New Car Profile of the 2004 Acura TSX Sports sedan

Description: Sports sedan
Base MSRP Range: $26,490-$28,490
Invoice Price Range: $24,147-$25,967

Acura's new sports sedan fits in the compact class and comes with a forceful four-cylinder engine that runs up to 200 hp and links to a sporty six-speed manual stick or five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic. It's fun to drive but has the practical advantage of a four-door format and seats for five in a plush cockpit.

Yes, the chassis comes from the European version of Honda's Accord and the wedge-shaped body of TSX carries many of that Accord's fixtures including the basic sheetmetal, headlamps and taillights plus flank mirrors and door handles. Yet the prow holds Acura's five-sided grille with xenon HID lamps installed as well as expanded air intakes in the lower fascia. And the cabin gets the luxurious treatment of an Acura with bolstered sport bucket seats clad in perforated leather, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel rigged with tabs to operate the stereo and cruise control, plus a twin-zone automatic climate system, power moonroof, keyless entry and premium audio gear.

Front buckets have concealed heat elements inside, by the way, and a voice-recognition system is on the list of options for controlling navigation, ventilation and audio equipment. Engine is the Honda 2.4-liter four-in-line tied to the advanced i-VTEC system with computer-controlled intelligence for regulating camshaft phasing to boost performance and fuel economy. An elevated 10.5:1 compression ratio pushes output to 200 hp for extra kicks. Acura's VSA stability system is included, as are 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/50R17 all-season performance tires.