abovetheclouds

mapleloaf

So if you have the best AWD system amongst the competitors, as described by ta great many reviewers, then I think it's hard to suggest that this is not a good sport sedan, especially given the improved transmission over the 9 Speed. If it got to 60MPH .3-5 seconds earlier, but didn't handle well, then it wouldn't be a good sports sedan either. I think for the majority of drivers, great handling trumps (sorry) a slightly slower 0-60 speed than some of the competitors. One's real life driving, the other is mainly ego driven, IMHO of course.

On another note, when we talk about a Halo car, IF the Type S does grab a lot of positive attention in the spring, not withstanding the missing feature or three, it could well get more people into the showroom who end up buying a 2.0 version. That's pure speculation, but it does make some sense to me, especially as people come out of COVID hibernation in Canada, and many states.

BEAR-AvHistory

Its hard to say they way reviews & comparo's are going this year. Lots more qualifies then in the past.

Just look at R&T PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR = Hyundai Veloster N

It actually beat:
Toyota Supra,
Lexus RC F Track Edition,
Lotus Evora GT,
McLaren 600LT Spider,
Lamborghini Huracan Evo,
BMW M2 Competition,
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray,
Porsche 911 Carrera S,
Nissan GT-R Nismo
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club.

Any of which could pound into the ground like a tent stake. Thing the new generation of writers are bringing a totally different outlook to the reviews.

Here is their justification

The winning Performance Car of the Year was determined using the following criteria:

• Outright speed and testing numbers are part of the package but they don't determine the winner. Beyond sheer pace, a car has to bring emotion to the table.
• The car must embrace track duty while still being enjoyable on the road.
• Technology has to be used in service to the driver, not just added speed. Feedback and sensation via complexity is great but complexity alone doesn't cut it.
• Lastly, would any other manufacturer build it? Does the car feel uniquely of its story and brand?

Of Course message boards like the Corvette C8 one went ballistic expecting it to be a shootout between the 911 Carrera S & the mid engine StingRay, such is life in the first quarter of the 21st century. Everybody ready for your modularized transportation capsule?

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

Quite a pocket rocket.

abovetheclouds

abovetheclouds

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Yea I think the general consensus by the reviews is that the TLX is a legitimately fun to drive car. The same can't be said for a lot of its peers. Now, most 2.0T competitors in this segment trap at 94-100mph in the 1/4 mile. The only exception is the Giulia at 104mph. The TLX traps at 97mph and it's right in line with the others, give or take a couple mph. its rolling start metric is also right in the middle. IMO, these two are the most important metrics. 0-60mph is nice and sells cars, but I'm not sure how many people would buy these 2.0T base models and then do launch control at every stop light. To me, one would look like a total fool for doing that on the street, especially for something that is not really that fast.

Haha to be fair, they did choose the NSX, 720S, and ZR1 as 2017, 2018, and 2019 winners, respectively.

Kudos to Hyundai for making the Veloster N that good though for its price. I think of it like a 90% CTR at 80% of the price, and we all know how excellent the CTR is. I think the CTR came pretty close to winning in 2018 too.

Legend2TL

2G TLX by AZ's own Tyson Hugie, owner of the 500k 2G Legend

abovetheclouds

ELIN

Hi guys!
I just posted the first consumer review on Edmunds for a 2021 TLX A-Spec. Check it out and let me know what you think:

https://www.edmunds.com/acura/tlx/20...sumer-reviews/

Tony Pac

I like the fact that you have outlined all the pros and cons. A real buyer wants to see and read reviews like yours. Good job.

ELIN

Thanks! I couldn't edit my Edmunds review but I would've added the following:

Purists will hate the acoustically-enhanced engine noise when the TLX is put in "Sport" mode but I can just tell my kids it's time to take off! I don't mind the enhancement but I feel Acura would've been fine without it.
The exhaust pipes are elongated trapezoids that overshadow the smaller functional ones but I'm sure it's really just to accommodate the quad-pipe setup in the upcoming Type-S.

I can definitely see the Type S being a really sweet car as the turbo 4 already handles pretty well!

Honda430

I agree pretty much with your review. The car needs more engine. The four is perfectly adequate for normal duty and having mid-range fun, but when you want to punch it for thrills at high speeds it doesn’t really deliver. I’m with you in thinking the S will more than make up for performance shortfall.

Tony Pac

Tbh, i have a feeling Acura did this to differentiate the Type S. They gave enough power to TLX for everyday and the those who enjoys a daily ride. And the Type S will be the more fun and enthusiasts car. i have done 2 test drives of the the TLX and honestly it's a sweet car.

