Honda430

I don’t know, man. The stereo really is that good. Go take a listen to it if you can find the time.

ESHBG

That's all well and good but this shouldn't be the main selling point of a $50K car.

Honda430

It isn't. Acura invited journalists to listen to the ELS system weeks before the car was available for test drives. Many were truly impressed with the sound system. So now a few with a bit of tongue in cheek are saying the vehicle itself is also quite good.

leomio85

So, to spiral this even more off topic, I heard a very unsubstantiated, unverified claim that the '21 MDX will not have the 2.0T base engine. No word about what it will have, just not the 2.0T. Has Honda stated they're phasing the J35 out, or are people speculating that due to them replacing many V6 models with that engine? Another wild theory I came up on my own, and this is purely speculation and based off nothing but my own thoughts, so don't go quoting this as anything but hearsay, but maybe a de-tuned version of the 3.0T? Smaller turbo perhaps? Or simply milder tune? Make it just over 300HP to out-do the Highlander/RX? People do still haul (people mainly) and tow with their MDX/Odyssey/Pilot/Passports, and I don't know that the 2.0T 4-banger would fare well in this capacity.

We'll find out Oct 14th apparently, so I guess fire up the rumor mill until then (unless someone else can chime in with maybe some more insider info?) ...

Tesla1856

That would be the logical choice since the current MDX has a 290hp V6.
Unfortunately, I don't think leaving the EarthDreams-V6 in-place as-is is an option (as it's rather old now and the other issues like oil consumption).

dmski

Given Acura's marketing slogan 'Precision Crafted Performance' they actually took few steps back against the Accord. Accord buyers will be baffled at how much slower and smaller the car is. I honestly don't see people upgrading from Accord to the TLX. The only thing TLX has going is much better interior quality. As for Genesis, I don't care how good they get, they need a real dealership network. They will not succeed without it. Go look at some G70 reviews on YouTube and read owners comments. The dealership experience is just horrible especially when you need some warranty work done by Hyundai.....

kurtatx

So that makes it okay...?

It's stupid. The engine sounds like shit and it's boring and slow

ESHBG

It was very odd that they would market a performance car but yet the stereo is what they chose to highlight ahead of time instead of the actual numbers (or even teasers), which led me and many others to believe that this meant that the numbers will be disappointing...and they were.

fiatlux

I know we keep saying performance, but one thing that has stuck out to me is that in all the interviews, Ikeda always refers to the Type-S as the "sports derivative" of their lineup. First of all, I've never heard that term used anywhere else before, and he says it multiple times across multiple interviews so it seems deliberate, but secondly I find it odd that they don't call it the "performance variant", which is a phrase that's an industry standard. Am I reading too much into this? Maybe they're trying to manage expectations and frame the Type-S not as a true performance car, but as a sportier (whatever that means) version of the regular car.

Honda430

The system really is good enough to highlight if you were trying to build some early buzz before you were prepared to release the car for test drives. Like I said if you have an opportunity go listen to it.

pyrodan007

Acura's ELS system was always known to be one of the better ones. To ship a car to reviewers just to play with improved sound system on a completely redesign sport influenced sedan is odd and was a bad omen. Looks and a good sound system is not enough for folks to sign a check.

SebringSilver

If your flagship sports sedan can actually perform as one, buyers will be fine with whatever the stereo system is like, as long as it’s not an embarrassment. Acura need to figure out what their buyers’ priorities are. You don’t see BMW bragging about the 1,800 watt stereo in their M340i.

SebringSilver

The ELS system in the new car is quite good, I’ll admit. It’s better than what you’d find in most entry level luxury cars. But if you happen to have an Audi dealership near where you are, I would suggest going there and checking out the Bang & Olufsen in an A7. There is absolutely no comparison.

Honda430

No they don't and it could be because they aren't very good. To be honest though the quality of the sound system does not appear to be something BMW finds important in at least the 3 series. You might be right, but I couldn't find any
reference to an 1,800 watt sound system in the M340i.

Honda430

Yes, but that's a $74,000 automobile which would be $82,000 here in CA. I'm just a working stiff. I can't play with the big boys.

SebringSilver

My point isn’t about whether BMW has a killer stereo or not. It’s about a company that purports to make performance cars getting their priorities right.

Peace.

Honda430

I understand exactly what you're saying yet that is not what you posted.

kurtatx

Exactly. I have a hard time believing anyone buys a sports car for its sound system. Ultimately, they're going to buy the car and the sound system needs to be worthy.

SebringSilver

See, here’s the thing. Those reviewers and YouTubers that Acura invited to sample the new ELS system would absolutely have experienced the stereos in higher priced cars which means it’s entirely possible that the outcome is something along the lines of “meh, it’s pretty good, but I’ve heard (much) better. Why are they focusing on this so much when they can’t even demonstrate the car’s performance capabilities?”

