JTK27

I was able to score a great deal on a 2015 TLX 4 Cyl Tech Package about 2 weeks ago to replace a 2009 Infiniti G37 that was starting to give me random problems (dashboard light - $900, rear power door lock - $600, engine started to make odd labored sounds occasionally - bailed before I found out how much $). My other main points of comparison include a 2006 TSX that my wife drove for 8 years and my wife's current 2015 Highlander that serves as our main family mobile.

I've only had the car for a couple of weeks, but here are my initial thoughts:

The Good:

Design - I didn't initially love the looks of the car, but they have really grown on me. I chose Bellanova White with Ebony interior and I think it really complements the lines of the design and the dark accent of the rims. I plan on tinting the windows, which should make the white color pop even more. I would say the car is very good looking and likely to age well. It's not flashy, but that is a good thing for this segment IMO.

Interior - Acura just cranks out functional, comfortable, and quality interiors in all their models. Things are where I expect them to be, everything is pretty intuitive if you take 10 minutes to learn how things work, and while the build quality isn't up to the standards of the latest Mercedes or higher level Audis, I think it is very good for a car that can be had in the low $30s. The seat is extremely comfortable to me, a huge factor for a commuter. I even think the oft-maligned dual screen setup is very nice and logical once you get used to it, definitely more classy looking than the tacky add-on looking screens I saw in the C300 and 328i.

Drive/Handling - Like most Acuras, I find the drive to be very smooth and sporty enough. I typically leave the IDS in "sport" 95% of the time and in that mode, I really, really like the transmission and engine combo. Very quick, good shift logic, steady power delivery, great engine note. I thought I would miss the HP of the G37, but I've always loved Honda 4s, and since most of my driving is on city streets and/or during rush hour, I honestly haven't even come close to maxing out the performance in the TLX, so I don't miss it at all.

The Less-Than-Good:

Stereo - Very clear, but definitely lacking bass. Would have expected more from the ELS system. I did turn off the ANR, which helped a little, but this system is certainly a step down from the Bose system in the Infiniti. I do like the bells and whistles included in a more modern system, though, including the bluetooth streaming, USB connection, HD radio, and voice controls. Everything works as intended so far.

Gas mileage - I'm at 21.4mpg according to the trip computer, compared to 20.9mpg over 5 years in my G37. I don't drive the car very hard at all, but do encounter a lot of traffic even though my commute is about 50/50 surface streets and highway. I hope this figure rises as the car breaks in, as I would be very dissapointed in anything under 25.

The Ugly:

Rearview Camera - Just abysmal, easily the worst I've seen in any modern car. I can't fathom how this passed Acura's typically excellent QC, especially since it looks to be the same one used in the higher priced MDX. Colors are muted (my green lawn looks pale yellow, same as my white driveway), the resolution is very poor so distinguishing between objects can be hard, and at night, it's basically dim and useless. This camera looks to be about 3 generations behind the one in my 09 G37 and 4 generations behind the clear, hi-res version in my wife's 15 Highlander.

Overall:

Very pleased with the purchase. I got a great deal and the car grows on my every day. Happy to be the proud owner of an Acura as my daily driver again, the first since I purchased a used 89 Integra back in 2000.

Any questions, just ask.

2012wagon

Congrats on the purchase


I know you said you do mostly city driving, so you don't miss the G37 power, but how about the torque the G had. Do you miss that?


Every body complains about the rear view camera. They haven't updated it in forever. I don't know why it is. It isn't expensive. My 3 year old lexus has Iphone 6 like graphics, and our TSX (and both my TLX loaner) graphics seems like from Atari in 1984

JTK27

No, not really. The transmission in the G was programmed to maximize fuel efficiency, so unless you really were pushing it, the transmission tried to stay in higher gears. That engine also produced most of in the higher revs, so I often felt that grunt was lacking around town despite having tons of HP and torque available when you were getting after it.

Honestly, under 30mph or so, I feel that the TLX in sport mode is more willing to get up and go than the G was.

2012wagon

I see! Thanks for the tidbit. In my 2500 miles in the TLX (70 highway 30 city), I saw about 21-24mpg. That was very hard driving, with numerous red lines a day.


So I imagine who drive their 4 cyl TLX, will usually see higher numbers.


Did you test drive the V6?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to AcuraZine.

JTK27

One other thing to add - Acura did a great job improving the insulation in the car, wind and road noise are much improved over the past generation of TSX and TL. The doors shut with a thud like a Mercedes. The body is also much more rigid and solid feeling when driving.

JTK27

I did, but I preferred the 4cyl. I thought the trasmission was more responsive and the lighter weight and more balanced weight distribution made the car feel a little more "fun" for lack of a better term.

The 6 felt extremely smooth and pulled hard, but I preferred the overall package of the 4, even without considering price.

I did not try the AWD, though, which may mitigate the perceived advantages of the 4cyl.

