MotorWeek | Road Test: 2015 Acura TLX

[@jwatwater]

This has got to be the best looking Acura in years.

[@1MTEK]

This guy sounds like he should be on a TV game show. Not as the host, but as the guy who announces all the fabulous prizes that are waiting to be won.

[@MrDayna39]

From what I have read, this car is selling like hot cakes. It seems to be worth the price, congrats to Acura,

[@whoawoahh]

I still see a lot of these (from this generation). I think they are handsome looking

[@Mejeurjm1]

I own this exact configuration: 2.4 w/ tech and I love it. Yes, not as fun to drive as a 328 but I don't want to pay the price of a 328. I believe their 0-60 is accurate but conditions must have been off or poor weather. I live in Southern California and can get this around 7 seconds. The car handles great and love how comfortable and quiet the car is on long trips. Happy with my purchase and with Acura's product. Well done, Acura.

[@itsmegp46]

Did he say showroom confusion? Regarding the TSX and the TL? He's got to be kidding us. Has he ever seen BMW's convoluted model line up?

[@KickoStocks]

Great looking car. I wish they tested the V6 though.

[@76carmel]

Acura probably didn't provide MotorWeek a V6 version of the car. I think Acura believes the 2.4 Inline-4 will be the volume model for the TSX. I think there will be plenty more V6 requests for this car at Acura delaerships.

[@TheItsmegp46]

In my line of work, I drive a lot. On average, 30-35 thousand miles annually. I enjoy driving a luxury car that won't break my wallet. Acura cars suit me perfectly. Sure they may not have the razor sharp driving dynamics of a 3 series or an A4 but that is of little interest to me. I drive a car to about 200 to 250 thousand miles before is get a new one. In my personal experience, no BMW or Audi was able to last this long without spending huge sums of money in repairs. Once my BMW or my MB hit the century mark, the cost of repairs and up keep became way too expensive.

[@mass112594]

itsmegp46 It's funny that everyone thinks of the BMW as the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' because that is what they advertise but I drove the BMW 3 against the TLX V6 and the handling dynamics were a good bit better on the Acura than on the BMW. A lot of effort required to steer the BMW and it fealt overly heavy especially when cornering. By far, the TLX had the best steering feel for quick manuevers around sharp bends.

[@Rama_248]

You think a 2015 Acura with 140,000 miles on it for $11,000 is worth buying?

[@TheRasta4ri]

No one does reviews better than the original, concise and straight to the gut. A very nice car that's great to drive.

[@MrDreamcastx]

Pray for a Type S

[@StubbyCub]

+MrDreamcastx Hell yes!!

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Maybe 2018.

[@a32tl]

Prayers answered. Type S TLX model to join sometime in 2020. Turbo 6 cylinder engine.

[@jimmbobb]

J37? Or a turbo J35? With a 6speed manual. ❤️

[@BearerOfDreams]

MrDreamcastx your prayers have been answered!

[@TimJoseph08031990]

Nowadays almost every luxury automaker are getting rid of amber turn signals in the back in favor of red turn signals. Which means that whatever car they make, the tail lights from one vehicle will look like the other vehicle. Amber turn signals in the back are better instead of red, because it's easy to tell if you're signaling to make a turn or lane change. Red is for brake lights and tail lamps at night or conditions with harsh visibility.

[@MaestroTJS]

It's a horrible trend and very ironic to boot. These manufacturers go on and on about their safety features but it has been proven that amber turn signals are safer than red ones yet they are dying out. Governments mandate so many things, that should be a law as well.

[@s50201]

Good point -although the cheap american cars /w the SAME light used for both braking and turning are the worst. Couple a burnt out brake bulb and a bad driver who can't brake in one shot, and you have a pretty good game of guess-which-way-they-aren't-going. Of course, I live in OH, where ppl don't ever use turn signals anyways...

[@TheItsmegp46]

s50201 Connecticut here. Your state too?

[@thingsdemystified]

+Tim Joseph If your car uses incandescent bulbs for turn signals, you can put an amber bulb back there and it will light up amber. Simple fix. If you have LEDs, you could swap them out I imagine.

