Acura TLX Type S

A long time ago, Acura previewed the return of the Type S marque with the Type S Concept at the 2019 Monterey Car Week, which spawned the second-generation TLX. Although the new TLX matches the look and feel of the Type S Concept, it wasn't really a Type S at all, until now.

2022 Acura TLX Type S

With the arrival of the first-ever TLX Type S, which is priced less than 55 grand, the dream of the Type S Concept sprawling to life has become a living thing, delighting speedo boys with its sports-tuned dynamics, SH-AWD, and a turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that sounds like music to their ears.

To differentiate itself from the normal TLX, the Type S features sporty styling, proper quad exhausts pumping at the back rather than rear bumpers donning faux exhausts, a carbon fiber dashboard, and Ultrasuede-trimmed seats, among many others. With such treatments, you can be sure that this is the TLX you're looking for.

The turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that powers the TLX Type S is as roaring as a modified Honda Civic blitzing through the Osaka Kanjo at midnight. It produces 355HP of power, which is more than the Audi S4. Mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, it does 0-60mph in around five seconds, which is slower than the S4, while the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. Apart from that, the engine comes with a VCM that shuts off half of the cylinders to save fuel.

Apart from its sport-tuned dynamics, Adaptive Damper System, and large Brembo front brake calipers that made the TLX Type S a breathable sports saloon on the road and track, it even comes with a rear-biased SH-AWD system that lets you have fun no matter the road conditions you're on. Of course, you may experience slight understeer on the bends but when you get it right, the TLX Type S really is a fun-to-drive sports saloon that is near S4 levels of excitement.

With performance and dynamics that made the TLX Type S the antithesis to the Audi S4, this sports sedan will put the whole world on notice, and judging by the way drivers feel, they're getting jealous, wishing they want to drive Acura's ideal alternative to the Audi S4.

The return of the Type S marque on the first-ever TLX Type S is worth celebrating and this is Acura at its best.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Second Generation Acura TLX

The Acura Type S Concept first spotted at the 2019 Monterey Car Week has been reborn as the all-new, second-generation Acura TLX and as the motoring world is facing the rise of SUVs in the limelight, this newly regenerated sports sedan won't give up without a real fight and looks like they're on the roll with what is known to be the best sports sedan Acura made.

Priced at 37,500 US Dollars plus additional costs, the all-new TLX is no longer the wilder side of the Honda Accord because this is a real, proper, no holds barred, Acura sports sedan built from scratch and with the Audi A4 as its main target, looks like the new model is ready to have a roast with it like a vapid businessmen who spread his sandwich with wasabi.

Before we get to know more about its driving style, let's look at the styling and happy days, the styling of the new model is heavily inspired from the Type S Concept. Nearly every inch and every detail from the said concept car is translated into production form and such design is what speedo boys are enraptured about. Of course, you will still be greeted by Acura's trademark Jewel Eye headlamps which are not suitable for those who have trypophobia because one look and it will make their skins crawl.

On the inside, it suits to its sharp theme just like its exterior and while the driver-focused cockpit makes you feel like you're in an NSX but with some extra seats for your friends and a decent boot space fit enough for your groceries and deliveries, the gadgetry added to it really means business for the drivers behind the wheel. Harder to master, easy to get hooked of course. From the touchpad that controls the sat nav, adjustable seats, ELS premium audio system, internet connectivity, and much more, looks like you'll have plenty of reasons why these tech makes you want to toy with it while not on the go.

Unlike the previous model which runs on Honda Accord blueprints, the new model features a bespoke chassis and body built exclusively for this car and to make it more enjoyable to drive than the previous model, the new TLX brings back the double wishbone front suspension and with the inclusion of the Adaptive Damper System and Integrated Dynamics System with three default settings and a customizable, the NSX-derived brakes, and the optional SH-AWD for those who want a more enjoyable treat everywhere, you can really feel the well-balanced proportions that no luxury sports sedans had. Such dynamics will make you want to drive the new TLX for longer. Whether if you want to make it behave like a luxury car or go all out like a sports car, the new TLX does it all for your driving pleasure.

Under the hood, the TLX is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 272HP of power and 280ft-lb of torque while mated to a new 10-speed automatic gearbox, which sounds like a lot. In front-wheel drive guise, it has an estimated mileage of 25MPG combined. 24 for SH-AWD variants.

Of course, despite being the most enjoyable TLX ever made, it's also the safest ever made thanks to AcuraWatch safety features in addition to Blind Spot Information System, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, and Surround-View Camera.

No longer the wilder side of the Honda Accord, the new Acura TLX is now matured to be the most engaging, more enjoyable, and technologically advanced sports sedan sold in the good old U S of A.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Acura TLX - 2018 minor change

The Acura TLX maybe known to be a wilder side of the Honda Accord with a more engaging powerplants, including the one with the DCT on it, but having been around on the road for three years, one can say that whoever drives a TLX can easily find its faults hidden beneath that contrasting design and while some call it more engaging than the Honda Accord, others call it a flaw because its dynamics didn't live up to its expectations.

Now, there's a new version and with that, the TLX tries to become as sporty as the Germans, although the only benchmark the new TLX is in its sights is an Audi A4. At first glance, it comes with the new Acura grille as seen on the facelifted MDX which most observers say it is very ugly to look at, and weird face aside, Acura revamped the wheels and the rear as well as the new sport-oriented A-SPEC trim to make it more convincing than before, although the results aren't typical by some.

