2024 Acura TLX Type-S Review: A Very Good Luxury Sports Sedan That Faces Even Greater Competition

Summary

• Acura TLX Type S offers striking looks and strong performance with a robust V-6 engine.
• TLX’s value is overshadowed by competition’s better performance and similar pricing.
• TLX Type S faces tough competition from BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus in the luxury sports sedan segment.

Everyone knows that if you want a luxury sports sedan, just head to the nearest dealership selling one of the big three German automakers, though preferably BMW if driving fun and performance is a priority. That’s because for decades BMW’s been the king of the true four-door sports car with the likes of the 3 Series and even the 5 Series. Today, even the Mercedes-Benz C-Class with an AMG Sport Package and an Audi A4 (now the A5) S-Line also make for a good time.

But every once in a while, one of the formidable Japanese and even Korean automakers will come out of left field with a sports sedan that finds a way to knock the almost impervious German pinnacles off of their sports sedan pedestals, or at least give them a decent run for their money. Acura, Honda’s luxury subdivision, is one of them and throughout history, the company has surprised the world with some very impressive performance vehicles that provide nearly as much power and fun as the Germans, but with far greater value and at a fraction of the cost. And one of those cars is the Type S version of its popular midsize sedan, formerly the TL, now called the TLX.

Though it’s been two generations and over 12 years since Acura last gave us a Type S version of its midsize sedan. In 2020, with the launch of the second-generation TLX, or what otherwise would be the sixth generation of Acura’s venerable midsize sedan, they finally brought it back and to see if it was any good, Acura threw me the keys to a 2024 TLX Type S to see what it’s like and if it still stands up to today’s competition, despite being nearly four years old.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, I drove the vehicle reviewed in this article on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review
our methodology policy
.

2024 Acura TLX Type S First Impressions

I have to admit, even though I tend to favor European sports sedans over many others, I was quite excited when Acura brought back its Type S variant for the TLX. I personally spent some time growing up in a first-generation 3.2 TL Type S from 2003, when my mom leased one for three years. It was based on the second-generation TL, and it was a car that knocked the socks off of a lot of the competition by being practical, quick, and even just as fun to drive as some of its more expensive and fancier rivals.

It wasn’t without its compromises. For instance, it was front-wheel drive, whereas the class-leading German competitors were rear- or all-wheel drive, it didn’t have the same sort of brand recognition as a BMW or a Mercedes, and was about as exciting to look at as a taxi cab. But still, the 3.2 TL Type S served up a near BMW 5 Series-like driving experience, a near Mercedes-Benz E-Class-level of comfort and space, and a nice rev-happy and potent naturally-aspirated V-6 in between, but for the price of a nicely-loaded BMW 3 Series or Benz C-Class, and thus was incredible value and it was a total sleeper.

The latest and greatest TLX Type S is far from inconspicuous, but not in a bad way. It sports a very striking and edgy design that also comes across as very aggressively handsome without being overcooked. It is a stunning looking car, without a doubt, especially when equipped with the optional Copper multi-spoke 20-inch sport wheels that our tester sadly didn’t come with.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Acuras has always been known to be good to excellent driving vehicles, harnessing all the chassis, suspension, and handling from the experts at its parent company, and executing them in nicer and more luxurious packages. Though as of recently, the last couple generations of TLX in standard form were a bit unremarkable and underwhelming. Thankfully, the TLX Type S definitely delivers on the promises of being the performance variant.

While the steering is on the lighter side, its short ratio box makes for brisk turn-in and accurate steering input translation to directional changes. Body control is well managed, as is the level of mid-corner composure, demonstrating the TLX Type S’s expert-tuned bones, chassis, and handling, yielding an excellent behind-the-wheel experience as a sports sedan and performance vehicle.

Though the amount of grip was less than stellar from our tester’s underwhelming Pirelli all-season tires. It was really easy to get them to screech and reach the limits of adhesion and thus, they really didn’t seem to do the TLX Type S’s handling potential justice, particularly as the speed climbed and the radius of the curves tightened. The TLX Type S can definitely benefit from more aggressive rubber.

Braking And Acceleration

Being a Type S variant, performance gets cranked up even more with the TLX sporting the only engine upgrade option in the lineup over the base and A-Spec model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four. In the TLX Type S is Honda’s latest 3.0-liter “J30AC” turbocharged V-6, good for an impressive 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of twist, channeled to all four wheels through Acura’s SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system and a 10-speed automatic.

The numbers might not seem that outrageous, but the TLX Type S certainly feels a lot quicker than its supposed five-second 0-60 MPH time suggests. Turbo lag is minimal and while the TLX Type S didn’t feel quite as eclectic immediately off the line when giving it the full beans, it’s during rolling acceleration maneuvers and powering out of corners that the TLX Type S’s turbocharged V6 truly seemed to shine, with excellent Brembo brakes and a firm, yet totally manageable pedal to match.

Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 4.5-5.0 Seconds (Est.)

Performance Specifications

2024 Acura TLX Type S Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the Acura TLX Type S to achieve up to 19 miles per gallon city, 25 mpg highway, with a combined average of around 21 mpg. Even with a lead foot from enjoying the 355-hp turbocharged V6, the TLX Type S returned respectable fuel economy, considering the amount of power on tap. With a full tank, the onboard computer estimated a driving range of about 440 miles on a full tank, and with a 15.85 gallon tank, that meant the TLX would get up to 27.7 mpg, which was probably a bit optimistic.

But according to the same computer, I averaged around 19-22 mpg in a mixture of highway and suburban Northern New Jersey traffic.

Interior Design And Comfort

Despite its sporting and performance intents, the TLX is as comfortable as its standard variant with supple and supportive buckets up front and in the rear. Space is aplenty for the front occupants, though the rear seats can feel like a bit of a crunch, with its 34.9 inches of legroom. Full-size adults will definitely feel a bit cramped if the front occupants near the six-foot tall mark and the TLX’s low-slung roof doesn’t make egress and ingress any easier.

Once inside however, four adults can make it in the TLX for a quick run to the local dinner spot and back. But any longer might feel a bit taxing. Additionally, the TLX Type S seemed to suffer from noticeable wind noise, though it wasn’t as loud as the very observable road and tire noise. And while the ride was surprisingly compliant considering the amount of grip and body control the TLX Type S offers, the ride got a bit jittery on the really rough roads or pronounced bumps or dips. It’s not backbreaking like some hardcore sports cars and it’s definitely more supple than some other sports sedans of recent past, but you will feel the road a lot more than a standard TLX and the impact absorption on the big, hard bumps or potholes can be a bit jarring.

At first, the TLX’s interior seems a bit busy as well, with bountiful curves shaping the dashboard and door panels, particularly with the compartmentalized dashboard design, along with a sea of buttons on the center console. But once settled in and acquainted, the TLX is still a fairly nice place to be.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Acura always prided itself on solid and comprehensive amounts of technology over some of the more cost-conscious competition, offering similar levels of tech as some of its more expensive rivals, but for a lesser a cost. However, because in-car technology has become so much more commonplace and readily available, the gap between the TLX and its competition has gotten significantly smaller, reducing Acura’s advantage.

The TLX still comes loaded up the wazoo with all the driver assistance and safety tech one expects from a luxury (is Acura still even considered near-luxury these days?). And they all worked as expected. Though I found that the radar-guided cruise control with lane-keeping and steering assist wasn’t as advanced as some of the competition, exhibiting a higher amount of “ping-ponging” effect, which is when the car drifts and bounces from lane edge to lane edge as the car’s computer tries to keep the vehicle centered in the lane. It got to the point where I simply disabled any sort of lane-keep or steering assist and performed the actions on my own.

Although a hot topic of debate and a subjective matter, I’ve also never been quite a fan of Acura’s touchpad interface for its infotainment screen. It requires taking your eyes off the road too much while providing no tactile feel to correlate with the selection process within the software’s menu. But making up for a lot of those quirks is an excellent ELS Sound 3D audio system.

Cargo And Storage Space

With 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, the TLX’s is in the middle when compared to the competition. For instance, a BMW 3 Series offers up to 16.9 cubes in its boot, though the TLX is larger than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s 12.6 cubes, the Lexus IS’s 10.8, and the Genesis G70’s 10.5, just to name a few.

It’s enough space for a month’s worth of bulk grocery items and a weekend vacation for two to three occupants. But any more and it will be a crunch. The TLX does offer a fold-down 60/40 split rear seat arrangement for longer items.

2024 Acura TLX Type S Vs. Its Competitors

Acura’s midsize offering, both the former TL and the current TLX, have always treaded the line between near-luxury and luxury, depending on the options and packages specified, which moved its pricing needle across several segments. Its size also meant that it could serve as an alternative some midsize luxury sedans, while also competing with some of the compact luxury breed from its more affordable price tag. Performance from both the standard and Type S versions also came close or nearly matched some of the more expensive competition, along with excellent levels of standard equipment, giving the TL and TLX the impression of being excellent value.

However, because this is the high-performance TLX Type S variant, the competition gets stiffer and thus, involves the likes of the BMW M340i, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC, the Audi S5, Cadillac CT5 V-Series, and the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, all of which are priced exactly or near the TLX Type S’s $57,000 MSRP. That means the TLX Type S is competing against some serious players in the compact luxury sports sedan game. But because I just recently got out of having seat time in the wonderful IS 500 F Sport Performance while writing this review, which is only a tad more expensive with its $61,720 sticker including destination, it just proves how difficult of a game it is for the TLX Type S.