[@brianmjmario]

I just got one v6 and I like it a lot specially when I drive it on sport + lol

[@tamaratombakian3218]

Abc

[@jcost0099]

Is your TLX V6 still performing well for you? I am debating on trading my 09 TL for a '16 TLX V6 SAWD. Just doing some homework by checking in with real owners.

[@brianmjmario]

+jcost0099 I'm not going to lie to you, I love my car I already put over 30k miles on it and still rides like new. All I have done to it is oil change that's it man!

[@Ecuador006]

@@brianmjmario is it still good ? Let me know vtec

[@brianmjmario]

@@Ecuador006 yep! So far so good! Over 100k miles no problems just regular maintenance, it’s mostly highway miles.

[@ThePinoyMamba]

what a great review and I agree that the V6 SHAWD is the way to go. This is car could last forever unlike it's competitor which will give you headaches as soon as they reach 50k. acura is made in USA and I love to support my country and feels good about it that my car could be so exciting and luxurious and yet very at ease to know that it is very reliable daily commuter.

[@itsmegp46]

Wrong, the federal government classifies the TLX as a domestic car. You have to understand this car was designed, engineered, manufactured, sold and serviced all by US workers.

[@Lawagoalie35]

I love how this is a sport luxury car meant for an everyday driver and people comment about how this lacks track performance. This is a road car, not a track car. You'd look pretty funny taking any current generation Acura to a track and that's because Acura doesn't care about the track other than the nsx. It's a sport luxury meant for the road so review based off of that not the track.

[@jimmbobb]

It looks beautiful driving down the road!!

[@Bmants]

Saw this car tonight and it was very nice to look at. All you that come here to hate on Acura and everything else you can hate on the Internet. Get a life!

[@socdfx]

Reliability problems wrt to Automatic Transmission and Precision All wheel steering assist. Check out video posted by socdfx to see the issue. This car has problem in the Automatic Transmission and Precision All wheel steering. Acura refuses to acknowledge despite malfunction codes.

[@RothBeyondTheGrave]

Ppl think acuras are bulletproof, but they're not. Just less likely of a risk than some others. Ask me how I know. Honda's achilles heel is the auto trans

[@alexschmithorst4114]

He said the 2.4L's base price of $31,890 is a few grand less than a BMW 320i. What is the 320i's base price?

[@Fussinated]

TLX made a recall on V6 models using 9 Speed ZF transmission that is the only major German part on TLX. The 8 Speed Acura built DCT with Torque converter working perfectly fine, though. There is your German engineering for you in comparison to Japanese Engineering. If the situation is reversed the Japanese engineer designed those faulty transmissions would have committed HAR-KIRI, while the German engineer may go and start working for Hyundai or Kia .. IF they admitted/he admitted his mistakes/unethical conduct.

[@merc340sr]

I have read most of the comments below and you can say whatever you like. Bottom line, Honda/Acura equals bullet proof reliability!

[@thingsdemystified]

+merc340sr Right, tell that to those with transmission problems.

[@merc340sr]

No problem. Honda hounoured its wanrranty with respect to transmission. I repeat, Honda/Acura engines=bullet proof!

[@thingsdemystified]

merc340sr I believe it took class action lawsuits to get Honda to help their customers. But even if they did repair or replace the transmissions, they failed, so they're not bullet proof.

[@schach07]

Germans cant match luxury or quality of Acura. Here in Europe apart from Mercedes S series their interior is all clad with plastic. This is a great car with solid reliability. If I was in US I would definitely go for it

[@ubiased23]

Acura TLX's 0-60MPH performance was very poor . Acura has claimed that TLX will do between 7.7-8.0 seconds from 0-60MPH. The Honda Accord's 4 Cylinder version with the CVT transmission it is faster than TLX? Honda Accord's 4 Cylinder can do 0-60MPH in 7.7 seconds! What is going on here?

[@powerofpinesol8002]

0-60 is around 6.8 seconds, I don't know how they got 8.7. Shaving all that weight and adding a DCT shaved 1.5 seconds off from the old TSX.

[@christopherduke.]

The IDS mode with which the 0-60 test was performed wasn't mentioned. That could've made a big difference...

