Perhaps this sounds like a weird comparison. But I'm sure there are some people, like me, who are thinking of moving up from an Accord to a TLX for their next car. My current ride is a 2008 Accord EXL navi. It only has 70k miles, relatively new tires, and is still covered by the HondaCare for another year +. But in a year or two I'm likely to get a new car, and the TLX is on my list to consider. Also on my shopping list would be a new Accord (my wife has a 2013 Accord EXL navi that's very nice). The BMW 320i wouldn't really be on my shopping list, even though I've admired this car since I was a kid, just because the image and attitude that goes with a BMW today is not something that fits for me. But I know Acura is hoping that people cross-shop these two cars, and looking at a pricing comparison between a BMW 320i and a base TLX it's clear that the Acura is an impressive value.

It won't surprise anyone that the TLX looks like a good value compared to a Beamer, but what is maybe surprising is that the TLX even seems like a good value when the msrp is compared to an Accord EXL. In my next post I'm going to give what some might consider an over-the-top in details comparison of what you get with a TLX base compared with an Accord EXL for the price. The results surprised me anyway....

 

Huge discounts of 3k or so are sometimes available on the Accord as this point, while, as we know, the TLX is selling at close to list at the moment. But as supplies of the TLX get more plentiful in the next several months we can expect price of the Acura to ease. Setting all that aside, this is just an msrp, equipment, and value comparison. Why the base model? Well, that's probably the only really direct comparison with the Accord, and probably the only one I would cross-shop given my likely budget.

OK, so the msrp of a 2015 Accord EXL before destination is $28,420, while a 2015 TLX w/o dest is $30,995. That's a difference of just $2575.

It's kind of a shocker that for $2600 more in terms of msrp you can move up to an Acura. And unlike a BMW, which comes with an arrogant image at this point (which to me is a big negative), an Acura has a more subdued but obviously upscale and premium image. Perhaps it's a cliché, but is Acura the luxury car for sensible people?

Anyway, the game I'm going to play is very subjective, and it boils down this this: what are the various features and sleek styling of the TLX "worth" to me personally compared to an Accord. Again, it's my own opinion, and the answers would obviously be different for each person. With that said, here goes:

206 hp engine compared to 185 for the Accord: $600
8-speed dual-clutch transmission compared to CVT: $1000
PAWS precision all-wheel steering: $600
JewelEye LED headlights $400
60/40 split fold down seats: $200
Acura Premium Audio system: $300
Premium interior: $600
Very sharp exterior: $600
longer warranty: $400
tilt down memory mirrors: $200
paddle shifters: $300
larger performance tires + nicer alloys: $600

But you lose compared to the Accord EXL lanewatch (-$400) and FCW/LDW (-$400)

I imagine I'm missing some other things? I know the TLX has a front hood shock rather than a prop, the paint the Acura is going to be better, etc., etc.

Anyway, again, this is subjective, but adding up the math for me it seems like the TLX base is "worth" about $5k more to me compared to an msrp difference of $2600. Is the TLX base a better value than the Accord just looking at the msrp? Seems like it from my pov. And it's certainly more stylish and has a nice but not-too-snobby sense of exclusivity compared to an Accord....

 

A base BMW 320i has an msrp before dest of $32,750, just a couple of thousand more than the Accord. But the 320i lacks a back up camera, heated seats, moonroof, etc., etc., etc. By the time you get close to an apples to apples comparison in terms of equipment a 320i lists for about $39k. So there's about an $8000 price advantage for an Acura TLX.

And which one is likely to be more reliable and less costly to maintain when the warranty runs out? I think even some BMW fans are likely to admit that Acura is more likely to be a car that you can own for the long run even after the warranty runs out without having nightmares.

 

I meant, of course:

"A base BMW 320i has an msrp before dest of $32,750, just a couple of thousand more than the TLX."

 

If it's your (skewed) perception that BMW has this corporate image that doesn't fit you why even list it in the title of the thread?

 

If I were in the market, I would be cross-shopping the TLX and 320i, just as I cross-shopped the 328i and TSX five years ago. As a value proposition, the TLX crushes the BMW, which needs several thousand in options before it approaches the TLX's standard equipment. These include the Sport Package, because otherwise the 320i lacks the sport suspension that make it a real driver's car. (The base BMW suspension is now very soft, probably softer than the TLX's.)

And of course that's where the 320i probably beats the TLX. With RWD, 6MT, and the Sport Package, it's a more credible sport sedan, despite the relatively low power. But the power is probably underrated by BMW, and it has more torque than the TLX so in the real world they might feel similar. It's probably less reliable than the TLX, but the four cylinder 3 Series models have done pretty well and are recommended by Consumer Reports. For me, the smaller 3 Series is a much better size too, which is a big deal with our tight townhouse garage.

