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I Drove A $62,000 Acura Tlx Type S. These 14 Features Help It Compete With Cadillac And Bmw.
A 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
- The current generation Acura TLX compact luxury sedan was launched in 2021 and refreshed this year.
- I recently drove a 2024 TLX with all-wheel drive in high-performance Type S trim.
- I was impressed by its turbocharged V6 engine, superb AWD system, and sporty looks.
Acura is known for making fun, high-performance luxury automobiles, such as the compact Integra and the NSX supercar.
Since Acura, Honda's premium brand, retired the NSX in 2022, the TLX Type S has inherited the role of its performance flagship.
The current generation of Acura's compact TLX luxury sedan, which competes against the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Genesis G70, launched in 2021 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2024 with tweaked styling, updated tech, and a quieter cabin.
I recently reviewed a 2024 Acura TLX Type S with an as-tested price of $62,276. I was impressed by its powerful turbocharged V6 engine, superb torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, and sporty looks.
The base four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Acura TLX with Technology Package starts at $45,000, while my range-topping, all-wheel-drive V6 Type S starts at $57,000.
Here's a closer look at some of the TLX Type S's most interesting features that help make it a great sports sedan for everyday life.
Sporty looksThe 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
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The TLX's front end is highlighted by Acura's signature diamond pentagon grille flanked by Jewel Eye LED headlights.
The Type S gets special performance goodies, including a front splitter, rear decklid spoiler, rear diffuser, and large quad exhaust outlets.
V6 turbo powerThe TLX Type S sedan's turbocharged V6.
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The Acura TLX Type S is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine equipped with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. It's mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The V6 is smooth, and its twin-scroll turbo helps it generate that power consistently and predictably.
My Type S test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Honda's Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD)A 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
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Outside of the base TLX Technology Package, all other TLX trims come standard with the Honda/Acura's excellent Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Using a pair of hydraulically operated clutch packs, SH-AWD can send up to 70% of the engine's power to the back and then distribute as much as 100% of that power to either one of the rear wheels.
The system provides the nimble cornering capability of a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the traction and stability of all-wheel-drive.
Customizable drive modesThe Acura TLX Type S drive mode selector.
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The TLX Type S has four different drive modes, which are selected using a rotary dial on the center stack. For 2024, Acura sharpened up the throttle response for the Sport+ mode, which is used for maximum acceleration.
Great driving dynamicsAcura TLX Type S front cabin.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The TLX Type S is a legit sports sedan.
Its 355 horsepower, turbocharged V6 pulls strong through its broad power band. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly.
According to Motor Trend, the Acura TLX Type S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.
Its steering is communicative and beautifully weighted. The TLX's finely tuned chassis and adaptive dampers helped it remain composed through the corners while pampering its occupants on the highway.
Despite being built on a front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX powers through the twisty bits with the zeal of a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan thanks to its clever torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
The Type S's optional four-piston Brembo front brakes helped ensure consistent and confident braking action.
Luxury cabinThe 2024 Acura TLX Type S cabin.
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The TLX's cabin is a true standout.
The seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the bright red leather upholstery is a not-so-subtle reminder that this isn't any ordinary luxury sedan.
Cabin ergonomics, along with material and build quality, are generally excellent.
Despite being heavy on buttons, the front dash is logically organized, so everything you need is easy to find.
The TLX's cabin is also quieter than before. Acura improved and increased cabin noise insulation while also upgrading its ambient noise cancellation system.
The cabin also comes with a sunroof and configurable ambient mood lighting.
Advanced driver's cockpitThe TLX's steering wheel, digital instrument display, and head-up display.
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In front of the driver is a stylish Type S branded flat-bottom steering wheel. Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, there is a new configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument display. Also in front of the driver is a 10.5-inch head-up display only available on the Type S
Large infotainment screenThe Acura TLX Type S infotainment screen.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The 2024 TLX has a new high-definition 12.3-inch screen. The system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, was well-designed and fairly easy to navigate.
However, I was not a fan of the center console touchpad controller used to interact with the system. I found the touchpad to be cumbersome and difficult to use on the fly.
Surround-view cameraThe TLX's surround view camera.
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My test car also came with a handy surround-view camera system. The feature, only available on the Type S, can be manually triggered by tapping a button, smartly located at the end of a stalk on the right side of the steering column.
Great sound systemThe TLX's ELS Studio sounds system.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The TLX Type S's ELS Studio premium audio system sounded great. The 17-speaker system, available on the A-Spec and Type S, delivered a rich, powerful, bass-heavy sound.
Stylish performance wheelsThe TLX Type S's 20-inch copper alloy wheels.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
My test car came with these stylish, lightweight 20-inch copper-finish Y-spoke alloy wheels. The copper-finish wheels and performance Pirelli Pzero tires were pricey options at $3,481 but totally worth it.
Comfortable back seatsThe rear seats in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
The red and black leather back seats were pretty comfy, albeit a bit short on legroom.
Trunk spaceThe TLX's trunk.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Out back, the TLX has a decently sized trunk with 13.5 cubic feet of space. The rear seats fold down for additional cargo-carrying ability, but there is bracing that crisis crosses the opening, severely limiting the ability to accommodate longer items.
Great standard safety techThe driver's side of a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
All TLXs come standard with the AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance features that include forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking with advanced pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, blind spot information, lane change alert, rear cross-traffic monitor, auto high beam, and parking sensors.
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