[@rudfil]

money 8.7 seconds to 60 seems too slow to me also for a car of this price and class. The Chrysler 200 with 184 hp and Impala's 2.5 with a 195 hp engine takes 8.7 seconds to 60 mph and are heavier cars.

[@dee-vee]

Christopher Martin LOL. True. I bet they left the IDS at normal or econo. Test fail.

[@killermaing818]

money remember, they tested the 4 cyl on the strip

[@TomaszSkwarek83]

0-60 ?!?! Was the track wet or something ? That just doesn't seem right...

[@happyisblue]

MotorWeek's 0-60 numbers always seem strange to me...

[@RayLaskyOutdoors]

Or, you could buy a Legacy 3.6R limited with torque vectoring awd/boxer H6/leather/nav/eyesight (the best accident avoidance & adaptive cruise system in a reasonable car) super build quality/best safety engineering. For the price of the base 2.4 tlx.

[@bobbytassioppolous1705]

Hidden muffler tips for "environment" purposes on a sports sedan. Horrible. 3G TL and Tl-S were the best TL models.

[@BDOC99714]

Right?! I don't know what Acura was thinking when they did this.

[@thingsdemystified]

+thebluexanadu78 The 3rd gen TL sold like hotcakes. Why they don't go back to that design philosophy is a mystery.

[@DESmoRASHAD]

Well done Acura!

[@BayViewz]

I feel like Acura is going backwards. Since they kept the ilx why kill the tl and tsx and make it into the tlx. They should have kept it tl and give it a eye catchy design like they did when the 2004 tl came out. 290 hp when the previous 2014 tl had 305 hp and the 07/08 type s has 286 hp. You can't call the tlx sporty while hiding the exhaust and giving it 290 hp. Hp is not everything but even Hyundai and Kia has cars pushing 300 or even 400 hp and I'm not a fan but their cars looks really good. I'm sticking with my 04 tl until they can come out with something better.

[@mass112594]

bee dig Drive a TLX V6 w/ 290 HP then drive a Lexus ES 350 or Hyundai with similar HP and the TLX will blow them both away any day. Honda Motor Company is the WORLDS LARGEST ENGINE MAKER (which most people don't know) and they know how to build a motor that performs. 290 HP w/ a lighter weight car makes 4 more HP than the Type S and will beat it 0-60 easily. You won't think it at first but when you start pushing the TLX in the cornering the steering and handling will blow your negative thoughts out the window. The Agile Handling Assist and Precision ALL-Wheel Steer work excellently during high speed cornering and quick manuevers. The styling was actually meant to look more retro like the 2004-2008 TL and I think they did a great job with that. As far the exhaust tips I agree, I would love to see the those back again. I am a HUGE fan of exhaust tips.

[@BayViewz]

Mark Stonis this car will not beat the type s 0 to 60 easily. If you look at the reviews on Google and KZbin this car does it in around the 5.8 to 6.0 range when the type s does it the same while the manual does it in 5.5 seconds. The previous generation tl with 305 hp shawd beats this car. I commend Acura for shaving extra pounds off and yes they do make good engines but to go from 270 hp from the 04 tl to 305 from the 2014 tl then back down to 290 just doesn't makes sense. I heard a lot of people who review this car said that the 9 speed transmission shifted slowly while the 8 speed dual clutch was quicker and the last generation tl shifted with urgency. This car would be perfect if it was just the tsx not the tlx.

[@landyachtfan79]

Since this an Acura video, I have a request. I would love, at some point to see a #ThrowbackThursday , #FlashbackFriday , or #MemoriesMonday of the first ever Integra and/or Legend back when the brand was introduced.

[@whattheheck1000]

I was born in 1992 and have driven a TLX A-Spec... but seriously, 8.7 sec to 60 seems a bit slow. I would guess it to be in the mid to high 7's. The A-Spec on the other hand seems to be around 6, maybe high 5's. It felt a little faster than my 2011 Honda Accord V6 sedan. October 27, 2018 12:36 am

[@a32tl]

The car they tested was the much slower 4 cylinder. The V6 should be right around 6 seconds flat.

[@jgravitas7008]

8.7 0-60 is pretty slow, that can't be right. The TSX was at around 8.0 seconds and Acura says they shaved around 1.5 seconds from the TSX.

