According to Motor Trend, Acura is bringing sexy back. Errr, they’re bringing the RSX back. Same thing, really.

According our sources, the next-gen RSX will inherit a version of the just-launched ninth-generation Civic Si’s 201 hp, i-VTEC 2.4 liter gas engine with slick 6-speed manual and helical LSD. Fitted with specially tuned sports suspension, the new RSX will also employ an interior inspired by the current Civic Type R and an exterior in a sharp, wedge shape.

Acura cancelled the original RSX because they didn’t think I was a good fit for Adura showrooms. A $25k RSX didn’t really fit in next to a $50k RL, or so the story goes. These days, the RL is ancient and not selling, and Acura needs a change.

Acura will still have the problem of differentiating the 2013 RSX enough from the Honda Civic Si to make it worth the inevitable premium. That was an issue the last time around as well… But Acura will have to find a way. They need a hit, badly.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. HC 2013 Acura RSX is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Acura has, at least partially, admitted they were wrong when they designed the new Acura Corporate Shnoz. See the offending nose on the 2011 Acura TL below:

For comparison, here is the refreshed 2012 Acura TL:

Dont’ get me wrong – that’s still a fairly gaudy nose. It is toned down from the 2011 model though, which is a welcome change. It could definitely stand a bit more de-chroming in any case. The interior, on the other hand, is typical Acura. That is, gorgeous and high quality.

In addition to the less prolific nose, the 2012 TL loses an inch and a half in total length. Acura also swears the entire front and rear fascias are new… though only the most discerning of Acura enthusiasts would be able to tell.

Under the hood are the familiar 3.5 and 3.7 liter V6′s that we’ve come to know and love – but this time around, there’s a shiny new six speed automatic running the show. That helps Acura get a 3 MPG bump – the new TL is good for 29 MPG on the highway.

Not a huge refresh when you put it all together. Some need visual tweaks, though it almost leaves me wondering if it’s too bland. I still prefer the last generation TL to this one. However, solid performance, great quality interior, and improved gas mileage are nice touches.

A few more pics:

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2012 Acura TL Gets New Nose is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Acura has released pricing on it’s 2011 ZDX – starting from $46505 (including destination charge.) If you opt for the top of the line Advance package, you’ll be spending a whopping $57055. Granted, it is pretty well loaded, with stuff like Adaptive Cruise Control, premium leather seats, Navigation, 415 watt audio system, and all sorts of other acronym–loaded fun.

My thoughts on the Acura ZDX are no secret – I hate it. It’s one of the ugliest vehicles on the road today. Along with the Accord Crosstour, it shows how badly Honda’s design team has gotten off track. That said, if you’re one of the few whose eyes aren’t offended by the ZDX, well, go nuts. Acura stuck with the 300 HP 3.7 liter V6 and SH–AWD combination, which provides solid performance.

All that said, I still don’t see the attraction to this vehicle. Extremely questionable aesthetics combined with an extremely hefty price tag makes this a tough sell. If you are sold on an Acura, why not look at the significantly less expensive TL? You lose very little space by going this route, and save a ton of cash. Just my $.02.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Acura ZDX Priced from $46,505 is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

If you’ve been holding out for a Honda wagon and the Crosstour just doesn’t do it for you, you may be in luck. That is, if you’re willing to pony up a bit more cash, anyway. Honda has confirmed that they’re bringing over the European Accord wagon as the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon.

Details are, well, nonexistant at this point. I’d imagine buyers will have the option of the 4 cylinder or V6, just like the sedan. Of course, Honda may limit you to the V6 to make this a more “premium” type of model. I certainly hope not, because some of those would-be Honda wagon buyers may just bite on a 4 cylinder model.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Acura has been way off in the world of styling lately. They’ve had a sorta bland thing going on for awhile, which they “fixed” with the addition of the New Corporate Grille. Of course, this turned the Acura line into a hideous bunch of monstrosities – but at least no one could say they were bland.

The latest failure in design comes in the form of the 2010 Acura ZDX. Following in the footsteps of the BMW X6, the ZDX is called a “Four Door Sports Coupe”, though it’s a fairly tall-ish vehicle. It’s some sort of hellish combination of CUV / station wagon / sports car / funky sedan / not sure where they get coupe from.

Judge the looks as you will ( it’s ugly ), but at least there are some ponies under the hood. Three hundred of them, in fact – pumped out by the 3.7 liter V6 under the hood. The power goes to all four wheels, which is another plus. That’s realy all I can say positively about the ZDX. It won’t come cheap, as the target price is between the $41k MDX and the $46k RL sedan. Why would you pay more for an awkwardly shaped, hideously proportioned ZDX, when you could save money and get the very capable MDX? The world may never know. I sure as hell don’t.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2010 Acura ZDX is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

According to these leaked photos, the 2010 Acura RDX will be cursed with the new Acura Corporate Grille. Yes, that huge, hideous metal plate that plague the TL and TSX. Besides the new grille, it looks like Acura has swapped out the headlights, and replaced the round exhaust tips with hex-shaped ones. A new rear bumper also makes an appearance out back.

