The redesigned TLX has a perky powertrain and a comfortable ride. But the loud cabin, confounding infotainment touchpad, and unimpressive fuel economy result in a road-test score—and an overall driving experience—that falls short of its luxury sports sedan competition.
The standard 272-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine feels energetic, delivering quick acceleration on our test track and in regular driving. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly, but the all-wheel-drive model we tested (front-wheel drive comes standard) registered a disappointing 23 mpg overall, which is several mpg below the more efficient cars in the class.
Our drivers appreciated the TLX’s mostly supple, nicely-controlled ride, although we’d stop well short of calling it plush—the occasional stiff kick will sneak into the cabin on bumpy roads. Despite its new, more advanced front suspension setup, we were unimpressed by the car’s handling. The steering is quick but feels overly light and lacks the precise, direct feedback that makes a car fun to drive on a twisty road. The cabin isn’t as quiet as competing models, either, with too much road and wind noise and a tinny-sounding engine.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and there are well-placed armrests and a center console cutout that leaves space for the driver’s right knee. Although the TLX is longer and wider than most rivals, its rear seat is tight on knee room as well as foot space underneath the front seats. The TLX's low stance means that lots of ducking is required when getting in and out of the car.
The ultimate deal-breaker, however, is Acura’s extremely distracting and unintuitive, touchpad-based infotainment system. Drivers must press the pad in a specific place that corresponds with the dashboard screen. It’s tricky to hit the right spot on the first try, requiring drivers to look away from the road. The push-button electronic gear selector also takes some getting used to.
All TLXs come with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance. For 2024 blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are standard.