2023 Acura TLX vs 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2023 Acura TLX faced several challenges, including a consumer shift to SUVs, pandemic-related supply chain constraints, and fluctuating car prices. These factors made it difficult for Acura to offer attractive lease deals. Unlike some competitors, Acura did not flood rental fleets with its vehicles, making the TLX a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, tested in Southern California, featured eye-catching Tiger Eye Pearl paint and a performance wheel and tire package, bringing its MSRP to $59,100.

Acura's latest TLX design, based on a concept vehicle, introduced a new design language. Despite its front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX had a rear-wheel-drive look with a long, low, and lean profile. However, the dramatic styling compromised rear-seat room and cargo space. Inside, the TLX had a layered dashboard design emphasizing width, but the control layout required relearning how to operate the car, causing unnecessary distractions. The Type S model, with a turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), was the most expensive version, while the base TLX with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive started at $41,045.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, in contrast, aimed to counter the cold and technical feel of many modern vehicles. It featured long hood and short deck proportions, softly rounded forms, cleanly penned flanks, and bold detailing. The E-Class had distinctive character elements like a star-map grille texture, star-shaped taillight illumination, a chrome roofline sweep, and various expressive wheel designs. The design was expected to age gracefully.

The new E-Class was available in E 350 4Matic and E 450 4Matic models, starting at $62,300 plus a $1,150 destination charge. While the base price was appealing, many advanced features were bundled into option packages. The test car, an E 350 4Matic, was heavily optioned, bringing its MSRP to $82,450. The interior was luxurious, featuring Tonka Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a Superscreen triple-display glass panel, attractive wood with aluminum inlays, and an active ambient lighting system. The design blended classic luxury with high-tech modernism.

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 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 driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Type S added a Sport+ mode.

The TLX's 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 percent of power to a single rear wheel. The Type S model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, a sport automatic transmission with rev-matching downshifts, performance-tuned suspension, and 14.3-inch front brake rotors with four-piston Brembo front calipers. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 155 mph, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 20 mpg.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 4Matic came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The E 450 4Matic featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Both models had a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive, along with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

The E 350 offered sufficient power for most drivers, but during testing, it achieved 23.8 mpg, below the EPA's 27 mpg estimate. The test car had the optional Airmatic Package, which included an adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering. This setup provided a smooth ride and excellent handling, though it felt slightly unnatural on rough roads. The E-Class excelled in comfort, quietness, and a soothing ride, making it a consummate luxury car.

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 looked impressive with optional carbon fiber trim. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel featured analog gauges with low-contrast red markings, making them hard to read. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, but the rear seats were cramped with limited legroom. The TLX's trunk had 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more akin to a compact car.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class provided comfortable front seats with options for MB-Tex artificial leather, genuine leather, or premium Nappa leather. The seats were heated and power-operated, with ventilation available. The rear seats offered good leg support and a tall riding position, though legroom was not ample. Practical storage included sizable door pockets, a hidden center console bin, and a roomy bin under the split-top center armrest. The trunk offered 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space, though this seemed optimistic. The trunk was tall enough to accommodate full-size suitcases, and the rear seats could fold to expand capacity.

The 2023 Acura TLX's technology was a source of frustration, primarily due to the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The TTI's one-to-one relationship with the display screen proved distracting. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to AcuraLink connected services. Upgrades included wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and premium audio systems. The TLX lacked Alexa Built-In, relying on AcuraLink Remote for Alexa compatibility.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcased the third-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, pairing a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The digital instrumentation could be configured in four themes, and a head-up display was optional. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and augmented video navigation. The MBUX allowed for up to 800 vehicle settings across seven driver profiles and could execute programmed routines. Online music and video streaming, a Vivaldi web browser, and a 17-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound system were available. The Superscreen Package added a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the passenger and a video camera for conference calls.

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 parking sensors. The Type S included rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class included numerous safety features, with the Driver Assistance Package offering 15 additional technologies for $1,950. Highlights included upgraded Pre-Safe features, Active Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping, lane-centering, and lane-change systems. The ADAS worked well, though lane-centering assist allowed a wider driving line on curves. The Automatic Lane Change function was useful but not always trusted in heavy traffic. Active Speed Limit Assist and Route-based Speed Adaptation could be liabilities in fast-flowing traffic but could be turned off. The lane-keeping assist system was particularly impressive.