TLXinTX

I too came from an Infiniti G -- a 2008 G35. That model had the revised G37-like body style but still had the 5-speed automatic. It had a ton of torque down low and was easy to drive fast. At one point I got a loaner G37 with the 7-speed and it was a completely different animal - pressing the gas felt more like a suggestion to speed up rather than immediate acceleration.

The G35 also started developing random expensive problems, including a troubling one in the transmission that spooked me enough to trade it in for an Accord Sport.

I picked up the V6 FWD Tech two weeks ago myself and find myself liking it more each day. I agree with your pros and cons -- it's quiet, ergonomic, comfortable. Surprised to hear about your gas mileage - I just filled up on 28 mpg on similar 70/30 hwy/city routes that would have been 30-31 mpg in the Accord.

advan031

Nice summary of your experience so far. I'm far from being an audiophile but the ELS seems to be more than good enough for the type of music I listen to. I do agree on the rear camera being abysmal.


I'm quite surprised with your mpg even for street driving. What's your average speed?

JTK27

I'm in Atlanta, so average speed is about 20mph during rush hour with periods of stop and go. Obviously not good for gas mileage, but still lower than I would have expected. We will see how it goes after a few tanks.

advan031

Yeah, that would kill your mpg. Have you tried driving in Eco in stop and go traffic? Grant it it may cause you wanting to shoot yourself driving in Eco mode (hate this mode with a passion).

rka4570

iTrader: (1)

Wait till you get it on the highway. We took ours on a 200 mile round trip drive and got 37 mpg.

Jimmy_D

Small world - I'm also in Metro Atlanta and just purchased a 2015 I4 Tech for a great deal.

I'm curious, if you're comfortable, would you mind sharing what you ended up getting yours for? I thought I did pretty well at $30,500 at Ed Voyles Acura.

Your gas mileage seems low though - I've been averaging nearly 26 since I got the car (almost all city driving). Granted, I tend to keep it in normal mode, but I couldn't imagine there'd be that much of a difference.

And you're spot on with the ELS system significantly lacking bass. I had to crank mine up to nearly maximum output before it became acceptable...and now I sometimes hear a slight vibration from the rear deck .

JTK27

You got me by $500 from the same dealer, well done.

I didn't haggle at all, though, just made an offer with the internet sales manager and they accepted.

Jimmy_D

Ah, gotya. I admittedly pit three dealers against each other and spent the better part of a combined five or six hours over the course of three days haggling, but then again, I sort of like negotiating.

Anyhow, welcome to the club and congrats on the new ride!

9SpeedTran

Congratulations! We love the white, it is a really pure white but also that pearl effect is gorgeous in sunlight.

2012wagon

Surprised the g35/37 is so problematic

KeithL

I lean toward agreeing with OP's ELS comments. The gf's new 16 RDX has more low end bass than the TLX. Same with backup camera, I remember when the Acura backup camera was good, now everyone has passed them up. For me MPG is great compared to my A6.

atl7

I had the same problem when I would turn up my subwoofer, my rear deck would rattle. ANY song with bass would cause it to rattle and I didn't want to turn off the subwoofer as the bass in the ELS was already weak. Took it to Mungenast Acura and they loaded under my rear deck with foam and padding and secured a loose Sirius antenna. Now it's gone

mapleloaf

Thanks for the review! Having spent a lot of seat time in a Q50 loaner, I find the ELS superior to the surround to the BOSE in every way except the odd bit of music I have with heavy bass. Nothing wrong with the BOSE, as I also have a 9 speaker Bose system in my Altima, but the depth and clarity of the ELS in my TLX, for my music, is superior. DTS recordings sound, well…..fabulous.

Stew4HD

Dts-cd ftw!

JTK27

I don't mind Eco if I am in true stop and go, but once you get a little room, it is awful. I feel like it cuts the available HP in the car by about 70% and makes the steering sensitivity feel like a mid 90s Lincoln.

I scrolled through my trip computer this morning and confirmed that my average speed so far is 15 mph on 50/50 city and highway driving.

Let this be a warning to anyone considering a move to Metro Atlanta that the traffic really blows.

CheeseyPoofs McNut

Thanks for the review. I agree that the I4 is very capable for a 4. Surprisingly spunky when you get the RPM's up.

I'm getting around 33 MPG over the 12 months I've had mine with probably 85% of that highway driving. A 6 would be wasted about 95% of the time with me and I mostly enjoy the DCT so it's a perfect fit for me. I'm sure once you get the engine broken in a bit you should see a little better gas mileage.


Cheers!

wlkeel

Pretty much my thoughts also. I don't get nearly that mileage, but my driving is almost the opposite of yours. Probably 15% highway and 85% around town. However, it's better than other similar cars we've had. No gripes.

KeithL

I wonder if Acura deliberately left the bass low in the TLX because that has been a big problem in the last. I recall every one of my 3Gs went back to the dealer to have the deck padded and one we even screwed down! I was lucky my 4G the back deck never buzzed or rattled, but then I think the 4G was better built.

CaliAtenza

Yeah I wish the ELS system had some more bass as well. I have been playing around with the EQ and its not too bad. I think this system is designed for genres other than rap and hip hop.