The interior remains the same as usual but the hardware's been improved so that now, it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. That sounds pretty nice and even though it looks the same as before, it's rather nice to live with even though this is regarded as the Accord's wild sibling. It can still seat five people as with all the other saloons, and it's got numerous amenities to toy around with such as the ambient lighting which is as good as penlights on a concert.

The choice of powerplants remain the same as before such as the 2.4L i-VTEC engine with P-AWS and 8-speed DCT and the powerful but efficient 3.5L V6 VTEC with Variable Cylinder Management  and mated with a 9-speed AT and comes with either P-AWS and a more capable SH-AWD. Because of its same choices, it remains the sane opinion that 

some call it more engaging than the Honda Accord, others call it a flaw because its dynamics didn't live up to its expectations. Well, the V6 variant with SH-AWD is the redeemable variant because it tries hard to be Subaru-ish while gunning down the Audi A4 in its crosshairs but when reality sticks in, the handling's starting to unravel as told by your aching arms but despite that, the behavior is good and with AcuraWatch safety features, it lets drivers drive with confidence.

With prices start at $33,000, the 2018MY TLX is more expensive than the Honda Ccord but less than the Audi A4. Despite the ugly face, the 2018MY TLX tries hard to be as enjoyable as the next one and while it's not as exciting as it seems, it still is good to drive.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Acura TLX

2015 Acura TLX

The brand new Acura TLX is a brand new executive midsize sedan that not only replaces the TL but also the Euro Accord-based TSX. This is like killing two birds with one stone, if you know what I mean? Anyway, while this is a brand-new model, the TLX is the first Acura model to come with two very unique automatic gearboxes; one is an 8-Speed DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) with torque converter for the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, and the other one is an excessive 9-speed automatic transmission for the V6 model. 9 gears! That's a lot more than what the legs of the octopus have. All right, let's find out if this new model is any good...

Hey wait a minute...aren't this one's Accord-based?

The TLX, just like the TL and the TSX it replaces, is mechanically similar to the Honda Accord but the TLX is not like the Honda Accord because while the Honda Accord available in Japan only comes with the hybrid powerplant, the American-made Acura TSX is available with two petrol engines mated with unique gearboxes. Wait a minute, do I need to repeat that statement above?

Yes, please.

Anyway, the 2.4L 4-cylinder model comes with Acura's first 8-speed double-clutch gearbox. If you're not sure how it works, here's a common example; when I placed it in 2nd gear, the second clutch pre-prepared the 3rd gear for me. When I shift it, it changes faster than flipping to page 2 of a book I'm reading. The double-clutch gearbox may not be a bad choice but let's hope Honda will not face some problems just like what happened to the Honda Fit Hybrid's double-clutch gearbox several times.

What about the V6 model?

Now here's something I'd like to say. The TLX with the 3.5L V6 model comes with the most excessive number in gearbox history and I'm referring to its 9-speed automatic gearbox. In this model, the gear lever is not here and what you'll see are buttons that take control of the gears. There also the Integrated Dynamics System which allows you to switch through three driving modes; Normal, Economy, and Sport. This new gearbox has so many gizmos to choose from depending on your driving style and that's good, probably.

What do you think about the design?

2015 Acura TLX

2015 Acura TLX interior

Design-wise, the TLX is not quite bad at all and it feels more like an improvement from the bland-looking TL and the not-so-bland looking TSX so it's the best of both worlds, except for the front view which, in my opinion, is far too much for Acura, employing the same look over and over again. On the interior, the TLX will still disappoint buyers because of its stale dashboard looks. Feels like Acura's taking some notes from BMW, adopting the same interior on different models. What a pitiful sight but it doesn't even matter. 

The software's now revamped for this model and it's capable with the next generation of AcuraLink telematics system. The new AcuraLink now comes with two-way communication, greater interaction, and a host of available services. You can even try using your smartphone to lock or unlock your car. How convenient is that? Feels like the future is now thanks to science after all.

What's it like to drive?

2015 Acura TLX

For a sport sedan of this magnitude, the TLX is not quite bad at all on the city streets and on the open roads, although I find the standard P-AWS a bit too problematic on the bends. Sure, this drivetrain feels lighter and more lively on the bends but it feels as soggy as a salad with some cheese-flavored dressing. However, there is one thing that the TLX able to redeem itself and that's the ace of the hole; the SH-AWD. SH-AWD or Super Handling All Wheel Drive lets its rear-axle torque vectoring sharpen the handling considerably. I'd like to enjoy driving the TLX with the V6 engine and the AWD drivetrain because it feels like there's an upperclassman approaching through his day job but sadly, that's just part-time job because while the SH-AWD is the ideal powertrain for the TLX judging by its unprecedented handling style, the use of comfort tires just spoils it and prone to understeer.

Should I buy it?

The TLX with the 2.4L model starts at $30,995 while the 3.5L V6 model starts at $35,220. Although the base TLX model with the 2.4L engine costs less than the base Cadillac ATS sedan with the 2.5L engine in it, it's not what you called "you get what you paid for" because the TLX needs more improvement if it wants to get its head in the game. If you want one, it's all up to you to decide.

Available colors: Crystal Black Pearl, Graphite Luster Metallic, Bellanova White Pearl, Basque Red Pearl II, Fathom Blue Pearl, Black Copper Pearl, and Slate Silver Metallic.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.