Not sure if this is new or not, showed up in an email.

2017 Acura TLX ? Review ? Car and Driver

 

I wonder what triggered them to do the test as there is no significant change.

 

Lots of hate for the TLX and Acura in general in the comments. I can agree with some of them though. But in the end, as long as you're happy with your choice, no one can take that decision away from you.

 

Though I posted a comment in defense of the TLX, part of the 'hate' is justifiable. The only real attribute that makes the TLX stand out is SH-AWD (V6) and the 8sp DCT (i4). Other than that, theres's little justification in getting one over the Accord EX-L V6/Touring.....and the Touring makes for a very compelling alternative over the TLX 3.5 Tech.

I went the TLX 3.5 FWD, because I already had a 9G Accord (totaled) and wanted something that wasn't as commonplace in appearance as the Accord but yet still basically an Accord.

 

I owned 2 Honda Accord and I disagree with you. Take out the AWD, DCT and I am not interested in another Accord, specially after a few Audi and BMWs. The TLX has definitely more cachet than an Accord. It looks much better, if it doesn't drive better. Likely to be more interesting ownership. That's why these cars exist.

 

Once again the CD reviewer points to the tires as a major drawback. I don't know why Acura does that. My dealer had an NSX out front, and sure enough, Continental tires. WTF?

I have 19" OEM wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S-3s on there, and it drives like a completely different car than the loaners with the stock tires. No comparison. It corners better than my TL Type S did, for sure, and feels far more planted. If you know to apply the accelerator just before mid-curve, the V6 SH-AWD is as nimble as the i4 with P-AWS, especially as you take curves faster and faster.

 

Sorry but the TL/TLX has never been closer in form and function to the Accord than it is now. I look at my TLX (which I love) and don't regard to be any better than a Touring. The TLX has little more cachet than the Accord; at one point this comment would have been subjective but now it's fact.

 

Well you should have bought something else and I disagree. The loaded Accord 2016 I sat in didn't give the same sense of luxury and chic design. I wouldn't be happy in that car and I am with my TLX.

 

Was parked next to a new, still had the Monroney sticker on it, '17Accord Coupe last night....The wheels were really very good looking. Could see them on any car. Over all a good looking car to someone who is partial to coupes & convertibles.

Think the TLX is a good looking if a little bland car but the Honda Coupe had a more expensive look to it.

 

Tires are only part of the problem, the entire TLX riding is a downgrade compared to the 4G TL from a sport sedan perspective, steering, for example, is not that great, the 4G had one of the best electric steering setup in its time.

 

Let's not forget other mainstream midsize sedans that can rub shoulder with the TLX and even outperform it, including fit and finish, tech gadgets and amenities.

 

Keep talking to yourself Saturn

 

I agree with this sentiment. I don't feel like the tlx is that much nicer than the accord. In fact I think the new accord looks edgier than the tlx but the tlx is still pretty damn attractive.

 

Really?? Well "my talking" seems to be the general opinion on the car my friend....

I do not take journalist opinions as the gospel, after all they are regular people like me and you but the final sentence of the C&D article could have been written by me

Despite Acura’s history of building sporty, fun-to-drive cars—including the TSX that the TLX replaced and the NSX supercar—the TLX is let down by its low-grip tires and conservative suspension tuning that prioritizes comfort over responsiveness. Of greater consequence, the TLX is hobbled by its ho-hum appearance and its in-between position in the marketplace. The Acura fails to distinguish itself not only among its primary competition, but also relative to more affordable mainstream mid-size sedans including the Honda Accord to which it’s closely related.The TLX feels somewhat more refined and quieter, but even with its fancy dual-clutch gearbox, four-wheel steering, and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, it fails to move the needle relative to mainstream family sedans and luxury players alike.

Verdict: Automotive wallpaper from the same company that sells the NSX supercar.


Ouch.....


Did you read some of the comments?? In comparison I'm a fan of the car.....

 

Honestly, it was my overall positive experience with Honda products and fuel economy that gave the TLX 3.5 the edge over the Infiniti Q50 in my decision making. The Infiniti dealer gave me numbers that were lock step with the numbers on my TLX. But the specter of $4/gal gas prices compelled me to stay in the Honda camp.

Again: solid upscale car but merely an also-ran in the segment, and challenged by upmarket trims of non-premium offerings.

 

Almost every review I've read complains about the dual displays (in both Acura and Honda) that repeat information. I don't see this as a problem. On the contrary, the upper display might be more readable to passengers in the rear. I also appreciate that the TLX has real volume knob as opposed the the touch sensitive slider in the Accord. But it's worth noting that the Honda Accord (and Civic) have gotten very very good, and I respect Honda for not holding back just to protect Acura.

