2021 Acura TLX Reviews **2024 TLX Reviews (starting page 70)**
#2523
Senior Moderator
https://louisleveneautomotive.godadd...zGDHVxgcrk-oxc
The TLX Type S was hyped up to be a phenomenal luxury sport sedan, competing with vehicles like the Audi S4 and BMW M340i. Instead, many have concluded that Acura’s vehicle has under delivered on its promises, having lackluster performance at best. Those people couldn't be more wrong. The TLX Type S has more up its sleeve than what first meets the eye, and (perhaps at the fault of Acura’s marketing team) many are unaware of just how special the TLX Type S is.
Addressing the elephant in the room, a stock TLX Type S is slow on paper compared to competitors. But Acura understands the purpose of its vehicle. It’s fast enough and handles well enough to give plenty of thrills as you commute or go on a spirited Sunday drive. It also has all the creature comforts one naturally expects from a luxury brand, and is a reliable car in a segment where competitors’ vehicles are infamous for becoming maintenance headaches. In short, the TLX Type S is a car that offers just as much fun, comfort, and convenience as competitors while also being more affordable (both upfront and in the long run). Most TLX Type S owners aren’t going to be taking their car to the track or drag strip, so does it really matter if some competitors inch it out in races?
But for those who really do need the car to be a bit faster, the big kicker is how much power and torque Acura has left on the table. Saying the car is under tuned from the factory is an understatement. Just a couple of cheap bolt-ons unlock an almost unbelievable amount of increased performance. So if you want equal (or even better) performance than competitors, you can get it. The Type S engine also has a forged crankshaft and connecting rods, which should give those that want to add some performance mods some peace of mind.
But Acura does not soup up its engines like this from the factory as it could risk tarnishing the company‘s reputation as a reliable brand. Additionally, more power means lower fuel economy. So Acura was smart in giving customers a car that is good enough from factory, but with strong enough internals that those who want to go crazy are absolutely able to. Another factor to mention is that the company honors a lengthy 6-year or 70,000 mile powertrain warranty on all vehicles, and adding unnecessary power just puts the company at more risk.
Here’s some numbers that might surprise you:
- A bone stock TLX Type S hits 0-60 in 5.1 seconds (not horrible but definitely slow compared to some competitors).
- Throw on a catless down-pipe, P2r throttle body, and custom inlet pipe and that’s good for a 0-60 time of 4.26 (pretty huge difference for such simple mods). Source
- Get rid of all of those mods and just use a plug and play JB4 chip and you get up to 80 more whp and 100 extra wtq. That's good for a 0-60 time of 4.58 seconds. Source
With the car being so new there will surely be even more affordable and simple performance mods that come out, and based on what we’re seeing so far, this car has HUGE potential. It’s fair to assume that getting the catless down-pipe, P2r throttle body, custom inlet pipe, and then also getting a custom chip (such as the JB4 one, or K-tuner also has a stage 1 chip coming soon and will likely be making a stage 2 in the future) could easily put you in the mid to high 3s in terms of 0-60 times. That is some serious performance!
So there you have it. If you want a super reliable luxury car that’s a little more thrilling than your every day commuter, but don't want to spend thousands more for a competing brand, this is a perfect car. If you really need the performance to be equal to or better than rivals, the option is there for you. But again, most will be perfectly happy with their stock TLX Type S.
Edit written below for the sake of clarification:
The mods mentioned above are negligibly cheap. The primary point being made in this article is these very cheap and easy to install mods allow the TLX Type S to deliver a huge bang for buck compared to competitors. That is, one can get this car and install these mods, and have a car quicker than more expensive competitors while still having spent less money overall.
These simple mods make the Type S significantly quicker than cars like the G70 and Kia Stinger, two cars that are often compared to the Type S, and cars that have caused the Type S to receive criticism. With a combination of a performance chip and some simple components (e.g. throttle body), the car should be in the 3s as it relates to 0-60 times. For the price point that is phenomenal performance for doing so little to the car so cheaply. There isn't any data out yet that shows numbers for a TLX Type S with both a chip and some bolt-on mods. The car is very new so with time we will get to see exactly what is in store!
For those who don't care about the actual numbers on paper as it relates to performance, the secondary point being made is that the TLX Type S is perfectly adequate if you're looking for a fast sedan that handles great, but still gives you top-notch luxury/creature comforts. That is - while on paper something like a Stinger or G70 might be marginally quicker and cheaper, the speed difference isn't noticeable unless you're on a drag strip. With that said, Acura has an undeniable edge over the Korean cars when it comes to other aspects (like build quality)!
