Acura TLX brings unique value proposition to market
Premium sedan has been given major makeover for 2018
What else is there to say about the Acura TLX, a premium sedan that’s been significantly reworked for 2018? It’s a respectable all-rounder that’s free of any deal-breaking flaws, even if it fails to truly thrill.
Like an automotive Goldilocks, this important four-door is nestled between the compact ILX and full-size RLX, compet- ing with industry heavyweights such as the Lexus IS, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
Sharing foundational underpinnings with the capable Honda Accord, this front-drive-based sedan has been improved significantly for the new model year, with fresh exterior styling being the TLX’s most obvious change. Their divisive “shield grille” has, at last, been jettisoned in favour of a new motif, which debuted on the Precision Concept about a year ago.
In addition to its handsome new “diamond pentagon” grille, this car’s fenders, fascias, fog lights and filigree have been spruced up for 2018.
Curiously, only the 2018 TLX sedan and MDX utility vehicle have gained the brand’s starburst face; even the Acura NSX supercar features the old beaklike front end. Still, such an obvious difference hasn’t dulled the halo surrounding this hybrid supercar, which draws untold masses to Acura’s website. When window shoppers are done fantasizing about NSX ownership, the No. 1 vehicle they view afterward is the TLX sedan, something that bodes well for this premium four-door.
New A-Spec trim
Providing a tangible if tenuous connection to its exotic stablemate is a newly minted A-Spec trim, which provides more engaging dynamics and a more aggressive design.
Among other tweaks, these V6powered cars are set apart from mainstream TLXs with new bumpers and fog lights, dark chrome accents as well as unique 19-inch wheels with high-performance, allseason tires.
A-Spec models can be had in five different exterior colours. Arguably the most arresting is an exclusive hue called Still Night Blue Pearl, which looks absolutely radiant, especially in bright sunlight.
For better or worse, these models feature essentially the same interior as mainline TLXs, with a few minor changes.
The A-Spec’s bolstered front buckets are commendably comfortable, as is the rear bench, which can accommodate 6-foot-tall passengers thanks to its generous legroom. As for the trunk, it clocks in at 405 litres, a bit more than you get in major rivals like the ATS (294 L), C-Class (357 L) or A4 (368 L). Acura estimates about 20 per cent of TLXs will be dressed to impress in A-Spec trim.
Natural aspiration
As before, two engines are offered in the TLX. Economy-minded drivers can stick with the base 2.4-litre fourcylinder. Rated at a somewhat meagre 206 horses and 182 pound-feet of twist, this engine is matched solely to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which sends torque exclusively to the front wheels. Even though official consumption figures are not available, this should be quite an efficient drivetrain combination.
If you want more speed or crave four-corner traction, Acura once again offers a V6 in its updated luxury sports sedan. With a lung capacity of 3.5-litres, this option is rated at a class competitive 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission; a manual is no longer offered, not just in the TLX but any Acura.
Again, official fuel consumption has not been published, but for reference, the 2017 all-wheel-drive V6powered TLX is rated at 11.2 L/100 km and 7.5 L/100 km on the highway.
Standard technology
One important area where the 2018 model leads rivals is in standard equipment. Every version comes with LED exterior lighting, including the headlamps, which are high-tech affairs comprised of numerous individual elements. A multi-view backup camera, hill-start assist, dualzone climate control and a power moonroof are also included at no extra cost.
But a generous serving of cuttingedge electronics is what really helps this car pull ahead.
Another surprisingly useful feature is this sports sedan’s infotainment system. In years past, Acura’s offerings have been rather difficult to use, but not anymore.
The brand’s updated On Demand Multi-Information Display (ODMD 2.0 for short) has a reworked user interface that’s dramatically easier to decipher, plus it’s estimated to be 30 per cent quicker than its predecessor, an improvement that’s immediately noticeable.
The drive
The most pleasant part of this ASpec Acura’s driving experience is probably its husky steering. The tiller has more heft to it than the standard car’s, which helps it feel more playful.
As mentioned, the TLX shares basic underpinnings with the Accord but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Its structure seems absolutely inflexible. By weight, 52 per cent of the body-in-white is constructed of high-strength steel, with six different grades being used. Helping trim some fat, a few lightweight aluminum and magnesium components are thrown in for good measure.
Toss this sports sedan into a turn and the body remains level, even if the tires protest your need to corner with such urgency.
Surprisingly, the 3.5-litre V6 doesn’t pull with real urgency until the tachometer needle hits about 5,000 r.p.m. You’d expect the ninespeed transmission to keep it cookin’ at all times, but this gearbox is one of the more recalcitrant units on the market. In the Normal driving mode, you can bury the accelerator at, say, 75 km/h and it takes the gearbox a couple seconds to select a lower ratio; the wait is agonizing, and it hardly improves when you put it in “Sport” or “Sport+” modes.
The shift quality of this ZF-sourced transmission is generally pretty good, unlike other vehicular applications. In the TLX, it’s just unwilling to co-operate at times, which is unfortunate.
The verdict
So, that’s what can be said about the 2018 Acura TLX A-Spec. There’s no single captivating reason to buy this car, but if you’ve got the means, neither are there any significant strikes against it.
A Cadillac ATS is probably more fun to drive (and can still be had with a manual gearbox), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is more luxurious inside and Infiniti’s Q50 is far more sensual to behold, but the TLX is entirely competent, bringing a unique value proposition to market thanks to its impressive list of standard features in addition to the brand’s historically strong quality. This solid and respectable Acura four-door goes on sale June 1, so look for it at dealerships in just a couple short weeks.