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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 22 / 31 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,250 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $19,200–$25,222 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2012 Acura TSX earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.7/10. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.7/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.4/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.4/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology comes in at 7.4/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $19,200–$25,222, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Acura TSX sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.1/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2012 Acura TSX, but it needs the right buyer. and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Acura TSX ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $19,200 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 31%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Across the TSX model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7.5/10 | $21,000 | Read review → |
| 2013 | 7.4/10 | $20,100 | Read review → |
| 2012 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $19,200 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 27/09/2018 · 18V661000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico,… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 27/06/2019 · 19V502000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour,… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 16/05/2019 · 19V378000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2018 · 18V042000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 10/01/2017 · 17V030000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2012 Acura TSX's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
6 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 48% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2012 Acura TSX starts at $19,200 and ranges up to $25,222 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Acura models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