[@turquoise8669]

I was hopping to see the top line model perform on the track with the 3.5l v6 sh and instead the base.

[@Rama_248]

You think a 2015 Acura with 140,000 miles on it for $11,000 is worth buying?

[@marcusvandoren1494]

It's pretty obvious that Dinonoce has not driven the TLX or any of the German cars or Lexus cars that he is referring to. The TLX has better acceleration, better braking, better handling, less body roll, more traction in wet, rough, or uneven road conditions... So I am very curious as to what he/she considers better performance

[@dinonoce]

Marcus, FYI, I drive a 2014 Audi S4. As a recent consumer of a sport sedan, this car wasn't even on my radar, and it still isn't. Marcus, enjoy your TLX. I really enjoy my S4.

[@MrDede2011]

dinonoce of course you not they're not in the same league

[@RealtimeReviews613]

I used to aspire to own acuras but they ruined the look so bad! Its so bland and the hidden exhaust is a mega fail

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

The TLX V6 engine from Honda racing give Acura a rival like performance advantage that comes very close to European competitors, getting closer to BMW and Mercedes Benz being a little bit of both.

[@markburgess1070]

The2015 Acura TLX with 2.4L engine is amazing balance of performance and efficiency. Outperforms the European competitors..

[@mdossantosd]

Mark Burgess You're joking I hope.

[@RothBeyondTheGrave]

@@mdossantosd seriously. I 2nd that.

[@alish6356]

Acura tlx sales have been huge. I think Germans and Lexus have something to worry about actually.

[@TheAdventureAuto]

0-60 in 8.7s in a "Luxury" sports sedan? Wow looks like Lexus has rubbed off on Acura. Nothing like driving this beauty and coming across a Corolla that you can't accelerate past.

[@chrisriker8186]

+Turbo4Life1217 In the 4-banger. I imagine the 6 does a bit better

[@JR-bq3xm]

The Adventure Mazda v6 does 5.6-5.7

[@oldtwins]

Test the V6 version. Nobody is taking the 4 cylinder model seriously. Normally aspirated 4 banger at 32k? Get out of here.

[@ricardosantiago8518]

I keep my type s much better car

[@davidhirsch2980]

It actually has a smaller less powerful engine than the tl.

[@RothBeyondTheGrave]

That i4 came from the tsx

[@nilesh2104]

whats up with the weird background music?

[@06acc]

I agree background music in general in annoying. How about less talking from the host and more sounds from the car.

[@laweezemorton8884]

I think this is a decent car, but that N/A 4-cyl has no business being in an entry level premium sedan and I wish Honda would get with the times and upgrade from the dot dot dot LED's and use tubes.

[@mass112594]

Laweeze Morton HMM interesting. What are your thoughts then on the IS 250 with a V6 and ONLY 204 HP? This dated motor and HP has been around for YEARS. The TLX 2.4L K24 Motor has 206 HP and is much more fun to drive under spirited corners. No one that I know of has better LED's than the Acura so I'm not sure what your comment means "get with the times". The LED's on the Acura are about the best out there out of anyone. How about those Audi's, Chryslers, Jeeps, Lexus's and others that don't even have a separate circuit on their signals? LED's go out when the signal turns on which makes it look like a blown headlight when turning. At least Acura figured out how to make a separate circuit for the LED turn signals. Hmm, who is up with the times now???

[@laweezemorton8884]

I drive a 435i MPPK with LEDs, so I'd probably agree with you about the other cars' LEDs, though at least Audi and Chrylser no longer use the dot dot dot LED's for their lights/daytime running lights. If you like Christmas tree lights year-round, then I can see why you would like Acura's set-up. As for the Lexus's engine, it doesn't belong in that car either and apprently Lexus agrees

[@mdossantosd]

Laweeze Morton Yes, can't believe after all these years how Honda hasn't advanced their 4 cylinder much at all in power. My 1996 Prelude VTEC 4 cylinder made 190HP. In 1990. 24 years ago.

[@oldtwins]

+1bentley4ever And now you can get a Civic turbo that will blow this 4 banger TLX off the road so badly it makes baby Jesus cry.