As a final point, this article is not meant to claim competing cars are not good. The Kia Stinger is arguably the best car in its segment, and the M340i is a MONSTER. This article is meant to squash the claim that the TLX Type S is a bad car. The TLX Type S does absolutely everything Acura promised - and then some. Some of the criticism the car has received may be warranted, but not to the point its at now, where there's a public consensus that this car is a flop. After reading this, the hope is that the car has at least a little more respect as a great option for those looking for a luxury sport sedan without breaking the bank.
If you’re interested in ordering a TLX Type S or any other new Acura without paying a dealer markup, you can contact me by emailing louis.levene@leithcars.com or hitting the “contact us” button on the website!
Addressing the elephant in the room, a stock TLX Type S is slow on paper compared to competitors. But Acura understands the purpose of its vehicle. It’s fast enough and handles well enough to give plenty of thrills as you commute or go on a spirited Sunday drive. It also has all the creature comforts one naturally expects from a luxury brand, and is a reliable car in a segment where competitors’ vehicles are infamous for becoming maintenance headaches. In short, the TLX Type S is a car that offers just as much fun, comfort, and convenience as competitors while also being more affordable (both upfront and in the long run). Most TLX Type S owners aren’t going to be taking their car to the track or drag strip, so does it really matter if some competitors inch it out in races?
But for those who really do need the car to be a bit faster, the big kicker is how much power and torque Acura has left on the table. Saying the car is under tuned from the factory is an understatement. Just a couple of cheap bolt-ons unlock an almost unbelievable amount of increased performance. So if you want equal (or even better) performance than competitors, you can get it. The Type S engine also has a forged crankshaft and connecting rods, which should give those that want to add some performance mods some peace of mind.
But Acura does not soup up its engines like this from the factory as it could risk tarnishing the company‘s reputation as a reliable brand. Additionally, more power means lower fuel economy. So Acura was smart in giving customers a car that is good enough from factory, but with strong enough internals that those who want to go crazy are absolutely able to. Another factor to mention is that the company honors a lengthy 6-year or 70,000 mile powertrain warranty on all vehicles, and adding unnecessary power just puts the company at more risk.
Here’s some numbers that might surprise you:
- A bone stock TLX Type S hits 0-60 in 5.1 seconds (not horrible but definitely slow compared to some competitors).
- Throw on a catless down-pipe, P2r throttle body, and custom inlet pipe and that’s good for a 0-60 time of 4.26 (pretty huge difference for such simple mods). Source
- Get rid of all of those mods and just use a plug and play JB4 chip and you get up to 80 more whp and 100 extra wtq. That's good for a 0-60 time of 4.58 seconds. Source
With the car being so new there will surely be even more affordable and simple performance mods that come out, and based on what we’re seeing so far, this car has HUGE potential. It’s fair to assume that getting the catless down-pipe, P2r throttle body, custom inlet pipe, and then also getting a custom chip (such as the JB4 one, or K-tuner also has a stage 1 chip coming soon and will likely be making a stage 2 in the future) could easily put you in the mid to high 3s in terms of 0-60 times. That is some serious performance!
So there you have it. If you want a super reliable luxury car that’s a little more thrilling than your every day commuter, but don't want to spend thousands more for a competing brand, this is a perfect car. If you really need the performance to be equal to or better than rivals, the option is there for you. But again, most will be perfectly happy with their stock TLX Type S.
UPDATE
Edit written below for the sake of clarification:
The mods mentioned above are negligibly cheap. The primary point being made in this article is these very cheap and easy to install mods allow the TLX Type S to deliver a huge bang for buck compared to competitors. That is, one can get this car and install these mods, and have a car quicker than more expensive competitors while still having spent less money overall.
These simple mods make the Type S significantly quicker than cars like the G70 and Kia Stinger, two cars that are often compared to the Type S, and cars that have caused the Type S to receive criticism. With a combination of a performance chip and some simple components (e.g. throttle body), the car should be in the 3s as it relates to 0-60 times. For the price point that is phenomenal performance for doing so little to the car so cheaply. There isn't any data out yet that shows numbers for a TLX Type S with both a chip and some bolt-on mods. The car is very new so with time we will get to see exactly what is in store!
For those who don't care about the actual numbers on paper as it relates to performance, the secondary point being made is that the TLX Type S is perfectly adequate if you're looking for a fast sedan that handles great, but still gives you top-notch luxury/creature comforts. That is - while on paper something like a Stinger or G70 might be marginally quicker and cheaper, the speed difference isn't noticeable unless you're on a drag strip. With that said, Acura has an undeniable edge over the Korean cars when it comes to other aspects (like build quality)!
As a final point, this article is not meant to claim competing cars are not good. The Kia Stinger is arguably the best car in its segment, and the M340i is a MONSTER. This article is meant to squash the claim that the TLX Type S is a bad car. The TLX Type S does absolutely everything Acura promised - and then some. Some of the criticism the car has received may be warranted, but not to the point its at now, where there's a public consensus that this car is a flop. After reading this, the hope is that the car has at least a little more respect as a great option for those looking for a luxury sport sedan without breaking the bank.
