The Car Exam Quick Quiz #34 The 2011 Acura TSX…One of the best tested yet

Good Grades: The 2011 Acura TSX sedan is one of the best cars Consumer and Car Exam has ever tested--period. The TSX is light, quick, has excellent braking and handles with precision. The TSX is a wonderfully balanced sports sedan. Driving the Honda Accord and the Pilot before this car, it makes you wonder how Honda/Acura could build such bland, awkward cars, yet build impressive vehicles on the other hand (The now replaced 2011 Honda CRV impressed Consumer and Car Exam as well, as did the 2011 Acura MDX, and those will be in upcoming reviews).

The TSX's interior was just as impressive as the rest of the car--there wasn't a lot to really dislike about it, except for a few things. The 201hp, 170 ft lbs. of torque 2.4 liter double overhead cam four cylinder engine works flawlessly with the five-speed automatic transmission. The TSX feels like a precision tool, begging to be driven. It never feels out of control; it is a very fun car to drive, especially if the roads you are driving on have lots of curves. Handling is exemplary in the TSX. Torque steer didn't seem to be an issue with the TSX, either. Don't be mistaken; it loves straight stretches of roads as well. Interior quality, materials, seating and most ergonomics are well-done in the TSX. The gauges in the TSX are very simple and easy to read. The styling is nice yet simple...

Bad Grades: ...That being said, the styling is a tiny bit underwhelming (but still nice in the TSX), yet better than most other Acuras, save the MDX (something Acura stylists/designers really needs to get corrected, especially after building nicely-styled cars like the Legend and Integra of the 1980's and also the 1990's), Nevertheless, the styling isn't offensive in the TSX--a good thing. The rear seats could some more room, also. It's not a large sedan, but the rear seats should have more legroom. Tiny stereo and climate control buttons aren't so great, either--but commonplace on far too many new cars today, unfortunately. Increasing the city fuel economy of the TSX would be nice (21 is the city MPG for it).

Final Grade: The Acura TSX is a terrific car. The TSX was a joy to drive, even though it doesn't have blindingly large gobs of horsepower like some cars Consumer and Car Exam has tested (Mustang, Camaro, and Corvette--new Corvette and Camaro reviews will be coming). Acura/Honda may not always build exciting cars, but Honda is apparently in the process of trying to change that with upcoming models. For now, the TSX, and the upcoming review of the MDX crossover are exceptions to that rule...Two very nice and impressive exceptions, especially.

The Car Exam Grade: A

Base M.S.R.P. as tested: $29,610

By P. Scott

The Car Exam Quick Quiz # 33: the quick quiz return--the 2012 Ford Mustang GT Premium

The Car Exam Quick Quiz # 33: the quick quiz return--the 2012 Ford Mustang GT Premium


The wait has been a long one, but they are finally back: the quick quizzes have returned, and they begin with the 2012 Ford Mustang GT. The Car Exam tested a 2010 315hp version (with a manual transmission), several years ago, but the 2012 version has been tested with the return of the 5.0 liter V8, pumping out 412hp with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Good Grades: The 412 hp engine(with 390 ft. lbs. of torque) and the six-speed auto make for a good pair. The car is fast, and you can tell the difference between the 2012 and the 2010 Mustang. The car looks like a Mustang should, and the 2013 models look just as good, if not better. Acceleration and braking are strong. It would be even better to drive the 2013 Shelby version of the Mustang. The final Mustang masterpiece created during the life of Mustang legend Carroll Shelby (whom I was lucky enough to get a brief glimpse of in person in November of 2011, about six months before his passing) is an absolute beast--it boasts a 5.8 liter, 650hp (600 ft. lbs of torque) V8 engine as its calling card. Visibility in the 2012 mustang is good, just as it is in all of the current generation of Mustangs, dating back to 2005. Speaking of the '05 Mustang, the interior materials of the 2012 models are better than the '05. The ambient lighting is a nice touch. The taillights are cool--but even better on the 2013 Mustangs, with a "blacked out" treatment.

Bad Grades: Ergonomics in the Mustang still could be better; retro can be nice, but Ford, please modernize the Mustang even more in that department. Building the dash and controls "closer" to the driver can be accomplished, even retaining a retro feel. Small back seats come with the territory, but no adult should attempt to sit back any longer than a very short trip--it's simply uncomfortable back there. As strong as the Mustang felt, for some reason, the 370 hp, heavier 2011 Dodge Charger felt stronger--I don't know why, but it did. How much faster does the Boss 302 feel than the GT? That question would be nice to answer.

Final Grade: The Mustang has a lot going for it, especially engine-wise. from the 305 hp V6, to the monster 650 hp supercharged V8 in the 2013 Shelby Mustangs, it has something to offer a variety of buyers like the original did. However, the missing piece from the Mustang's engine resume is the use of the Ecoboost V6 used in other Fords--having driven an F-150 with that engine (which was a total blast), imagine how it would feel in the Mustang--awesome. A complete Mustang redo should be coming in the next few years, so hopefully Ford will remedy the flaws with the current car.

Ford has proven you can take old technology--a rear live axle--and improve it so much it can out-perform more modern, independent rear suspension setups on other cars, especially at the track. The Mustang has had some not-so-proud periods during its storied production run (most recently, the sloppy-handling and unimpressive-accelerating, 190hp V6 version in the 1999-2004 models--no fun to drive at all, to say the least), but today, the 2012-2013 Mustangs are the best ever built--hands down, in spite of my own affection for the 1967-69 models. The Mustang is an icon, and the current generation demonstrates why.

The Car Exam Final Grade: A

By P. Scott

Starting M.S.R.P.: $33,710

7-8-12

The Car Exam reviews coming up: The Acura TSX, the Nissan Maxima, the Acura MDX, the Chevrolet Corvette Gran Sport, and more.