[@mass112594]

+oldtwins 174 HP going to 'blow the doors' off an Acura TLX 2.4 w 206 HP? I don't think so pal. You're disillusioned.

[@stephencannon3140]

I guess for 2017 the idiots never considered they tires can get flattened OUTSIDE the tread and needing a spare. You want to cut costs....how about shaving the numbers on the window sticker!!

[@shopwithaaron]

My 2012 Optima EX Premium looks sharper and has nearly all the "I can't be bothered with actually driving" features. Obviously Acura doesn't listen when the world isn't taken with there styling...this is the car their new direction should have led...stop with the beak!

[@CaicoPotcake]

I have the TLX V6 SH-AWD TECH, transmission is awful, car has vibration/shaking issues at highway speed, which is becoming a huge problem with this model, lots of people having this issue and Acura doing nothing about it. First time I have been disappointed in an Acura. DO NOT BUY ONE check the AcuraZine reviews from real owners.

[@mikevish01]

+Caico Potcake When was your car made (Month/Year)?

[@CaicoPotcake]

+mikevish01 The manufacture date was November 2014, would appreciate any input you might have into the vibration issue. After numerous tire changes and a new set of OEM rims forced matched and road forced balanced, I still have vibration issues felt in the steering wheel, my drivers seat and passenger seat. Acura National has acknowledged there is an issue with some of the cars but their engineers have not figured it out yet. It is driving me absolutely crazy. I offered to purchase a 2016 RDX if they released me from the lease on the TLX but they would not do it. The service manager at my dealer did tell me they removed 2 other TLX's from their inventory with the same issue. They vibration starts at 80kph and gets progressively worse up to 120kph and then remains constant.

[@mikevish01]

+Caico Potcake Sorry about that. Looks like you got one of the early ones. Can you put some legal pressure on them to take it back?

[@CaicoPotcake]

Not sure, I hav'nt consulted my lawyer. Figured it would be to expensive to take on a car company. Through the Acura owners forums I am hearing the May be a class action lawsuit in the U.S.

[@ferrari250lm]

Did you ever get it fixed?

[@hnnotyy]

Acura has lost its way just like Honda has. Rather get a Lexus or Toyota now.

[@marcusvandoren1494]

Get a toyota or lexus and then bring it back for all of the recalls... I guess your the guy/gal that has to pay for their marketing... since their money is not in their engineering

[@hnnotyy]

Marcus Van Doren Lmao Honda/Acura have recalls to but I guess you are blind on see that too huh..

[@jasperdilincoln2341]

Transmission issues already

[@AndyAand]

is this a commercial or a review? Not a word of a personal opinion. Oh... it is a road test. ????? The car is toooooooo small. Very uncomfortable to be in. Ellbow fights all the way. And styling is at least 10 years old. Ouch Acura...

[@mikej791]

not right to compare the base engine against the rivals turbo 4's. Should have tested the v6. Motorweek is getting old and forgetable

[@alphabeta2056]

0-60 is around 7 seconds not 8.7. Look it up.

[@HPM2024]

A lot of factors in performance. Altitude, temperature, etc. Depends on the conditions where you are.

[@johnhunt4634]

Oh Acura -_-

[@Insanity_Crow]

I'm sure it's a nice car but I just cant get past the fact that it looks like a tarted up Accord inside and out.

[@oldtwins]

Nothing wrong with this formula - Toyota has done it for decades with their ES line (ES350). Turned into the bread and butter for Lexus that allowed for it to be a model leader. Acura cannot claim the same.

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Honda does own Acura...

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Honda does own Acura...

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Honda does own Acura...

[@angel_machariel]

Is there a reason why you have to talk that weird? I'm surprised you didn't start of with: "What you don't know about the three letters may kill you.". Why do so many of you media people have this weird presentation style?

[@TonyTube407]

The front grill is still hideous and Acura changed my favorite part of the TL, the interior. Boo!

[@royward4495]

Motorweek has been hitting the delusional inhalants again. At the very least, I'll give Honda/Acura credit for their engineering but lets be real - this does not look like a luxury performance sedan. Near luxury; yes. It doesn't exude luxury and if anything its exterior design leaves much to be desired. It's just a tarted up Accord and nothing more. A top line Accord renders the TLX irrelevant.

