The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Terrific engines
- Suave Type S
- Good ride and handling balance
- Priced reasonably
Dislikes
- Dreadful touchpad
- Quirky interior design
- Fewer variants vs. rivals
- Bite-size trunk
Buying tip
features & specs
Smooth, slick, well-appointed, and spacious, the 2023 Acura TLX is a worthy mid-size sports sedan.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Acura TLX? What does it compare to?
The 2023 Acura TLX is a mid-size luxury sedan that’s priced more like a compact. Shop it against the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 price-wise, or the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6 size-wise.
Is the 2023 Acura TLX a good car?
Fussy infotainment interface aside, the 2023 Acura TLX is a great choice, combining sharp handling, good standard features, and a premium value. It earns a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2023 Acura TLX?
Acura adds two years or 24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, and tosses in three years of telematics access this year, but there are no other notable feature changes to the TLX.
This sleek, angular sedan wears a low front end and a sinewy profile. There’s a lot going on between the big strakes up front and the complex headlights hidden behind narrow lenses. A big greenhouse gives the side profile a comparatively conventional look, while the tail end echoes the front fascia’s business. Inside, the TLX goes spaceship-modern, with a symmetrical dash topped by a widescreen display that gives way to myriad buttons and a drive mode knob that takes up a city block of real estate.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 272 hp in base form or a boosted V-6 that cranks out 355 hp in the Type S. Many are all-wheel drive, though base and mid-level 4-cylinders come in a more affordable and frugal option. Look for around 25 mpg combined at best, which isn’t bad, but don’t look for hybrid options.
The TLX handles with verve, especially in sporty Type S form. These are balanced, nuanced cars that can thoroughly entertain when pushed. The Type S, in particular, offers mature thrills. It’s no M3, but it doesn’t purport to be, either.
Interior room is decent and the seats offer good support, but we can’t get on board with Acura’s clunky infotainment system and downright distracting touchpad. These are notable warts on an otherwise superb sedan. Even its safety record is top notch, and Acura stands apart from most rivals by including adaptive cruise control in addition to a slew of other driver-assistance features as standard.
How much does the 2023 Acura TLX cost?
The TLX comes in at $40,745 before any options and tops out in the limited edition Type S PMC Edition at $63,995.
Adding the Technology package with its blind-spot monitors, leather seats, navigation, and uprated audio hikes the price by about $4,000.
Where is the 2023 Acura TLX made?
In Marysville, Ohio.
2023 Acura TLX Styling
The 2023 Acura TLX may be the best sedan to ever wear the brand’s badge.
Is the Acura TLX a good-looking car?
We like it a lot. Its low-slung body garners enough visual interest to earn two points above average. We throw in another for its futuristic interior, even if it has some ergonomic quirks.
The 2023 TLX is an 8 on the TCC scale.
The TLX’s front end starts with a grille that dives well into the front bumper. A trio of big vents below shuffle air around and below the sedan, while complex headlights sneak their way toward the wheel wells. The TLX is somewhat ordinary from the side, though its rear end echoes what’s up front with bird-like taillights and plenty of lines and curves.
Type S versions don’t look all that different unless decked out in an exclusive metallic yellow called Tiger Eye, though their quad tailpipes give off a properly sporty vibe.
Inside, the TLX continues the busy theme with a big infotainment screen parked at the top of the dash that gives way to organized controls and big chunks of contrasting trim panels. The big drive mode knob feels like an afterthought, though, and Acura offers comparatively few interior trim and hue options.
2023 Acura TLX Performance
The 2023 Acura TLX delivers an admirable balance between sporty moves and everyday usability.
The 2023 Acura TLX is a sporty sedan that won’t frustrate you in day-to-day commuting. Its impressive powertrains and solid handling earn it a 7 on the TCC scale.
Is the Acura TLX 4WD?
Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is optional with the 4-cylinder and mandatory on the Type S.
How fast is the Acura TLX?
It’s no slouch. Even base cars send 272 hp forward (or to all four corners) via a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. They’re quick, refined, and keep plenty of performance in reserve for highway passing or spirited driving. Look for a 0-60 mph run of about 5.5 seconds.
