/23/2017
updated 12/09/2019
2012 Acura TSX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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.
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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)
5 of 5 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)
8 of 9 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.
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