The 2023 Acura TLX is staying stable for the time being after a significant redesign in 2021 that included new engines, a longer, broader stance, a newly built chassis, and more. The TLX is still very affordable and full of comfort and features. Not much has changed for the model year 2023, but there are a few new goodies. The Integra, winner of the prized 2023 North American Car of the Year title, is positioned immediately above the TLX. It is more significant and potent than Integra but lacks a manual gearbox.
Three outstanding NSX paint colours are still available on the new-for-2023 TLX Type S PMC Edition ($63,995 including destination taxes), still painted in Curva Red, 130R White, and Long Beach Blue Pearl. For an introductory price of $40,745, Acura provides a front-wheel-drive, turbocharged four-cylinder TLX. The standard engine from Acura comes with dynamic all-wheel drive (AWD), or for $54,895, you can upgrade to the more potent six-cylinder engine with AWD. Technology, A-Spec, and the Advance add-on package, available solely on non-Type S cars, all serve as trim levels.
The midsize TLX has almost the exact dimensions as more costly vehicles like the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series, measuring 194.6 inches in length. However, it competes for dominance on price with smaller competitors like the Audi A4 and BMW’s 3 Series, the very smooth Genesis G70, and the tenacious Alfa Romeo Giulia. The inside of the TLX is a bit smaller than the medium, so it’s probably best that it’s bigger on the exterior. More legroom is available in the second row of the A4, 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class than the Acura.
The 2023 TLX comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0-litre turbo V6 in the higher-trim Type S generates a potent 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque and comes standard with all-wheel drive, which is a (much) snappier option. Thankfully, the TLX drives well around curves and offers a calm, collected ride on busy streets and highways.
The AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features is included with the 2023 TLX. Several amenities, including adaptive cruise control, are only offered on the A4’s top trim levels. It has a standard warranty that lasts for four years and 50,000 miles and a powertrain warranty that lasts for six years and 70,000 miles, which is better than what Audi and BMW provide but not as extensive as what Genesis gives on the G70. Acura strengthened its position in the market this year by adding two years of free planned maintenance.
We anticipate additional modifications to all of Honda’s cars, including the svelte TLX, as the company prepares for battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to make up 100% of North American sales by 2040. Although the TLX is not the fastest, sexiest, or most potent sports sedan on the market, it does include intelligent design elements. When equipped with the V6, the TLX can go head-to-head with considerably more expensive automobiles and come out on top.
Performance: Acura TLX
The TLX is not, and was never intended to be, a monster of sheer performance. However, it is a decent and exciting driver. The standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 272 horsepower and is excellent and competitive with the 201 and 261 horsepower-producing Audi A4 40 and 45 models, respectively. The Acura engine has more horsepower than the 330i and the G70 2.5. Only the Giulia has more to offer.
With its 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6, the TLX Type S competes with BMW’s M340i, the sportiest of the rivalry group. However, the Type S’s 355 horsepower is still less than the BMW’s 382 horsepower. Ten-speed automatic gearboxes are used with both engines.
Regular and Comfortable settings may provide drivers with some enjoyment, but Sport mode undoubtedly coaxes the TLX to greatness and extracts all of its pleasures. The well-calibrated chassis bends in time with the transmission’s fluid changes. As long as the expectation is for overall excellence rather than rocketship-thrust happiness like one may find in the top-tier 505-horsepower Giulia Quadrifoglio or other hot rods like the BMW M3, this vehicle ticks all the boxes for a terrific ride.
Nevertheless, the TLX is more than capable of taking off from a stop. The car accelerates to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with the 2.0-liter turbo engine and 0.99 seconds faster with the 3.0-liter turbo engine. Unless they’re using it on a track, top speeds of 131 miles per hour with the smaller engine and 155 miles per hour with the bigger engine are more than most people require.
Fuel efficiency: Acura TLX
With front-wheel drive and the standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the TLX is the most frugal, with an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined (22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway). The TLX loses one mpg in the city, connected, and on the road when equipped with all-wheel drive, but this trade-off is well worth it. The attractiveness of the TLX is significantly diminished when compared to the 29 mpg combined number provided by the BMW 330i with the same size engine.
The Giulia and A4’s four-cylinder versions are two mpg more efficient than the Acura, which is also two mpg less efficient when equipped with the 3.0-liter V6. This results in a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg (19 city, 25 highway) for the Acura. Despite being quicker, the M340i gets five more miles per gallon.
Safety & Driver Support
Every TLX is equipped with the comprehensive standard set of driver assistance and collision avoidance features offered by Acura, including multi-view rear cameras, lane departure mitigation, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision mitigation. The Technology package adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic warning and parking sensors, and the Advance package adds a surround-view video system.
Instead of the occasionally strong-arm approach other manufacturers sometimes use for safety features, Acura’s technology seems more like a soft product. Driving a TLX, it looks like the driver, not the vehicle, is in charge because of that degree of detail. And that’s advantageous.
The 2022 TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with good and excellent ratings. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the TLX its highest rating of five stars, which is worthy of mention.
Room: Acura TLX
Acura outfitted the basic TLX with heated synthetic leather seats that can be adjusted in 12 ways and strategically placed for the best visibility. Four-way power lumbar controls and movable headrests are further standard features. The TLX Advance offers the most excellent seating options thanks to its 16-way power seats with power-adjustable side bolsters that can be managed through buttons or a touchscreen.
Laminated acoustic windshield glass reduces Wind and traffic noise, a typical feature. With the TLX, Acura went above and above the norm, using acoustic spray foam to fill in gaps and packing sound-dampening recyclable materials and insulation throughout the vehicle. The TLX Advance adds even more sound-absorbing materials, concentrated around the wheels and wheel wells at the top of the trim range.