The TLX Type S swaps in a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 355 hp, which slices the 0-60 mph sprint by about a second.
All models have responsive, quick, and well-weighted steering. Type S versions increase steering heft a smidge without feeling numb. Underneath, the taut suspension hints at a sporty nature even in the cheapest TLX. Turn up the wick and these cars can really handle. They’re well-balanced and comfortable—especially since they weigh upward of 4,000 pounds.
Some versions have adaptive dampers that help take the edge off of bigger wheel options, too.
2023 Acura TLX Comfort & Quality
The 2023 Acura TLX may be priced like a compact sedan, but it offers big-car space inside.
Acura stuffs a lot of space into the 2023 TLX. This mid-size sedan has good front- and rear-seat comfort, plus a quality feel. It’s an 8 on the TCC scale.
Up front, look for plenty of adjustment from moderately-bolstered seats on most versions. A-Spec and Type S versions swap in more bolstering, but they should still handle a wide range of body sizes. Rear-seat riders will discover decent space and good padding, plus more headroom than the sloping roofline might otherwise suggest. But the 34.9 inches of rear legroom isn’t as roomy as most compact crossovers, and a smallish trunk with only 13.5 cubic feet is another reason why shoppers have migrated away from sedans for larger, roomier crossovers.
The interior is composed of nice materials, though base cars are upholstered in synthetic rather than real leather.
2023 Acura TLX Safety
The 2023 Acura TLX boasts top crash-test scores.
How safe is the Acura TLX?
It’s a good choice overall, with top marks from both crash-test agencies. The NHTSA rates it at five stars, while the IIHS awards it a Top Safety Pick+ award. Add in a good complement of crash-avoidance features and the 2023 Acura TLX is an 8 on the TCC scale.
All models have automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitors are included with the Technology package and any costlier trims
The TLX has decent outward vision thanks to its skinny roof rails.
2023 Acura TLX Features
The 2023 Acura TLX is priced right, so long as you’re fine with an off-the-shelf model.
You won’t find many options when it comes to the 2023 Acura TLX. The automaker sells a handful of configurations, meaning most buyers will only need to hone in on paint and upholstery colors. That stands in marked contrast to European rivals with lengthy options lists, but the TLX still earns an 8 thanks to its premium value proposition, good standard fare, and a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty with two years of included maintenance.
Starting at $40,745, the base TLX is outfitted with synthetic leather upholstery, a 10.2-inch touchscreen for infotainment, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a sunroof, and an impressive array of driver-assistance and crash-avoidance tech. While the basic infotainment system works well enough, the touchpad that takes up quite a bit of center console real estate space can be distracting—at best. It requires far too much hand-eye coordination while on the go.
Which Acura TLX should I buy?
Well, that’s a bit tricky this year. Our ideal configuration—all-wheel drive plus the Technology package that adds navigation, upgraded audio, leather seats, and a few more bits—no longer exists. Sure, you can add that $4,000 package, but you’ll still be saddled with front-wheel drive. Snow Belters need not apply.
All-wheel drive models start off in A-Spec guise, which is Acura-speak for a largely cosmetic upgrade with slightly sportier looks.
That leaves us considering splurging for an all-wheel drive model with the Advance package, which also includes a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, cooled front seats, and adaptive dampers. At $51,945, it’s a well-equipped sedan for the price of rivals’ base models.
How much is a fully loaded Acura TLX?
Even with summer tires and extra-cost paint, the TLX Type S will only set you back $57,745. That ain’t bad given this sedan’s impressive performance. The limited-run PMC Edition costs $63,995.
2023 Acura TLX Fuel Economy
The 2023 Acura TLX offers a good balance between power and efficiency.
Is the Acura TLX good on gas?
There’s no hybrid version, but the 2023 Acura TLX is fairly frugal given its power. The EPA says to look for estimates of 22 mpg city, 31 highway, 25 combined with front-wheel drive, which is good for a 3. All-wheel drive rates at 21/29/24 mpg.
One caveat: A-Spec versions with front-wheel drive lose 1 mpg on the highway.
The TLX Type S is rated at 19/25/21 mpg. All versions use premium fuel.
