When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A similarly equipped Audi A4 costs only $3,000 more but you get 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and 35 MPG highway. How the heck did Acura miss the bench mark they used by this much? Right now TLX G2 is not competitive on paper. That $3,000 price difference factors next to nothing on a 3 year lease which is how majority of the people get into a $50K car. I guess at this point I just need to go test drive one and be completely disappointed and end up with an Accord Touring LOL
Yes. Him laughing out loud when he stepped on the gas and the car didn't move was pretty...insulting toward Acura
I am so glad TSP showed transmission lags! 2021 Acura TLX is off my list. I don't care about sound quality, or infotainment system. Driving experience is what I am looking in the car...
A similarly equipped Audi A4 costs only $3,000 more but you get 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and 35 MPG highway. How the heck did Acura miss the bench mark they used by this much? Right now TLX G2 is not competitive on paper. That $3,000 price difference factors next to nothing on a 3 year lease which is how majority of the people get into a $50K car. I guess at this point I just need to go test drive one and be completely disappointed and end up with an Accord Touring LOL
Geeze his post drive thoughts were not kind. He's usually pretty positive. Guess he drank some of that Acura marketing koolaid too. I’m surprised he went off on the interior; from the pictures it actually looks pretty good, but maybe like a lot of Hyundai/Kia interiors they photograph better than they actually are.
So, sounds like driving dynamics is good and it’s fun, like I predicted, but the numbers are going to be rough. Steady yourselves gang, we’re going to be seeing some really lousy test results in the coming weeks/months...
He didn’t change his drive impressions of the vehicle. He questioned the value proposition. Actually what he implied was that if you can get a $3,000 discount (which in today’s market is quit possible) you’ll have an excellent vehicle.
He didn’t change his drive impressions of the vehicle. He questioned the value proposition. Actually what he implied was that if you can get a $3,000 discount (which in today’s market is quit possible) you’ll have an excellent vehicle.
I think he meant a lower MSRP, not the final post-negotiation sale price. For instance, if Acura priced this $4K lower, you would probably still be able to get that $3K discount and it would be $7K from where MSRP is today.
In my eyes, this is a let down.. So what do we get:
CONS:
Slower, (keep in mind this is positioned as a performance sedan)
Bigger outside, same on inside.
Worse fuel economy.
Turbo I-4 ...more complex,less reliable in general (this is a con for people who likes to keep cars for really long time ))
Much more expensive
I agree 99% with Alex, value is not there anymore. I mean, if would be in market for sedan and 9speed ZF would not be an issue, would gladly grab heavy discounted last generation TLX.
Now for MDX, I am sure they will do same thing with it. 4 banger in 7 passenger SUV for a base engine..... And if the price will be 50k for a Tech package, it will become a failure.
I think he meant a lower MSRP, not the final post-negotiation sale price. For instance, if Acura priced this $4K lower, you would probably still be able to get that $3K discount and it would be $7K from where MSRP is today.
I don’t know. I think one of the reasons he was conflicted is that he’s not in the practice of telling viewers to pay less for a vehicle.
Meh, I am debating if I should just wait for the RDX PMC edition or TLX Advanced this fall. Since the rear seat is so unusable, I'd hate to buy the TLX and have a family in the next 5 years and render the car useless.
Acura really confuses me. You grow the car in every dimension and the interior does not reflect it? Then they offer a high end Sports model Type-S and remove a bunch of features? The RLX is gone so a large high end sedan is missing from the lineup? Who are are they trying to sway? To me they are playing to their base and not really trying to sway buyers from any of the direct competition.
Isn't Acura rumored to give some nice big TLX incentives to current Acura leasees or owners?
I originally was looking at RDX, but then was worried it was to slow. Now the TLX is the same? It could push people into getting RDX's. Same price range, same specs, more room.. ( I want that cool ambient lighting though lol )
I also plan on looking at the A4
I haven't tossed out the TLX though. I still love the looks and the inside. The test drive will be key
Last edited by AcuraFan1980; 09-24-2020 at 06:40 PM.
In the current sedan market a $50K sedan needs to be great not just good. This is even more true for Acura, a brand without the brand prestige of the Germans. I'm disappointed from what I have seen so far but I think most of the buyers are going for Base or Base + Tech PKG in FWD configuration with far less performance in mind. We are here comparing the 2.0T with performance in mind and it looks like it's just not there.
This car is a total flop. The only redeemer at this point would be to get the Advance, maybe even a FWD one*, along with a HUGE discount to make it a better choice over some of the competition. Outside of that this would be a terrible choice and this kind of money would be better spent elsewhere.
*My logic here is that this car could still be a comfortable daily commuter for someone who spends more time in traffic than other types of driving.
