Rental Review: 2018 Acura TLX V6 Technology Package (non-AWD)

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
03/20/2018 at 20:00 • Filed to: TSX vs the world, Acura TLX, acura tsx

When I told the service guy at the Acura dealer I had a 6-speed TSX, he said I need to hold onto it as long as I can. The TLX answers why, in spades.

Ever since the Acura TLX came out in 2015, replacing both the TSX and TL, I had been curious about it. Its looks are a definitive improvement over the last generation TL, but reviews had always been ambivalent toward it. With the same 3.5 liter V6 as both cars had in varying trim levels, how could this have been possible? Today, I found out. It’s closer in size to the TL than the TSX, and weighs almost exactly the same as the TSX did. Despite this, it definitely feels heavier, and does not handle as well (which, to be fair, is as much weight distribution as it is anything else). The 9-speed automatic feels clunky, especially in Sport mode, and when in Sport+ and manually shifting via the paddle shifters there’s a noticeable time of close to half a second between hitting the paddle and it actually changing gear. The interior is pretty nice, but not a definitive improvement over the TSX. Most things are controlled via the touchscreen, including the seat heaters, while the TSX had actual buttons for that. It feels slightly less comfortable than the TSX, but has a little more room. Not much, mind you. The rear seats are a little roomier, as they should be for a physically larger car. All in all, the TLX could have been a better challenger to Lexus and Infiniti, but it feels like Acura played it a little too safe. I’ll always check them out when passing them by, but I now know I don’t want one.

DISCUSSION (25)

Nibby > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 13:05

dat camry doe in the last pic

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 13:10

Nice Civic LX

Tekamul > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 13:21

I test drove a 2017 AWD about 13 months ago. The AWD was nice for aggressive cornering, but there was no feedback and the overall driving experience resembled overcooked elbow macaroni.

The interior was nice though.

Chariotoflove > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 13:29

Is that cheap aluminum paint on the dash trim?

I like the gauge cluster. Sporty. Honda seems wedded to the recessed center stack screen, of which I am not fond.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Tekamul
03/20/2018 at 14:21

I can imagine the AWD would have helped a little bit. This one was very understeery.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Chariotoflove
03/20/2018 at 14:22

It’s chrome-looking plastic, so yeah. The gauge cluster is pretty cool, and I don’t mind the screens.

camarov6rs > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 14:23

That dual screen is a major turn off for me personally! Otherwise the interior looks like every Acura for the last 15 years.

Chariotoflove > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 14:26

That aluminum-ish paint is one of my pet peeves. A premium marque should do better in this day and age.

arl > Nibby
03/20/2018 at 16:11

Honestly? I’d take the Camry over the Acura.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Chariotoflove
03/20/2018 at 16:12

i think they got rid of the dual screen set up in the new accord

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > camarov6rs
03/20/2018 at 16:14

honda is doing away with that nonsense, the new 2018 accord only has one screen so hopefully going forward that starts rolling out to other honda and acura models

interstate366, now In The Industry > Chariotoflove
03/20/2018 at 16:57

Really, they could have done a lot better with the car in general.

Chariotoflove > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 17:42

That’s the thing with Acura. My mom has an RL. Good car. Runs well. But while it feels better than a Honda, it doesn’t feel luxury.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Chariotoflove
03/20/2018 at 18:07

I’d have to drive a contemporary Accord to see how much better the TSX feels, but I can see that. The personnel at Acura have definitely treated me better than the ones at Honda did, though.

Nibby > arl
03/20/2018 at 18:18

i’d take the acura cause it’s worth more and then sell it

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 20:12

I quite love the 4cyl TLX. It’s a definite step above the TSX.

Having driven the V6 TLX, I’d say I prefer it also over the TLX, especially with the SH-AWD despite the added weight.

Audistein > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/20/2018 at 20:17

I wrote a pseudo-review of the SH-AWD version’s driving experience here. When really pushed it’s a totally different beast than the plain old FWD V6 version.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-jalopnik-review-of-the-tlx-sh-awd-is-totally-wrong-1818678696

I agree that’s it’s basically a successor to the TL. It’s almost nothing like the TSX.

interstate366, now In The Industry > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
03/20/2018 at 20:21

I imagine it does feel more nimble due to less weight up front.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Audistein
03/20/2018 at 20:24

I can imagine the AWD helps a lot. The FWD V6 feels very heavy in the corners. My TSX feels much more nimble even though there isn’t a huge weight difference.

David R > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/21/2018 at 05:57

2018 TLX Tech Pkg Came with Wireless Cell Phone Charging Technology

Vimto > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/21/2018 at 09:52

To me, the facelifted TLX and RLX are some of the ugliest cars on the road. I preferred the more reserved styling used on the initial years of TLX. I also don’t jive with any transmission with more than 8 speeds. I feel like the usability of the gears diminishes greatly at that point.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Vimto
03/21/2018 at 10:03

Other than it being nice to be turning under 2000 RPMs at [redacted because I live in Virginia] MPH, having more than 6 or 7 speeds is indeed very ungainly.

interstate366, now In The Industry > David R
03/21/2018 at 10:04

I wish I’d known that when I had it.

Christopher Michael > interstate366, now In The Industry
03/21/2018 at 18:59

Agreed! Everytime I take my car in for service, they give me a TLX AWD loaner. And it definitely is less connected to driver feel and more electronic feeling. I don’t think it’s a major improvement in sport and definitely not on interior. However the exterior is improved is design, but lacks build quality we once saw when coming straight from Japan.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Christopher Michael
03/21/2018 at 20:30

Yeah, that’s the big thing about the TSX, it was still built in Japan. The TLX and TL are both North American built, which is fine, but Japanese-built Hondas and Acuras have just seemed nicer.