Back when I was looking to replace my first-year Acura 2.2 CL with a new vehicle, Acura’s TSX small sedan was second only to the more alluring – and mischievous – Mini Cooper. The TSX had just about everything I was looking for. It was handsome, quick, sprightly, roomy, and upscale. But it didn’t have the same “come and play” attitude that made the harsher riding and smaller Mini Cooper so alluring. So I went with the Mini. Would a week in the TSX change my mind?

Not really. And a good part of that is down to the Mini’s attitude and size. I have no real need for a four-door sedan, so lugging around an extra pair of doors has little appeal to me. (I may change my mind when the Mini Traveler wagon arrives, especially if it has a reasonable list price and comes with the light-pressure turbocharged engine for a reasonable price.) And sedans are so ubiquitous as to be invisible, though the TSX’s chiseled good looks do stand out in a crowd.

What I did discover, however, was a small sedan that doesn’t sacrifice its fun-to-drive spirit for the favor of a luxury brand nameplate. The 2.4-liter inline four pumps out 205 hp and 164 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to either a slick six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. It has all of the toys you’d expect: double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspensions, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability and traction control, and torque-sensing variable power assist steering. It’s one heck of a package.

Inside, the perforated leather, aluminum-look trim, heated and powered front seats, and optional navigation system cosset without leaving the driver and passengers feeling like they are in an old school men’s club. XM satellite radio is standard, as are a power glass sunroof and other features too numerous to mention here.

With the optional navigation system, the TSX starts at $29,890, no matter which transmission is chosen. Leaving it off your options list – it is the only factory option offered – drops this by $2,000, and makes the TSX an even stronger competitor, and better bargain, in the sport/luxury sedan field.