2025 Acura TLX review
The Acura TLX is a midsize premium performance sedan. Since the debut of the second-generation TLX in 2021, this car has been the flagship of Acura’s passenger car offerings. The TLX offers seating for five passengers and a selection of performance engines paired with automatic transmissions. In keeping with Acura’s brand image, the TLX has offered advanced driver-assistance technology since its initial release for the 2015 model year.
The Acura TLX is designed to compete with industry heavyweights like the BMW 3 Series, Lexus ES, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Acura’s value proposition includes performance, comfort, and a luxurious driving experience.
Explore the evolution of the Acura TLX
Get our expert take on used Acura TLX models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Acura TLX
Acura’s TLX sedan is designed to compete with the European brands for comfort, performance, and style. Buyers can choose between a turbocharged four-cylinder A-Spec engine with front- or all-wheel drive, or the more powerful TLX Type S turbocharged V6 engine with all-wheel drive. In both cases, the TLX comes with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. However, the Type S uses more aggressive transmission programming, along with a sport suspension, to create a more performance-oriented experience.
Inside, the TLX offers a luxurious interior with available full-grain leather seating. Triple door seals help create an unusually quiet cabin. The TLX is a technology showcase with an available 10.5-inch head-up driver information display projected onto the windshield. The touchpad-operated infotainment system has been criticized as distracting, however.
Model highlights
Turbocharged four-cylinder or V6 engine
10-speed automatic transmission
Available TLX-S performance trim
Available all-wheel drive
Available head-up driver information display
First generation Acura TLX
The Acura TLX was introduced for 2015 to replace the smaller TSX sedan and the larger TL sedan. The TLX was to be a sportier alternative to the TL, while offering the TSX buyer a little more space. Accordingly, the TLX was offered with the four-cylinder engine from the TSX or the larger V6 from the TL. Models with the V6 engine were equipped with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models used front-wheel drive.
Inside, the TLX offered the best technology and infotainment systems of the era, adding support for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ when those technologies became available for the 2018 model year. In keeping with the TLX mission to be a sporty sedan, the A-Spec appearance and performance model was introduced with the V6 engine in 2018 and became available with the four-cylinder engine in 2019. The first-generation TLX was repl
Model highlights
Four-cylinder or V6 engine
Available dual-clutch automatic transmission
Available all-wheel steering
Available all-wheel drive
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support (added for 2018)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2021 - present
2025 Acura TLX
2024 Acura TLX
Highlights
Midcycle refresh with mild styling updates
Base trim discontinued
Upsized 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
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2023 Acura TLX
Highlights
Available Type S PMC Edition (Performance Manufacturing Center) with 20-inch wheels and carbon-fiber trim pieces
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2022 Acura TLX
2021 Acura TLX
Highlights
All-new TLX completely redesigned for the second generation
Performance upgrades with new four- and six-cylinder turbocharged engines
Upgraded interior design and materials.
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Previous generation from 2015 - 2020
2020 Acura TLX
Highlights
Final year for the first-generation TLX
No significant changes for this year
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2019 Acura TLX
Highlights
A-Spec trim now available with four-cylinder engine
Available 19-inch wheels
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2018 Acura TLX
Highlights
Midcycle refresh for this model year
New front-end design
Available A-Spec V6 performance model
Support for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
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2017 Acura TLX
2016 Acura TLX
2015 Acura TLX
Highlights
First year for the all-new TLX
Replaced the older TSX and TL sedans
Four-cylinder or V6 engine
Automatic or dual-clutch automatic transmissions
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Acura TLX an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Acura TLX 1st out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Acura TLX is $353, compared to an average of $617 for Luxury Midsize Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Acura TLX owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.4 times per year, compared to an average of 1.4 times for Luxury Midsize Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 6% for the Acura TLX, compared to an average of 13% for Luxury Midsize Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
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