Honda430

It’s all around sweet, but it would be great with a bit more punch under the hood.

Tony Pac

Agreed. The fact that it has 272HP, it should be a little more powerful. 100% agreed!

ELIN

I've noticed that the fuel economy on my TLX is the same as the Kia Stinger GT-Line's. Could the turbo 6-cyl versions of the Stinger (GT1/GT2) be a hint towards what the Type S fuel economy would be (currently City/Hwy/Combined is 17 / 25 / 20) mpg?

BEAR-AvHistory

Those are pretty crappy EPA numbers for a small engine car. If the S can't equal or beat the 3.0L I6 382BHP M340i it should hide its face. 22 city 30 highway 25 combined. EPA can be misleading but are getting better.

These are total ranges for the last few cars actual fuel usage I had going back to 2011 through last weekend. All were 3.0L 16 turbos, either factory performance versions or aftermarket tuned. About 22/25MPG local average speed 38MPH over the road 30/32MPG highway average speed 70/78MPH.

Highway runs typically 400+ miles out & back. Local, I live 12 miles outside of city center & very seldom need to go there. Local mileage numbers based on over 900 local miles each time.

I would expect Honda's all new tech DOHC V6 Turbo to be both powerful & economical.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Honda's tend to be on the conservative side on the EPA ratings to avoid things like this:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...epa-estimates/

Tesla1856

The guy in one of the YT reviews had 2021 TLX-2.0T a week. He said is actual was 19mpg ... for a 4-banger.

I get better than that in my old V6-Accord.

Seems like we are regressing somehow. So, will the TLX Type-S will get around 16mpg (actual) ?

Nedmundo

Some of those fuel economy numbers are a bummer, but not that surprising considering this car's size and weight, especially if you're driving in the city with SH-AWD. But with the 10AT for low cruising rpm, I'd expect decent numbers in steady state highway cruising, like my old Saab 9-5 Aero. It had horrible fuel economy in town, but with the tall gearing I could hit about 32mpg on the highway--and that's with a 2.3T and late 1990s tech.

ELIN

I’m a couple hundred miles from my first fill up. I’ll report back on what my mostly city miles get me.

ELIN

One more thing to add as a new owner:

The brakes take some time to catch. It reminds me of a minivan I once owned where you could tell the brakes used were struggling to stop the weight of the vehicle (I read Camry brakes were used on the Sienna!!!).
In comparison, a Supercharged V6 Audi A6 I had stopped on a dime and it had way more power and torque than the current TLX.

My TLX is supposed to have "brake by wire". Can anyone tell me what that means?

CheeseyPoofs McNut

To be fair - your mileage won't be optimal until after the engine has been run for a bit. Also - I imagine when new we tend to run a little heavy on the turbo which will certainly be bad for the data. That's why I tend to take the MPG reported by reviewers with a grain of salt - they're certainly running heavy on the throttle!!

BEAR-AvHistory

IIRC you are looking around 4000lbs for the TLX-2. Thats a lot of weight for the engine to be pushing around. You will have to put your foot in deeper than with the DOHC 6. Would not be shocked to see it do better than the 4.

ELIN

Ok. Some creature comfort comments as I finally broke 100 miles on the car:

1) I feel the cup holder nubs don't give enough hold support for a decent size cup. This morning, I ordered a large-size Macchiatto from Dunkin Donuts and it was visibly loose in the hole while driving. While this cup doesn't match a McDonald's large soda, for example, this is still a fairly decent sized drink!
I've unfortunately had experience going the other way in a 2015 Audi A6. The nubs were so tight in that cup holder that in the 3 years I had the car, the nubs breached the styrofoam coffee cup 3 times! First time was "ok, it's tight". Second time, "damn, I forgot". Third time, I was purposefully putting it in the cup holder super slow and gentle and it still broke the styrofoam!

2) When my iPhone is attached, the audio automatically defaults to Car Play audio. I prefer the radio to catch up on sports (ESPN radio) but then I have to back out to the Acura apps and select radio. It's annoying and I have to see if I can change the default.

3) My favorite feature from the MDX was the brake hold and it is on the TLX as well. I have to see if I can make it a permanently on when I turn on the ignition through the "Individual Settings". I was told that the stop/start engine feature can be defeated via these same settings so I'm hopeful.

4) My MDX had remote start on the keyfob. It's not on my TLX keyfob but rather as a feature on the Acura App. When my free 6-month trial runs out, I will most likely lose the remote start as I have no intention of paying for Acuralink. I'm hoping I don't miss it come winter/summer. On the bright side, I have ventilated seats for the first time!