Acura can do better than this. Just wish they would.

fiatlux

This again is just a mess of how Acura decided to market this car. If they had just avoided calling this a sports sedan, and marketed it how Audi or Mercedes market their cars, this wouldn't be half bad. But when you go out and say this is a sports sedan from a brand with a renewed focus on performance rather than luxury, then your #1 priority should be to deliver on performance, and this does not.

kurtatx

I mean, Acura marketing did put out this gem:

https://jalopnik.com/this-acura-ad-i...-ev-1728207433

SebringSilver

“1,800 watt” was anecdotal. It doesn’t matter what the power output is. I already mentioned what the point is.

Tony Pac

Audizine.com 🤣

ESHBG

On the bright side when you step on the gas and the car hesitates and as it depreciates like a rock folks can say hey, but at least the sound system sounded really good

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

A bit off topic, but the 2020 NSX I drove had the ELS system and i'll be very honest with you, the sound system was terrible for the cost of the vehicle. I really disliked the infotainment system. The navigation quality seemed slightly better than my 2004 TL. To be very fair and honest, I highly doubt people are spending north of 150K for a high performance super car to brag that their audio system is killer. In perspective to what I currently own, it's about the same quality as my TL which has the Phantom signature series AMP with stock speakers. The HK system in my M40i is the best in the fleet and it was reviewed as a decent upgrade from the standard system. SG does review some audio systems, which is great for viewers that are interested in the audio quality.

My local Acura dealership just got their 1st shipment of the new TLX. I'll be going for a test drive sometime this week.

KeithL

yeah they are working on it. They had a bunch of screw ups from waiting too long to do it then all the legal crap with existing dealerships really hurt them.

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

Barbecue Tech Tips

The ELS audio 3d system got my attention when they only let the press sit in the car and listen. Being an audiophile at heart, this made Acura a must buy for my next car over a Lexus ES.

lets be real, do performance numbers really matter when commuting to work? Go buy a Miata or muscle car to carve the canyons or race stop lights.

Performance is sidelined by NVH, materials, comfort, and audio quality.

SebringSilver

Dang it, you’re right. How can anyone forget those Acura ads showing the car in gridlock during rush hour traffic. It’s not like they’ve been repeatedly touting they’re serious about performance or something along those lines. Sorry, my mistake.

fiatlux

Their new tagline should be "Precision Crafted Commuters".

If you care about NVH, materials, comfort, and build quality, go buy a Lexus. You'd be stupid to buy an Acura if that's your main priorities.

dio

Interesting to see most of the regulars and or the comments left on here to be mostly negative, not surprised. Yet, most of the YouTube reviews and or the early printed reviews from the professionals I read, are mostly positive. I think the Aspec for example should be similarly priced at what the outgoing model was. But with patience, I believe the incentives we will see
once the hype is gone will be in line. I test drove the car and I liked it a lot, and I will lease it once my lease is up 3 months from now and or when they lower the MF and the cap cost, and I WILL PAY what I believe is fair. I always negotiate.
I guess, I understand why most of the comments here are negative, but that's just here on these forums, most of the folks I speak to about the car like it a lot, and they don't care of the 0-60 numbers. if you do, wait for the Type S. and or look elsewhere. The people who do not leave negative comments on these forums, far outweigh the negativity found here.
I'm not sure what you all expected, maybe tame those expectation, I bet once the Type S comes out and the car drives great and does the 0-60 you all want, we will see comments about how the car doesnt have rain sensing wipers or fog lights. Cant make everyone happy.

amcobra

Everyone has their priorities. Whether I care for them or not it’s not my money.

ESHBG

Are the YT reviewers paying $50K for the car? Were they long time Acura owners who were really excited by the hype of this release but in the end let down? Are the YT reviewers having to deal with the Acura dealership that no longer gives loaners during service, and where the experience is now no better than a Honda dealership?

I'm glad some people really like the car and who knows, it may be a perfect fit for some. But you cannot market yourself in a certain way but then not come through with any of the follow up at these prices.

dio

So, you were let down by the fact they no longer do loaners? look I understand some of you are disappointments, but Acura/ Honda is a business and they have cost of R&D, marketing etc etc.
The car was going to be more money, You would be truly naïve to not expect it. I surely went into it thinking price would be higher, not by the delta it is at launch, but certainly expected it BE HIGHER.

So, what are you mostly disappointment about this iteration? in my opinion.
1) The car looks nicer then the outgoing model, no?
2) The car drives better, no? test drive it, if you haven't already I have 2 2018 Aspec v6, the car drives better, handles better.
3) The interior of the car is improved by a considerable amount, and the build quality fit and finish is better than any of the previous 10 + other Acura Ive owned.
4) The technologies are improved, the screen is improved, the audio is improved.
5) the price is higher than we call expected and some of the features are strangely removed from what was on other models for this iteration, no sensing wipers.

for all of the negative talk, I mostly, and in my humble opinion see a lot of improvements vs the outgoing, outside of price. And when all the smoke and hype clear I beleive the price will settle somewhere are the middle.
in closing I watch these boards usually only when the new models are coming for insight and to get some information from buyers. But I see so much emotion and negativity its striking and I dont see it like most of you.