Hello friends - I'm a current 2012 TSX owner and am thinking about trading it in for something newer. There's a 2019 TLX V6 Tech available locally that I may take a look at soon. Just wondering if there's any advice that you'd have on what to look out for, things you like about the TLX, things you don't like, etc. I'm familiar with the Acura brand (2012 TSX and 2015 MDX) but not this particular model. Thanks!

 

I used to sell Acuras until recently. My advice is, make sure its what you want, that is the most important thing. Ask yourself, are you specifically looking for a V6 Tech? Do you not care about advance pkg , or aspec pkg, or SH-AWD? Is the color combo what you are looking for, or are you settling? If its exactly what you want, price is secondary. Best of luck!

Also, is it certified? It can be worth it, as you get it fully inspected as well as an extended warranty.

 

Can't stress this enough!! Make sure that TLX V6 Tech is what you want, explore your options, review all the trim levels for the 2018-2020 TLX model years to ensure the TLX you're looking at is gonna have everything you want and you will be satisfied for a few years with the purchase. I made the mistake of settling for a TLX that doesn't have everything I wanted and ended up longing/wanting another TLX so this upcoming go-round my new TLX will be everything I want.

Also check the mileage so you can know what kind of maintenance to expect in the next 1-2 years of driving/owning it.

 

How about the I4 engine?

Pros are:

• better fuel economy
• no stop start feature
• no timing belt to service $$$
• ATF service is cheaper
• more reliable transmission (8 spd dual clutch)
• gets over 200 HP
• less TSBs applied to the I4 engine and trans 2019 Acura TLX Technical Service Bulletins - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community

 

NDNV - Well researched pros re the I-4! As you point out "bigger isn't always better" for many drivers.

The only change to your list might involve the Stop/Start functionality in certain cases. The original poster of the thread was considering the 2019 V-6 with the Tech package. This configuration does not employ Stop/Start, but the Advance models do. On the other hand all V-6's in 2019 (as well as many other years) have the VCM (Variable Cylinder Management), which may annoy some drivers.

Your list should be a "must read" for anyone thinking about any configuration as there are always trade-offs. In the end it boils down to what the driver values most given his/her individual needs and wants.

 

Nothing against the I4, but the cons may be the sound of the engine and the lower hp/torque. That is, if you care about those things. I can say coming from a V6 SH-AWD A-Spec, the 330 lb difference in curb weight is noticeable.

 

Thanks for the replies. Only interested in the V-6 Tech model because that's what the dealer currently has. Used car inventories are bad these days, so you take what you can get.

Can anyone speak to the over all reliability and quality of this generation? My TSX has been a little troublesome and I don't want more of the same if you know what I mean.

 

I have a 2015 V6 since new. It runs like new still, BUT I did get my transmission replaced at 72k miles. Minus that, it's ran without any issues whatsoever.

The main gripe of the V6 is the transmission. You really need to drive it and see if you like it. Strong engine, but the transmission is slow to react.
- For a V6 it gets pretty good mpg, I get 26mpg combined and I disabled VCM.
- the V6 is smooth
- Transmission fluid is expensive, I think last I saw was about $24 a quart. So replacing it isn't cheap.
- I'm at 97k miles and the car overall, minus the transmission being replaced, has been trouble free.
- I change my oil and oil filter on average every 7k miles. In regards to the filter, some say just stick with OEM filters, but I've ran 3 different brands (OEM, Mobil1, and Royal Purple) without issue.

 

My 2018 Tech (AWD)'s reliability has been pretty much bullet proof. No repairs whatsoever as of yet - 70,000 km. Compared to your 2012 TSX, the TLX V6 is noticeably heavier and much less sporty.
Like others said, you need to drive it to see if you can tolerate its behavior. Slow / delayed reaction when you push on the gas pedal, slow / delayed transmission shifts.
The S-VCM controller (look it up) addresses the worst-case situations, making the TLX tolerable for me to drive.

 

I have a 2015 Advanced FWD that I bought new. The only issue I had with it was a early on problem that was fixed with an alignment of the LKA camera. I may be used to it, but I don't notice any hesitation when I put the pedal down. When passing on a two lane road, the power comes on fast and smooth. The V6 combined with the 9spd transmission gets me amazing gas mileage. Better than these modern 4cyl turbos. Like others, maintenance has been oil changes, tire rotations and cabin and engine air filter changes. One thing that I have experienced is that this car eats batteries. I get three years before I start noticing little things that indicate it's time to get a new battery. It may be all the electronics on the car or as some have opined that they don't make batteries like they used to.

