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Acura felt it should have a car to compete with the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4, so it came up with the TSX, an intriguing car that does much with little. It starts with a European Honda Accord, slightly smaller than ours, including the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and adds impeccable execution all the way to your driveway. That execution is what the Acura TSX pits against the benchmark BMW 325i.

Honda's 200-horsepower engine boasts a broad torque curve that responds immediately to the drive-by-wire throttle and quick work with its sweet gearbox. The suspension dances to the tune of a European sports sedan. The brakes scrub off triple-digit speeds without drama and the pedals are set up well for effortless heel-and-toe braking and downshifting. For an enthusiast, the 2004 Acura TSX eliminates the lust for European-market cars.

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The lineup for the Acura TSX couldn't be simpler. There is a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic with Sequential Sport Shift, for $26,490. The only option is a $2000 navigation system, in which Acura takes pride: it's intuitive, thorough and fairly easy to operate.

Notable standard equipment includes a 200-horsepower version of the 2.4-liter double-overhead-cam iVTEC engine, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, 17-inch alloy wheels with V-rated performance tires, perforated leather seating, side curtain airbags, moonroof, HID headlights, and 360-watt Acura premium audio system with six-disc CD changer and eight speakers.