2021 Acura TLX Test Drive Review: A-Spectacular Improvement

The Acura TLX first arrived in 2014 when Acura decided to merge the TL and TSX models into one. Sadly, the resulting car never lived up to the reputation set by either and ended up forgotten against most of its sedan contemporaries. For 2021, Acura is back with an all-new second-generation TLX. It rides on a new platform and uses the same Honda Civic Type R-derived 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Acura will even bring back the legendary Type S name with a new turbocharged V6 variant.

Like its forebears, the TL and TSX, the 2021 Acura TLX loosely competes with other luxury sedans like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Volvo S60. While many of the competitors enter the fray with rear-wheel-drive, the TLX drives the front wheels or all wheels optionally. Acura has positioned the new TLX to feel slightly larger than a 3 Series but smaller than a 5 Series, hoping to attract buyers in the middle of those segments. Has the gamble worked? We drove a 2021 Acura TLX with the sporty A-Spec package to find out.

What's the Price of the 2021 Acura TLX?

The 2021 Acura TLX has a starting price in the USA of $37,500, a $4,500 increase over the entry-level previous-gen TLX car. It brings the TLX into much closer contention with German rivals like the Audi A4, which starts at $39,100. With the Technology Package, the Acura TLX will cost $41,500, while the A-Spec Package increases the MSRP to $44,250. Finally, the Advance Package will cost $46,300. Upgrading from the standard FWD system to the SH-AWD setup will add $2,000 to the price. All prices exclude tax, licensing, and registration costs, along with Acura's destination charge of $1,025. The highest Acura TLX price you can pay is over $54,000 for the Advance Package with AWD and all the available accessories.

2021 TLX Exterior

Dimensions

2021 TLX Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Though it was far from the best sedan in its class, there was a lot to like about the previous TLX. Acura has managed to carry over what we enjoyed in the last TLX while improving a lot of what we didn't. The new dedicated Acura sedan platform offers tremendous balance through the corners, which is only made better by the Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system. Even though the TLX is a front-wheel-drive car at heart, it can send up to 70% of the engine's torque to the rear wheels, helping it rotate like a rear-wheel-drive sedan. The car can also split the torque up to 100% between the left and right rear wheels, helping to yaw the car around tighter bends.

Acura brought back double-wishbone front suspension for this new TLX, giving drivers better command over the front end. We even enjoyed the variable-ratio steering system and Electric-servo brake system from the NSX, both of which felt natural in each driving mode. The TLX feels soft and compliant in comfort mode and if you turn the drive mode selector into Sport mode, the adaptive suspension and steering system tighten up without compromising the ride. It's a pretty great driving experience that's let down by the all-season tires. Although the chassis and SH-AWD system give you the confidence to push the TLX through bends, the tires will scream out in disgust if you do so. Enthusiast drivers may want to opt for summer rubber or wait for the Type S, which will include them as standard. The A-Spec might tide over some buyers, but it is more of an appearance package than a true performance variant.

2021 TLX Interior

2021 TLX Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2021 Acura TLX A Good car?

Having driven the previous TLX A-Spec, we knew exactly what to expect from this new model; a sporty appearance with plenty of softness. True enthusiasts will want to wait for the TLX Type-S, which should be a closer rival for models like the Audi S4 and BMW M340i. As it stands, the engine in the base TLX feels quicker than the numbers imply, but it will be left for dead by all of the German four-cylinder options. At least the Honda engine sounds better here than it does in Type R, thanks to some help from the speaker system.

This new Acura TLX presents a different proposition than the previous model. It's more expensive than before thanks to a massive increase in standard power, so now the TLX must contend with other value-conscious options in the segment like the Genesis G70 and Volvo S60. The TLX offers more power than those two, but still lives on a level playing field due to a weight disadvantage. It's not the ultimate driver's car in the segment, nor is it the best value anymore. The new TLX improves in many areas, including styling and interior quality, but it still suffers from the same lack of brand awareness as before. Will customers really consider an Acura on the same level as an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes? That's not for us to decide, but at least Acura's improvements make the TLX worthy of consideration for buyers that want a good bang for their buck and lots of features.

What Acura TLX Model Should I Buy?

Optioning a 2021 Acura TLX is a minefield of option package combinations, but we will attempt to simplify by explaining how we'd option one up. Even though it doesn't improve performance, we'd still add the A-Spec Package for $2,750 because it jazzes up both the exterior and interior while adding useful features like the ELS Stusio 3D premium audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and a wireless phone charger. Opting for the A-Spec automatic tacks on the $4,000 Technology Package, which adds a slew of useful toys including blind-spot monitoring. No matter if you live in a cold climate or somewhere it never snows, we think Acura's SH-AWD system is a nice addition for $2,000. As-described, the TLX rings it at a reasonable $46,750.

2021 Acura TLX Comparisons

2021 Acura TLX vs Acura ILX

The ILX is Acura's smallest sedan. Starting at a base price of $25,950, it's over $10,000 cheaper than the new TLX so represents a much more affordable step into the Acura lineup. The ILX comes with a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, so it isn't as strong of a performer as the TLX which uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four. While AWD is available to the TLX, this isn't an option on the ILX. On the road, the new TLX is a much more enjoyable sedan to drive than before, and while the ILX is okay to drive, it suffers from a lack of noise suppression. As the TLX is bigger, it's no surprise that it has a bigger trunk and more leg- and headroom for passengers seated at the back. The ILX isn't a bad choice for shoppers on a tighter budget, but the TLX is easily a better car.

2021 Acura TLX vs Honda Accord

Is the TLX's premium badge really worth the money? With pricing beginning at $24,770, the Honda Accord is affordable and big enough for most families. In fact, the Accord is significantly more accommodating in some aspects than the TLX. For example, the Honda provides a significant 5.5 inches of extra rear-seat legroom, so it's a much better choice for carrying passengers. The Honda also has a larger trunk. The smaller-capacity 1.5-liter turbocharged engine in the Accord returns best economy numbers of 30/38/33 mpg, making it far more efficient than the TLX's best of 22/31/25 mpg. But with just 192 hp, the more powerful TLX is quite a bit peppier by comparison. Then again, the Accord can be specced with a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and it'll still be cheaper than the TLX. On the dynamic front, the TLX handles with newfound confidence. This, together with the TLX's more luxurious cabin and the availability of high-tech features, makes it the more desirable of these two vehicles. For the driver, the Acura is the easy choice.