CheeseyPoofs McNut

Nice robot review...

9SpeedTran

I've read that review before. Fascinating.

wlkeel

Her emotion and passion have won me over - I have to have one of those!!!

Rocketsfan

lol. It's not that quiet. You're not buried 6 feet under in a coffin. Geez.

Stew4HD

Nope, not quite that quiet! Now if you have the music cranked up along with the quiet ride... could impair the sound to some degree.

Tushka

Tampa Bay Times: "The Daily Drivers: 2015 Acura TLX 2.4L Tech has family's features"

By Peter Couture and Lyra Solochek, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 7:15pm

Appearance: The overall look seems more like a refinement than a clean-sheet design. The first things that stand out are the Jewel Eye LED headlights. Each has the five gem-like bulbs that first appeared on the 2014 RL, and is now being incorporated into Acura's other models. The slender headlights are brighter than halogen lamps. Acura's chevron grille now seems less pronounced, with a muted brushed-aluminum panel. The body has attractive character lines, but the look is more generic than distinctive, which has been one of Acura's challenges. We hope the upcoming NSX sports car influences the rest of the company's models much like the LFA's design cues filtered into the Lexus lineup.

Performance: Our tester had the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder, which produces 206 horsepower and is matched to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. Also available, if you want more power, is a 3.5-liter V-6 with a 9-speed automatic, but we found the revvy 4-cylinder to be plenty for most driving situations. The transmission, especially when using the paddles and with the TLX in Sport Plus mode, allows you to push it to the redline. There's even a subtle engine growl. Sadly, there is no longer a manual option. The 4-cylinder TLX is only available with front-wheel drive, but it does get Acura's Precision All-Wheel Steer (PAWS) system, which slightly pivots the rear wheels when turning for more precision. We found the TLX up to the task of hard cornering, with little body lean and only some tire protest as a result. (The V-6 gets a refined SH-AWD, which is one of Acura owner Lyra's favorite AWD systems.) In addition to the Sport Plus driving mode, you get Econ, Normal and Sport. The motion-adaptive electronic steering doesn't feel numb and, overall, the TLX makes for an engaging drive — especially when pushed.

Interior: When talking about Acura's design, the same issues that we have with the exterior move inside. If it were not for the Acura badges, you would be forgiven for thinking it was a really nice Honda. That's not a bad thing — it just speaks to the brand's lack of distinctiveness. The TLX is whisper quiet, comfortable and, as we've come to expect with Acura, laden with safety and technology features. And like its Honda cousins, the TLX comes with the two-screen electronics interface, which makes for a confusing mix of steps, buttons and dials. An overhaul here would be a good place for Acura to establish and further burnish its tech reputation. Our tester had the navigation system with real-time traffic, and the display is at eye level, so it's easy to view.

The bottom line: We both liked its performance, but Peter longs for a new and distinctive Acura design vision. Lyra thinks the mix of available advanced features, comfort and 4-cylinder fuel economy equal a valuable lineup addition.

Call it Acura math. The company subtracted the TSX and TL models from its lineup and the solution is the 2015 TLX sedan. So how does this all-new mid-size luxury sedan from Honda's premium brand add up?

Our 3 favorites

Ride and handling: Good balance of power and agility. Sure would like to test the V-6 with SH-AWD, though.

Bling: Elegant Jewel Eye LED headlights

Steering wheel volume controls: Rolls up and down, but also clicks sideways to change channels.

Technology: Our tester was loaded with safety features such as an excellent forward-collision warning system.

Trunk: It's large for a mid-size car and can haul a lot of groceries.

Performance: The 4-cylinder is revvy. How about a turbo, Acura?

