Acura TLX


The Acura TLX is a compact executive car sold by Acura, the luxury division of Honda, since 2014. It is the successor to the TL and TSX models.

Design history

The Acura TLX was first shown as the "TLX Prototype", a sedan designed in Acura's Los Angeles Design Studio, as a replacement of the TL and TSX sedans. The production version was unveiled in April at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. Sales began in August, the TLX entered production during July at Marysville, Ohio, United States.

First generation (UB1/2; 2015)

Two powertrain options are available. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine is available with direct injection mated to a dual-clutch transmission, Precision All-Wheel Steer. The Honda designed dual clutch transmission is the first to use a torque converter, which absorbs transmission gear shift shock, thus reducing NVH. The engine is rated at with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24/35/28 mpg compared to 22/31/26 from the previous TSX. Honda estimates that the six-cylinder model is 1.5 seconds faster from 0 to 60 mph.
A 3.5-liter direct injected SOHC VTEC V-6 with cylinder deactivation is mated to Honda's first time use of a 9-speed automatic transmission, available with either P-AWS or all-wheel drive. The SH-AWD system uses hydraulic clutches instead of the electromagnetic clutch packs found on the previous TL which significantly cuts weight, size and cost. The engine is rated at and front-wheel drive models deliver 21/34/25 mpg while all-wheel drive models are rated at 21/31/25 mpg. SH-AWD models come standard with the "Technology Package". TLX models configured with the V6 engine lose nearly compared to the FWD TL, and over compared to the SH-AWD TL. The SH-AWD model is no longer offered with high-performance summer tires, which offered greater traction than currently standard all-season tires.
Like the RLX and MDX, the TLX comes standard with LED headlamps, with amber LED turn signal indicators incorporated into the side mirrors and rear LED brake lamps. Overall length compared to the previous TL was reduced by while the wheelbase maintains the same length. As with the 9th generation Accord, the TLX loses the front double wishbone suspension of the TSX and TL in favor of a MacPherson strut arrangement, and loses the TL's all-aluminum front subframe in favor of a lower cost friction stir welded aluminum and steel piece.
To significantly cut down on interior noise, triple door seals are used as well as additional sound insulation.

Facelift (2017)

Acura unveiled the revised 2018 TLX in April 2017. Changes include revised front fascia, fenders, and grille, restyled wheels, and new infotainment features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Additionally, a new 'A-Spec' performance trim has been added. Newly introduced features include an optional 360° surround camera and power driver's seat thigh extension. US sales began during June 2017.
In April 2017 an extended wheelbase version specifically developed for the Chinese market was announced. It debuted in August 2017 at the Chengdu Motor Show and is called the Acura TLX-L. The TLX-L is only offered with the 2.4-liter four, producing.

Safety

TLX safety features include Lane Keeping Assist System with Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information System, Tire Pressure Monitoring system with Tire Fill Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Vehicle Stability Assist. There are 7 airbags, including a driver's side knee airbag.
Moderate overlap frontal offsetGood
Small overlap frontal offsetAcceptable1
Side impactGood
Roof strengthGood2

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover: / 9.8%

Second generation (2021)

The second generation TLX launched digitally on 28 May 2020, based on the Type-S concept introduced in 2019. A Type S model with a new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine marks the return of the variant after a decade-long hiatus. The TLX is built on its own new platform.
Without a direct replacement for the discontinued RLX, the TLX will serve as the flagship Acura sedan above the ILX.
The TLX uses a front double wishbone suspension mounted up top to aluminum damper towers, to reduce weight the front fenders are stamped from aluminum. The 12-volt battery is moved to rear to improve weight distribution. A single piece rear bulkhead steel stamping is used to increase body rigidity without a rear seat brace found in previous TL models allowing for a folding rear seat trunk pass-through.
An electric-servo brake-by-wire system similar to the 2nd-gen NSX replaces the hydraulic brake with Type-S models adopting 4-piston Brembo front brake calipers.
New options include a 10.5-inch head-up display, adaptive dampers, open-pore wood, 17-speaker audio system, and as introduced on the 2nd-gen RDX, 16-way power full grain leather front seats with 4-way lumbar adjustments.
To improve passenger safety in frontal oblique collisions a front passenger 3-chamber airbag developed with Autoliv is standard.

Motorsports

A TLX-GT race car version of the TLX SH-AWD, with a twin turbo version of the direct injection V6 engine found in the production TLX SH-AWD sedan, has also been developed by the Acura Motorsports Group at Honda Performance Development. It has a modified chassis and aerodynamic performance parts approved for Pirelli World Challenge competition. The TLX-GT was unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show.
RealTime Racing entered a factory-backed car in the GT class at the Mid-Ohio and Sonoma rounds of the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge, with Peter Cunningham claiming a best result of 13th place. In 2015 the team fielded two full-time entries for Cunningham and Ryan Eversley; the latter won the first St. Petersburg race and finished sixth in the GT class drivers classification, whereas Cunningham finished 14th. Eversley continued as a full-time driver in 2016, winning the two Road America races. Cunningham raced the first half of the season, claiming a runner-up finish at Road America race 1, then Spencer Pumpelly took his place for the last three rounds.
The TLX-GT was replaced by the Acura NSX GT3 in 2017.

Sales