[@mass112594]

Roy Ward And what other cars look like a luxury sedan??? BMW 3? Boring, Mercedes E Class? Boring, BMW 5? Same as it's been for 10 years, boring. Lexus ES 350? Grandma car - boring. Most luxury vehicles today look boring UNLESS you get one packages with a body kit and nice looking wheels. The entry level models are most all plain and unexciting. It's not just Acura.

[@artchiu584]

less power and torque than the bmw 328xi, same old engine as the out going tsx and tl, boring exterior, accord like interior, acura, u lose me as a customer...i think i am going for a bmw this time.

[@emmettk]

I would think the 4-cyl. TLX competes more with BMW 320i in power and price. The V-6 TLX competes with the 328i. Acura does not field a model to compete with the 335i. You're comparing the most basic TLX to the upgraded 3-Series. At least be fair when you compare.

[@artchiu584]

even the lexus is (f-sport) has an aggressive, nicer exterior than the tlx. i love japanese imports (reliable and cheaper to maintain), but the exterior of the germans are far more attractive and aggressively looking. the tlx prototype was impressive, but acura decided to tone it down, disappointing. at least acura can do is to put a more powerful 4-cyl engine, even lexus has a 2.0L turbo.

[@emmettk]

art chiu As far as Acura's habit of toning down the styling from the prototype, I agree with you. If you just plain don't care for the TLX, that's fine, but again you kind of misinterpret the actual facts in your comparisons. As I said, go back and look at the power ratings of a BMW 320i (just 180 hp). Re: the Lexus IS250, it has a normally aspirated 4-cyl engine that has virtually the same horsepower and torque numbers as the 4-cyl TLX. I'm guessing you mean you would like Acura to follow the recent trend of replacing V6 engines with 4-cyl. turbos, as BMW has done. That, and offering more than two different engine choices in this, their most important model class (sales-wise). If that's your take, I understand..

[@BDOC99714]

They are not using the same engines, you idiot. Get your facts straight before you run your mouth.

[@emmettk]

thebluexanadu78 Who is your comment addressed to? Can't tell.

[@nonsecular13]

8.7?? acura/honda are not trying anymore

[@nappiral]

Should have called it the TLZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

[@MrGunzngirlz]

Yeah because its a serious Sleeper.

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

@@MrGunzngirlz Even the V6 is slower than most V6 sport sedans.

[@dinonoce]

Meh, pretty generic car now...the Germans and Lexus have nothing to worry about.

[@MrGunzngirlz]

Its interesting then that this is outselling them.

[@dinonoce]

@Logan L, my comment was from the perspective of style & performance, not sales volume. In this regard, the Euros and Lexus (IS350) have much nicer products, IMO.

[@ryushishiratori2312]

dinonoce Yeah, because it's not like sales matter or anything......... s/ You're an idiot.....

[@MrGunzngirlz]

dinonoce too bad this competes with the Is250 then huh? In a drag race, this has the 250 by nearly 2 seconds to 60. If it had the same high end tires as the competition, its handling performance and mechanical grip would increase dramatically as well. Not to mention, performance technology from Acura is world class. Namly P-AWS, SH-AWD, and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD.

[@dinonoce]

Logan L, I'm not saying that Acura makes a bad product, on the contrary, they make excellent products. I own a 2014 MDX, and it's an awesome vehicle. However, if I'm in the market for a sport sedan, this wouldn't be my first choice, that's all I'm saying. Each to their own; we're fortunate to have a lot of nice choices out there. If you have a TL, enjoy it.

[@JCJourney]

come on Honda. still this ugly face? your vehicle is great inside, but the face is..... lol bring back my integra. RSX. prelude S2000

[@sophiajackson9066]

WAY TOO SLOW!!

[@JDMHaze]

0-60: 8.7 lmaooo WEAAAAKKKKK my 2011 camry 4 cyl did 8.0 with 170hp acura should be ASHAMED thats why the Germans AND JAPAN are winning

[@JDilla65]

Acura is Japanese's