Agreed. Just watched the Straight-Pipes review.
I heard ...
0-60 acceleration is only FAIR
- That's ignoring he floored it and nothing happened for 2 seconds.
30-70 acceleration and down-shifting (like for passing or getting on highway) is POOR
SH-AWD feels "wormy" ? Sounds like FAIR/POOR
Wrong ($1000) tires for curves and SH-AWD = FAIR/POOR
- Add this to lame rims
TouchPad interface is DEAL-BREAKER = POOR
Production looks vs Concept (blah-blah - who cares)
And I didn't want to Drift it, but I liked the idea that it could be ... in a legit way.
At least the 3 reviews I have watched so far are consistent. I'm kinda sad. Not sure Tech/SH-AWD is worth $45,000 usd.
Dealer emailed this morning. They are un-loading first ones off truck.
At least the rear seat room didn't get worse. Jakub said he could sit behind where he set the driver seat, and I think he's 6'2".
Otherwise, the review was brutal. Acura took a huge step backwards with the new A-Spec compared to my 2018 model. I knew the 10-speed AT/2.0T was going to be a dog after I drove an RDX loaner. To all the a ZF9 haters, besides a sluggish response from reverse to drive, I've never experienced any of the horror stories documented in this forum. Could I like it to shift quicker? Of course, but I keep it in Sport mode and it does fine. One day, I'll either get a Kturner or the SprintBooster to quicken the drive-by-wire response.
Too bad. I guess my Acura ownership ends whenever I decided to move on from my 2018 because Acura's current direction looks like over-priced trash.
Last edited by Carnage719; 09-24-2020 at 07:00 PM.
This car is a total flop. The only redeemer at this point would be to get the Advance, maybe even a FWD one*, along with a HUGE discount to make it a better choice over some of the competition. Outside of that this would be a terrible choice and this kind of money would be better spent elsewhere.
*My logic here is that this car could still be a comfortable daily commuter for someone who spends more time in traffic than other types of driving.
I kind of agree, but if the premise is that FWD is fine because this is just going to be used as a daily commuter, wouldn't an ES350 be a better option?
I can't speak to the leather, but don't most cars (luxury or not) now come with a fix-a-flat kit rather than physical spares? I think the last physical spare I got was in 2013?
Acura really confuses me. You grow the car in every dimension and the interior does not reflect it? Then they offer a high end Sports model Type-S and remove a bunch of features? The RLX is gone so a large high end sedan is missing from the lineup? Who are are they trying to sway? To me they are playing to their base and not really trying to sway buyers from any of the direct competition.
At least the rear seat room didn't get worse. Jakub said he could sit behind where he set the driver seat, and I think he's 6'2".
Otherwise, the review was brutal. Acura took a huge step backwards with the new A-Spec compared to my 2018 model. I knew the 10-speed AT/2.0T was going to be a dog after I drove an RDX loaner. To all the a ZF9 haters, besides a sluggish response from reverse to drive, I've never experienced any of the horror stories documented in this forum. Could I like it to shift quicker? Of course, but I keep it in Sport mode and it does fine. One day, I'll either get a Kturner or the SprintBooster to quicken the drive-by-wire response.
Too bad. I guess my Acura ownership ends whenever I decided to move on from my 2018 because Acura's current direction looks like over-priced trash.
Sorry, guy your 2018 A-spec is crap. I owned one and dumped it due to the cheap interior pieces and lousy transmission. A $6,000 discount wouldn’t convince me to buy that car again. I’d go buy an Accord.
Isn't Acura rumored to give some nice big TLX incentives to current Acura leasees or owners?
I originally was looking at RDX, but then was worried it was to slow. Now the TLX is the same? It could push people into getting RDX's. Same price range, same specs, more room.. ( I want that cool ambient lighting though lol )
I also plan on looking at the A4
I haven't tossed out the TLX though. I still love the looks and the inside. The test drive will be key
With the sedan market shrinking, and the 2G not making any steps forward from the 1G, why would anyone buy this over the RDX?
Sorry, guy your 2018 A-spec is crap. I owned one and dumped it due to the cheap interior pieces and lousy transmission. A $6,000 discount wouldn’t convince me to buy that car again. I’d go buy an Accord.
With most A-Spec owners not hating the experience like yours, I'd say you're in the minority. To each their own, but from what I've seen review wise, and my experience with the 2.0T, I'd gladly purchase my 2018 all over again.
Isn't Acura rumored to give some nice big TLX incentives to current Acura leasees or owners?
Yes, but only on remaining 2020's .
According to my salesman ... this 2021 TLX is viewed as new, hot, desirable ... and will sell themselves at MSRP ... at least here in Texas.
