Acura TLX Type S 2021 Review

The Acura TLX is a small luxury sedan that competes with the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. While older Acura sedans have developed something of a cult status, more recent four-door models have fallen short in terms of both performance and luxury. Acura is looking to reset expectations with the fully redesigned 2021 Acura TLX.

This new Acura has been built from the ground up on a new platform to improve every facet of the TLX experience. Outside, it's longer and wider, with a longer hood and more aggressive proportions. In person, the TLX certainly looks the part. It gets new engines, Acura's latest tech features and higher-quality materials in the cabin. Notably, the new performance-oriented TLX Type S has a turbocharged V6 good for 355 horsepower.

All these changes add up to the best Acura sedan in years. But is that enough to make you want to buy one instead of the typical Audi, BMW or Mercedes? Read our Expert Rating below to see how the TLX stacks up against the competition.

Which TLX does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Acura TLX is a compact luxury sedan available in five trim levels: base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance and Type S. Technically, Acura refers to each as packages, but they're no different than trim levels. The first four trim levels come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (272 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque), a 10-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is optional. The Type S sports a unique turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (355 hp, 354 lb-ft) and comes with AWD standard. Feature highlights for the TLX include:

Base Starts the TLX off with:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Sunroof
• Keyless ignition and entry
• Heated front seats
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Dual-zone climate control
• 10.2-inch infotainment screen with touchpad controller
• 10-speaker sound system
• Satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Wi-Fi hotspot

The TLX also comes standard with these safety features and driver aids:

• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the TLX back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the TLX and the car in front)
• Traffic sign recognition

All TLX models can be ordered with these useful stand-alone accessories:

• Remote engine start
• Wireless charging pad
• Heated steering wheel

Technology The Technology package adds, as you might expect, more technology:

• 19-inch wheels
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
• Leather upholstery
• Navigation system
• Customizable ambient lighting
• Upgraded 13-speaker sound system

A-Spec The A-Spec starts with the Technology package and includes more features and a sportier appearance package:

• Sporty exterior appearance package available in unique colors
• Unique brushed aluminum interior trim
• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Microsuede seat inserts
• 17-speaker ELS sound system
• Ventilated front seats
• Wireless device charging pad

Advance The TLX Advance starts with features from the Technology package and adds:

• Adaptive suspension (enhances ride comfort and handling stability)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Puddle lights
• Front-seat bolster and thigh support adjustments
• Premium leather upholstery
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the TLX and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Type S This sporty TLX has the more powerful engine as noted above. Feature-wise, it's similarly equipped to the A-Spec. It also has:

• 20-inch wheels
• Adaptive suspension
• Brembo performance brakes
• Sport+ driving mode
• Extra chassis bracing (can help to enhance handling)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Puddle lights
• Front-seat bolster and thigh support adjustments

The Type S can also be optioned with lightweight wheels with summer performance tires.