I keep researching new vehicles, but I not a fan of turbo charged engines. Probably because I'm old and remember how unreliable turbos were back in the day. My fallback is looking for a 2020 TLX Advanced coming off lease and having a car that I know with a few extra bells and whistles.

 

You really need to be sure that you'll be OK with the transmission. I've driven 4 different TLX V6 models and every time I do so I'm reminded of why I opted to get the I4 instead of the V6. To me the transmission has just been an absolute dealbreaker. Even priced the same, I'd still get the I4 8DCT 10 times out of 10 over the V6 ZF9. With the I4 I might wish I had more power 10% of the time, but with the ZF9 I know I'll be annoyed with it 95% of the time.

 

Curious why would you say transmission in the v6 is so bad?

Havent been a TLX owner long. Sold 3G TLS MT to buy my wife an 18 Aspec v6. its just over 50k miles and just had the first flush at the dealer. i flashed the ecu with ktuner to delete vcm and improve throttle response. so far very happy with how it drives.

 

Slow to respond, and incredibly slow to downshift thanks to the dog clutches. The later software updates helped a little, but it merely made it bearable as opposed to downright agonizing. TTAC had a good writeup about the ZF9 and the dog clutches: https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...-on-the-leash/

It's fundamentally a mechanical limitation due to the design, and software updates can only do so much. Acura isn't the only manufacturer to have issues with this; FCA is in the same boat: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...jeep-cherokee/. It's also why Volvo went with the Aisin 8AT rather than the ZF9 for their cars.

 

Got it... well for what its worth, with ktuner you can reassign dynamic modes and improve throttle response. i don't use eco, so i made that oem sport mode. normal is sport with improved throttle response 1 and sport is improved throttle response 2. +1 is a good decrease in sluggishness and +2 is really responsive. car gets up to 60-70 like nothing.

 

I mean it's slow to respond when you want to use the paddle shifters.

 

Here is a good write up by Alex on Auto's in regards to the ZF 9-Speed.

https://alexonautos.com/all-about-zfs-9hp-transmission/

I have a 2015 TLX Advance with the 9 speed (purchased with 85K Miles, build date 9/2014). The TLX now has over 97K miles, with no problems whatsoever (original Trans.). The trans is a little sluggish in normal mode but I leave it in sport and it shifts perfectly fine. I plan on keeping the car for another 10 yrs., I only drive 5k- 7K miles per yr. I had the trans fluid changed at an independent shop that specializes in Honda's and Acura's, I paid $230 for the fluid change. Honda recently quoted me $399 when I was in for an oil change 2 months ago.

 

Hey guys,

Been a 3G TL 5AT owner now for 7 years and love the car.

I've been thinking of moving to a 5G or 6G TLX. I want another V6, but have some misgivings about the VCM (Variable Cylinder Management). However, I see from some of the posts above that the VCM (stop-start) can be turned off or deleted. Question: is this an easy thing to do (i.e. press of a button, etc.)?

All of that said, after reading this thread, I'm swinging more towards getting the I4 with the 8DCT.

Just saw a post in another thread describing how to disable the VCM on V6s:
https://acurazine.com/forums/5g-tlx-.../#post15102942

 

Coming from a 3G, you may not be happy with a 3500 lb car with 206hp.
Fwiw, before purchasing 18 TLX v6 aspec fwd, I previously had a 3G type s 6spd. The fuel comsumption is night and day. Cruising at 75-80mph, the rpms are around 1500. Compared to 3k in old type S.

For awareness fwd TLX v6's don't have idle stop start, which can be disabled with a button on the sh awd model. Just know, that it re-enables itself after shutdown.

Variable Cyl Management (VCM) disables one bank of cyls during cruising. There are some electronic gadgets that trick the ecu into not enababling vcm, by altering one of the temp sensorsl signals to read a false temp. However, you run a risk of damage if the other temp sensor does not detect an actual engine overheat condition. I opted to avoid the trickery and just get ktuner, which can disable vcm at the ecu level.

 

There is a recall and stop sale (that many dealers don't seem to be paying attention to at all, unfortunately) on the 5G TLX V6:

https://acurazine.com/forums/5g-tlx-...ecall-1004945/

When you come across one you are interested in check the VIN. So far 98% that I have come across on lots in my area are part of this recall.

 

The fuel economy thing isnt really true.. the 3.5 gets amazing gas mileage, I get 27 mixed city and country back roads.. Interstate ive gotten as high as 38.7mpg on a 4hr trip in the middle of the summer with the AC blasting and in sport mode. The 9spd Transmission in the 2018s and up are way smoother than previous years due to updates and its plenty reliable if serviced properly.