Peter Couture

Lyra Solochek

2014 Acura TLX 2.4L Tech

Price: $30,995 base start, $35,025 as tested

Powertrain: 2.4-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder, 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, FWD

Horsepower: 206 at 6,800 rpm

Torque: 182 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm

Curb weight: 3,492 pounds

Dimensions

in inches:

Wheelbase, 109.3

Length, 190.3

Width, 73

Height, 57

Seats: 5

Fuel economy:

24 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway

Fuel type:

Premium unleaded recommended

Safety features: airbags and curtains, rollover sensor, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ACE body structure, rearview camera, blind-spot monitor, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist system, rear cross-traffic monitor, LED day-time running lights

Website:

acura.com/tlx

The Daily Drivers: 2015 Acura TLX 2.4L Tech has family's features 09/24/14 [Last modified: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 7:13pm]

randomRon82

randomRon82

Tonyware

^ I haven't watched a MotorWeek video for ages... John Davis looks a lot healthier these days, good for him!

Tony Pac

New TLX boosts Acura car division sales by 41 percent in September

Acura’s hope that the new TLX will turn around the luxury brand’s struggling car sales does not seem misplaced – at least for one month.
Dealers rang up 3,884 sales of the Marysville-made luxury sedan in September, the car’s first full month on the market. By comparison, Acura’s entire four-car lineup generated sales of only 4,070 in September 2013.

Acura car division sales jumped 40.9 percent in the month to 5,735 and overall Acura sales were up 18.8 percent to 13,832. The ILX entry-level sedan, MDX sport-utility vehicle and East Liberty-made RDX crossover all improved sales versus last September.

The TLX is a combination of the now discontinued TL and TSX cars in Acura’s mid-size tier. As a new product, it doesn’t have a true direct comparison, but looking back at the TL and TSX September sales history, the 3,884 TLXs sold last month is the best midsize month for the brand since the TL topped more than 4,000 units in September 2007.

“The TLX is attracting so much attention online and showroom traffic at our dealers that we don’t yet know the car’s true potential,” Acura General Manager Mike Accavitti said in a press release.

Total Honda Motor Co. sales rose 12 percent in the month to 118,223 and edges the company slightly over its year-to-date sales from 2013 – by 1,593 vehicles – for the first time this year.

East Liberty-assembled CR-V was up 10.6 percent to 23,722. Marysville-made Accord rose 30.9 percent to 32,956.
Honda’s other major launch so far this year, alongside the TLX, is the 2015 Honda Fit, which is gaining traction. It set a September record of 6,628, up 66.5 percent compared with September 2013.

Acura TLX, Marysville-made Accord push Honda to 12 percent sales gain in September - Columbus - Columbus Business First

ZAXDude

Quite favorable review of the TLX posted on Fox News -- dated 10/3/2014:

2015 Acura TLX Test Drive | Fox News

wlkeel

Both issues have "Drives" of the new TLX. No test data but interesting observations.

They both liked the:
Drive-trains
Quietness and comfort
Handling and steering
Overall engineering in general

Neither thought the TLX was very exciting.

Final paragraph from Motor Trend:
"All in all, the new TLX is no game-changer, but it's a solid, contemporary addition to the Acura lineup."

From Road&Track:
"----the four-cylinder does just about everything well.
Just about. Which brings us back to that desire factor. The TLX doesn't look particularly rich inside or out, it doesn't wow with an aggressive stance or exotic interior finishes, and it doesn't stand out from the crowd. Like so many modern Acuras, this is a rational, left brain car in a market full of right brain buyers. Which is a shame, because as usual, Acura's got the engineering stuff down pat."

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

In short, the TLX is the jack of all trades at a decent price, much like the successful 3G TL. Acura got the basics right.

To make things more exciting, a Type S trim or some sort would be ideal.

CheeseyPoofs McNut

The Nov Issue of Car and Driver has a nice write-up as well - with no test data. It's curious that none of the mags have any 0 to 60 runs with the car.

Based upon all the reviews I think Acura has done exactly what they wanted with this car - they're haven't innovated but they're back in the game in a serious way.