The TLX is at least 1.5 inches wider than the A4, 3 Series, G70, and Giulia, measuring 75.2 inches wide. It is at least 7 inches longer than the others in its category. Tall riders may feel more closely positioned to the headlining than they would like since the TLX is likewise lower. It somehow has a more compact car-like interior. Especially if those seated in the front row are tall, passengers may feel somewhat more cramped than in its competitors (3 has 35.6 inches, the A4 35.7 inches).
Infotainment: Acura TLX
To our dismay, Acura switched off the dual touchscreen system for a single 10.2-inch display in 2021. Even worse, Lexus’s brand-new infotainment system, which debuted in the 2017 NX, still uses a touchpad identical to the one seen in the TLX. The touchpad continues to be popular in other nations, particularly in Acura’s home market of Japan, but it seems outdated in the United States. The steering wheel has controls for the fundamental operations, which is a benefit, and the wrist rest doubles as a comfort bolster.
Every TLX has a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The conventional 10-speaker audio system is adequate but cannot compete with the superior 17-speaker ELS system, which produces excellent sound. Voice controls are easy to use, uncomplicated, and hassle-free.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The TLX’s broad and deep trunk can hold multiple rollaboard luggage with a combined volume of 13.5 cubic feet. That is more than the A4 (12), 3 Series (13.2), and diminutive G70 (10.9) provide. However, the TLX narrowly outperforms the Giulia regarding cargo space with 13.4 cubic feet.
When transporting heavy and bulky objects, the TLX’s rear seats may be folded down to expand the available capacity even more. Besides the roomy door pockets at the front, travellers could have trouble finding modest storage compartments appropriate for snacks and beverages. The total cubic inches for each of the many tiny places is limited. The trackpad and associated wrist rest occupy the console’s important storage space.
Design: Acura TLX
The TLX, three years into the second generation, assumes a striking, chiselled posture. Compared to the previous generation, it is much more attractive to look at and contributes to demonstrating Acura’s future orientation—just the proper amount of staidness and futurism. The dash is thoughtfully designed within the driver-focused interior, including a single touchscreen and a beautiful, logical combination of knobs and buttons.
The TLX uses high-end materials throughout, including aluminium detail and optional open-pore trim made from either American white oak or European ash wood. The design makes the most significant use of these materials to make it appear even larger inside. There is a rhythm in how the lines sweep from side to side and front to rear. It is more elegant than the Giulia and features an unquestionably more upscale interior than the A4.
Is the 2023 Acura TLX Worth it?
Acura packs the $40,745 TLX full of features right out of the gate, including heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, ambient lighting, power-adjustable, heated front seats, a sunroof, and LED headlights. There are three different ways to customize your non-Type S TLX since Acura doesn’t have trim levels but option packages.
Drivers who are more interested in technology will be more interested in the Technology package ($44,745; all prices include a $1,195 destination charge), which comes with a navigation system and four USB ports (which raises the question of why the standard TLX doesn’t have USB ports in the rear, but that’s another issue). In addition, this package comes with parking sensors fore and aft and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology package is exclusive to TLXs with front-wheel drive.
The sportier-looking A-Spec, which costs $47,795 and comes with all of the Technology package’s amenities, can also be purchased with AWD for $2,200 extra ($49,995). The TLX Advance, which costs $52,245 and is available solely with all-wheel drive, offers additional options like heated and ventilated front seats, surround-view monitoring, premium audio, and other niceties.
However, ignoring the $56,745 Type S and its gurgling turbo V6 engine is complicated. The TLX Type S is equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels and all-season performance tires, and its rev-matching downshifts make it come to life. The TLX is stopped safely and gently by competent Brembo performance brakes, which also smooth down the imperfections. Although the Type S is approximately $16,000 more expensive than the standard TLX, it still costs (slightly) less than the Mercedes-Benz C43 and BMW M340i. The Type S is a decent sports sedan and attractive to look at despite not quite being as quick as they are in a straight line.
How Much Does the 2023 Acura TLX Cost to Insure?
Compared to most of its competitors, the TLX should be less expensive to insure. Although this figure applies to all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an average yearly premium of up to $2,400. A regular annual cost for an Audi A4 owner is $2,820, compared to $2,740 for a BMW 3 Series and $2,715 for a Genesis G70.
TLX generations for Acura
Second Generation
2021 to Present
Acura gave the TLX a more athletic outward makeover for the 2021 model year to represent its status as a performance car better. It now rides on a sport-tuned chassis that is longer and broader than the previous model and is specific to the new one. A 10-speed automatic gearbox, two new turbocharged engine choices, themed interior LED lighting, and a redesigned standard infotainment system were all added to the vehicle.
First Generation
2014 to 2020
At the 2014 New York International Auto Show, the TLX made its premiere. It took four years for this budget-conscious luxury car to get a big update. Acura enhanced noise reduction, upgraded the wheels, bumper, and front fascia, and added an entertainment system compatible with Android and Apple.
Verdict
The 2023 Acura TLX has a fantastic design and offers a medium presence at a price comparable to a tiny premium vehicle. Consequently, it gives off the impression of being more costly than it is, offering a good value. The midsize TLX is well-designed and furnished, provides a variety of choices, and has two engines to appeal to a broad audience at an affordable price. Still, the rear seat is tiny, and the fuel economy is average. The optional all-wheel drive works very well with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is acceptable for safe driving, but the V6 Type S truly makes it fly. Now, if only Acura would address that annoying infotainment touchpad…
