The 2009 Acura TSX veers away from the center stack button overkill of its bigger siblings and continues to represent the cheapest entry point into the Acura brand. It's essentially the European Honda Accord, but don't mistake what was introduced at the New York Auto Show as an upmarket way to buy the 2008 U.S. Accord we like so much.

This one's about eight inches shorter and it's snug (not cramped in back) and has only one engine choice, a 201-hp four-cylinder. But the cockpit is a little gem: the center stack button count is reduced and the navigation system (photo inset) offers real time traffic, weather, and auto-rerouting. And there's a USB connector for music players, a line-in jack, XM radio, and an optional premium audio system. The hooded LCD display is mounted on the dashboard top (good) but the control knob is also up high, where there's no place to rest your wrist. Expect a diesel version in a year.