Houston Cars » Acura

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Rob — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:25:33 +0000

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.

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2010 Acura ZDX

Rob — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:03:03 +0000

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.

2010 Acura RDX Leaked Photos

Rob — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:18:44 +0000

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? This is a new site, and 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

2010 Acura TSX V6

Rob — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:37:29 +0000

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.

2010 Acura MDX Spy Shots

Rob — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:43:43 +0000

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.

2009 Acura TL Review

Rob — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:46:24 +0000

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.’

2009 Acura TL Spy Shots

Rob — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:02:01 +0000

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.

2009 Acura TL Spy Shots

Rob — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:04:40 +0000

With the new Honda Accord debuting recently, it was only a matter of time before the 2009 Acura TL came to market. Here you see the first spy shots of the 09 TL, though it’s heavily disguised. The big disappointment in my eyes is the use of the awful new Acura grille. Well, it sure looks that way anyway – though it’s possible that it will take on a totally different look.

The current TL is one of the best looking midsize sedans on the road – if not the best. Anything less from Acura will come as a huge disappointment. The bar has been set gentlemen – let’s not fall short.

Source.

2009 Acura TL – Possible AWD

Rob — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:40:23 +0000

On the down low, the 2009 Acura TL may be offered in two distinct flavors. The “regular” version will feature a 280 HP 3.5 liter V6 that powers the front wheels. Not bad. The big-daddy version ( not a Type-S, reportedly ) will get upgraded to a 300 HP 3.7 liter V6 that sends power to all 4 wheels. Neato. The TL has been a favorite of mine for awhile, and AWD just makes it so much more relevant. Bring it, Acura. But please leave the RL grille at home.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and 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 – Possible AWD is a post from: Houston Cars

2009 Acura TSX Specs

Rob — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:39:43 +0000

After Acura released the 2009 TSX teaser image, I figured that was it until the official announcements. Looks like I was wrong, as the press release managed to leak out to the public. Fun stuff. Bad news is that the hardware is, well, bad news. The new TSX will grow – it’s 2.4 inches longer and 3 inches wider than the current model. Bigger car = heavier car. To compensate for that added heft, Acura put some more grunt under the hood right?

Wrong. The 09 TSX is powered by a 201 HP 2.4 liter 4 cylinder ( when equipped with the 6 speed manual ). Presumably that number drops a bit for the automatic. Fuel economy is 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined for the stick, and 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined for the slushbox. Overall I’m so unimpressed….. Acura had a real chance her to make a stunner of a vehicle. Instead they’ve bored us into not caring. It’s the new Acura way.