What's funny ... my dealer just ran an Ad ... on 2020-ILX ... yes ILX . Two things:
1. Never see them run an Ad on anything ever.
2. Never mentioned anything about it being a 2020 closeout.
According to my salesman ... this 2021 TLX is viewed as new, hot, desirable ... and will sell themselves at MSRP ... at least here in Texas.
What's funny ... my dealer just ran an Ad ... on 2020-ILX ... yes ILX . Two things:
1. Never see them run an Ad on anything ever.
2. Never mentioned anything about it being a 2020 closeout.
So, I have an RDX A-Spec with basically these exact seats (minus the red, but they appear identical). I was looking at them today and my driver's seat appears taught, while the passenger side looks like the above picture. I think what Acura did with this was actually implemented some "flack" for the seat leather, knowing that after some time, the cushion would depress and the leather would get strained, possibly causing issues with leather cracking down the road. I don't know how true this is, but I'm thinking that's what it might be. The driver's seat gets way more use seeing as it's usually driven by one person. It may not look great when new, but it'll last longer if that's what they actually engineered it towards. Maybe I'll take pics tomorrow. Regardless, the seats are very comfortable, even for my larger frame, so even if the leather wasn't the most aesthetic, I wouldn't knock any points off for the seats in general.
With most A-Spec owners not hating the experience like yours, I'd say you're in the minority. To each their own, but from what I've seen review wise, and my experience with the 2.0T, I'd gladly purchase my 2018 all over again.
What I’m trying to say is that if you own a 2018 A-spec you don’t have grounds to bash the 2021.
I can't speak to the leather, but don't most cars (luxury or not) now come with a fix-a-flat kit rather than physical spares? I think the last physical spare I got was in 2013?
Our 2014-MDX got auto-upgraded to a real-spare either by Tech-trim or by SH-AWD being applied.
According to Raiti on YT, both the 2020 Audi A4 and S4 both come with real spares (but that might just be on higher-trims).
Didn't he also get 5.7s for 0-60 for the RDX as well, when everyone else was doing 6.4-6.6?
Originally Posted by AcuraFan1980
Damn I was enjoying the review until the end. I am actually happy he re-recorded his thoughts a day after driving it and sleeping on it. He actually talked value, which is most important. Very critical at the end.
I don't believe that 5.7 0-60 lol It would be great if its really that.
Make sure you guys watch the video until the end to get his after conflicting thoughts on the car
Originally Posted by dmski
Just watch the straight pipes video. That lag on take off and the downshifts.... Just brutal.
Maybe AoA does his 0-60 downhill? My 3G RDX has very similar take off performance as that seen on StraightPipes ... it has to be the exact same engine and transmission tune. Seeing as it's basically within a few pounds of the RDX, I'd assume the performance to run similarly. I very highly doubt that the TLX is running nearly a second faster than the RDX while having that gradual build up of power from launch.
What I’m trying to say is that if you own a 2018 A-spec you don’t have grounds to bash the 2021.
I have 18 Aspec as well and having test driven the new RDX several times I can tell you that lag is way worse than 9 speed. At least the 9 speed behaves ok most of the time. I can tell by the reviews I watched the 1Gen TLX will smoke 2nd Gen which apsolutely makes no sense....
Even with the pretty interior, no way I'm dumping my 1st Gen for the 2nd.
I kind of agree, but if the premise is that FWD is fine because this is just going to be used as a daily commuter, wouldn't an ES350 be a better option?
Not necessarily. The Lexus infotainment is still pretty buggy according to reviews and it doesn't have fold down rear seats. And I have not done a side by side comparison yet but maybe the Acura has some features that the ES does not and/or is standard in the Advance package but is a cost option with Lexus.
I have 18 Aspec as well and having test driven the new RDX several times I can tell you that lag is way worse than 9 speed. At least the 9 speed behaves ok most of the time. I can tell by the reviews I watched the 1Gen TLX will smoke 2nd Gen which apsolutely makes no sense....
Even with the pretty interior, no way I'm dumping my 1st Gen for the 2nd.
I've driven an RDX SHAWD for a little over two years. The 10spd transmission is leagues ahead of the ZF9. There's really no comparison. Let me just put it this way. If my 2018 A-spec had the 10spd transmission without a doubt I'd still have it today.
Some things of note (might have already been posted)
His 0-60 numbers seem way off .
In the official video, Marc Ernst talks about new brakes extensively. But Alex says it has one of the longest stopping distances (ie poor).
Again, a reviewer mentions wrong tires.
He didn't seem to like the quality of the insides. Interesting comments.
Talks about the price increase, and resulting "value".