5) I have to manually fold my mirrors everytime I leave the car (auto-fold is only on the Advance trim). It's annoying and I've never had a car in this retail range that didn't have auto-fold mirrors!

Vicious Type S

Why do u Have to fold them? I've had my car for 15yrs and I've never folded them. Try to free yourself from it and it won't bother u lol. All mental brother!

ELIN

When you live in an urban environment as I do, you learn to take care of your car the best way you can. Just because you open your door gently when exiting the car doesn't mean that the folks that park next to you do the same.

While we're on topic, let me share a story:

One time I drove my coworkers to Chili's for lunch. There was snow already on the ground and I parked it a bit away from the curb (head on, not parallel parking). As I exited the car, I took another look and thought I should re-park and get closer to the curb and told my coworkers the same. One coworker said, "you're fine! It would have to be an absolute idiot to hit your car!" I was convinced and we headed in for lunch. As we left the restaurant afterwards, I walked up to the car and found a note on my front windshield. My rear bumper had been impacted by someone going in reverse on the other side of the Chili's parking lot. My coworker then said, "You called it!" My gut had told me that because of the snow, folks aren't as careful and the effective parking lot space was really a lot tighter than normal. Moral of the story? Sometimes you have to go with your gut!

Tony Pac

https://www.cars.com/articles/2021-a...e-dont-429652/

ELIN

The review failed to mention that the wood trim is only available on the Advance package (amongst other things).

BEAR-AvHistory

Its not always a have too but sometimes its a nice too. Lock the car & they fold, gives more room to go by in nose in parking. We usually park 4 across on my driveway all the cars expect the Ranger auto fold on lock. Ranger has manual mirrors & always gets parked on the end. The Z4 & RST have auto walkaway locking walk toward unlock. 135is has touch the handle or push the fob button. Of course people (wife) have to remember to lock her car. As you pull up to the mail box push the button & fold them to get close.

Little things are why its nice to live in a first world country. IMHO such a simple thing any currently built cars should have them along with hands free trunk unlock & open.

Other first world things cupholders. BMW absolutely sucks when it comes to cup holders. Good news is I don't do cupholders, bad news is the wife does. The Germans in general think driving is all about driving & don't like drinking stuff in the car that might distract you from driving. Its sort of like a backhanded payback to US drivers the way they do them.

ELIN

You just brought up another point I forgot to mention. Many car thieves typically assume a car is locked when the ears (side mirrors) are tucked. I'm basically discouraging them manually now!

BEAR-AvHistory

Good point, never thought of it,

Good for a laugh or cry depending on your point of view. Z4 cupholders super effective holder in an absolutely super dumb ass place.



BTW Guess which cars the wife drove last.

ELIN

I'm guessing BMW valued a clean look for the owner when cup holders are not in use? I have a similar bi-opening feature on my MB but it's for storage, not cup holders.

I used to throw my cell phone into one of the cup holders in my MDX. Now that the TLX has a dedicated spot for the phone (for wireless charging), that frees up the cup holder for actual cups!

BEAR-AvHistory

Problem is in addition to the cups bring at a crappy angle to reach the split lid does not leave much room for my right arm. Second its also my center & only closed storage outside of the glove box. Has a cargo net that goes across the entire rear cockpit bulkhead for hats face masks etc. As for the phone they nailed it. Sliding cover charging station that also has room & multi USB outlets for my Dragy & anything thats not wireless chargeable.

Charging station in the RST is on top of the center console lid & always exposed. Makes a nice target if you ever forget to take the phone. Different cars different shortcomings. People have to realize no matter what the cost the perfect car has yet to be built.

ELIN

Nice collection from the garage pic! I'm guessing your wife's car is the pink Bugs Bunny one?

ESHBG

If you park in a very tight city like here in Philly you don't have a choice and if you leave your mirror out guaranteed it will get clipped by a passing car or cyclist.

BEAR-AvHistory

Bite your tongue, a sub 3 second car. She can drive MT, learned to drive on a GTO & the 135is is an MT. The clutch in the COBRA is a cable pull & at 700FTLBS load capability too heavy for her to work comfortably, the steering is manual, the front tires 275X40X17 100 treadware road course units & are too hard to turn with a quick ratio box, the brakes a unassisted, I really felt bad about all that.

ELIN

Sorry! I was fooled by the lighting.

Really nice car! Ford vs. Ferrari was an excellent movie, if you haven't seen it.

BEAR-AvHistory

Agree we all saw it at the theater, lots of people saw us.



Ten cars without effective mufflers in the side pipes, rolling thunder down the interstate @ 75.