The other negatives the reviewer found might actually be what the average customer wants. They won't notice the poor choice of GoodYear tires. They prefer the softer suspension. And conservative, but undistinguished, looks is what appeals to them. TLX owners don't pretend they're Ayrton Senna on the drive home; that's for the buyers of the NSX.

 

Exactly. Every single owner that has upgraded the tires report the same thing. From what I have read the SHAWD in the TLX is better than the system in the 4G. Acura really needs to bring back the Type-S (wishful thinking but also 6MT) something they skipped with the 4G, and equip it with a sport suspension, Brembo brakes and proper tires.

 

Again, tires are not the whole story here...yes there would be some improvement but suspension tuning and simpler architecture up front (the DWB is gone) play a major role not to mention the steering which is a significant step back compared to a 4G (in my experience)

Some time ago I found a post in a thread I believe on the Temple of VTEC forum explaining in technical detail why better tires would not entirely solve the TLX woes , I been looking for it for a while to post it here but unfortunately I cannot find it anymore....however, in addition to what I can say myself, which you may think it would be heavily biased, I found this other comment (unfortunately much shorter and simpler) on the recent C&D article about the TLX from the user Iwantmy1LE that, from the level of its technical commentary in past articles, it appears to be what you may call a gear head and it does get his hands dirty in a shop (if you believe in what people write on the internet of course)...and, to be clear, he has not an anti-Honda mindset, actually on the same forum section states that the Honda V6 is still probably the best NA V6 out there and claimed to appreciate past Acura products.

04:44 PM on 09/02/2016
Iwantmy1LE
Super User

Stephen S. wrote on 08/31/2016 at 03:32 PM
"For my purposes nothing wrong here a great set of tires wouldn't fix."

The car is under-damped, underspriung, and too prone to understeer for a real performance sedan.

Tires aren't going to fix those issues.

Link: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ura-tlx-review

 

I'll defer to actual owners that have upgraded their equipment over your opinion. Thanks.

As I've previously stated, a Type-S needs to be reborn with a sport suspension and other things.

 

First of all, it is not my opinion but a fact that the TLX suspension setup is a step back, second I posted the comment from someone else so is not just my opinion, third you have to consider what the actual owners were used to drive or have some measurements done to actually understand if the tire swapping improvement is good enough to actually land in the target zone, fourth, sure with upgraded suspension, brakes, steering and 100-150 more horses (basically almost changing 1/3 of the car) the TLX would be a terrific sport sedan.............guess what?? I wish I was wrong but ain't going to happen...

 

Better SHAWD system in the TLX coupled with better tires and positive feedback from actual AZ owners really seems to bother you doesn't it? Why is that?

Oh you don't have to answer, everyone here knows your insecurity except you. However, I'm 100% positive you will continue to expose your weakness/ insecurity in this thread and continue to do so in the TLX forum.

 

Why it should bother me??

If you want to make some sort of negative remark on me at least try to use a proper/credible context....google it at least to learn its meaning before posting....my insecurity?? Insecurity about what?? A TLX?? Dude please.... I'm not going to make a crass comment here....

 

Sounds like you are trying to justify the purchase of your G. You keep replying to the same topics with the same comparisons and rather than listen to how owners are improving their personal experience, you are shouting about how acura is crap.

Of course the TLX suspension is different than the 4G TL, the demographic for sales is different. TLX was not as sporty/brash as the 4G TL was advertised to be. A TLX-S would be the ideal solution as many have posted, and even with 30HP + there's going to be a huge following. Look at the 2G TL-S and 3G TL-S.

 

You been around for some time so you should know that:

1) I do not own a G (it's a Q50)

2) It was not even my car, it was my wife ride for few months and would not have been my first choice....today I would not buy a Q50...said that quite few times.


I'm not "shouting" at anybody, it is a forum, there are new people coming for advice, info tend to get repeated and sometimes from a different angle/perspective....do you know the shelling that 4G owners had to withstand years back on the 4G section of the forum?? Use the search function...How ugly the car was, how Acura lost its way and bla bla bla...nobody complained.

Yes I think current Acura product are mediocre (with few SUV exceptions) and if someone ask for advice on this forum I have every right to suggest different options for their hard earned dollars as much as others cheering for the TLX. I was a customer, I could become one again if Acura one day finally get its s...t seriously together (I highly doubt that) and I hope that someone from corporate monitor these forums...

P.S.

