Was the Acura TSX discontinued?
The TSX was discontinued after the 2014 model year; Acura subsequently folded its role into newer models, notably the ILX for entry-lux buyers and the TLX for the midsize sedan segment.
Overview of the TSX's run
The TSX bridged the Acura lineup with a sportier, European-inspired feel based on the Honda Accord platform. It arrived in North America in the mid-2000s and carried through a long run that included a performance-first Type-S variant before retirement as the brand pivoted to newer models.
Origins and milestones
Here's a concise timeline of the TSX from its launch to retirement.
- 2004: The TSX enters North American showrooms, offering a premium compact sedan with a focus on driving dynamics.
- 2007: The TSX Type-S arrives, delivering higher horsepower and sport-tuned features.
- 2013: Acura introduces the ILX as a new entry-lux sedan intended to modernize the small-lux segment.
- 2014: Production of the TSX ends; Acura shifts emphasis to the ILX and a newly positioned TLX in later years.
In sum, the TSX’s production span in North America covered roughly a decade, concluding with the 2014 model year.
Reasons for discontinuation
Several factors converged to justify ending the TSX, including overlapping offerings and a shift in market demand toward newer platforms and crossover vehicles.
Key factors driving the decision
These considerations helped shape Acura’s lineup realignment.
- Sales and market positioning: The ILX was designed to fill the entry-lux niche previously held by the TSX, reducing internal competition.
- Platform economics: The TSX shared aging underpinnings with older Accord models, making updates less cost-effective than pursuing newer platforms.
- Strategic realignment: Acura aimed to simplify its sedan range and focus on flagship and crossover models, such as the TLX and various SUVs.
- Demographic and demand shifts: A growing preference for SUVs/crossovers influenced the emphasis away from aging compact-lux sedans.
Taken together, these factors led to the decision to retire the TSX in favor of streamlined, newer models.
What came after: how Acura reshaped its sedan lineup
With the TSX retired, Acura reorganized its sedan strategy around two main pillars: the ILX for entry-level luxury and the TLX for the mainline midsize sedan, a move that consolidated multiple former models into a single, modern lineup.
Direct successors and lineup evolution
Key developments that followed the TSX era include:
- ILX as the continuing entry-lux option, built on a Civic-derived platform but positioned with premium trim levels and features.
- TLX, launched to replace both the TL and TSX in the midsize segment, offering a more unified and modern sedan experience.
- Longer-term diversification: Acura has since expanded its SUV/crossover lineup while keeping the TLX as the sedan core in its class.
These changes reflect Acura’s shift toward a streamlined sedan family supported by crossovers and SUVs in a changing market landscape.
Summary
Yes—the Acura TSX was discontinued after the 2014 model year. Its role in the brand’s lineup was effectively taken over by the ILX for entry-lux buyers and later consolidated with the TLX for the midsize sedan segment. The TSX remains a notable chapter in Acura’s history as the company evolves toward newer platforms and a more SUV-focused lineup.
