2021 Acura TLX
In the premium vehicle market, sedans still hold a special place for its owners. They still like the luxury delivered in a car that brings joy on the road. Over every turn and mile, a luxury sedan can still hold court and announce its occupant’s arrival.
This is why Acura had to revamp their TLX sedan. It combines the best of all world, as it gives you sporty and luxury vibes.
For 2021, the revamped TLX arrives with a trunk load of promises. We put those promises to the test to see whether Acura is on the right track with their premium sedan.
The design is right for sedan – low, sleek, and stylish. The front end offers the illusion of a long hood that starts with Acura’s diamond grille that is lower in height than in previous models. The roofline is also difference then the previous generation, with a three-pane glass, including a new pane for the C-pillar. The rear deck offers a cleaner design with the license plate mounted on the bumper and a huge space with the Acura logo in the middle.
Our Advance tester wore 19-inch alloy wheels. The tires almost seem to the fill the wheel wells, but the illusion is what you want overall.
The interior of the TLX delivers on the fusion of the latest elements of Acura design and a return to the low cowl format seen on previous models dating back to the beginning of the brand. The instrument binnacle combines analog dials with a large and informative digital information screen. This is framed by a thick-rimmed steering wheel that inspires confidence and control.
On top of the center stack is a 10.2-inch infotainment screen controlled by a True Touchpad Interface located on the center console. While it was good concept, we found the touchpad to be more of a challenge to use than it being a workable tool. All other controls were pretty good to the touch and had solid logic to use.
The front seats had wide bolsters in both the seatbacks and the cushions. For some bodies, these seats were not entirely comfortable. Rear seat room was better suited for more average-sized passengers. The trunk can hold up to 13.5 cubic feet, even with a step-down for loading into it.
Underneath the TLX’s hood was a 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With 280 pound-feet of torque on the low end, the TLX can move with ease. Our tester had the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, connected from. A 10-speed automatic transmission. This driveline did well in managing all kinds of conditions, including winter ones that this sedan had to manage.
In terms of fuel economy, we observed an average of 23.0 MPG.
Driving dynamics are what we expect from an Acura sedan. The TLX delivered on the brand’s promises with a solid ride that absorbed the bumps and cracks on the road. It also exhibited superb handling and managed evasive maneuvers very well.
We also like the steering system, as it was sharp to respond from the wheel. On-center feel was a bit light in Normal mode. Switch the Dynamic Mode knob to Sport, and the wheel gets a heavier, exacting feel. There is some lightness in keeping the TLX within the lane, but the Lane Departure warning on the instrument cluster will alert you when you do.
The brakes are solid with good pedal feel and response. Stops in normal, panic, and winter situations were good.
Pricing for the TLX lineup starts at $37,500. Our Advance tester with all-wheel-drive came with a. sticker price of $49,325. There are four trim levels to choose from right now. Coming soon is the 355-horsepower turbocharged V6 Type-S performance model to join the TLX lineup.
While the TLX sits in the middle of Acura’s sedan lineup, it also sits between two luxury car segments size-wise. The TLX is often compared to the BMW 3-Series and 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class, Audi A4 and A6, Jaguar XE and XF, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volvo S60 and S90, Maserati Ghibli, Lexus IS and ES, Infiniti Q50, Genesis G70 and G80, and Cadillac CT5.
As a premium/luxury sedan, the 2021 Acura TLX offers something that is truly different, but very inviting. The combination of sport and luxury fits well with Acura’s mission – and your want of a good driving sedan.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
