The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not all new, but definitely improved
First impressions count for a lot, especially in the automobile business. Designs that fall flat will fail to attract buyers and the dollars go elsewhere.
Acura finally seems to have taken this lesson seriously, which is why Honda’s premium division has performed a bit of surgery on the TLX for 2018.
For the uninitiated, the TLX replaced both the TSX and TL sedans in Acura’s midsize hierarchy, beginning for the 2015 model year. The resulting agglomeration rapidly became — and remains— Acura’s top-selling sedan.
The design template for the TLX’s makeover was the Acura MDX utility wagon that received a similar touch-up procedure for 2017. The resulting angular-shaped “diamond pentagon” grille on both vehicles is certainly more appealing than the shiny shield look that dates back more than a decade. Anearly identical look will be grafted to the larger RLX sedan for the 2018 model year.
Acura didn’t just stop there for the TLX. Restyled headlights and more aggressive lower air intakes, which double as foglight pods, are character changing, as are the twin exhaust outlets exiting frombelow the rear bumper through a panel with raised slats, called a diffuser. Without it, the previous TLX, a car with sporting intentions, looked more like a base-level HondaAccord.
The TLX’s image adjustment extends to the interior that gets a new standard infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. It has Apple CarPlay and Android smartphone platforms for listening to and downloading music, receiving/sending calls and text messages, and for GPSmapping.
Left untouched are the TLX’s two non-turbocharged engine choices. Base power comes froma snappy 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 206 horses and 182 pound-feet of torque. The 2.4 is the go-to powerplant for best fuel economy, registering 23 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. For more sport, opt for the 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 290 horsepower and 267 poundfeet.
The 2.4 is mated to an eight-speed transmission, while the 3.5 uses a nine-speed automatic. Both engines require premium gasoline.
Four-cylinder models come with all-wheel steering, called P-AWS. When cornering, the rear wheels pivot slightly in the opposite direction to the front wheels, helping the car rotate. When braking in a corner, the wheels point inward to improve stability.
The V-6 models aren’t equipped with P-AWS, but for $2,000 above list price, they can be optioned with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The system comes with torque vectoring, whereby the outside rear wheel is overdriven in a corner, which allows the TLX to turn in with less steering effort (called yaw assist).
Both the four- and six-cylinder models are satisfying to drive, although, not surprisingly, the V-6’s extra performance is noticeable and the engine growl at higher revs emits a much sweeter note.
The base TLX is priced at $33,950, including destination charges. It comes quite well equipped and includes a range of dynamic safety content designed to prevent of collisions.
The optional Technology package adds premium leather seat coverings, 3D navigation, rain-sensing wipers and a premium ELS-brand audio system. The Advance package for V-6 models includes heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seat, heated steering wheel, remote engine start, wireless cellphone charger and surround-view camera.
For 2018, Acura has also introduced the TLX A-Spec trim level. Along with the V-6 and AWD, the A-Spec builds on the Technology package’s content with a unique bumper design, gloss black rear spoiler and exterior trim, up-lever interior finish and unique 19-inch wheels (18-inchers are standard). It would have been nice if Acura had given the engine a few more horses, but that’s not the case.
Still, the TLX remains an impressive sedan that now arrives better dressed for success by exhibiting a badly needed injection of character to help it get noticed, and appreciated.