Photos: 2008 Acura TSX

In its fourth year, the Acura TSX shows a need for a refresh. Body styling is a little bland, and the disc changer doesn't support MP3 CDs.

The TSX employs front-wheel-drive and uses Acura's signature trapezoidal grille. Recent concepts from Acura show increased emphasis of this grille, suggesting that a next generation of the TSX would enhance the look.

The TSX relies on a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 205 horsepower. It's an adequate engine to get the TSX around, but it doesn't deliver exciting acceleration.

As a four-door sedan, the TSX is very comfortable and well-suited to general use and commuting.

Along with a roomy cabin, the TSX offers plenty of trunk space.

The cabin material fit and finish is good in the TSX. The main option in the car, which is presented as a trim level, is navigation, a worthwhile option.

Acura loads the TSX's steering wheel with buttons almost to the point of confusion.

Our main complaint with the steering wheel buttons is that it needs one set for voice command of the phone system and another set for voice command of navigation and other car functions.

The gauges in the TSX are stylish, and a center screen displays trip computer information.

The six-speed manual transmission in the TSX is very enjoyable to use, with a precise feel for gear shifts.

The information pod at the top of the stack shows whether the hands-free phone link is active.

The best tech element in the TSX is the navigation system. Its maps are nice and clear, and the whole thing can be controlled through voice command.

The TSX navigation system uses a premium points-of-interest database, accessible through the button labeled Places. This database includes Zagat ratings for restaurants.

XM satellite radio is available in the TSX, and the LCD makes it easy to find stations and see which song is playing.

The six-disc changer is nice, but lack of support for MP3 CDs is inconvenient and baffling. The stereo system itself only produces average sound quality.

Quite a bit of help is available on the car's LCD, showing you how to use things like the voice command system and the Bluetooth cell phone integration.

The TSX includes an auxiliary audio input in the center console, making it possible to listen to MP3 players through the car's stereo.