Acura TLX

The Acura TLX is a D-segment executive sports sedan from Honda's luxury division Acura, engineered to strike a balance between executive refinement and athletic performance. The TLX nameplate made its debut in 2014 as the direct successor to the Acura TL. As of June 2026, the TLX has officially ceased production in the North American market.

Model Overview

Positioned as a premium executive sports sedan, the TLX goes head-to-head against established rivals such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS, and Cadillac CT4. The nameplate has spanned two generations: the first generation debuted in 2014, powered by a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine; the second-generation iteration arrived in 2021, underpinned by a bespoke Acura platform and an all-turbocharged powertrain lineup. Dimensions for the second-generation model stand at 4,942 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width, and 1,432 mm in height, with a 2,870 mm wheelbase. In the Chinese market, the first-generation TLX was initially offered as a fully imported (CBU) unit before GAC Acura introduced the locally assembled (CKD) long-wheelbase TLX-L. The TLX-L featured a 2.4-litre Earth Dreams naturally aspirated engine paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The initial imported TLX was priced between RM389,800 and RM439,000, whereas the locally built TLX-L retailed from RM269,800 to RM379,800.

Design Language

The first-generation TLX drew inspiration from the Acura Precision Concept, showcasing the brand's signature Diamond Pentagon front grille. The second-generation TLX took heavy styling cues from the Acura Type S Concept sedan, exhibiting a more muscular, road-hugging athletic stance. Up front, the corporate hexagonal grille is detailed with a black honeycomb mesh, flanked by sharp, ultra-slim Jewel Eye full-LED headlamps. A lower roofline and wider tracks are complemented by a front axle pushed well forward, achieving a classic cab-backward proportion. Round the back, the sedan sports smoked tail lamps, an integrated ducktail bootlid spoiler, and an aggressive quad-exhaust layout. The second-generation lineup is offered with the sportier A-Spec styling pack as well as the flagship Type S performance variant.

Inside, the cabin features a tiered, driver-centric T-shaped dashboard layout. Second-generation models come fitted with a 7-inch digital instrument display alongside a 10.2-inch floating central infotainment screen, while the range-topping Type S gains a 10.25-inch Head-Up Display (HUD). The centre console retains tactile physical buttons and rotary dials, complemented by a shift-by-wire push-button gear selector. A variety of interior colour themes are available, including a sporty dual-tone red-and-black motif.

Powertrain & Performance

The second-generation TLX is available with two turbocharged petrol powertrains. The standard variants are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, pushing out 276 hp at 6,500 rpm and 380 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. The flagship TLX Type S packs a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 mill, delivering 355 to 361 hp at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 480 Nm across 1,400 to 5,000 rpm. Both engines send drive through a 10-speed automatic transmission equipped with SportShift paddle shifters. By comparison, the first-generation Chinese-market TLX-L ran a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated unit rated at 208 hp.

Chassis & Handling

Under the skin, the second-generation TLX rides on a dedicated, bespoke platform, severing its previous chassis-sharing ties with the Honda Accord. Torsional rigidity has been stiffened by 50% compared to its predecessor. Suspension hardware comprises a front double-wishbone setup paired with a rear multi-link independent arrangement. The Type S receives the fourth-generation SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system, capable of sending up to 70% of drive torque to the rear axle under normal driving, with 100% of that rearward torque vectorable between the left and right wheels. An Adaptive Damper System also comes standard on the Type S. The first-generation model, meanwhile, was offered in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or SH-AWD configurations.

Cabin Appointments & Equipment

On the infotainment front, the TLX comes standard with a 10.2-inch floating screen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. For the 2024 model year, leather upholstery, an ELS Studio premium sound system, and ambient lighting were made standard kit across the range. Higher trims add a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system, 16-way power-adjustable front seats, and a Qi wireless smartphone charging pad. Creature comforts include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Acoustic refinement was also improved for the 2024 update courtesy of enhanced soundproofing materials. Boot space is rated at 13.5 cubic feet (around 382 litres).

Safety & Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Safety-wise, all TLX models are equipped with the full AcuraWatch™ advanced driver assistance suite. Key features include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM). The second-generation TLX earned the coveted Top Safety Pick+ accolade from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), scoring top marks across all crashworthiness assessments, alongside a "Good" rating for its headlamps and a "Superior" score for active crash avoidance systems. Across the 2021 to 2025 model years, the sedan consistently scored "Good" ratings in both driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front crash tests.

Market Performance & Verdict

The TLX enjoyed a buoyant start upon its initial market launch. In 2015, US sales of the first-generation TLX surpassed 47,000 units, marking the nameplate's historic sales high. Deliveries, however, experienced a steady downward trend thereafter: annual sales fell to 16,731 units in 2023, before tumbling by 55% to roughly 7,000 units in 2024, with only 3,634 units shifted in the first half of 2025. In July 2025, Acura officially announced the axing of the TLX, making 2026 the final model year for the sedan.

Across its decade-long run, the Acura TLX carved out a distinctive, dynamic niche in the executive sedan segment through its sharp styling, proven SH-AWD hardware, and punchy Type S variants. Its eventual demise highlights the ongoing shift in consumer preferences and the broader contraction of the executive sedan market across North America.