Just to remark how anti Honda I am......I had the chance to look closely at the new Civic and it is a tremendous compact sedan......Honda did a stellar job and finally it seems it found its balls again in the styling department, I would seriously pick one over an A3....they should be put an Acura badge on this car ASAP.....why Acura is so hopelessly lost??

 

I read it, did you? Tires were mentioned, but nothing about the huge step down from the "best electric steering setup in its time". Of course, you are the same person who was touting the awesome, yet widely panned, and criticized steering feel of the Q50, so your proclamations on steering feel are about as relevant as a Prius owner's.

Instead of trying to explain to everyone how level, and unbiased you are, you would perhaps do better to just actually act that way.

 

...maybe you should read the TLX and TL test drives and compare notes...or, better, drive both of them back to back. The TL SH-AWD steering was definitely no perfect (electric steering would not win any steering feel context) but it was actually one of the best electric in its time in that power and price class (the TL SH-AWD 6MT had its own steering tuning compared to the automatic)...the TLX, IMHO, has been tuned more for comfort.

I never said the Q50 DAS is "awesome" did I??...I said it can be very effective once you learn how to use it I never mentioned steering feel and I would gladly swap it with with an hydraulic setup.. Keep in check your emotions and actually read what I write if you want to comment on my posts.

 

Curious - what did your wife do with the Q50 - did she trade it?

For the record I like the the styling for the Q50 but didn't cross shop it because I really have no need for a 6 cyl.

 

My wife got the Q50 Sport as her ride but after few months we got a second dog so we traded my TL SH-AWD 6MT for an SUV (technically my wife's new ride but whoever take the dogs out drives it) and the Q50 did become my car. Trading probably next year.

 

Sorry, my mistake in calling it a G rather than a Q, we are humans!

Shouting in the sense that you are hammering your points in past the point where the topic is dead. Just like the 4G TL and the beak, no matter how many people complain it was a known issue and was rectified 3 years later at the Mid-model refresh.
Yes I remember the 4G Threads, I moderated that section from nearly its inception in 2008.

Yes you have the right and ability to spread your info, but there's a proper way to do rather than bashing every single members posts and threads with the same subject.

Not saying you are anti-honda, just the hatred is a bit strong with your comments, If you can't add anything helpful or conducive to discussion then what's the point of posting? Arguing with actual owners of a car about how it compares and drives really hammers that home.

 

Oh please, you were harping about the awesome DAS setup ad nauseum. When I have the time, I'll gladly go back and quote you some more.

Again, not sure what you were reading, but all the talk about steering feel is your own input, and is NOT in this article. If you could please quote where in this article the TLX was mentioned to have traded in the "best electric steering setup in its time" present in the 4G for it's current system?? You won't find that since it was your own input, but I guess in comparison to a Jeep, or a Q50 with DAS............The 4G had good steering feel (along with a lot of N,V,H for a lux sedan), but honestly my TSX had even better feel, but a TLX with PAWS feels better around the bends.
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My emotions seem to be fine, after all, I am coming into a forum for the vehicle I own, and conversing with other owners......pretty normal behavior. You on the other hand continually venture here, have nothing new to add, but repeatedly try to save us owners from our bad vehicle choices. I am not sure why you can't get it through your head that we don't need you to save us, and we are all perfectly happy with our choices save for the annoying trolling behavior by non owners.

It seems pretty straight forward, but it seems like the person who has his emotions in such tight control can't grasp it.

Oh please, you were harping about the awesome DAS setup ad nauseum. When I have the time, I'll gladly go back and quote you some more.

Again, not sure what you were reading, but all the talk about steering feel is your own input, and is NOT in this article. If you could please quote where in this article the TLX was mentioned to have traded in the "best electric steering setup in its time" present in the 4G for it's current system?? Again, your own input, but I guess in comparison to a Jeep, or a Q50 with DAS...........

My emotions seem to be fine, after all, I am coming into a forum for the vehicle I own, and conversing with other owners...pretty normal behavior.

You on the other hand continually venture here, have nothing new to add, but repeatedly try to save us owners from our bad vehicle choices. I am not sure why you can't get it through your head that we don't need you to save us, and we are all perfectly happy with our choices save for the annoying trolling behavior by non owners.

 

why is Saturno always the common link in these scenarios?!

 

Must be those well checked emotions.

 

Every. Single. Argument. It's always saturno at the root. Leave the TLX forum alone, no one wants your crude (and irrelevant at many times) comments. I understand that my car isn't meant for the track and isn't the best sport sedan. But I bought it for a reason and I love it, and I don't want to see your negative comments on here any time someone has something good to say about the car. Shoo troll, as it's been said time and time again, no one wants you here.

 

I think we're done here.