alpha0

Was Type S launched in summer? This time they are testing in winter with way cooler temperatures. So some improvements can be due to that. Savagegeese review also mentioned something about better performance in winter compared to last time they tested.

dmski

Hmmm. They just may have upped the power. Redline Reviews was getting same 4.6's and 5 flat just by stomping on it from dead stop.

fiatlux

That's a good point. C&D tested it in July last time.

rabbit73

Or the test car was a ringer. That used to be pretty common practice. Hand pick a car off the line and have the team give it a good once over before sending it to the car mags.

Tony Pac

hahah really? I did not even know if this was a thing.

vertigo2

Ferrari, in particular, became famous for this practice.

MarcoTLX

I agree with this sentiment, if the M340i had an more unique look to it I would have chosen it over my Type-S

However the compliments I get weekly on my TLX-S is just not something I could forsee happening alot (if at all) in a M340i sure it’s fast but it doesn’t look fast.

As I’ve said before I truly enjoy the Type-S for what it’s good at doing and for the current moment I’m happy with it.

But this is as good (and as fast) as it gets with Acura unless one is willing to spend big money and get a 2nd Gen NSX (NSX Type-S if you really a baller) so when the time comes I’m definitely going German for my next sports sedan (or shall I say “Super Sedan” iykyk)

That’s not to say I won’t keep an Acura in the stable though as a daily.

22TypeS

Yes it is a known thing. Consumer Reports buys their test cars off the lot to avoid this. This doesn't mean that Acura or any other auto maker does this, but it is a possibility. In addition, there are production variants where some cars are faster or slower than standard, for whatever reason. My take on this is the winter scenario, or the transmission retuning, there maybe have been software update to the motor also.

dj5

I would say it's a personal preference, for me the IS500 is better looking than the TLX-S. As much as I would have liked the new TLX as a future replacement for my 2008 TL-S, the looks of it just doesn't wow me. Throw in the ugly push button selector and small back seat and that made it a no go.

MarcoTLX

TLX’s overall interior setup/design is miles better than that of the Lexus IS and that’s something we ALL can agree on

djhtsx

iTrader: (2)

the IS500 back seat is definitely smaller and narrower than the type s. There is a lot more shoulder room in the type s that no one really gives it credit for.

Tony Pac

There are a lot of things that TLX does very well and no credit is given.

- Front seat/should, legroom and seats are the best in class.
- Trunk is very standard and not small like G70.
- Handling is precise and very good.
- Standard features are top notch.
- Cost is USD$10-15K or CAD$25K less than the Germans.
- Maintenance cost will be 50% cheaper than the competition.
- it will hold its value by 20-30% more as well.
- Finally, the RWD biased SH-AWD is one of the best if not best in the car industry.

But sadly everyone is pointing that 0-60 is 4.6 or 4.8 or 4.8321 lol! People are missing the big picture.

22TypeS

As for the IS500, yes back seat is not bigger, the styling, IMO, is not better. The transmission stack is taken from the NSX, enough said. There is a $5K+ premium for the IS, the only thing it may have going for it is slightly better reliability. I've annoyed many wanting to "play tag" by flying by in the corners while they are braking, SH-AWD is amazing. The TLX-S is very underrated just because it is missing 20-30 HP. I definitely wouldn't mind the extra HP, but the Type S does many things well, right Tony Pac.

vertigo2

In my opinion, the only thing the IS has going for it is that wonderful V8 option (probably the last of its kind) and beefy styling (from the front, at least). The rest all seems to be well behind the TLX. Not to mention that up here in Canada, an IS500 starts at $12,000 more than a Type-S.

MarcoTLX

I agree and after watching a few reviews the most glaring issue is that dated interior. Also no Full LED taillights, apparently the transmission will hamstring the car and it doesn’t shift as quickly as a car thus size should thus you have a compact sedan with a V8 doing 0-60 in about 4.4ish seconds.

overall the new Lexus IS does not feel modern compared to its competitors. Its age is showing badly. At the price point for one of these new, I wouldn’t want to put up with the dated interior and technology in it.

The TLX Type-S truly is a better value compared to it if you don’t care to have a V8

vertigo2

I didn't realize this until yesterday on my commute home, I was behind a new IS350 and noticed it still has old Halogen turn signals too. A bit of a disappointment on a car that, up here, costs $60k.

Tony Pac

hahah believe it or not! I was driving after work and this brand new IS350 jumped in front of me. I noticed his turn signal was not LED. Right away, I told myself, one "ZONK"

I sat inside an IS350 and 500 when I was at Montreal Autoshow. The issue with IS350 is the outdated interior. It doesn't look great although Lexus has made some changes. For the first time, I am noticing the quality of Acura products superior than Lexus. MDX feels and looks more premium than TX and I am comparing apples to apples. A-SPEC MDX to standard TX and not TYPE S to TX500H.

MDX>RX and TX
TLX >IS
RDX = NX
Integra =/< UX (depends which model)

I am not sure why Lexus downgraded. I always thought Lexus' interior are better than Acuras.

