The Acura TSX is a compact car built from 2004 to 2014 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Between 2004 and 2014 it grew 8 cm longer and gained 80 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6. Worth buying? It depends heavily on which year you buy at 3.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the TSX is
The Acura TSX is a compact car that Acura built from 2004 to 2014 — 11 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2009. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Acura range: TLX, Legend, ILX.
Where the TSX is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 575 TSXs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JH4 | 2004-2014 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Acura VIN decide which of these 2 lines your TSX belongs to. What every character in a TSX VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Acura TSX adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
TSX generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the TSX's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the TSX that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2008 | 465 cm | 266 cm | 1465 kg | - | - |
| 2009-2014 | 473 cm | 271 cm | 1545 kg | +8 cm | +80 kg |
Between 2004 and 2014 the TSX gained 8 cm in length (+1.7%) and 80 kg in weight (+5.5%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the TSX that is 80 kg against 8 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Acura TSX tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment TSX owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Acura TSX have? Power & range
The Acura TSX is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.5L 6-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Acura TSX, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.5L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | FWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S5) | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The TSX by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Acura TSX. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | TSX | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 51 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 671 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 3.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $1,150/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 378 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Acura TSX?
The TSX is a compact car, built from 2004 to 2014 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6.
Where is the Acura TSX made?
Across 575 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the TSX have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2009. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the TSX grew 8 cm longer and gained 80 kg.
What is the Acura TSX warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 6 years / 70,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the TSX reliable?
It scores 3.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific TSX?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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