Used 2012 Acura TSX Base Sedan Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Acura TSX Base Sedan.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Better than I expected!
oldsnwbrdr, Waunakee, WI, 04/24/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
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...
dadoftwogirls, Fort Myers, FL, 02/14/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
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.
Not great at anything but good at everything.
Frank_T1000, El Paso, TX, 08/31/2022
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
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. :)
Great car for the money
flyboiord, Chicago, IL, 04/06/2012
2012 Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
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.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Acura TSX Base Sedan
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Impressive number of standard and technology features
- Pro:spacious interior
- Pro:sporty handling with V6 sedan and wagon
- Pro:excellent build and materials quality.
- Con:Button-happy center console
- Con:unimpressive braking performance
- Con:slightly underpowered four-cylinder.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Acura TSX Sedan
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Acura TSX in Ohio is:
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