Acura had big plans for the TLX sport sedan that debuted for the 2015 model year. Its mission was to replace both the TSX and TL sedans that had occupied Acura showrooms for years. In order to do battle in two realms, the TSX was fitted with both four- and six-cylinder engines, and with optional Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD for short).
The Acura TSX had once been an excellent entry into the compact luxury sedan segment, while the TL had been its bigger, more mature, and more powerful sibling. However, as crossovers such as the Acura RDX and MDX surged in popularity, Acura found itself with too many four-door cars in its stable, which started with the Integra (or the ILX, depending on the year) and ended with the full-size Acura Legend luxury sedan (or RL or RLX—Acura has had a real problem sticking with names).
As luxury sedans slowly fell out of favor with American buyers, so did the manual transmission. Both the TSX and the TL had been offered with stick-shift options, but the Acura TLX was offered solely with automatics (either eight or nine-speed units, depending on the engine). The TLX split the difference in size between the TSX and TL luxury sedans, allowing Acura to offer a true competitor to class leaders such as the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, the Infiniti Q50, the Lexus IS, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Acura TLX Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Acura TLX Pros and Cons
- Acura TLX Generations
- Acura TLX Second Generation (2021-2025)
- Acura TLX First Generation (2015-2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Acura TLX years are the best?
The second-generation Acura TLX has proven reliable. While it’s common advice to skip over the first model year of a new design, the 2021 Acura TLX doesn’t have a high number of complaints or problems reported. Any 2021-2025 Acura TLX could be a good option for buyers looking for a premium sport sedan. While the base TLX model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a decent performer with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, buyers looking for the sportiest TLX models should look for a TLX Type S. The top-shelf Type S benefits from a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that spins out 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.
What are the worst Acura TLX years?
The 2015 Acura TLX is far and away the worst. Many first-generation TLX owners complained about the car’s transmission, and the nine-speed automatic got most of the ire. This quote directly from CarComplaints.com sums up the problem well: “2015 Acura TLX owners just want a transmission that can get from 1st to 5th gear without feeling like a washing machine full of bricks. A class-action lawsuit wants answers for why the car’s transmission jerks and hesitates just months after the transmissions were recalled and replaced for not being able to shift into park.”
Acura issued software updates intended to fix problems related to the 3.5-liter V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, and the number of complaints went down drastically for the 2016-2020 model years. Still, buyers interested in a first-generation Acura TLX may want to avoid the troublesome nine-speed entirely and stick with the lower-power 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Is a used Acura TLX a good deal?
A first-generation Acura TLX powered by the reliable 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and fitted with an eight-speed transmission with reasonable miles could well prove to be a good deal for buyers looking for a safe, reliable, and efficient sedan. This powertrain combination provides strong fuel efficiency, with EPA estimates of 24 miles per gallon in the city, 35 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. Low-mileage examples can be found for well under $20,000.
There are two good options for buyers looking at a second-generation Acura TLX. First, the turbocharged four-cylinder model (which was available with Acura’s desirable Super Handling All-Wheel Drive torque-vectoring technology) can be found with low mileage in the $30,000 range, and that’s good value for money. Secondly, buyers who want a premium sport sedan with real high-performance capabilities can look to the TLX Type S with its turbocharged V6 engine in the $40,000 to $45,000 range, which isn’t a bad price for a legitimately quick all-wheel-drive car.
Acura TLX Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple powertrain options
- Fun to drive
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Cramped back seat
- Not much cargo space
- Poor reliability of nine-speed automatic
Acura TLX Generations
Acura TLX Second Generation (2021-2025)
The Acura TLX was completely redesigned for the 2021 model year. Not only was the new TLX larger than the version it replaced, it was also more powerful and equipped with all the fancy technology Acura had to offer. Two versions of the second-generation TLX were available, and the regular TLX sport sedan could be optioned with a Technology Package, an A-Spec Package, or an Advance Package.
