Acura's TSX New Engine

Acura's TSX V-6 is a shining example of what Honda does best -- build a sporting car that's quick, superbly built and a joy to drive.

While the TSX is positioned in the near-luxury segment in Canada and the United States, Honda sells this model as the bread and butter Accord in Europe and Japan. The TSX was completely re-modelled in 2009, but the big news for 2010 is the addition of a muscular, 280-horsepower V-6 SOHC engine.

The new (for the TSX) 3.5-litre V-6 is silky smooth, responsive and powerful, and in typical Honda fashion, it's also frugal, rated at 11.3/7.4 L/100 km (city/highway).

Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-range TSX V-6 with optional Tech package, which adds to the already long list of standard equipment: A navigation system with voice recognition, an excellent rear-view camera (with a wide-angle lens that shows the edge of the rear bumper), illuminated steering wheel controls, and a premium AM/FM/XM stereo /MP3, Windows Media, 10-speaker sound system, MSRP $44,685.

Driving the Acura reveals this horsepower-invigorated sedan's mission. Honda designed the TSX V-6 as a serious sports sedan with a good dose of luxury thrown in. A sharp stab at the accelerator rewards the driver with a sonorous V-6 growl, and acceleration (even with our tester's winter tires) is satisfyingly quick.