So I'm not sure which way I'd go between those two, but I think it's a good comparison that pits the traditional strengths of each brand against the other's.

 

BMW has a ton of nuances as a soon to be former owner of a 325i who works in the retail auto parts industry...

You can't even buy wiper blades through like Autozone or Advance without special ordering and you can't get a battery changed as the voltage has to be set to the BMW computer specs.

Those are two of the most common easy every day DIY jobs and they basically can't be done. That to me is a major turnoff on BMW's. The batteries are like that for 2005 and newer btw...

 

We actually seriously considered a BMW, test drove several versions, did the research and considered comfort, features, and how it drove. My wife is the fashionista, so her focus was more on appearance, inside and out.

By accident we stumbled upon the TLX before its lame ad campaign. We concluded the TLX was our choice. My wife was truly impressed with how it drove and frankly so was I. I was surprised that she liked the TLX more than the BMW. I knew that if we selected the BMW we would have to step up to the x version ( we deal with snow) but knew that front wheel drive and Hondas were bad weather compliant.

In terms of price, performance and features the Acura scored ( in my eyes) very well and is a low profile refined car that does not scream luxury but does not say, if I had more money I would drive something else.

I would have never thought we would chose an Acura over a BMW but we did.

 

IMO, x-Drive negates one of BMW's biggest advantages -- handling and balance -- especially because the sport suspension is not available with x-Drive on the 3 Series. It doesn't come with the Sport and M-Sport lines. You have to order the Dynamic Handling Package, which adds expense and complexity, and isn't available on the 320i. As many say in the BMW v. Audi comparison, the best BMW's have RWD, while the best Audis have quattro. I've driven a 328i x-Drive in the current generation, and it's a nice car but lacks the sharp handling reflexes of a true sport sedan. Also, 6MT isn't available with x-Drive unless you step up to the 335i.

With all this, I'm fairly certain I'd also pick the TLX over an x-Drive 3 Series.

 

Not sure it's just the OP's perception. Have you guys seen the Audi TV ad where the Audi driver considerately goes around a big puddle next to where people are sitting at a bus stop and then a following BMW driver plows right through the puddle, drenching everyone waiting at the stop? LOL!

 

Looking over the list of standard stuff on the various Acura press releases, I did find a few more things....

http://www.acura.com/PressReleases.aspx

The brakes are significantly upgraded compared to an Accord, including "Premium Bosch 6-piston brake modulator," as well as larger pads, which is worth at least a few hundred bucks.

And then there's the Integrated Dynamic System (Econ, Normal, Sport, and Sport +) which seems worth a few hundred more.

Little things like the capless fueling system, electronic parking brake, fill assist for the TPMS that tells you which tire is low and helps you fill it up right, etc., also seem worth several hundred dollars when all added together.

Let's say another grand for everything on this page.

The more you look at it the more it seems like the TLX moves from being a good value to potentially a great one....

 

Son's Civic has capless fueling system. Accord doesn't have it?

 

I haven't seen that commercial. I guess I don't get out much.

 

Didn't know that the Civic had that.

Your son's Civic also has a back-up camera which is optional on most BMWs.

 

i understand you're comparing the accord 4 cyl to the tlx 4 cyl. However, what if you compared the v6 accord to the tlx 4 cyl? The price then pretty much becomes the same, but you'd have a more powerful accord and hood shocks so it may stack up better in your tlx comparison.

 

I'm not interested in the 6 cylinder version of either car. For me, a 4 cylinder is plenty.

But feel free. You make a good point.....

 

Maybe they should back away from the street or not stand next to a puddle

 

Comparing the Accord and the TLX based on MSRP is ridiculous. You can probably get the Accord for close to invoice. I have a firm dealer price on a a 2015 EX-L for $5500 less than the MSRP of a TLX. Whether the TLX is worth $5500 more than an Accord is a value judgment that each person has to make. I personally would have a hard time justifying the difference.

 

I drive in Miami which is a tough place to drive, 4cyl is plenty to get around and for highway as well.

Back in the days 6cyl was a requirement if you wanted a car to handle decently, but the modern 4cyl is a tech marvel when you consider the amount of power they put out and how efficient they are.

 

I think it could be debated endlessly whether a Honda or Acura is a better value, however the decision has become a lot more difficult as Honda has added content to the Accord. My son recently leased an Accord coupe 4 cylinder and I am very impressed with the features and how the car handles. While I have driven Acuras for many years and have made the same value judgements in favor of Acura in the past, the current Accord hardly seems like a big step down, and I would seriously consider one when my current lease expires in 2 years.


