Acura’s TLX AWD an allweather champ
OK, let’s get this out of the way: Acura’s TLX 3.5L AWD A-spec sedan has an alphanumeric name that looks like the bottom three rows of an eye chart.
However, you don’t need 20-20 vision to see that Acura’s bread-and-butter sports sedan has crisp body lines and — at least in A-Spec trim — a racecar inspired interior.
So, let’s break down the name: TLX is the model, 3.5-liter is the engine size, AWD designates the all-wheel-drive set-up and the A-Spec badge marks our tester as the high-performance version of the car.
My hair stylist, Debbie, recently asked me if I had driven a TLX A-Spec, her favorite car, and I was happy to be able to say “yes.” After a week in a Bellanova White Pearl Acura TLX A-Spec from the manufacturer, it’s clear that Acura has upped its game on this model. Start saving your money, Debbie.
For 2018, Acura has refreshed the TLX line with a mesh grille, new ripples in the sheet metal and a reworked rear bumper. Stretching for the A-spec trim
gets you imitation suede seats, LED fog lights, wider wheels, tweaks to the suspension and steering, and a host of A-Spec badges to impress the neighbors.
Our tester has an MSRP of $45,750, although base TLXs start at about $34,000. Acura of Chattanooga on Chapman Road had 22 TLXs in its digital inventory late this week, including at least one A-spec model.
STYLING AND FEATURES
The first thing Acura fans will notice about the 2018 refresh of the TLX is its new schnoz, which features an attractive, hexagonal grille. Otherwise the exterior refinements are minor and probably not even noticeable, unless you own a late-model Acura.
Still, the TLX has an attractive profile with starched creases in the side panels and a terraced hood. The vertically aligned, LED headlamps make the car look slightly reptilian. Nineteen-inch, split spoke wheels, shod with low-profile rubber, add an edgy vibe.
Inside, the TLX is showing its age. Its two, stacked infotainment screens looked futuristic a couple of years ago, but other manufacturers are simplifying their dashes these days. The TLX has begun to look busy by comparison.
The bucket seats with fauxsuede inserts, on the other hand, are sweet. In the A-spec, the front seats are both heated and ventilated. Black leather seats on hot days in the South benefit greatly from forced-air ventilation.
Standard features include voice-activated navigation, multi-view rear camera, power moonroof, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 12-way power seats. The TLX’s safety systems include collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane keep assist and road departure warning.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Acura offers two engine options in the TLX, a 206-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a 290-horsepower V-6. Our tester has the V-6 mated to a slick-shifting, nine-speed automatic transmission. Our tester also has Acura’s all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring, a sophisticated system that dishes out power to each wheel as needed. Although we didn’t get to drive it in winter weather, the TLX should be a great snow car.
As sports sedans go, its 290 horsepower is on the modest side. We just drove an Infiniti Q60 coupe this week with 400 horsepower. To be fair, the Infiniti has twin turbochargers and costs about $18,000 more than the TLX A-Spec, so this is not apples to apples.
Car & Driver says the TLX V-6 will sprint from zero-to-60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds. Acura has given the TLX voice lessons for an enhanced exhaust note. All-wheel-drive is a $2,000 upgrade, available on all V-6 models.
We found the Acura TLX to be a fun-to-drive automobile. A drive-mode selector lets you choose among economy, normal, sport and sport-plus modes. We dialed in “sport” mode for quicker shifts and more throttle response. With no turbos to spool up, the TLX doles out power instantaneously.
BOTTOM LINE
With the demise of the Honda Accord V-6, there’s no longer a poor man’s version of the TLX on the car lot next door. The Acura TLX A-spec sedan offers a sophisticated drive-train, available all-wheeldrive and solid driving dynamics at a reasonable price.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFP COLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/ mk en ne dy columnist.