How The Acura TLX Type S Compares To The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance

Because both are from Japan and come from a mainstream automaker’s luxury subdivision, and they’re sized and priced very closely to each other, the Lexus IS overall is a viable competitor to the TLX Type S. Both the Lexus and the Acura also sport older bones compared to some of the competition. For instance, the Lexus is still based on the third-generation model from 2013, but with new sheetmetal and revised equipment, while the Acura is turning roughly five years old by production start date next year. Both are pitched as the high-performance sport variants to their standard models and both have a sticker price within a thousand dollars of each other. However, the IS 500 F Sport Performance is in a completely different league with its exquisite V-8 and rear-wheel-drive platform.

Performance

The Acura TLX Type S is a very commendable and very good luxury sports sedan, but the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, for just a little bit more dough, is an absolutely great luxury sports sedan. And that all comes down to its phenomenal 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated Yamaha-tuned V-8, which sports two more cylinders, churns out 117 horses and 40 more torques. Yes, the IS 500 F Sport Performance is only a half second or less quicker to 60 MPH in a drag race, but the aural and physical sensations that the IS 500 V-8 provides are just so much more stimulating and enjoyable that it just beats the TLX Type S’s V-6. This is also besides the fact that the IS 500 F Sport Performance is much more of a fun dance partner with its Torsen limited-slip differential and rear-wheel drive.

Comfort

Both the TLX Type S and the IS 500 F Sport Performance provide excellent levels of comfort. But the Lexus’ ride is much more supple and compliant without compromising the handling and the overall noise, vibration, and harshness levels are far more subdued than the TLX Type S’s making the Lexus a much better all-rounder and more comfortable overall, especially on longer drives.

Technology

Both the Acura and the Lexus have technology that are on the slightly dated side, particularly when compared to some of the more recent competition, and both sport controversial love-it or hate-it touchpads for the infotainment systems. Both the Acura and Lexus are neck-and-neck when it comes to overall technology, equipment, driver assist and safety systems, and they all work as they should. So it’s a bit of a tie in this department.

Is the Acura TLX Type S a better alternative in this outrageously difficult segment?

In short, if you’re on the hunt for a very good luxury sports sedan that delivers the goods, the TLX Type S delivers and is worthy of the Type S badge that Acura has built over the years since the original 3.2 TL Type S, its two-door 3.2 CL Type S, the RSX Type S compact sports coupe, and even succeeding versions of the TL Type S, direct or spiritual. And when considering the amount of performance and amenities you get by simply looking at spec and equipment sheet, the TLX Type S seems like a good buy. But it all changes a bit when you consider its starting price of $57,000 with our tester stamping its invoice all-in at $58,795 with Acura’s $1,195 shipping charge factored in.

For nearly the same kind of dough, almost all of its competition can also be had for similar and in some cases, even less coin. For instance, a better driving and quicker rear-wheel-drive BMW M340i is only a few grand more at $59,600 while the faster and also better driving Mercedes-AMG C 43 isn’t that much further of a reach with its $62,500 MSRP. Audi’s soon-to-be discontinued Audi S5 Sportback nearly matches the TLX Type S’s price, starting at $57,900. And the cheaper alternative is Cadillac’s CT5 V-Series, which offers nearly the same amount of power, the same amount of gears, and the same performance for almost five grand less with its $52,890 starting price. And then, there’s, of course, the bewitching IS 500 F Sport Performance that I already compared the TLX Type S to, with its $60,045 sticker price.

See what I’m on about? Yes, if you take some of the more expensive competitors and start adding optional extras and packages, the invoice will climb significantly, in which the TLX Type S’s value proposition becomes even greater and more apparent. But if you start checking all the boxes for all the optional appearance extras on the TLX Type S, it’s not far behind either. And when considering a car that’s already near or cresting the $60,000 mark, what’s a few grand more, which translates to a few tens or twenties extra on the monthly lease or finance rate?

I want to love the TLX Type S, I really do, especially when considering my biases as I grew up in a 3.2 TL Type S and as a prepubescent teenager, it left a memorable mark on me as I watched my parents hustle the heck out of it as an era-defining value-driven luxury sports sedan. I also own an older Honda Accord Coupe V-6 with a six-speed manual, so naturally, I should be swayed by the TLX Type S. But when I put my biases aside, I realize that the TLX Type S is a very good luxury sports sedan among a sea of excellent and even over-achieving luxury sports sedans. If the TLX Type S was priced like the Caddy or even less, then it would be a winner all day. But because the competition is so stiff and some of the greats aren’t that much more of a stretch, it’s a much harder sell than it ought to be.