2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Honda hasn't brought Americans a station wagon since 1997. We quickly forgot about the slow-selling five-door Accord when the CR-V, a higher car-based SUV with all-wheel-drive and a collapsible picnic table, came out that same year. It's still one of Honda's most popular models, and one of the top-selling cars in the small crossover segment.



Toyota dropped their Camry wagon in 1996. Ford's venerable Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons disappeared in 2005. Its compact Focus wagon went in 2007, the hotrod Dodge Magnum and more practical Mazda 6 wagon in 2008. Saturn threw out the midsize L-Series, which included a wagon, in 2003. And the plastic wood-paneled Buick Roadmaster and Chevy Caprice wagons were last seen when gas was a dollar per gallon. That last part makes me weep.

Few automakers have remained faithful to wagons. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Saab, Volvo, Volkswagen, and Subaru have sold wagons every year in the US since the early 1990s, some for decades. There are roughly 100,000 sold each year, about 1 percent of the US market — that's less than the share of hybrids. Americans, apparently, have been happier with higher ground clearance and a few extra millimeters of headroom, despite the fact that most five-passenger crossovers and SUVs offer similar space and cargo capacity as a decent station wagon.

So has Acura taken a big risk by launching a luxury sport wagon in a small market of stubborn holdouts? No, Cadillac did. They brought a spanking new CTS Sport Wagon last year and the maniacal 556-horsepower CTS-V for 2011. Acura imported the European-market Honda Accord Tourer, flipped the "H" logo upside down, and called it a day.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

2012 Acura TL

Making its Canadian debut at the 2011 Canadian International Auto show, Acura's newly refined 2012 TL delivers improved performance, upgraded technology and features as well as revised appearance.  A new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission provides improved performance and fuel economy, and a new Elite trim is added to the TL SH-AWD model lineup.
"The 2012 Acura TL is refined, yet aggressive," said Alexandre Roger, assistant vice president with Canada's Acura Division. "Already known for its performance and superb handling, the enhanced TL provides a sophisticated new look and new technologies designed to take TL to the next level."


To increase performance, a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission is applied on all TL models with automatic transmission. In addition to incorporating engineering enhancements aimed at improving efficiency, a sport-minded double-kick-down feature lets the driver command a double downshift such as from Fifth to Third gear. The Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system also creates a "blip" of the throttle to help match gear speeds while downshifting.


In addition, the transmission teams with a new multi-clutch torque converter that not only reduces heat build-up during operation but also allows for lock-up activation during a much wider range of driving conditions which helps generate improved fuel economy. As a result, city/highway fuel economy is now 10.4 / 6.8 L/100km (TL & TL Tech 6AT), 11.4 / 7.6 L/100km (SH-AWD 6AT models ) and 11.9/8.0 L/100km (SH-AWD Tech 6MTmodel), providing an increase in highway fuel economy over the 2011 TL. To further improve operating efficiency, the TL's standard 3.5-litre V-6 engine receives a host of friction-reduction technologies while a revised air inlet system provides cooler air for both the 3.5-litre and 3.7-litre engines.

2012 Acura TL

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

Honda hasn't brought Americans a station wagon since 1997. We quickly forgot about the slow-selling five-door Accord when the CR-V, a higher car-based SUV with all-wheel-drive and a collapsible picnic table, came out that same year. It's still one of Honda's most popular models, and one of the top-selling cars in the small crossover segment.


Toyota dropped their Camry wagon in 1996. Ford's venerable Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons disappeared in 2005. Its compact Focus wagon went in 2007, the hotrod Dodge Magnum and more practical Mazda 6 wagon in 2008. Saturn threw out the midsize L-Series, which included a wagon, in 2003. And the plastic wood-paneled Buick Roadmaster and Chevy Caprice wagons were last seen when gas was a dollar per gallon. That last part makes me weep.

Few automakers have remained faithful to wagons. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Saab, Volvo, Volkswagen, and Subaru have sold wagons every year in the US since the early 1990s, some for decades. There are roughly 100,000 sold each year, about 1 percent of the US market — that's less than the share of hybrids. Americans, apparently, have been happier with higher ground clearance and a few extra millimeters of headroom, despite the fact that most five-passenger crossovers and SUVs offer similar space and cargo capacity as a decent station wagon.


So has Acura taken a big risk by launching a luxury sport wagon in a small market of stubborn holdouts? No, Cadillac did. They brought a spanking new CTS Sport Wagon last year and the maniacal 556-horsepower CTS-V for 2011. Acura imported the European-market Honda Accord Tourer, flipped the "H" logo upside down, and called it a day.

2011 Acura MDX

The 2011 Acura MDX is a seven-passenger, three-row luxury crossover vehicle. It puts its best foot forward with strong acceleration, a comfortable cabin and in great safety performance--while downplaying any extreme off-road ability.

However, it's also an entertaining vehicle to drive and, despite some odd exclusions on the features list, a supremely confident family vehicle with a stellar safety record.

Pricing begins around $43,000 and reaches beyond $50,000 for fully outfitted versions. The MDX competes against luxury crossovers like the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT; the Volvo XC90; and the Buick Enclave.

The Acura MDX is one of our top-ranked large crossovers. Contenders include the handsome Buick Enclave, with great safety and sex appeal, as well as a prettier interior with a piece or two of less-appealing plastic trim than the MDX. The Volvo XC90 has three rows of seats, but seating anyone in the third row is an awkward exercise, fuel economy is relatively poor, and initial quality has been less than exemplary. The new Lincoln MKT takes the fundamentals of the roomy, capable Ford Flex and wraps them in distinctive sheetmetal—and fits in a 355-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder engine for class-leading power.

2012 Acura TL To Debut at 2011 Chicago Auto Show

2011 Acura TL Picture
Honda's premium Acura brand said it will unveil a "newly refined" 2012 TL sedan in early February at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Acura declined to provide details.
In a brief statement, the brand said the TL will "further enhance its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance."
The official unveiling will be broadcast via Webcast on February 9.

Acura of Las Vegas welcomes TSX

Acura TSX

Acura, the luxury division of Honda, has unleashed the TSX Sport Wagon, and Acura of Las Vegas has gained national attention by becoming the first dealership in the country to sell the model.
Powered by a 2.4-liter i-Vtec with 201 horsepower and 170 pounds-feet of torque, the TSX Sport Wagon is highlighted by strong throttle response and excellent acceleration.
The two-wheel drive vehicle delivers mileage of 22 city and 30 highway, and has room for five, to meet the needs of a diverse customer base, from growing families to soccer moms to on-the-run retirees.
"The first TSX was presold weeks before it arrived," said dealership General Manager Tim Donnelly. "We had a good year in 2010, and the addition of the TSX wagon fills a huge market for us. We're really happy to have it in our fleet of vehicles."

First Drive: 2011 Acura RDX FWD

2011 Acura RDX FWD

The Acura RDX was designed to be among the sportiest in its segment, and except for a couple issues, the driving experience of the 2011 model is engaging as with our 2007 RDX long-termer. And that long-termer didn't benefit from the changes Acura made for the 2010 model year.

Yes, the RDX now wears Acura's polarizing power plenum grille, but the changes are far more significant than a restyled exterior and attractive new 18-inch wheels. A rear-view camera, changes to the leather seating surfaces, more ambient lighting, and USB-port connectivity now come standard.

When the RDX was introduced, it was available only with Honda's super-handling all-wheel drive. That strategy was rethought and now there's the front-drive model we sampled. It boasts a cheaper entry-level price and better fuel economy with the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 240 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm. The engine is plenty powerful, and the turbo surge makes the RDX feel quicker than it really is at times.