Acura TLX

TLX key facts and latest specifications

The table shows the 2021–2025 car, which was the last version on sale.

Two generations of the Acura TLX

Acura showed a near-production "TLX Prototype" at the Detroit motor show in January 2014. The design came from the brand's Los Angeles studio. The production car followed at the New York show in April 2014, and US sales began in August 2014. The TLX took over from two models at once, the Acura TL and the Acura TSX, and kept the TL's 2,775 mm wheelbase.

A Type S concept at Monterey Car Week in August 2019 previewed the second car. Acura launched it online on 28 May 2020, started production on 28 August and put it on sale on 28 September 2020. The new TLX also replaced the larger RLX as the brand's flagship saloon.

First generation (2015–2020): 2.4, V6 and all-wheel steering

The base car had a 2.4-litre direct-injection four-cylinder with 154 kW (206 hp). It drove the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with a torque converter, a first for Honda. This version also had Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS), which turns the rear wheels by a small angle in corners.

The 3.5-litre V6 made 216 kW (290 hp) and could shut down three cylinders at light load. It used a ZF nine-speed automatic, another Honda first. Buyers could add Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which now used hydraulic clutches instead of the TL's electromagnetic packs. Honda said the V6 was about 1.5 seconds quicker from 0 to 60 mph than the four.

The front suspension changed from the TL's double wishbones to MacPherson struts, with a multi-link rear axle. Amplitude Reactive Dampers used two valve sizes, one for small bumps and one for large wheel movements. Four drive modes adjusted the steering, throttle and gearbox: Econ, Normal, Sport and Sport+.

The 2018 model year brought a facelift, revealed in April 2017. It added a new front end and grille, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a sporty A-Spec trim. For China, Acura built a long-wheelbase TLX-L from 2017 with a 2,900 mm wheelbase and the 2.4 engine.

Second generation (2021–2025): turbo engines and the Type S

The second TLX grew to 4,943 mm and gained a 2,870 mm wheelbase. Its body used 64 % high-strength steel and aluminium by mass. A double-wishbone front axle with forged aluminium arms returned, and brake-by-wire came from the NSX supercar.

All versions used a 10-speed automatic. The 2.0-litre turbo four produced 203 kW (272 hp) and 380 Nm from 1,600 rpm. SH-AWD was optional on the four-cylinder and standard on the Type S.

The Type S went on sale in June 2021. Its 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo V6 gave 265 kW (355 hp) and 480 Nm, with a forged crankshaft and rods. SH-AWD could send up to 70 % of torque to the rear axle and all of that to one rear wheel. Four-piston Brembo front calipers and a body 13 % stiffer than the standard car completed the package.

By our calculation, the Type S carries about 7.2 kg per kilowatt (1,907 kg ÷ 265 kW). For the first-generation car with the four-cylinder engine, the figure was about 10.3 kg per kilowatt. You can check other cars in the same way with the 1cars power-to-weight calculator.

The PMC Edition of the 2023 model year was limited to 300 cars and finished at the Performance Manufacturing Center, the plant that built the NSX. The 2024 facelift, revealed on 2 November 2023, added a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a three-chamber front passenger airbag developed with Autoliv.

Fuel consumption and running costs

With a 60-litre tank, the second-generation 2.0 covers roughly 640 km between fills at its combined figure.

Cabin, boot and equipment

Both generations seat five. The old 1cars review praised the ventilated, memory-adjustable front seats and criticised tight rear space for three adults. The first car had two central screens, an 8-inch display above a 7-inch touchscreen, and an optional 10-speaker ELS audio system rated at 490 watts.

Boot space is modest for the class. Published figures for the first generation range from 373 to 419 litres, and the second generation offers 382 litres. The rear seatback folds 60:40.

On the second-generation car, the options included adaptive dampers, a 10.5-inch head-up display, a 17-speaker ELS system and 16-way power front seats.

Safety ratings

Euro NCAP never tested the TLX because Acura did not sell it in Europe. The first car had seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag. It also introduced the AcuraWatch driver-assistance package, with collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

Prices and sales history

For the 2025 model year, Acura listed three versions. The 2.0T with the Technology package cost 45,400 US dollars (about €40,000 in mid-2025). The A-Spec with SH-AWD cost 50,400 US dollars (about €44,000), and the Type S 58,050 US dollars (about €51,000). A destination charge of 1,195 US dollars came on top.

By our calculation, US sales fell by about 83 % between 2015 and 2025. Acura blamed the decline and the shift to crossovers when it ended production in July 2025. The Marysville plant had been planned for an electric RSX crossover, which was later cancelled.

Racing: the TLX-GT

A TLX-GT race car with a twin-turbo V6 appeared alongside the road car in January 2014. RealTime Racing ran it in the Pirelli World Challenge GT class, where Ryan Eversley won a street race in Florida in 2015 and both Road America races in 2016. The NSX GT3 replaced it in 2017.

Rivals of the Acura TLX

The Japanese rival closest in spirit is the Infiniti Q50. For a German benchmark, see the BMW 3 Series overview, or line up any two models in the 1cars comparison tool.