2018 Acura TLX
MARKETPLACE
Somewhere in an Acura product planning office, it’s a good bet there’s a slogan scrawled on a dry erase board that expresses the following sentiment if not the exact words: “If you’re going to take on the Germans, you’d better bring your A-Game.”
That would help to explain the new 2018 Acura TLX A-Spec, a performancetuned version of the refreshed 2018 TLX.
Acura expects this year’s changes to its most popular car model will reverse a decline in TLX sales, which are down 3.8 percent since January. Still, the TLX is the fifth best-selling car in its segment, running ahead of the Audi A4 by 332 units at the end of April of 2017.
For the TLX’s 2018 mid-cycle refresh, the long-derided Foghorn Leghorn chrome beak Acura has used since 2009 is gone. A more aggressive-looking hexagonal shield grille, inspired by last year’s Precision Concept and first used on the current MDX SUV, replaces it. It’s easy on the eyes. In fact, the whole front end is new, including the grille, fascia, Jewel Eye headlamps, LED turn signal lamps, fenders, and hood. The latter sports a new pair of power domes that look like bulging biceps from behind the wheel.
The TLX A-Spec adds a bit more attitude and puts a name on what was previously a collection of packages. Additionally, it now includes a blacked out grille and lower fascia, round LED fog lamps, a black rear spoiler, a blacked out rear diffuser with integrated 4-inch round exhaust cannons, color-keyed side skirts, and gunmetal gray, 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels.
Acura continues its slow journey to reinvention by updating the 2018 Acura TLX with revised front styling, a new sport-tuned A-Spec variant, added driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, and what it claims is an improved infotainment system.
When the new 2018 TLX goes on sale in the summer of 2017, it will be offered in standard, TLX V6, and TLX A-Spec model series. Standard versions have a 206-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automated manual gearbox. The TLX V6 and A-Spec versions get a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system is an option with the V6 engine. It includes torque-vectoring technology that can deliver a majority of power to a single rear wheel. The TLX A-Spec has a sport-tuned suspension and sharper steering.
Every 2018 TLX is equipped with Acura Watch, which installs an adaptive cruise control system, a forward collision warning system, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, and more. In 2017, Acura improved the TLX’s crash-test performance, and these results should stand pat for the 2018 model year. Updated styling with Acura’s new “diamond pentagon” grille New A-Spec package debuts, adding visual and dynamic improvements Acura Watch suite of safety systems is standard for all models Improved infotainment system
Oozing refinement, the Acura TLX imparts a palpable sense of quality from its engineering to its interior. The car aspires to be a luxury performance sedan, though, and historically it has struggled to meet such standards. With the 2018 refresh and the arrival of the A-Spec model, perhaps the car can now keep company with other fun-to-drive four-door sedans.