Strangely, he finishes by saying he needs to spend more time with it, before giving his final opinion. At least he's honest but seems a strange way to end a car-review that included that much driving.
About these reviews in general ... obviously we all make our own purchasing decisions (obviously after online-comparing and test drives). However, I'm looking to these reviewers for their professional opinions because they "know cars" and review new models every year. I simply don't (I'm just doing my life stuff). Kinda the same reason why I appreciate the honest opinions of the car enthusiasts here on this forum.
The Topher reviewed the Advance model and was very positive. Seems like the attitude of the Advanced is more befitting of this remake than the A-Spec, and the Type-S will hopefully satisfy the performance-minded.
I have 18 Aspec as well and having test driven the new RDX several times I can tell you that lag is way worse than 9 speed. At least the 9 speed behaves ok most of the time. I can tell by the reviews I watched the 1Gen TLX will smoke 2nd Gen which apsolutely makes no sense....
Even with the pretty interior, no way I'm dumping my 1st Gen for the 2nd.
You and I had a similar experience with our A-Specs vs.RDX. When I drove the RDX, my impression was no way I'd trade my V6 for this. The lag and power delivery in spirited and everyday driving situations left me unimpressed.
The 2021 has a unused location for a button on the right of the transmission shift buttons. It is a rubber black rectangular. There is no mention of it is the owners manual.
Does anyone know what it is for? It is also not used in the Canadian model..
Some things of note (might have already been posted)
His 0-60 numbers seem way off .
In the official video, Marc Ernst talks about new brakes extensively. But Alex says it has one of the longest stopping distances (ie poor).
Again, a reviewer mentions wrong tires.
He didn't seem to like the quality of the insides. Interesting comments.
Talks about the price increase, and resulting "value".
Strangely, he finishes by saying he needs to spend more time with it, before giving his final opinion. At least he's honest but seems a strange way to end a car-review that included that much driving.
About these reviews in general ... obviously we all make our own purchasing decisions (obviously after online-comparing and test drives). However, I'm looking to these reviewers for their professional opinions because they "know cars" and review new models every year. I simply don't (I'm just doing my life stuff). Kinda the same reason why I appreciate the honest opinions of the car enthusiasts here on this forum.
Yes, he kinda tripped out at the end. It was like he really liked the car then he said to himself "this is a $47,000 Acura. It should be better than the competition". In the end he starts complaining about what he saw as the cosmetic mismatch of the dash trim pieces and the car's weight. The whole price thing is weird to me. The car cost about $1,500 more than the equivilent 2020 6 cylinder. Maybe he and a lot of folks on this site are compariing to the price of the 2020 four cylinder. I suppose there might be some legitimacy to that, but I don't recall any other manufacturers dropping thieir prices when they replaced their previous 6s with 4 cylinder turbos. I do somewhat agree that considering the competitive segment the car is in and the lack of brand cache it's probably a couple of thousand dollars overpriced. No doubt after the initial hoopla dies down the market will take care of that.
This car is a total flop. The only redeemer at this point would be to get the Advance, maybe even a FWD one*, along with a HUGE discount to make it a better choice over some of the competition. Outside of that this would be a terrible choice and this kind of money would be better spent elsewhere.
*My logic here is that this car could still be a comfortable daily commuter for someone who spends more time in traffic than other types of driving.
Honestly the current RLX Sport Hybrid Advance is cheaper with its heavy discounts than the 2G TLX Advance SHAWD. If you can live with the dinosaur infotainment, you get much more vehicle for your money, not to mention MUCH BETTER city mpg and MUCH FASTER. The 2G TLX looks more modern and corners better.
The Topher reviewed the Advance model and was very positive.
Originally Posted by AcuraGuy2016
The 2G TLX looks more modern and corners better.
I don't know if it was the POV angle, the tires slipping, or going too fast (trying to push the car) ...
But when he was accelerating on one of those curved highway entrance ramps ... it appeared he was making some excessive steering-wheel movements to just keep it centered in the lane.
It was kinda scared for him. Not sure if this was valid or if there is even a name for this.
Not what I would expect for a car with SH-AWD. Maybe this is what the Straight-Pipes guys meant by "wormy" ?
The 2021 has a unused location for a button on the right of the transmission shift buttons. It is a rubber black rectangular. There is no mention of it is the owners manual.
Does anyone know what it is for? It is also not used in the Canadian model..
It is used, it's the SRS Airbag Off light. In the RDX, it's seamless with the surrounding material ... I don't know why they changed it in the TLX
09-24-2020, 05:44 PM
))
To each their own, but from what I've seen review wise, and my experience with the 2.0T, I'd gladly purchase my 2018 all over again.
