2022 Acura TLX: The Luxury Sports Sedan

Overview

A good premium midsize automobile is the 2022 TLX. The TLX's beginning pricing is below average without sacrificing quality. The interior boasts classy cabin materials, a wealth of standard equipment, plush front-row seats, and a fair load capacity. The TLX also succeeds at offering a relaxing yet enjoyable driving experience, and both its base turbo-four engine and its optional V6 give rapid acceleration.

The TLX is one of the most reasonably priced vehicles in its class, with engaging driving dynamics and a first-rate cabin. Though there are better-rounded vehicles in the class, such as the New BMW 5 Series and Genesis G80, that makes it worth considering.

The TLX has two strong engines, and its fuel efficiency estimations are competitive with those of competitors in its class. However, manual transmission mode causes slower response times when shifting. The 2022 Acura TLX excels at both highway cruising and cornering on winding rural roads.

If you're looking for a premium sedan that prioritizes value, the TLX is a contender. A good first impression is created by quality materials and comfortable front seats. The TLX's touchpad infotainment system interface, however, might be improved.

Pros.	Cons.
A smooth ride.	A narrow back row.
Energetic powertrains.	Manual mode shifts slowly.
Affordable basic price.	The use of the infotainment touchpad controller is annoying.
Elegant interior furnishings.	Not as speedy or environmentally friendly as many competitors.

Performance

Speaking of feeling involved, that's how it is when driving that the advanced chassis tuning is shown. Even TLX vehicles equipped with the base 272-hp turbo-four have the ability to wow. Any TLX exudes certain expertise and poise in its handling (a variable-ratio system is standard), confident-inspiring braking performance, and responsive suspension. The 335-horsepower Type S, on the other hand, shifts things up a gear. Additionally, this model has a rev-matching technology that automatically blips the throttle during downshifts. The TLX Type S is not only a serious performer, but it is also by far the best TLX model available today.

Although it is still far from ideal, the 10-speed transmission is a considerable advance over the nine-speed automatic from the previous generation. In the Normal and Comfort drive settings, it shifts too early and feels a little sluggish. However, it keeps the turbo boost ready for when you select the Sport mode and require quick acceleration. The all-wheel-drive technology helps you maneuver through tight corners with better agility and control. Although the steering lacks communication, switching to Sport gives the wheel some weight and makes it feel more appropriate for spirited driving.

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Engine Options, Horsepower, And Acceleration

Base engine: 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Available engine: 355-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6.
Drivetrain: Standard front-wheel drive; available all-wheel drive.
Transmission: 10-speed automatic.

Fuel Economy

The TLX's fuel economy is a bit underwhelming. The all-wheel drive Acura TLX (the model we tested) achieves a combined EPA-estimated 24 mpg (21 city/29 highway). That's a few mpg less than rivals like the BMW 330i xDrive (28 mpg) and Audi A4 S line (27 mpg).

Comfort

Although sharp-edged road bumps can produce a noticeable thud within the cabin, the ride generally strikes an excellent mix between suppleness and calmness over a range of road surfaces. The heated and ventilated front seats on the A-Spec can be set to an automated mode that regulates the amount of heating or cooling based on the outside temperature and the desired interior temperature. The climate control system is simple to use. Noise levels are low. Even while instrumented testing reveals the TLX is a few decibels noisier inside than competitors, the car is generally quite quiet.

The side bolsters on the front seats don't offer much support for performance driving, and the front seats aren't very customizable. The TLX's smooth ride more than makes up for its lack of overall performance. The rear seats are tilted backward for a comfortable seating position, and the front seats are pleasantly padded.

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Interior

The TLX cabin offers a lot of appealing features. The trackpad imitates your inputs like a touchscreen, but it isn't big enough and doesn't have the accuracy needed to successfully navigate the many virtual buttons that are displayed on the screen at once.

The trackpad-controlled display screen has taken the role of the dual-touchscreen infotainment system found in the previous TLX. It's a step backward in our generation's eyes.

