~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

For more than a quarter century, Acura—the luxury brand from Honda of Japan—has served up an exceptional midsize sedan identified as a TL, or other variations on the letters, which some owners have explained as “true love.”

Dating back to the 1996 model year, TL actually stands for “touring luxury,” which aptly described the car’s orientation as an upscale transporter with sporting attributes, including a six-speed manual gearbox at the time. But most buyers were more oriented toward the five-speed “Sequential SportShift” automatic transmission.

Now, double the number of speeds for the Japanese manufacturer’s 2024 Acura TLX Type S, which mates a 10-speed automatic transmission to its 355-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine that makes 354 pound-feet of torque, or twisting force, sent to all four wheels.

The combination earns the Type S a city/highway/combined fuel consumption rating of 21/19/25 miles to the gallon from the Environmental Protection Agency. And that’s on premium gasoline, which is not an uncommon requirement on Acura performance machines. It will also run on regular but with reduced performance and fuel economy, so it’s best to stick with Acura’s recommendation.

Though mostly regarded as a midsize four-door sedan, this TLX is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a compact. Its total of 107 cubic feet of interior space (93 for passengers, 14 trunk) falls three cubic feet short of the 110 cubic feet needed for midsize classification.

Nevertheless, it’s a roomy car for four people, though a fifth can squeeze into the cramped center-rear position. But its orientation is not as a people mover.

Nope. This is a sports sedan, plain and simple but with complicated performance engineering, which can nail 60 miles an hour from rest in less than five seconds, making it the quickest vehicle in the Acura lineup. That’s more than respectable in these high-powered times. It also delivers tactile handling and strong braking, making it a pleasure to drive on roads with many curves and elevation changes.

Around town, the TLX also delivers mostly sedate cruising with little intrusion of engine sounds from under the hood—as long as you don’t mash the loud pedal. However, it’s a mixed blessing.

On various highways in Florida, where this test was conducted, the TLX blasted the eardrums with a combination of road and engine sounds amplified by the performance tires that made conversation difficult and relaxed listening to the Sirius XM satellite radio nearly impossible. So long-distance cruising at interstate highway speeds is not the TLX’s forte. And likely will not be until the Acura mavens conjure improved cabin insulation.

On the plus side however, Acura has a special descriptive moniker for its all-wheel drive system: SH-AWD, which stands for “super handling all-wheel drive.” It adjusts power surges to all four wheels to maintain maximum traction in different circumstances.

In concert with a sport tuned suspension system and adaptive shock absorbers, tight power train and reactive steering, the SH-AWD delivers the sporting handling coveted by enthusiasts. Throttle response to all four corners is nearly instant and, combined with precise steering feedback, delivers confident handling in the twisties. It also maintains solid tracking on straight-line Interstate highways, never mind the road and tire roar in the cabin.

With its chops as a sports sedan, the TLX S Type doesn’t stint on the luxury end of the equation. The interior is a welcome burrow for a driver and passengers, with leather upholstery and other luxury appointments, including an upscale ELS audio system, head-up display, Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

There’s also automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, real wood and aluminum trim, and controls that, while not intuitive at first, can be quickly learned and easily operated. The automatic transmission shifter, for example, is located on the center console and is easily operated with pushbuttons and a small pullback lever for reverse. Acura also has thoughtfully provided a padded spot to support the wrist while shifting.

Like other TLX models, the S Type arrives with Acura Watch, which includes an array of driver assistance technology. Equipment includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot and driver awareness monitoring, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist.

All of that should be a clue to the fact that the S Type is no economy hauler. Base price of the tester, including the destination charge, was $58,195 and, as tested, the sticker showed a price of $62,478.

Specifications

  • Model: 2024 Acura TLX Type S four-door sedan.
  • Engine: 3.0-liter V6, turbocharged; 355 hp, 354 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: 10-speed automatic with all-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 16 feet 5 inches.
  • Height: 4 feet 8 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 93/14 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 4,200 pounds.
  • City/highway/combined fuel consumption: 21/19/25 mpg on premium gasoline.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $58,195.
  • Price as tested: $62,478.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Acura