Driving Acura's Entry-Level Small Cars, 20 Years Apart (TSX and new Integra)
I recently got to drive a loaner 2024 Acura Integra from the Acura dealership that had 439 miles. It was a base model in Majestic Black with Graystone interior. Driving something new for a change compared to a 2005 Acura TSX has really validated my perspectives on how small cars in the U.S. have changed in 20 years. What do I mean by this? The TSX feels small and nimble. The pillars are thin, so you can actually see well around you without the need for a backup camera. The steering is tight because it is a sport sedan. I grew up learning how to drive with that tight steering. It feels fast when you accelerate, even though torque isn't a strong number. I read about people's experiences with old Honda Civics, like from the late 1980s and 1990s. It's easy to say that that it's so much better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, and the Civic is the epitome of the former, or a Miata. An old Civic is so basic ...