Press Launch: 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon Initial Drive-Test Impressions

Shaded by the toweringly majestic arches of the awe inspiring Golden Gate Bridge, I witnessed a car company pull off one of the most audacious press launches in recent memory. While every other automaker and their cousin Bob are busy launching new crossovers, luxury renegade Acura decided to introduce a premium wagon based on its sporty TSX sedan.

The delicious chutzpah of it all is made all the more satisfying by the fact that they have, indeed, pulled it off. The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a fun to drive, economical (28 miles per gallon during my time driving it), affordable and has all of the utility of the best luxury crossovers. It also looks really, really cool.

It's the family car for moms and dads (or dog owners) who still want to look cool.

EXTERIOR STYLING

Now, Justin Timberlake may have brought "SexyBack" but it was Acura that brought sexy to the back of the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon. The Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3-Series Wagon, Volvo V50 and every other wagon on the market today look positively frumpy by comparison. I don't think I have ever called an Audi frumpy before but the TSX Sport Wagon is just so sensual that nothing else really compares.

The cut of the rear tail lamps blends perfectly into the rear ¾ panel and this vehicle photographs well from every angle. With a lot of new cars you generally try and photograph them from 2 or 3 angles to keep them from looking awkward. I had no such problems with the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon. The Sport Wagon also benefits from the sleeker new front grille design that bowed with the 2011 TSX sedan.

INTERIOR

The 2011 Acura TSX enjoys a few detail changes like silver inner door handles (so quit your complaining!), LED foot lighting, new dash trim, increased noise insulation measures and an updated navigation system with a larger VGA screen, storage for 3,500 songs and Acura's "Song By Voice" technology. "Song By Voice" allows you to use just speak the name of the album or song you want to play from your MP3 player or the hard drive. Trust me, it's cool.

The cargo area has 25.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row of seats and with them folded flat that figure expands to a whopping 60.5 cubic feet. The cargo area also has a number of sturdy metal cargo hooks built into the floor and side which can help keep your stuff from moving around.

These hooks will also be a boon for dog owners who want to secure a dog crate or safety harnesses for the utmost in canine security. In fact, as a dog owner I found the low entry height and this multitude of safety options really appealing. If I was in the market for a new vehicle for my dog Daisy Mae I would buy a 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon without question.

PRICING AND FEATURES

The "base" TSX wagon starts at $30,950 and comes with a 2.4 liter 201 horsepower 4-cylinder, five-speed automatic, paddle shifters, leather upholstery, dual zone climate control, power windows, power door locks and mirrors, keyless entry, XM, Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration, power moonroof, Acura 7-speaker premium 350-watt audio, roof rails, power memory driver's seat, heated front seats and returns an EPA estimated of 22 city/30 highway. No luxury wagon on the market today can compare from a price perspective.

The only upgrade is to the Tech Package which brings the price to $34,610 and adds Acura's excellent navigation system with traffic rerouting, restaurant Zagat guide, real time traffic, real time weather, a back-up camera, the awe-inspiring Acura/ELS 415-watt Audio system with 10-speakers, 15GB hard drive of song storage, remote-linked power tailgate and GPS linked solar-sensing climate control. In my opinion the Tech Package is well worth the extra outlay.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon drives, steers and handles just like a regular TSX which is to say phenomenally. I was also surprised that even though it weighs approximately 130 lbs. more than the sedan that the 2.4 liter 4-cylinder always felt peppy and strong at all speeds throughout the rev range. The vehicle was also noticeably quieter thanks to the 2011 sound deadening measures that have also been applied to the sedan.

Turn in on the winding roads north of the Golden Gate Bridge was crisp and the steering felt nicely weighted. The five-speed automatic did a terrific job of keeping the engine in the power band around tight corners and steep uphill climbs. Telepathic would be a good way of describing it.

In other words, if you love the TSX sedan you will love driving the Sport Wagon just as much. And boy, is this puppy so much more fun to drive than an SUV.

CONCLUSION

Sales of the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon start on Dec. 21^st 2010 and 4,000 units are projected to be sold the first year. That seems like a conservative estimate to me given the number of people who are tired of "Mommy and Me" SUV/crossovers. This wagon should appeal to young families, empty nesters who don't like driving bulky SUVs and, of course, fanatical dog owners like me.