Fuel Economy and Safety Rankings
The 2012 Acura TSX Sport Wagon has EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 city/30 highway and we averaged a decent (considering the way we drive) 24.8 miles per gallon over the course of a week. The Acura has a nice 18.5 gallon tank and premium unleaded is only “recommended” but not “required under penalty of death.” The 2012 Subaru Legacy 3.6R returns EPA estimates of 18 city/25 highway and over the course of the week we rarely could get this vehicle to crack 20 miles per gallon. Again, we have been known to drive like hooligans even when testing station wagons. And given the fact that the Outback is saddled with full time all-wheel drive and a more powerful engine, its loss to the Acura is understandable.
On the safety front, you can’t really lose with either of these family vehicles as they both were awarded “Top Safety Picks from the IIHS.” So you see you don’t really need to buy a Suburban sized SUV to keep your family safe in an accident. And seriously, have you seen how much gas costs nowadays? No one wants to keep filling up an SUV gas guzzler. (Advantage: Tie)