Road test: Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Many entry-level luxury cars share much of their platform with more mundane offerings. But what happens when the whole car is, in reality, a pedestrian offering?

You get cars like the Acura TSX Sport Wagon. Introduced for 2011 and little changed for 2012, the TSX is actually a Honda Accord, but not the bloated one sold in the United States. This is the Accord sold in Europe. It's smaller than its American namesake and more closely resembles the classic Accords of yore.

That's what I have always loved about the TSX, even if it's little more than a well-equipped Accord with new dental work and a higher price tag. And the new wagon just makes me love the TSX line all the more.

Still, you get the feeling that Honda execs were sipping sake rather than sweating the options list. Unlike the case with the sedan, there's no V-6 option. Or a manual transmission. And wouldn't Honda's all-wheel-drive system be a nice option?

So it seems a bit disappointing when you first park yourself inside the TSX and start to fiddle with the steering wheel-mounted shifters of the five-speed transmission. Where's the six-speed? Oh. There isn't one. But there are 32 buttons to control the audio system, navigation and dual automatic climate control. Harrumph.

But then you look around. There are two really comfy front seats that hold you snugly in place. Rear seat space is fairly good, as long as the front-seat riders don't get too selfish. There's also plenty of cargo space. In fact, there's about as much as the RDX crossover.

Next, you step on the loud pedal and things get interesting. Sure, you could always use more power, but the 201-horsepower, four-cylinder engine has enough oats to move this buggy adequately, as long as the transmission is shifted into sport mode.

In regular drive mode its moves are made with fuel economy as the main objective and will protest efforts to extract more speed.

Being an Acura, you'd expect good handling. And for a front-drive wagon, it does remain flat when cornering. Its handling/bump absorption compromise is about as perfect as you'll ever come across. And, for a Honda product, this car is remarkably free of road, wind and tire noise. Nice.

Given this kind of performance, you'll find the TSX wagon's genetics produce a vehicle that's practical, fun to drive and filled with options that make living with it quite pleasant.

Who cares what badge it wears on its backside?

ACURA TSX SPORT WAGON

Base price: $31,160

Price as tested: $35,685

Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder

Power: 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm

Wheelbase: 106.4 inches

Length: 189.2 inches

Height: 57.9 inches

Curb weight: 3,599 pounds

EPA fuel economy rating: 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway

Bottom lline: No V6 or all-wheel-drive options, but still peppy, with plenty of legroom and cargo space.