2021 Acura TLX Review
2021 Acura TLX
Base Price: $37,500
Specs: 2.0 liter Turbo 4
272 HP / 280 TQ
—
Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
Praise The Powers That Be (Angel easter egg btw…I miss that show)! Acura has their mojo back! This 2021 Acura TLX is a testament that the new RDX and NSX wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t some rogue engineers bored with that status quo! It was a top to bottom realignment of strategic goals for the automaker and we are all better for it.
Acura has been floundering in relative obscurity for years now. Their best engineered and selling vehicle was the MDX. Rightly so, the MDX is a great crossover. But everything else in their lineup from the ILX to the TLX was unaspiring at the very least and at the very worst…felt like a rebadged Honda vehicle. The worst of the lot was the old TLX.
I make no qualms about it. I hated that generation. The looks were stale, the interior was cheap, the infotainment was awful, the ride didn’t make any sense, the transmission was clunky and the engine choices were hilariously pummeled by every competitor. It’s Accord cousin was better in every conceivable category.
Now things have changed. This new TLX rides on a bespoke chassis that is stiffer, longer and wider. But screw that…look at this thing! It looks stunning! Acura has made the TLX the best looking car in it’s class. Yes, better than the hallowed 3 series, C-Class and the A4. It’s low, wide, aggressive and just plain beautiful!
It’s not all looks though, the new TLX finally has feeling! What type of feeling? No one will believe me…
“but it has the divine breathe of the NSX graced over it. ”
The way the steering feels in your hands, the feedback, the immediacy of the chassis to respond to any and all inputs…it has the NSX feel to it. My God it’s glorious.
It actually one ups the NSX in one category…the interior. The TLX has one of the best cabins fitted to a sport sedan today. It’s on par with the BMW 3 series. I actually prefer it over the 3 series to be honest with you. The TLX has easier to read gauges, more elegant dashboard design and feels more ‘open’.
Is it perfect? Well no. BUT it is so good at everything else…you might not notice.
The 2.0 liter turbo 4 cylinder makes 272 horsepower and 280 ft/lbs of torque. Which is on par with it’s competitors if not a bit more. But the turbo lag is ever apparent and throttle lag is even worst. Nothing happens for two to three seconds upon ‘foot-to-floor’…which can be exciting in a not-so-good way.
It also runs out of breath above 5k rpm. Midrange punch is great…just before and after is lackluster. I also only got 22 mpg in mixed driving…which was lower than I expected.
The 10 speed auto is okay. Driving like a sane person…it’s smooth and it works. Start driving aggressively and start using the paddles…it becomes obvious this isn’t a ZF. It’s slow to respond to commands, somehow always in the wrong gear in the twisties and just disappointing.
BUT.
The TLX still feels special…and that special feeling has been sorely missing from Acura’s sedan lineup for years. Great job Acura…I cannot wait to see what you make next!