If you’re interested in ordering a TLX Type S or any other new Acura without paying a dealer markup, you can contact me by emailing louis.levene@leithcars.com or hitting the “contact us” button on the website!
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wizardjjr (04-15-2022)
#2524
#2525
Senior Moderator
Same with my Acura store; even heard their ad on Pandora affirming non-ADM practices.
I sort of got “into it” on FB with a rep of another local store that practices ADM in much the way The Rock ‘practices’ weight training. Knuckleheads would probably try to sell a Fiat 500 w/ $10k adm.
I sort of got “into it” on FB with a rep of another local store that practices ADM in much the way The Rock ‘practices’ weight training. Knuckleheads would probably try to sell a Fiat 500 w/ $10k adm.
![Shake Head](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/shakehead.gif)
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KrylonBlue (04-14-2022),
MarcoTLX (04-13-2022)
#2526
Burning Brakes
For what it's worth, Scotty Kilmer's review of the Type-S
#2527
For what it's worth, Scotty Kilmer's review of the Type-S
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el6RVb_RZZg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el6RVb_RZZg
#2529
Between the puddle lights and now this, are we sure this car was built in Ohio and not by the Brits?
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
#2531
Between the puddle lights and now this, are we sure this car was built in Ohio and not by the Brits?
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
Last edited by richii0207; 05-24-2022 at 10:13 AM.
#2532
Every car has is defective units. These problems are not common, especially when you see the consensus of actual owners form a community with pots of them instead of this forum which about less than half of posters here are owners. It’s just those with issues are likely to talk about it. I nor anyone I know with a TLX has had these issues. Let’s not blow things out of proportion, even if you have a vendetta against Acura.
#2533
#2534
Based on the FB group and this thread, seemingly most.
Last edited by fiatlux; 05-24-2022 at 10:53 AM.
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pyrodan007 (05-25-2022)
#2535
That’s not a statistic. You are missing those who do not have the issue. Why would they post “my lights work” ? Like I said, it’s those with issues who are posting/commenting regarding the puddle lights. The problem is when you have non-owners that are telling actual owners about their cars.
#2536
You seem like the type who would say the limp mode issue with the 2.0T wasn't an issue because "only people who experienced it post about it, so it's not a statistic".
Last edited by fiatlux; 05-24-2022 at 10:58 AM.
#2537
What makes you think most of them don't have the issue? Because you yourself haven't come across it? Wow, sample size of one really means a whole lot. The fact that Acura has a redesigned part suggests there is indeed an issue with the original design. Though the fact that people are still seeing failures even with the redesigned part seems to suggest they still haven't figured out the core issue.
#2538
#2539
This is the statement I was referring to. It wasn’t a question of yours, but a false statement.
#2540
So they have figured out the issue? I guess the folks who have had failures with the new redesigned part must just have rotten luck.
#2541
#2542
#2543
#2544
Did you just join months ago? We’ve known about this issue for over a year. When I brought my A-Spec to the dealer to fix one of the lights, they even remarked how long my TLX lasted compared to the others! It’s an epidemic!
#2545
Between the puddle lights and now this, are we sure this car was built in Ohio and not by the Brits?
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
Talk to this owner:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tlx-...issues-991597/
#2546
Racer
The creaking in the steering rack however...
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ELIN (05-25-2022)
#2547
Burning Brakes
Between the puddle lights and now this, are we sure this car was built in Ohio and not by the Brits?
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/24/...-term-wrap-up/
Just wow ...
So Acura makes a big deal about Body/Frame ... ridged/braced this ... new roof-weld that ... then this happens.
Reminds me of them going on-and-on about the brakes ... and they turn-out to be only "acceptable".
There was the guy in the other thread ... wasn't part of his deal visibly poor factory windshield install (near A-Pillar) ... getting unexplained condensation in car (among other problems and issues). IIRC, he escaped via Lemon-Law.
#2548
Ultimately, the leak was determined to be via the A-pillar of the car due to a “manufacturing anomaly.” Engineers found condensation inside the A-pillar where it shouldn’t be, and they found that water traveled down the A-pillar via a wire into the fuse box area, where it then penetrated the fuse box. This happened twice ... Water in the fuse box, and trailer ride back to Acura dealer for long repair session. Apparently, the water intrusion issue from before hadn’t been fully solved because the original source of leakage wasn’t found in the first go-round, and water was still making its way into the fuse box.
This is definitely concerning. Acura better step up and address this. If this happens after your warranty expires, you are completely F**K*....
This is definitely concerning. Acura better step up and address this. If this happens after your warranty expires, you are completely F**K*....