Base 2021 Acura TLX models came with 18-inch alloy wheels, Jewel Eye LED headlights, a sunroof and a front splitter. Interior equipment included keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats with faux leather, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-speaker audio system. The 10.2-inch infotainment system was operated with a touchpad that wasn’t particularly intuitive, but fortunately Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard.
All 2021 Acura TLX models came with AcuraWatch safety and driver-assistive technologies. The package included a collision mitigation brake system with pedestrian sensing and forward collision warning, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. Acura’s traffic jam assist enabled lane keeping capability at speeds below 45 mph.
The 2021 Acura TLX’s Technology Package included upgraded 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, navigation, customizable cabin lighting, and an ELS Studio 13-speaker premium audio system. The Acura TLX A-Spec added sportier interior and gloss black exterior packages including a rear spoiler and a rear diffuser, a flat-bottom steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats in Milano leather with ultrasuede inserts, a wireless charging pad, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system.
The Advance Package for the 2021 Acura TLX included an adaptive damper system that adjusted the suspension firmness on the fly, open-pore wood interior trim, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.
All of the 2021 Acura TLX trim levels listed above came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter VTEC (Honda’s fancy engine valvetrain technology) four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard and Acura’s SH-AWD system was optional.
In addition to TLX models powered by four-cylinder engines, Acura also debuted the high-performance TLX Type S for the 2021 model year with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that was also mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive came standard with the Acura TLX Type S, which helped put down the turbo V6’s 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. The Type S benefited from 20-inch alloy wheels, the adaptive damper system, a Brembo braking system, well-bolstered front seats, and an extra Sport+ driving mode (in addition to Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual).
Acura added a TLX Type S PMC Edition for the 2023 model year, echoing the limited-edition, first-generation PMC model. It was offered in Curva Red, 130R White, and Long Beach Blue (all colors borrowed from the Acura NSX) with a Berlina Black Roof and Copper 20-inch lightweight wheels. The interior featured Milano leather seats with Ultrasuede inserts along with an individually numbered serial plaque designating it as a limited-edition vehicle handcrafted at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.
A larger, 12.3-inch screen housing Acura’s latest infotainment system showed up for 2024, still using a touchpad for input. The 2025 model year would be the TLX’s last in the United States. The 2025 Acura TLX carried an MSRP of $46,595 (including a mandatory destination charge), and SH-AWD added $5,000 to the sticker price. The 2025 Acura TLX Type S started at $59,245.
Acura TLX First Generation (2015-2020)
The first-generation Acura TLX debuted for the 2015 model year, replacing both the TSX and TL sport sedans. It was offered with two engine options, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The base four-cylinder was mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the V6 engine was hooked to a nine-speed automatic that would prove troublesome.
The four-cylinder engine option produced 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque and returned EPA estimates of 24 mpg in the city, 35 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The larger V6 spun out 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque and could be optioned with SH-AWD. The EPA estimated that FWD TLXs with V6 engines would return 21 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined (highway mpg fell to 31 with SH-AWD).
The base TLX trim level included an innovative four-wheel steering system, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and brake lights, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustability and a seven-speaker audio system. Acura’s infotainment package was spread across two displays, one measuring eight inches mounted on top of the dash and another seven-inch center display. The optional Technology Package added real leather seating surfaces, the ability to accept voice commands, a navigation system and an ELS 10-speaker premium audio system. An Advance Package was available for V6-powered TLX models, and it came with 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors front and rear, LED foglights, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic braking for forward collision mitigation.
A refresh for the 2018 model year ditched the Acura sedan’s pronounced beak-like fascia in favor of a somewhat more conventional front grille. The 2018 Acura TLX also featured an improved infotainment system and offered more driver-assistive technologies in a package called AcuraWatch. It included lane departure warning and intervention, forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam control. A sporty new A-Spec trim level debuted for 2018 with retuned suspension and steering, 19-inch wheels, upgraded front seats, and some extra exterior styling tweaks.
For 2019, Acura offered the A-Spec Package with both four-cylinder and V6 engine options. The first-generation Acura TLX bowed out after the 2020 model year.
