Honda's upmarket division, Acura, will be celebrating 20 years in the U.S. beginning with the 2006 model year. It's been, for the most part, a successful run, offering both Honda owners and luxury intenders a chance to move up without having to cross what some might call the Euro Divide. That, of course, is the yawning chasm created by the Benzes and BMWs with higher window stickers and at least the perception of higher maintenance costs. Acura’s lineup hasn’t, however, done much to keep those shopping for a BMW or Benz out of the BMW and M-B showrooms, as evidenced by the fact that both German carmakers are selling something like 200,000 units per annum in the Lower 48.

With Acura's debut of the new TSX, there’s at least the tacit acknowledgement that a little bit of passion may have been missing from Acura’s automotive recipe. Taken almost intact from Honda's European lineup, the TSX is essentially Honda’s Accord built to a European spec. As such, it takes most of what makes the Accord so popular stateside and combines it with tidier outside dimensions, a cleaner, more overtly sporting interior and suspension calibration that is more Nurburgring than Nebraska. It is, in short, a piece of work that works.

From the nose, with its signature grille shape, to an aggressively raked windshield and relatively high decklid, the overall impression is one of urbane sophistication. In proportion there’s more than a little of Alfa’s 156, although Acura takes a more angular approach to same, with a character line running the length of the TSX's midsection. The greenhouse is generous, and with the exception of a mildly thick C-pillar, visibility is good in virtually any direction.

Inside, the upscale-sporty theme continues. Rather narrow (we're talking "athletic" here) buckets are covered in perforated leather, a standard feature that bolsters (pun very much intended) the TSX’s value argument. Overall support is very good, and despite a somewhat aggressive shape, getting in and out doesn't seem to be a bother. This isn't, however, the seat shape for the committed Pizza Hut buff. Those guys need to stay with their Buick dealer.

Interior room, despite the tightened-up external dimensions, remains very comfortable for four adults. In a comparison provided by Acura’s Web site, interior volume of the TSX is roughly similar to that offered by Audi's A4. The A4 and, by extension, TSX work great for two couples out on the town, or a young family driving from one town to another.

And driving is what the TSX is all about. From 2.4 liters of transversely mounted, DOHC four, the wizards at Honda extract some 200 horsepower at a mind-altering 6,800 rpm. In combination with 166 lb.-ft. of torque (at 4,500 rpm) and the short-throw 6-speed manual (a 5-speed auto is a no-cost option), it comprises a little touch of heaven when your right foot gets to revvin’. (It’s phrasing like this that will forever keep us off of the Road & Track masthead.) Day-in-day-out grunt work is eminently doable, if not quite as much fun as pretending you’re on California’s Highway One.

At an as-tested price (with optional Navigation) of $28,990, the TSX is firmly in the sports sedan hunt. And while the jury remains out on Acura’s ability to woo the German enthusiast, there’s little doubt that the TSX represents a viable move up for the Integra, RSX or Accord owner. We’ll take ours in the oh-so-easy-to-live-with Satin Silver. You guessed it: Hi Ho, Silver, Away!