In the end, both the TLX and Accord are great cars, and you can hardly go wrong with either car.

 

I'm a newbie with a week-old SSM 4-cyl with tech. I love the car.

For this, I gave up a BMW 5 series which had become costly to maintain, and life circumstances dictated a less expensive car.

But I started out looking at the Honda EXL, and I can't believe how close the final price was vs TLX. I got $3K more for my trade-in from Acura, plus the $1K deal, so the difference was very small. There was no comparison in my book, the Acura is so much nicer than a Honda.

I've had BMWs most of my life, and I can't believe how high they are priced now. I expect they'll see a big drop in sales as folks (that care about price) realize there are other good options.

 

MSRP IMHO is the only objective way to compare cars. Regions, incentives, dealers and the like all come into play and just because one can get an X car at X price doesn't mean the guy across the state can get the same deal.

 

Would respectfully disagree with your analysis. BMW prices are up because they can sell them at the higher prices. 3 series sales alone in the last 3 months exceeded any years annual TL sales going back to 2008.

The TLX pricing is now back in the range where in the past Acura sold a lot of cars & the TLX will do well. The RLX selling in the low 200 units a month suggest that the brand is not strong enough to sell well in the $50k & up range.

 

That is one place the Europeans have a big advantage & the shoppers can do very well. They are geared to build cars to order.

They have tied this to delivery programs like European Delivery & the BMW Performance Center Delivery where a car is built to spec & delivered to the customer at BMW headquarters or the driving school. This takes the local dealer out of the delivery loop & lets you shop nationwide for the car. I live in NC bought the 435 in Oregon, the 135 in NC the 335 in Georgia & a 330 in Tennessee all based on price.

 

OOPS lost part of the post. Vickie congrats on your new car, enjoy.

 

I'm coming from a 13 Accord EXL that I really liked - it looked like it just rolled off the showroom lot the day I traded it in. I think the Accord is a great value - certainly one of the best in class - but the TLX is nicer in almost every way.

Is the TLX a better "value" than the Accord - probably not - but the TLX isn't competing so much with the Accord IMO.

 

In the realm of nothing is impossible, anything can happen , but BMW and Audi have been on roll no matter how you try to cut it. I suspect Acura may woo back some Lexus and Infiniti customers, in as much as the folks here think the German marquee buyers will come flocking back to Acura; thus cutting BMW, Mercedes and Audi at the knees.

 

I believe it's a mandate that all vehicles have to have them. The civic is well equipped for what it is.

 

Not yet. That's why most cars, including a BMW, don't have a back-up camera as standard.

Honda did something unusual by making back-up cameras standard across its whole line-up.

 

That's like saying the only objective way to compare engines is by displacement. I'll bet that the percentage of buyers paying MSRP for an Accord is the same as the percentage of buyers paying invoice price for a TLX. 😊

 

If i ever decide to go BMW, ED is the only way I would buy. Pick er' up at the plant, break her in while driving all over Germany and then dropping it off at the port.

 

I have friends who just did ED on a 435i M sport (specifically because Acura doesn't have a sporty coupe for them). They had a blast. The car will arrive in SC in October where they will take advantage of the performance center redelivery.

 

Unless you really have to have RWD (which I would), the 320i just isn't a compelling alternative to cars the you've mentioned. You'll end up with a stripped down car that is mushy and disappointing.

 

That's because the Civic does not have a capless filler. Believe me.

 

I love the accord. Before the TLX, the accord was very high on the list. I don't know if it is just me but I'd rather drive the cheapest TLX than the most expensive accord exl or touring. Same idea with someone buys the cheapest house in an expensive neighborhood vs deck out a house in the lessor area.

I don't want to look over and there are 5 lx accord around me, at least the TLX will be limited and that is a good thing for me.

The price different between the 2 cars are actually much more. You can get exl for 26k OTD or less for 2014 model now in the tx area where sale tax is around 6.5 and base tlx is 34k just my estimate

Fortunately I am not in super rush to get a TLX so I will wait for a while

 

Buying the cheapest house in an expensive area ensures the property values will go up more than buying the most expensive real estate in a lessor area.

Used that strategy in the manhattan real estate market.

 

That does not equate to cars unless it's '70 Hemi 'Cuda convertible (or similar)

 

I am not looking for it to appreciate, and i am not brand snob either--but i want something a little special compare to mainstream car--and Acura delivers

I have 04 EXv6 and 04 TL and while the accord is much more reliable than my TL, it is not in the same league... i would still pick the TL over Accord

 

Well it wasn't my analogy.

 

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