9SpeedTran

My recollection is that C&D was rather more enthusiastic. Wasn't that the one where they talked about "hitting the sheets with the SH-AWD"?

CheeseyPoofs McNut

They were playing a variation of the game where you are given a list of three woman and you have to:

1) Kill One
2) Marry One
3) Sleep with one

They wanted to sleep with the SH-AWD. They married the I4 and killed the V6 (not because it was bad but rather because the SH-AWD makes it replaceable).

They were very enthusiastic about the car with the exception of the looks.

Quandry

It may not have a wow factor from a distance, but I am very satisfied with the interior finishes and controls. The sliding operation of the sunroof, slider, and CD is smooth as silk. The steering wheel controls, especially the rollers on each side are state of the art. Finally, the exterior lines and shapes are subtle and can be observed when hand washing. They seem well designed and beautiful. Mark me down as one happy camper.

9SpeedTran

Hmmm. I had never even HEARD of that game until now, and I have been around for a while and been a few places. Interesting.

Number11

The Car and Driver Instrumented Test of the 2.4 is online:

2015 Acura TLX 2.4L Test ? Review ? Car and Driver

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 17.9 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 28.8 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.3 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.8 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 4.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.4 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 134 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 179 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.83 g

CheeseyPoofs McNut

You never listened to Howard Stern back when he was on free radio?

Nice - based on the videos we've seen that makes sense. How in the world Motoweek ended up 2 seconds higher is beyond me. Even running wide open in Econ mode won't slow you down that much.

Then ther's this:

"As good as it can feel, and with all its technology, the TLX turned in a lackluster track performance. The Accord Sport did better with a manual transmission and a few less horsepower wrapped in a less ostentatious and feature-rich package, for nearly $12,000 less"

and

"Ultimately, Acura needs to step even further away from Honda by offering products that might compel buyers to shop Acura first and foremost, as it did in the brand’s heyday. If the TLX is the first step in that direction, it’s a baby step"

So in the end they weren't really sold on it even though they enjoyed driving it.

9SpeedTran

That dude was one grumpy sucker. As a commenter pointed out, a very different review than C&D first posted.

mr2core

I usually try to stay neutral on internet debates based on opinions, but statements like this bug me to no end:


"Ultimately, Acura needs to step even further away from Honda by offering products that might compel buyers to shop Acura first and foremost, as it did in the brand’s heyday. If the TLX is the first step in that direction, it’s a baby step"

Um, even in the brands "heyday", they were still based on Accords and Civics. I was a teenager and knew this back then, but still liked them, just as I like them now...


Its almost like when you read peoples comments around the web and they make statements such as "the ILX is just a dressed up Civic, bring back the Integra!!!!""


Maybe its just me, but I have no problem with Acura being Honda+. It's not like I cant look at an Audi and tell they don't share VW DNA. That doesn't make me think any less of an Audi...

4thaccord

There's one big difference: the super-Civic Integra was a much better car then than the super-Civic ILX is now.

Stew4HD

Well said! You chose a great time to speak out

graphicguy

Good points.

Having owned and/or driven Audis and VWs, you can readily tell where their shared DNA, parts and drivetrains were. While not so prevalent, I could see Mini parts in BMWs.

So, this so called sharing isn't something new, for any manufacturer. Matter of fact, I'd be willing to say that a Passat has more in common with an A4 than the TLX does with an Accord.

This is not a bad thing.

Mentioned before, my wife has a V6 Accord EX-L. Excellent car. Still, driving it and driving my TL, the extra handling, refinement, performance, materials, etc are readily apparent in my TL. Yes, it's more expensive. More than worth it to me, too.

Trying to remember where I saw the 0-60 instrumented times, but they were mid 6s for the i4 and mid 5s for the V6...both FWD.

