2024 Acura TLX vs 2023 Acura TLX

The 2023 Acura TLX faced several challenges, including a consumer shift to SUVs, pandemic-related supply chain constraints, and fluctuating car prices. Despite these hurdles, the TLX remained a rare sight on the road, especially in Southern California, where a striking TLX Type S in Tiger Eye Pearl paint was tested. This model, with its performance wheel and tire package and premium floor mats, had an MSRP of $59,100, including the destination charge. The TLX's design, based on a concept vehicle, introduced a new design language for Acura. Although it featured a front-wheel-drive platform, its long, low, and lean profile gave it a rear-wheel-drive look. However, the dramatic styling compromised rear-seat room and cargo space, making it less practical for those prioritizing comfort and storage.

Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard design emphasized width but sacrificed practicality. The control layout required drivers to relearn how to shift, use the infotainment system, and adjust driving modes, causing unnecessary distractions. The Type S test car, equipped with a turbocharged V6 engine and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), was the most expensive version of the 2023 TLX. The base TLX, with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, started at $41,045, including the destination charge. Option packages included the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package, with varying drivetrain configurations.

The 2024 Acura TLX received a slight update three model years after its initial redesign in 2021. The most noticeable change was the removal of the front grille's surrounding frame and the large radar emitter, resulting in a more open and elegant look. The Jewel Eye LED headlights and gaping air intakes completed the refreshed fascia. Along the sides, Acura showed restraint with the TLX's character lines, creating a sleek and refined appearance. The 2024 TLX offered 19-inch wheels on lower trims, while the top-tier Type S model featured 20-inch Berlina black split-spoke rims with Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires.

Trim levels, referred to as "packages," included the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Type S. The base TLX was discontinued, making the Technology Package the entry-level option with a starting price of $46,195, including the destination charge. The Advance Package was also discontinued. All TLX models featured Jewel Eye headlights, LED taillights, and heated wing mirrors, with the Type S adding a gloss black front splitter, rear diffuser, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the TLX boasted leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard, with ventilation available in the A-Spec and Type S packages. A new 12.3-inch center infotainment screen and a busy center stack with physical buttons, a push-button shifter, and a rotary drive-mode selector completed the interior updates.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, this engine achieved between 24 and 25 mpg in combined driving. The TLX featured several software enhancements to limit unwanted transmission shifts and offered multiple Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode.

The SH-AWD system, available with the A-Spec Package and standard on the TLX Advance and Type S models, provided mechanical torque vectoring, sending up to 70% of the powertrain's output to a single rear wheel. The Type S model, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Performance enhancements included a sport automatic transmission with rev-matching downshifts, adaptive dampers, thicker stabilizer bars, and Brembo front calipers. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. However, the brake-by-wire system, based on technology from the discontinued NSX sports car, proved less satisfying during spirited driving.

The 2024 Acura TLX continued to offer the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque in the Technology and A-Spec models. The A-Spec came standard with SH-AWD, optimized for performance on the tarmac. The TLX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, available at just 1,400 RPM. This resulted in blistering acceleration, with the Type S reaching 60 mph in roughly five seconds. The transmission handled shifts smoothly, and the car's multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, offered noticeable differences in performance.

The Type S benefited from adaptive dampers, robust stabilizers, and Brembo brake calipers. The electrically assisted steering, while slightly reducing driver connection, performed well during testing. Despite its weight, the TLX managed to feel nimble and exhibited minimal body roll.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S offered interior color options of Ebony, Red, and Orchid, with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The test car's Orchid interior, complemented by optional carbon fiber trim, looked impressive. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel featured analog gauges with a brushed metal background, but the low-contrast red markings were challenging to read. The TLX lacked the digital instrumentation panel found in the Acura MDX. The Type S included 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats with adjustable thigh support, upper-side bolsters, and automatic heating and ventilation. A heated steering wheel was optional. While front seat comfort was excellent, the rear seat was cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to a compact car.

The 2024 Acura TLX's dimensions placed it between compact and midsize sedans. At 194.6 inches long, it was similar in size to an Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series, but its 113-inch wheelbase was closer to an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. The front seats provided ample space, but the rear seats offered only 34.9 inches of legroom, less than a BMW 3 Series. The trunk also held 13.5 cubic feet of cargo, more in line with a compact sedan. The TLX's long hood contributed to its visual presence but made it less practical for urban driving. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, with easy-to-reach cupholders and a well-designed steering wheel.

The 2023 Acura TLX's technology, particularly the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, was a source of frustration. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of the TTI touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition system. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and display screen proved distracting and occupied valuable center console space. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to AcuraLink connected services. Wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and premium audio systems were available on higher trims. The TLX lacked Alexa Built-In, relying on AcuraLink Remote for Alexa compatibility. The 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system in higher trims sounded excellent.

The 2024 Acura TLX improved its technology offerings with standard features like Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. The A-Spec and Type S trims included a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. The 2024 model also introduced Amazon Alexa Built-In. The TLX featured dual 12.3-inch displays for the digital gauge cluster and center infotainment screen, both with crisp graphics and fast response times. However, the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) remained a pain point, particularly for phone projection systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which required numerous swipes to navigate.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. The Type S included rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system but lacked a head-up display and surround-view camera system. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility (ACE) body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety. The IIHS awarded the 2023 TLX a Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall crash-test rating.

The 2024 Acura TLX continued to offer an impressive array of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under the AcuraWatch banner. This included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, rear cross-traffic monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. The 2024 model also featured an upgraded blind-spot monitoring system with lane-change alert and wider-view front camera and radar emitter. The NHTSA awarded the 2024 TLX a five-star overall crash-test rating, and the IIHS gave it top scores in all tests, although it had not yet announced the 2024 model as a Top Safety Pick+.