2009 TSX - Saturn Aura, anyone?
 

I've had several Hondas/Acuras, and they make fantastically reliable and fun to drive everyday cars, so I follow their new models, and was suprised to see this redesign:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...124730?imw=Y#2

Separated at birth from a Saturn Aura?

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...ra.tsx.500.jpg

vs.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...80-396x249.jpg

???

Are you serious?!

Oh sweet, a JDM/Euro Accord!

it looks nice at least...

very different cars

Back in 2003, the TSX was a stand out. But everyone have upped their game in the design department and this new TSX only look slightly hipper than a Saturn Aura or Camry. Honda should have bangled the hell out of this car.

And why can't Honda get out of their freaking FWD funk already? Infiniti went from zero to kicking ass and taking names against the European marques virtually overnight, while the entire Acura line-up have remain glorified Accords (TSX, TL, RL) and Odyssey (MDX), still using the same V6 engine after all these years.

When they finally get around to slapping SH-AWD on these cars, they will just end up with nose-heavy, gas guzzling boats with an Audi price tag.

I see Aura in the side profile (mainly the roofline and fender bulges).

Still looks pretty nice.

...............they have four wheels? and yes roofline definitely.

Because they sell.

It was a nice car at the auto show. I was impressed. The seat was comfortable.

Because unlike RWD cars, you can manage driving an FWD in any city in the country at any time of the year (Chicago during winter a great example). FWD cars are much easier to handle in bad weather than RWD. Sure, there are some people who drive mainly RWD cars and are used to driving in bad weather to an extent but for 90% of the people, they prefer a car they can drive year round without worrying about handling problems much, in any weather condition. Basically it all goes back to what the post above me said, its what sells. RWD cars are a niche market.

Honda doesn't build FWD cars for safety, they build them for efficiency (fuel economy) and cost. RWD with modern stability control is better in bad weather than FWD. Honda is all about fuel efficient low cost transportation that they can maximize through platform sharing...period.

What roofline? You guys can't be f^kin' serious! :scratchhe


This is the 2007 Acura TSX, aka 1st gen, which is the same as the ones from 2004, 2005, and 2006:

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...20111094-E.jpg

Compare it to the 2009 TSX. It's the same roofline!

Of all cars, why the hell would Acura copy a Saturn?:Wconfused And oh, if you really look closely, you'll see that the Aura roofline is more sloping, whereas the TSX roofline is more angular. They don't look even close...lmao.

Anyway, Acura sucks in terms of exterior design; the 2009 Acura RL should be helpful to insomniacs...

Grille, trim around windows, center crease on hood, overall roof/trunk line, fender "flares". Headlights are clearly more aggressive. I see lots of similarities. Not saying it's a carbon copy, and I'm sure they didn't intend to imitate Saturn specifically. Original point was, the cars are great in terms of mechanical reliability, but why can't they come up with original styling? To me, the previous TSX was a cleaner (and better) design.

das is der passat. a couple of years ago..


beers :beer:

:uhh:

Again, look at the previous gen Acura TSX and compare it with the 2009 TSX. Except for the new front grille (new Acura corporate styling called "power plenum" or something like that; found on the current TL and MDX) and the fender flares (on the current TL and MDX again), the window trims, hood's center crease and roofline on the 2009 TSX are the same as those on the 1st gen TSX. Acura hasn't released any other pics (besides the one that was posted by me), so I can't comment on the trunkline/rear end or whatever.

The 1st gen Acura TSX was out even way before the Saturn Aura, but I didn't hear anyone saying how similar the Aura looked to the TSX when the Aura first came out. But now you're saying that the TSX is similar to the Aura? You should have your eyes "recalibrated" or something, man, because the two cars don't even look remotely similar. The new TSX redesign is evolutionary (again, compare it to the previous TSX) and is readily recognizable as an Acura. If anything, the 2009 TSX looks even more like the current TL, which was exactly my initial thought when I first saw the pic. I didn't think, "Damn, that looks like the Saturn Aura," like how you probably thought.

Anyway, if you're still adamant that the new TSX is similar to the Aura, that's your prerogative. But I disagree and have to throw in my two cents worth.

Just to set the record straight Mr. Climacus, the V6 in the Acura started out as a 2.5 i believe, which then grew to a 2.7. That in turn became a 3.0 which then was transformed into a 3.2. which is now a 3.5. Starting at around 164hp in the first one and is now up to 286hp. So as you can see, they haven't been using "the same V6 engine after all these years".
And what's wrong with 6 cyl. engines? Porsche has been using them for years and no ones complaining.

Looks A LOT like the current TL

Whoa... It was just a first impression I had seeing the photo. All you have to say is "I don't see it". Didn't realize this was going to spark so much concern for you...

Looks like another honda/acura to me.... and the saturn.... idk, its still a saturn to me too... lol

in my mind, a saturn will be the same foreverrrr till it changes there name or some shyt...

Looks prety lame, like always. It seems like Acura has a new front fascia that they are applying to all their new models. The RL is completely fugly.

Infinit went from 0-kickass because they stopped using rebadged Sentras and Altimas.

Aside from the grille, there is no Aura in the new TSX. That's because the A, B, and C pillars plus the door lines are all about the same as the current TSX and a bunch of Honda Accords.

The Aura is the car that copied just about everything out there, including Honda and Audi.

However, the new TSX doesn't look new enough and merely continues Honda/Acura's recent completely lost styling sense, which includes the Civic, the new Accord, Acura MDX and RDX. The only thing that's been acceptable is the CRV.

In case you didn't know, Infiniti has slowed down recently in their kick ass department. Name some Infinitis that are kick ass aside from the new G37 coupe.