Acura TLX - Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More

AutoGuide.com Staff
by AutoGuide.com Staff
Find everything you need to know about the Acura TLX here, along with expert reviews, specs, photos, videos and more.

Pros

Great looks, good value, Type S brings back performance ...

Cons

... but doesn't go all the way, frustrating infotainment, tight back seats

Bottom Line

The TLX is a step in the right direction for Acura, improving its 'tweener sedan with a sharp drive and even sharper looks. The Type S feels like a half-step towards something truly great, however.

3 Reasons the Acura TLX Type S is Underrated


We recently spent a week with the 2023 Acura TLX Type S and concluded it’s one of the best kept secrets in the luxury performance sedan market. Although the usual German entries from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi grab most of the headlines and attention, Acura has been quietly producing a great vehicle as well.


Three main factors sum up our admiration for the mid-size sedan; the engine, all-wheel drive system, and price point. Below we dig deeper into each factor, explaining why this car is underrated and deserves a bit more attention.


Read the full article here.



2023 Acura TLX Type S Review


The Acura TLX is a real underdog in the luxury sedan segment. When discussing the best premium sporty sedans, it seemingly gets overshadowed by the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Genesis G70.


Maybe the TLX deserves more credit than many give it, especially in the performance-orientated Type S trim. Having not driven one in a few years, we revisited Acura’s peppy four-door to see how it stacks up to the constantly improving competition.


Read the Full Review Here.



Acura TLX Type S vs Genesis G70 Comparison: Sport Sedan Shoot-Out

Back in the early aughts Acura put Type S branding on several of its cars, which I remember well because for a short period of time, I sold them.

The CL, TL and RSX were all Type S cars, and they were the ones that got me excited to go the showroom everyday.

Those heady days of 2002 didn’t last long, however, and soon those cars became extinct as Acura moved away from precision crafted performance and into a long winter of entry-level luxury boredom. Thankfully, the brand emerged from its decade-plus doldrums in 2016, with an all-new NSX and a rededication to precision crafted performance. Acura was back.

And while it took a few years, Type S is back too, with TLX and MDX variants that are built for performance.

Click Here to Read the Review


2021 Acura TLX Type S Review: A Journey of Rediscovery

The hype around the 2021 Acura TLX Type S is palpable.

Over a decade has passed since the last TL Type-S, a slick four-door that handled far better than a front-drive, mid-size sedan had any right to. It was mature, like the Germans, but at a price that meant you could get a new sport sedan and that family vacation you kept putting off. It’s little wonder the things are still coveted, especially with the six-speed manual.

So the new Type S—no more hyphen—has big shoes to fill. Acura wants enthusiasts to know it sees them. The brand has given its latest sedan a performance makeover, with a more powerful, Acura-exclusive engine, retuned suspension, and some nods to the past. Is that enough to take on the best entry-level sport sedans?

Click Here to Read the Review


2021 Acura TLX A-Spec Review: Making the Grade

It’s incredible what a few subtle changes to proportions can do for a car.

Take the 2021 Acura TLX, seen here in bright red A-Spec form. The basic design isn’t terribly removed from the previous model: there’s still a diamond-shaped grille, squinty headlights, and clean flanks. It’s an evolutionary look, not revolutionary.

So why does it look so damn good?

The answer lies in the details. Acura has massaged the proportions, dropping the roof, extending the hood, and moving the passenger compartment further aft. The team has looked back at what put it on the map—engaging performance sedans in a more affordable part of the market—and the TLX is the first product on this roadway to rediscovery. It’s more than just a sharp new suit: the TLX has gone to the gym, with a redesigned suspension setup improving both the ride and handling. Acura’s targeting the sport sedan leadership more clearly here than it has in well over a decade. Luckily, the TLX is up to the task.

Click Here to Read the Review


Acura TLX vs Lexus IS: Which Japanese Luxury Sedan is Right for You?

The default choices in the compact luxury sedan market are all German. But if you want something that stands out, what about the Acura TLX and Lexus IS?

These two Japanese four-doors represent two different takes on the segment. The Lexus IS debuted over 20 years ago as a veritable BMW 3 Series fighter, with a similar inline-six powertrain and rear-wheel drive. For 2021, Lexus significantly re-engineered its sport sedan. Rear-wheel drive is still on the menu, plus available all-wheel drive, with a modernized interior and fresh styling to match.

Acura debuted the second-generation TLX for 2021 as well. The latest evolution of the car formerly known as the TL, the TLX now stands atop the Acura sedan lineup, as the unloved RLX disappeared last year. Larger than the Lexus, the Acura promises a renewed focus on dynamic prowess, specifically with the reborn Type S.

Click Here to Read the Review


Detailed Specs

Price$38,900-$54,500
Engine2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder / 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder
Power272 hp / 355 hp
Torque280 lb-ft / 354 lb-ft.
DrivetrainFWD / AWD
Transmission10AT
Fuel Economy (city/hwy)19–22 mpg / 24–31 mpg
Cargo Capacity13.5 cu ft


Our Final Verdict

Acura TLX

Overall

3.8

Performance8.0
Features7.0
Comfort7.0
Quality and Styling8.0
Value8.0
AutoGuide.com Staff
AutoGuide.com Staff

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