2024 Acura TLX | Full Review
The Acura TLX has Sharp Styling and a Bit of Road Spice
Reliability and performance are the top reasons why you’d go for Acura, and the TLX is a perfect example – and more. It’s a four door performance-oriented sedan that packs 272 horsepower from a turbocharged inline four cylinder in front-wheel drive. That’s if you’re in the US. While Canadian buyers are limited to weather-immune all-wheel drive, it unlocks the Type-S and Advanced trims that upgrades to a much more powerful turbocharged V6 engine rated at 355 horsepower.
Three trims are available with the Technology package and base turbo-charge inline four cylinder engine starts at $46,195. Opting for the peppier turbocharged V6 will require you to jump up to the Type-S trim that will set you back at $58,195
Powertrain and Performance
For its large form factor, the base turbo-charged inline cylinder pushing out a mere 272 horsepower is reasonable. But you do get a 10-speed automatic transmission. Regardless of whether you go full out and hone in on the more powerful turbocharged V6 with 355 horsepower, you’ll get a 10-speed automatic gearbox for seamless access to the engine’s optimal power.
Unique to the Acura TLX is its all-wheel drive system dubbed SH-AWD (Super-Handling). Unlike conventional all-wheel drive system, the performance-oriented SH-AWD is capable of not only directing torque from the engine to the rear wheel, but can also distribute torque to either the rear inside or outside wheels independently to enhance overall cornering and handling capability.
In terms of fuel-economy – not so great. The front-wheel drive trim gets an average of just 26.5 mpg while the AWD model equipped with a turbocharged V6 drops it down to 22 mpg on mixed city and highway driving. Perhaps a hybrid engine variant is called for here in today’s terms.
Interior and Tech Features
Acura isn’t exactly renowned to be top fashion designers, but the TLX’s interior cabin is warm and expressive in character. Both the digital graphics on the infotainment system and instrument cluster are well designed and the overall cabin looks and feels premium overall.
Bare in mind that the TLX is a big car, leaving plenty of room for the front passengers. Surprising to say, that’s not so much of the case in legroom for rear passengers.
All TLX models come with a 12.3″ infotainment system controlled via a touchpad located on the center console. On first use, the touchpad is a love-or hate, but over time, it’s easy to get accustomed to its quirks. Both wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay are supported for seamless smartphone connectivity.
Test Drive and Final Thoughts
The Acura TLX does what it does best by offering raw and predictable performance. Our tester model came equipped with the more powerful turbocharged V6, which kept calm in regular city driving. Punch the throttle and the V-6 wakes up with an enormous grunt and power delivery via its 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Acura TLX does everything it’s supposed to do by numbers, but feelings and emotions can’t be described on paper and that’s what we felt was lacking with the TLX. The power, performance and overall luxury features were all there, but it just didn’t feel special and the whole car just felt kind of… hallow. Still, we really liked the modernized performance looks of the TLX and for those that need the level of practicality without compromising road thrill, the TLX is a worthy contender that will get the job done.
Specifications
- Vehicle : 2024 Acura TLX
- Model : Type-S
- Vehicle Type : 5-Passenger Full-Size Sedan
- Seating Capacity :2+3
- Engine :Turbocharged V6
- Transmission : 10-Speed Automatic
- Price as tested: $58,195
Pros
- Exquisite and luxurious styling inside out
- Smooth ride quality and quiet cabin
- Excellent tech features and ease of use
- Respectable power output and powertrain performance
Cons
- Lack of innovation especially with no hybrid engine option available
- Test drive didn’t reveal anything unique about its powertrain character