Introduced to the Acura lineup in 2003, the 2004 TSX was warmly received by the automotive media (read our first drive of the 2004 TSX here) as well as enthusiasts. In fact, demand for the TSX was strong enough that Acura managed to shift more than double the annual volume that had initially been targeted for the TSX.

How did the TSX get here in the first place?
At some point, Acura decided it needed a product that would enhance the brand's image while simultaneously serving as Acura's entry point (since the RSX was due to exit the lineup following the 2006 model year). Presumably, Acura's product planners checked their global product mix and determined that the European/Japanese Accord fit the bill quite nicely. The TSX was a low-risk bet, since Acura could bring it to market for a fraction of the development cost of a completely new model. For the most part it was simply a rebadged top-line European/Japanese Accord, only with some unique interior bits and a chassis calibrated more towards the tastes of import enthusiasts.

While the TSX was sometimes criticized for its tepid powertrain, many drivers were smitten by the TSX's superb blend of driving dynamics, ride comfort, luxury, mechanical precision, and crisp European styling. Enthusiasts appreciated the TSX not only for what it had, but also recognized the vast potential that lied within. Furthermore, the TSX possessed a degree of dynamic character and driver engagement that its heavier Acura siblings lacked, and we've been chomping at the bit for the past five years hoping that a hotter version would emerge.