Tushka

2015 ACURA TLX V6 SH-AWD REVIEW: 2015 Acura TLX V6 SH-AWD review | Digital Trends

I had just arrived back in Portland after a long day of travel, and would only be home for around 12 hours before I once again took to the skies. To put it mildly, I was not in a fantastic mood. Fortunately, I had a lovely metallic root-beer-colored Acura TLX waiting for me at the Portland Airport. While the TLX may not be perfect, it is ideally suited to easing a troubled brow.

When I drove the TLX at its release earlier this year, I didn’t get a chance to fully appreciate just what a relaxing influence the car have during a hard day’s commute. This doesn’t change the fact that for $46,000, the price of a fully loaded TLX, there are more exciting options in the luxury sedan market. However, for drivers looking to beat a tough day getting to and from work, there are few cars that will deliver the same peace of mind.

Settling in

With an average urban commute of over an hour a day, drivers are going to get very familiar with their cars’ interiors. Acura seems to understand this. As a result, the TLX is a place where anyone should be happy to while away time stuck in traffic. Even during my 45-minute trek home from the airport, I couldn’t find much to complain about.

Even after a bad day at the office, sitting in a TLX is going to remind the driver that they are doing okay.
The interior of the TLX is modern, but essentially conservative, with the only interesting bits concentrated on the center console. Unfortunately, I don’t especially like the modern touches that the designers have added. On V6 TLX’s shifting is handled through a series of buttons on the center console. These look nice, and are sure to arouse the envy of anyone who has to move a lever like some sort of caveman, but in practice they are a bit frustrating. I am sure that long-term owners would be able to learn the position of various buttons from memory. Even after a week with the car, however, I was still fumbling.

The other modern aspect is one that I have already discussed at length: the two screen infotainment system. While this notion grew on me a bit during the week I spent with it, I still don’t care for it. It is nice to always have the navigation map open, but having to go back and forth between using a touch screen and a joystick is frustrating, especially because neither control system is as refined as it might have been if it were the sole focus.

Despite my complaints, there is a lot to like in the TLX’s interior. The seats are extremely comfortable, and the cabin is quiet even at speed. Most of all, the TLX gives an impression of quality and luxury missing from the TL and TSX it replaces. In fact, when compared with the stripped-down sedans the Germans sell at the same price, the TLX comes off as being the high end product. In short, even after a bad day at the office, sitting in a TLX is going to remind the driver that they are doing okay.

Fitting in

It’s not just the car’s tech-laden interior that gives the TLX a sense of presence. Acura’s designers have kept the TLX well within their design language, but – thankfully – have toned down some of that language’s most polarizing features.

2015 Acura TLX side mirror v2
2015 Acura TLX front right macro v2

2015 Acura TLX tail light v2
2015 Acura TLX grill v2

The giant chrome parrot beaks of the TL and TSX have been toned down to the point where it is almost classy, especially when complemented with the jewel-eye LED headlights. In profile, the TLX is a bit hard to distinguish from a Honda Accord. Thanks to big wheels and a relatively wide stance, though, the car looks like it means business from front and rear three-quarter angles. Most importantly, the TLX’s design has enough luxury cues so that it fits in with the German performance crowd without looking like a copy of anyone else.

It doesn’t have the styling verve of the Cadillac ATS, but by the same token it won’t raise as many eyebrows at the local golf club.

Getting home

The TLX truly excels in an area likely to be prized by avid golfers: smoothness. This is true whether the driver is stuck in traffic or going out for a Sunday cruise.

To really have fun in the TLX, customers need to look down market to the base model inline four-cylinder model.
Acura’s decision to prioritize smoothness is evident in the powertrain. My press demonstrator was fitted with the top of the line 3.5-liter V6, which produces 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This silky motor is mated to a brand new nine-speed automatic gearbox. While this transmission gets flustered when forced to handle aggressive driving, it offers seamless and immediate shifts under normal conditions. It also lets the V6 drop to a near idle at the highway, which translates to a respectable 21/31 mpg split.

