Vehicle(s): 2007 Acura CSX Type-S
2007 Acura TL Type-S with 5-speed manumatic
Price as tested: CDN$34680 (CSX-S) CDN$49030 (TL-S)

Performance: CSX-S is powered by the same powerplant as Civic Si coupe, which means its the same upgraded 2.0 i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder 16-valver with 197 ponies and 139 lb/ft of torque. Consider its maximum torque arrives at 6200 rpm, its surprisingly docile down low in the torque range. Its a very tractable engine with decent low-end torque without losing its rev-happy character of high-performance Honda product. Matched with this powerplant is the equally sweet 6-speed stick shift. Honda simply produces the best stick shift and clutch in the world. The shifts are crisp while providing decent ratios for this rev-happy powerplant. On the other hand, its clutch provides excellent feel and very progressive.

The heart of the TL-S is the new 3.5L DOHC VTEC V6 with 286 hp and 256 lb/ft of torque. Compare with the base TL with 3.2L, it has 28 more horses and 24 more lb/ft of torque. When we first drove the “base” TL with 3.2L, we already commented it as a very fast engine. Honda can’t just stop making great things even better. This engine is very fast, both in terms of seat-of-the-pants feel and acceleration. With 255 lb/ft of torque arrives at 5000 rpm, the same kind of docile low-end torque with awesome top-end responsiveness as we described in CSX-S apply to its bigger brother. What makes the difference is TL is quieter and more refined given its V6 origin. In the TL-S, you can either choose world’s best 6-speed stick or the 5-speed manumatic with paddle shifters. This 5-speed manumatic provides excellent gear ratios and shifts are top-notch. It rates as good as any German sports sedans with manumatic. With this manumatic, paddle shifters are standard. It encourages the sequential-like shifting on the steering wheel by providing a more exhilirating driving experience.

Handling: Given their Type-S designations, both cars have received stiffer suspension and rebound damping to match their sporty image.

CSX-S’s dynamic abilities are simply astounising. After the demise of the RSX, we thought Acura will no longer have an sports coupe that provide the same driving thrill as it was. We were wrong. CSX-S is as entertaining and balanced to drive as RSX-S of the past. The handling is sharp and precise, with slight understeer when pushed. Body rolls are minimal. Best of all, CSX-S’s standard VSA or Vehicle Stability Assist, is designed to be as uninstrusive as long as the driver remains in control. It only kicks in when the vehicle has reached the edge when any skillful driver isn’t able to save themselves. Even its servotronic steering doesn’t have the numb and featherweight of some electric steering I have driven. The ride is compliant without being bouncy on rough roads. In short, its simply one of the best front-drivers I have driven recently. Rated it on top with both VW GTI and GLI.

TL-S’s dynamic abilities are certainly not as impressive as its smaller silibing. We were lucky to get the vehicle that comes with manumatic instead of stick shift. With the stick shift, its torque steer is more obvious than one in the manumatic. Although Honda has readjusted its suspension setting to eliminate torque steer, TL needs Acura’s superb SH-AWD in order to compensate its 286 horses going through the front-wheel. The steering feel and precision remain impressive. With sharp turn-in without being twitchy on the highway. The ride quality, however, its a bit harsh for sports sedan of this caliber. We hope Honda engineers can soften the ride a bit given TL’s luxury car status. It rides a bit too harshly on washboard pavements and patholes, which are what we defined as Vancouver roads. Its VSA helps TL countersteers its understeer when pushed. Body rolls are more than acceptable.

Brakes: TL-S comes standard with Brembo brakes. That’s a very impressive braking package given its price tops at 40 grand. As with CSX-S, both cars have excellent pedal feel and modulation. Both cars have ABS that kick-in until absoultely necessary regardless of rainy or dry weather conditions.

Interior: Except for the more contoured sports seats, both interiors are standard CSX and TL affairs. That means top-notch materials with all the conceptable luxury features that one expected from premium brand.

Conclusion: Along with the highly praised TSX, CSX and TL would be the sportiest offerings in the showroom floor before Acura gives us another sports coupe. With their competitive pricing, neat interior packaging, impressive dynamic abilities and awesome engines; Acura should have enough merits to hold on its own till the next NSX or RSX show up again.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 ACURA CSX/TL-S
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Performance: 5/5 (CSX-S)) 5/5 (TL-S)
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5 (CSX-S) 4/5 (TL-S)
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5 (CSX-S) 5/5 (TL-S)
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5 (CSX-S) 5/5 (TL-S)
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5 (CSX-S) 4/5 (TL-S)
Value-for-money: 4/5 (CSX-S) 5/5 (TL-S)

Overall ratings: 4.5/5 (CSX-S) 4.5/5 (TL-S)