It’s not an understatement to say that the 2021 TLX is Acura’s most necessary automobile in years. Its goal is bold: to be an genuine sports activities sedan with premium aptitude. When Acura is at its greatest, that’s what it does, as exemplified by the Legend and the third-generation TL.
Can the TLX dwell as much as that pedigree? We’ll spend the subsequent yr in search of solutions because the enticing TLX joins our long-term fleet. The TLX is the sedan for Acura, carrying most of its aspirations as a sporting model. Certain, there’s nonetheless the NSX, however a halo automobile must shine its gentle on one thing for mainstream fans to purchase. As a reminder, the ILX is a dressed-up Civic and Acura’s former flagship, the RLX, is finished. Put merely, there’s loads using on the TLX, however early indications are promising.
What we bought
Our new long-termer is a TLX A-Spec with Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel Drive. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque teamed with a 10-speed automated transmission with paddle shifters. It prices $47,775, together with vacation spot costs, which places it close to the highest of the TLX vary.
Among the many TLX’s commonplace options are LED head- and taillights, a sunroof, heated entrance seats, satellite tv for pc radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Acura’s uncommon True Touchpad interface. Past the essential tools, Acura then breaks down content material into three packages, however they’re extra like trim ranges since you may’t combine and match them, nor are there any extra choices past SH-AWD. As such, the A-Spec mainly takes the Know-how bundle gadgets (blind-spot warning, navigation, leather-based upholstery, ambient cabin lighting) and provides extra content material, together with 19-inch Shark Gray aluminum alloy wheels, LED fog lamps, ventilated entrance seats, a sport steering wheel, a wi-fi telephone charger, and a 17-speaker Panasonic/ELS sound system. The A-Spec additionally seems to be completely different with gloss black accents, smoked gentle casings and a matte gray diamond grille that actually stand out when paired with our long-termer’s putting Apex Blue Pearl Paint ($500 possibility). Our automobile additionally arrived on 255/40 R19 all-season tires however we plan to swap them for winter rubber.
Why we bought it
The A-Spec is the fanatic model. It seems to be and feels the a part of a correct sports activities sedan. The inside, with the supportive seats and flat-bottom steering wheel, reinforces the concept of athleticism. That’s a very good signal, and the TLX looks like an entire execution. Too many instances efficiency vehicles are let down by mediocre cabins, which isn’t the case right here.
The A-Spec is the candy spot within the TLX vary. A base mannequin with front-wheel drive begins at $38,525. Except you reside within the sunbelt and don’t have any efficiency ambitions, the $2,000-SH-AWD system is price it. In the meantime, the Advance bundle is available in at $49,325 with AWD, which is affordable, however it provides some issues we’d like (adaptive dampers) and a few issues we would not require (head-up show and rain-sensing wipers). We handed on the Advance, however go over the options and also you may resolve the bundle is price one other two grand.
The TLX Sort S is anticipated to reach this spring with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 355 hp and a sticker north of $50,000. It’s a tempting proposition, however Acura has by no means been about uncooked horsepower, and we didn’t really feel like ready. The VTEC four-cylinder is loads fast, so we’re actually going to check our “A-Spec is Greatest” principle this yr.
When Acura is correct, it may be cooler than Lexus and legitimately aspirational. In all probability a rung beneath Audi and undoubtedly Mercedes and BMW, but additionally completely different — perhaps youthful and sportier than the staid Germans. Acura additionally has extra heritage and identification than Genesis and Infiniti, carving out a strong area of interest within the higher center class of luxurious vehicles. None of this identification is shaped in crossovers, and meaning premium manufacturers that aspire to efficiency want at the least one mainstream automobile to embody these rules. For Acura, it’s the TLX.