Like most of the cars we test at Digital Trends, it doesn’t live up to this mileage in practice. However, the V6 does deliver on those power numbers. The sensation of acceleration isn’t especially dynamic, but like riding a wave, it just doesn’t stop.

By switching through Acura’s IDS system, it is possible to select one of four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+. Only two of these make really radical changes, “Eco” throws a wet blanket onto the throttle response, and is intolerable for all but highway driving. “Sport+” makes the TLX very, very angry fettling with the all-wheel drive to allow more slip and having the transmission hold gears all the way up to the redline. It is fun when hammering along a twisty road, but the extremely aggressive shift points quickly wear thin otherwise.

Sticking with Sport mode for around town, the driver will be treated to a fair compromise between comfort and sportiness. With Acura’s torque vectoring Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) the car feels planted and responsive. Unlike some cars, the sporty handling hasn’t compromised the ride, which is firm enough to give the driver a sense of the road surface, but isn’t jarring or uncomfortable.

2015-Acura-TLX-front-2-v2
Sadly with the big, heavy V6, electric power steering, and a great many computers between the driver and the road, the TLX isn’t that fun when driven hard. It will do just about anything it’s asked, but feels heavy and prone to understeer at or near its limit. To really have fun in the TLX, customers need to look down market to the base model inline four-cylinder model. The 206-hp four-banger may be from an Accord, but it is fiery. And thanks to its lower curb weight, the car is freed up for livelier handling.

Conclusion

When it comes to people who love driving pure and simple, the Acura TLX is not going to win many hearts and minds – at least not while BMW continues to sell the gold standard 3 Series. Unfortunately, few people commute on the sort of ocean-side highways featured in car commercials. Real humans spend time stuck on urban freeways or at stop signs amid a sea of Olive Gardens and Foot Lockers. And for these not quite so interesting but far more common humans the Acura TLX makes a lot of sense.

The TLX has the sort of quality and comfort that buyers expect from Honda and Acura, but with a much more refined and upscale feel than the outgoing TL and TSX. Better than that, the TLX gives provides much more value than its German – and even Japanese – competitors.

Highs

Silky smooth V6
Upscale interior
Grownup styling
Excellent value, compared to the Germans
Lows

Frustrating infotainment system
Lifeless at “the edge” handling

9SpeedTran

As I said elsewhere, (1) my TL Type S had "lifeless 'at the edge' handling" or worse until I changed the tires, and (2) SH-AWD requires a subtle change in how you drive, it really only comes out to play when you are accelerating through a curve.

randomRon82

blacktsxwagon

The paper laminated letters in this video were truly groan worthy.

Rocketsfan

Quite a few bits of misinformation in that Rosenthal video. lol. But generally-speaking, a decent sales video.


blacktsxwagon : I don't know if you watched the whole video, but there were more groan-worthy moments in it. lol.

blacktsxwagon

I couldn't make it after that. I hate dealership made videos. I am very much an advocate for direct sales especially given crap like this.

randomRon82

ostrich

This is Tom Voelk's review on New York Times:

http://nyti.ms/1sO0Gs1

I guess it is true that this car is more about being sensible and logical, rather than the "thrill".... anyway, the acceleration for the V6 SH-AWD was found to be 5.9s in this review.

WheelMcCoy

Here's a video from Tom Voelk.

Driven | 2015 Acura TLX - Video - NYTimes.com

He talks about the V6 version. I learned that the start-stop is implemented a little differently than with other manufacturers. Light brake effort does not stop the engine, which is a pretty smart.

Edit: Doh! I see ostrich beat me to it!

randomRon82

randomRon82

lmao...... mmmyyy bad. This has been posted now three times. hahaha... mods feel free to delete my above post.

Stew4HD

It's that kind of thrill!

Tony Pac

Watch:
Acura's Game-Changing TLX - Autoline After Hours 262

randomRon82

Acura TLX exceeding expectations of drivers and dealers - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tony Pac

thanks! great review.