You may approach and exit the vehicle gracefully, thanks to the huge door openings and the roof's gently tapering shape. The lack of rear leg- or headroom is a drawback, as tall people will feel uncomfortable being so near to the roof. The seat has plenty of motion in all directions, making it simple to find a comfortable driving position.

Value

Starting below $40,000, the TLX is more affordable than virtually every competing small luxury sedan. Our TLX A-Spec with all-wheel drive came in around $48,000, which is a significant saving over the comparably equipped competition. When you take into account the premium materials and construction quality, this Acura stands out as a great deal.

Although its powertrain coverage of six years/70,000 miles is more generous than what the German competitor gives, its bumper-to-bumper warranty of four years/50,000 miles is normal for the segment. But unlike many of its German competitors, free maintenance is not offered on the TLX.

Technology

The TLX comes equipped with Acura's True Touchpad Interface. With the use of a touchpad akin to one on a laptop, you may manage the infotainment display. In addition to the LCD, there are some physical controls for the audio and climate. Although the display provides sharp graphics and quick menu responses, it will take some time to become used to this system.

Standard infotainment features: 10.2-inch display, a touchpad controller, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a 10-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
Available infotainment features: navigation, two additional USB ports, 13- and 17-speaker stereos, and wireless device charging.
Other Additional features: keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof, and remote start.

The TLX's trunk measures 13.5 cubic feet, which is more than most of its competitors' trunks. The trunk opening is particularly roomy, making it simple to load lengthy objects horizontally. The deep end of the trunk is relatively difficult to access due to the low decklid, and reaching is required to load and unload objects that are pressed up against the back seats. The cabin has a lot of storage space, however, most of it is just moderately large.

You should be aware that the lower anchors for car seats are concealed beneath a leather strip with a Velcro backing that must be removed if your sport sedan will also serve as a family hauler.

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Expert Advice

The small luxury sedan class is well-represented by the 2022 Acura TLX. Just last year, Acura gave the TLX a facelift that gave it more style, road presence, improved performance, and modern electronics. The business claims that it won't be changing the TLX for 2022.

We advise the TLX Technology with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive unless you're tempted to this Acura sedan for its Type S performance option (SH-AWD). The SH-AWD technology enhances driving dynamics in dry conditions and adds additional security in wet and snowy conditions. At a startlingly low cost, the Technology package adds bigger wheels, luxury leather upholstery, and a full complement of infotainment and safety features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Acura discontinuing the TLX?

Ans: Since 2014, the four-door Acura TLX has been marketed by Acura, a high-end division of Honda. It is the TL and TSX models' replacement. The RLX will no longer be produced starting in 2021, making the TLX Acura's flagship sedan.

Q. Is Acura TLX the same as Acura TL?

Ans: Acura introduced the brand-new TLX in 2015 to replace the TL. The vehicle may be powered by a four- or six-cylinder engine, with the former featuring a 2.4-liter, 206-horsepower engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Acura's Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) system was available on four-cylinder TLXs.

Q. Is the TLX based on the Accord?

Ans: Exterior. While the 2019 Accord and 2019 TLX are both under the same Honda Motor Company midsize-sedan umbrella, they are vastly different vehicles. The Acura TLX is a legit luxury sports coupe with a cab-rearward setup, sharp LED headlights, a swoopy roofline, and plenty of swooping bodylines.

Q. Is Acura TLX a reliable car?

Ans: With a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, the Acura TLX is ranked first among 31 premium midsize automobiles. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $440 average yearly repair cost.

Q. Which is faster Acura or Honda?

Ans: The 2020 Honda Accord 2.0T defeated the 2021 Acura TLX Advance Package SH-AWD in both races, mirroring the on-paper results. However, neither of these vehicles is designed for straight-line speed. The Acura TLX features a more premium-feeling interior if you're looking for a more opulent experience.