That little engine, however, did provide some good fuel economy. According to Acura, the TSX wagon gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway — 1 mpg better in both categories than the TSX sedan with a manual transmission. While that mathematically comes out to an overall average of 25 mpg, I managed 28 mpg with a mix of city and highway driving. Rarely do I beat the combined number. I'm just not that kind of driver.

The 2.4-liter is the best four-cylinder on the market, in my opinion. It's smooth, loves to rev and has sensational throttle response. Of course, more power would always be welcome, but at no time did I find myself thinking that the car felt slow and underpowered. However, here's where I have to shed a few tears. The slick six-speed manual transmission is unfortunately not offered on the wagon model. Instead, the five-speed automatic is the only transmission choice, which operates just fine with quick and crisp shifts and is entertaining with a good manual mode, but it's still a downer for drivers. I do understand Acura's reasoning behind not offering it, as sales would certainly be quite low for a clutch-pedal-equipped TSX wagon.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible.

I have no clue how my brain works, but in this case I'm pretty sure the TSX Sport Wagon's stunning styling triggered my memories. Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon fans might disagree, but I think the TSX is the first vehicle that looks better as a wagon than a sedan.

Who should consider this vehicle

The formula isn't inventive; take a successful sedan, stretch it and add a hatch. The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon can serve multiple masters, ranging from the couple who rides mountain bikes on the weekend or the busy parent shuttling between soccer and piano lessons to the animal rescue volunteer taking a Great Dane down to the bark park. Anyone who covets civility and versatility — with occasional inspiration to hammer the throttle on two-lanes — will consider the TSX Sport Wagon money well spent.

But the TSX also competes in an inscrutable segment. Americans tend to like wagons of the German sporting persuasion, or those that evoke domestic muscle like the late, lamented Dodge Magnum. Japanese wagons haven't enjoyed much success since Honda dropped its Accord variant back in the mid-1990s. To attract enthusiast buyers to the TSX, Acura might need to offer its turbo four-cylinder or even a V6 matched to all-wheel drive.

Then again, if you're looking for a slightly more useful sedan — especially one that doesn't carry a penalty in fuel efficiency — then the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a worthy consideration, one that might make Acura's gamble in a new market segment pay off.

My idea of the more appealing and not much more expensive TSX Sport Wagon is this:

* Remove all chrome/silver trim from door-handles, fog-light bezels, and around windows. Chrome, or this polished metallic trim, has been out of style for decades now, so why is it on a Sport Wagon? Replace with black, gray or body color (as applicable).

* Remove the roof-rack and the visual weight that goes with it. I love the utility of a roof-rack but a vast majority of people will use it once a year to transport their Christmas tree. Make it an option or accessory. This would also reduce production and overall costs (one less part to make and install).

* Paint the grill in body color, and paint the trim around it in deviating dark gray.

Having done all that, it would be rather simple to add a few more elements of sporty appearance:

* Add larger, 18-inch (vs. 17-inch), wheels, also painted gray. I used ’07-’09 Acura TL Type S wheels in the graphic for the sake of simplicity and OEM appearance.

* Lower the car. I could not find any information of payload limits of the wagon vs. sedan but it is fair to assume that they are similar; therefore there are no tricks in designing the suspension to be able to accept additional weight. BMW installs air-suspension on their 5-series Tourings but there is no need for that here. Adjust spring rating and shock valving, done.

* Look carefully at the altered image and you will see the multi-piston calipers from the TL Type-S (and RL). Since those are already in the Honda parts bin, might as well throw them on our improved wagon. The three people who will actually autocross or track this wagon would appreciate them, while the rest would show them off on internet message boards and everyone would be happy, at a very low cost.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon has been part of our long-term fleet for only four months, but in that time, it has acquired many admirers. "I'm smitten," says senior editor Jonny Lieberman. Editor at large Ron Kiino proclaims, "I love it." Assistant Art Director William Walker coolly states, "It's great," while associate online editor Nate Martinez has even grown to "admire this car massively."

So where is all this love coming from? TSX SW, how do we love thee? Let me count the ways:

Well, there you have it. Overall, the TSX seems like it'll do fine as a family vehicle from a safety seat standpoint. But I'll really be putting our TSX Sport Wagon to the test in a couple days as I'll be loading my family for a Fourth of July road trip.

We applaud Acura’s decision to test the wagon waters with its TSX lineup. This once-conservative brand appears to be emerging from its shell, at least in North America. Acura says it doesn’t need to sell many TSX Sportwagons to break even, and with this relatively high value pricing structure, we don’t think they’ll struggle to meet their projections.

The TSX Sportwagon may not be the thrill machine M5 wagon enthusiasts want, but its everyday livability means that there is finally a low-compromise wagon that probably won’t bust your budget.

It seems the TSX will handle any car job well; airport run, weekend mountain-bike trip, grocery store haul, soccer practice shuttle, science fair project delivery vehicle, and just about anything else. I really don't have plans to have kids anytime soon but when I do, I think I've discovered the right tool for the job.