#2549
How is this relevant? Sounds like you’re just deflecting in the face of so many other owners who have had problems with their puddle lights. Just take the L.
#2550
Old Man Yelling at Clouds
![Cuss](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/cuss.gif)
I would not hold my breath. Their lack of customer service is why I left the brand after six Acuras. They can't seem to find their way out of this hole.
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pyrodan007 (05-26-2022)
#2551
Back to what my question was. What year was your TLX that had the limp mode? It’s very relevant, especially when I am asking if YOUR puddle lights specifically work to increase my “sample size” since I have seen you mention your lights.
Last edited by richii0207; 05-25-2022 at 06:19 AM.
#2552
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 1,494
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He has a 2016 TLX First Gen, so i assume it must be the one that went into limp mode. As for puddle lights, this is the only issue i have had with my 2018 TLX and my 2021. My dealership has essentially corrected, or at least mitigated the problem. As it's not putting me to the side of the road or in fact creating any issue of consequence, not something I lose sleep over.
As for the manufacturing defect that caused the A pillar condensation, lets not panic. This appears to be a very rare issue.
As for the manufacturing defect that caused the A pillar condensation, lets not panic. This appears to be a very rare issue.
#2553
Adept Acura Enthusiast
I have had a 2022 TLX A-Spec AWD for the past 24 hours on extended loan as my 2019 TLX V6 AWD engine blew up on me late last week.
This 2022 TLX is pretty awesome I’m starting to love the interior a lot more compared to my 7-10 minute test drives with the new TLXs including the Type-S. That true touch pad takes a lot of getting used to for me coming from the old infotainment style. The interior ambient lighting is more prominent at night compared to the ambient lighting in my 2019 A-Spec
The Turbo 4 Cylinder gives this car a lot of low end torque and I really love that it’s more torquey on the low end than my 2019 V6 AWD. It’s got that get-up-and-go. It’s slightly bigger so I think twice about fitting in some spaces and where I park at work and such.
All in all I think I could tolerate the 2.0T TLX as a daily car for me but I’d really want V6 Turbo Type-S just to have that extra power on tap and plus the wheels on the Type-S looks much better than the 2021+ A-Spec wheels.
P.S. My puddle lights work!! Though to be fair the car only has 1700 miles
This 2022 TLX is pretty awesome I’m starting to love the interior a lot more compared to my 7-10 minute test drives with the new TLXs including the Type-S. That true touch pad takes a lot of getting used to for me coming from the old infotainment style. The interior ambient lighting is more prominent at night compared to the ambient lighting in my 2019 A-Spec
The Turbo 4 Cylinder gives this car a lot of low end torque and I really love that it’s more torquey on the low end than my 2019 V6 AWD. It’s got that get-up-and-go. It’s slightly bigger so I think twice about fitting in some spaces and where I park at work and such.
All in all I think I could tolerate the 2.0T TLX as a daily car for me but I’d really want V6 Turbo Type-S just to have that extra power on tap and plus the wheels on the Type-S looks much better than the 2021+ A-Spec wheels.
P.S. My puddle lights work!! Though to be fair the car only has 1700 miles
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a35tl (06-10-2022)
#2554
The A-Spec wheels were probably my least favorite part of the TLX for things I knew about going into the lease...
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KrylonBlue (06-08-2022)
#2556
Haven't gone far enough back on this comment to see what the context is but after having an Audi S5 , and prior two TLX's, two RDXs and a TSX, 3rd gen Type S among a lot of other cars my only regret is not getting the S5 new over the second TLX rather than getting a CPO. No problems with the S5 but If I had known the difference in how much of better every aspect the car performs and is appointed I would have paid the extra to buy the Audi new over the TLX and then trading it in which would have cost me less in the end. I am an Acura fan but the S5 has been an eye opener from what I got used to with Acura. Then again I didn't know what I was missing cause I didn't have it. Granted I got a CPO (fully optioned) with under 30k miles but was less than a TLX new and it's a lot more car (and that was with a 5 year warranty and tire/rim insurance).
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#2557
Picked up a '22 Type S last week. Have about 300 miles and first impressions are I really like the car and am happy with the purchase but I'm disappointed with the turbo lag. Acura should have used a twin-turbo rather than the twin-scroll single turbo. It takes almost a second before it comes on after you punch it driving in normal traffic (while in sport mode). I had a Q50 twin-turbo and the tip in was instantaneous. I don't regret the decision and I'll learn to keep the engine/turbo spooled up during spirited rides. Aside from the lag i love the handling, it just rips around corners and the car is beautiful.
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#2560
Yeah, I'll just use the paddles to downshift in those rare situations. Again, once spirited driving starts the car responds and handles fantastic.
Love the Type S.