There is also a rumor of a FWD only version being available. That would bring the cost down for would-be RDX buyers, who may be put off by the current $34k base price. Buyers of this FWD version would also be rewarded with slightly better fuel economy – something the RDX could certainly use help with, given it’s powerful turbocharged I4.

The engine is likely to remain the same, as the 240 HP turbo 2.3 liter engine is pretty fantastic. I’m liking the option for FWD only, though that would negatively affect handling. The reduced weight is a bonus to both acceleration and fuel economy, which is more important to most SUV / CUV type buyers. Minus the corporate grille, I think Acura’s 2010 RDX update is pretty solid.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2010 Acura RDX Leaked Photos is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Some vehicles will surprise you, and sell despite their apparent shortcomings.  Others will fail despite their apparent strengths.  Other times, you can see the outcome a mile a way, and there will be no surprises.  Usually, these times begin with the answer to a question that no one asked.  Enter: The 2010 Acura TSX V6.  Starting with the next model year, Acura’s baby sedan will be available with an optional 280 HP 3.5 liter V6 powerplant. 

A bigger, more powerful engine in the same small-midsized sedan – what’s not to like?  While the performance enthusiast in me is on board with this development, the rational person asks why, why, why.  No one, to my knowledge, has ever complained about the TSX’s lack of power.  Do you know why?  Because it doesn’t have one.  And for those who do crave a bit of extra go-juice, it’s always been an easy step up to the slightly larger, V6 powered TL.  A V6 powered TSX will be dangerously close to the TL in terms of price.  I have to ask – who’s the buyer? 

I’ll give this vehicle a single model year, before Acura scraps it.  That is, unless they come to their senses before actually building it, and cancel the plans.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2010 Acura TSX V6 is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

There are several brand new models in the Acura lineup, and that’s something they badly needed.  The 2010 MDX isn’t going to be an all-new model, but a refresh instead.  From the spy shot above, you can clearly see that Acura is going all-in on the new corporate face.  You know, the one that ruined the RL, TL, and TSX.  That one. 

There are no engine specs yet, so no word on whether there are any big changes there.  Reportedly Honda wants to drop a diesel option in the MDX by 2010-2011, but nothing solid yet.  Diesel has a future here in the States, but I don’t know if the MDX is the right vehicle for it.  Click on the thumbnail for the full-size pics, and stay tuned for more details.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2010 Acura MDX Spy Shots is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

We all knew a brand new TL was due, since Honda recently redid the Honda Accord that the TL is based on.  Sure enough, here is the 2009 TL -  traditionally Acura’s best selling vehicle.  I say traditionally, because we may have some problems this time around.

Sure, performance is up – the base engine puts out a solid 280 HP.  If you opt for the SH-AWD ( Super Handling All Wheel Drive ) version, you get a larger 3.7 liter six banger that puts out a hefty 305 HP.  This thing will move, and won’t have any trouble in the twisties.  G35x – look out.  And the pricing is about right – $35k – $42k.  If it’s putting out the numbers and is priced right, what’s the problem?

Have you looked at the 2009 TL?  Take a minute.  It should jump right out at you.  Yes, that.  The new Acura grille.  The abomination that is Acura’s new face.  I could get over the mildly funky rear end.  I could even get over the 8,000 buttons in the center stack.  But that face I cannot get on board with.  On the other hand, if silly things like looks don’t bother you, you could do a heck of a lot worse than the new TL.  Honda reliability, serious performance, and super AWD?  Maybe the face isn’t so bad after all.

2009 Acura TL Specs

• 280 HP 3.5 liter V6 with FWD
• Optional 305 HP 3.7 liter V6 with SH-AWD
• 5 speed automatic transmission
• Estimated price range: $35,000 – $42,000
• EPA Says: 18 MPG city / 26 MPG highway

2009 Acura TL Reviews

Left Lane News reviews the 2009 Acura TL and writes – ‘The noteworthy feature of the SH-AWD was how competent it was when responding to an unexpected change in camber or curve radius. With most high-performance cars, even the new M3, when things change unexpectedly, you’ve got to be prepared to drive the car; though they are capable of handling issues that might arise, they don’t actually help the driver. In contrast, the modulated torque to each wheel in the SH-AWD actually pitches in to help you handle anything you encounter.’

Cars.com reviews the 2009 Acura TL and writes – ‘The one car I compared the TL to the most was the new Cadillac CTS because of their relative sizes, aggressive looks, similar prices and available all-wheel drive. I drove an all-wheel-drive CTS the week I returned from testing the new TL, and realized pretty quickly that the TL SH-AWD certainly would be my choice over the Cadillac. The CTS is just as harsh over rough roads, but doesn’t handle nearly as well as the Acura.’

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2009 Acura TL Review is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

These are the best shots so far of the 2009 TL.  Though there’s a big Zorro mask up front, there’s no doubt that the new TL will wear the chrome-tastic grille of shame that debuted on the RL. 

Big ugly grille aside, the new TL looks pretty nice.  Maybe not as good as the current model though, and it’s never good to go backwards.  No word yet on hardware – though surely there will be some sort of power upgrade.

Source.

Hi there – could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2009 Acura TL Spy Shots is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.