ELIN

Everyone's putting in cheaper, lighter stuff. Acura didn't get the memo so that probably hurts fuel economy!

Tony Pac

Tbh those who are spending $50K+ aren't very concerned about fuel. If they are, then they in the wrong group. They should buy a Sentra or Civic and call it a day if you are buying a MDX, the comfort, the driving experience, the safety for your family, reliability and great resale value compensate for $500 more for gas per year.

Personally, if I did not care for the experience, I would have gone and buy a Pilot and not a MDX and pay $15K premium to begin with. But when I am buying a Lexus TX for CAD$80K and I see the cheap and below standard material, it will hurt me.

ELIN

I think you are only talking about the 1% folks (who most likely don't spend their time in these forums).
For the rest of us who like nicer things, we like both a great car and decent fuel economy. The upper middle class don't get there by making bad decisions.

Tony Pac

Good! I am happy people are cost conscious. Cheers!

ESHBG

Not accurate, as there are many with money that are still environmentally conscious. In some of the wealthier areas here there are a lot of EVs and hybrids, even older Prius vehicles. And financially you don't get rich/stay rich by dumping money down the drain. This is a big market ripe for a lot of growth.

bilirubin

It’s Type S, Not Type R, for a Reason. Acura's tuned sedan offers sportiness you can use every day.
MotorTrend's review was updated with a track test, and they seem more forgiving.
This particular quote caught my attention...
Now I'm sure the "beating" the GR Supra was a typo, but I did notice that hot lap time was faster than some key competitors: Mercedes-AMG C43 and Audi S4, both of which were benchmarked when the TLX was in pre-production.

rabbit73

Almost no one mentions the Q50 RS AWD in comparisons. That was the car I was dead set on getting but, like the germans, it was $10k more and I was already stretching my budget. With the most recent Type S price increase + the increased cost of the optional wheels I think it would be a hard choice. That TT engine is freakin sweet and with even a mild tune it would be 420-430hp. And a few hundred pounds less weight. I'm in this for the driving experience, not the tech, but the touchscreen is a lot better than the track pad. Anyone cross shop and have an opinion on it?

Flapjackura

You're not the only one to compare the Integra (NOT the Type S one) to the Lexus UX, Tony. I think I remember Alex on Autos also compared side to side. Interesting comparison that seems strange at first glance. Admittedly both are going to be very reliable entry-level pathways into the Japanese Premium/Luxury space for many. Eye-catching styling in both cases and more appealing to efficiency-minded folks than their bigger brothers. A manual A-Spec Integra or even the CVT is always going to be way more fun to drive than any UX, though, which is a relative plodder.

Flapjackura

Q50 benefits from an exterior styling home run that I believe stretches back almost 10 years if not more. If dated tech doesn't bother you, I think it's a valid cross-shop. Everybody seems to hate the 2-screen center infotainment setup but I personally think that if it is done right, it looks kind of cool, and Infiniti does a great job making the infotainment not look like it was bolted on at the last minute. Have you test-driven both? If so, I'm interested to hear how they compare.

rabbit73

I did not. When I got serious about finally buying and not window shopping there was a $5-10k difference between the Acura and everything else except the Hyundai. Prices seem to have jumped the last 2 years but the Infiniti doesn't seem as bad so now they're all getting closer to each other. The Type S isn't the bargain it was IMO. "Dated" tech isn't an issue for me. I barely even turn on the radio. And the few times it's a convenience to punch something into the nav the touch screen would be a lot easier/intuitive.

ELIN

That 0.3 sec has been fairly consistent across the board. The most likely explanation is that the car's advantageous numbers come from being driven in winter conditions now vs spring/summer when the TLX Type S originally came out.
I don't buy that Acura did any tuning as their resources are better utilized away from the dying sedan segment.

F23A4

Yeah, I was at Lexus event at MetLife stadium back in 2022 and the IS350 F-Sport and IS500 were a couple of the models I was able to sample. I didn't find the interior materials and fit/finish to be any better than that of my A-Spec. Honestly, the only model that I sampled which seemed to be that step above in 'quality' was the LX, which I guess has no Honda counterpart. (If I were in the market for a full size Luxury SUV, this would be my 2nd choice behind the X7.)

Sidenote: Got to meet Scott Pruett and Roberto Guerrero at this event. Completely made this even worthwhile; great guys with some serious driving ability.

dmski

When Acura was behind with interiors Lexus fanboys were always boasting about the interiors. Now that they're cheaping out and Acura has matched or surpassed them on some models it's no longer a factor 🫠.

Toyota has improved interiors but Lexus not so much. Sit in the new NX or RX and it's basically Toyota+

Tony Pac

I compared these two vehicles as it's the gateway to Acura and Lexus. Also, they are kinda all purpose vehicle. Family, groceries, "cool" and practical.

I don't have any experience with UX but I heard it's very slow.

Flapjackura

Yep - true - a slow car. I had a 2019 UX 250H; traded it for my A-Spec in late 2020. Wanted to get a good trade on a car I just didn't like as much as I had thought I would. The torque from the hybrid system made it feel faster than it was. Great gas mileage but short range with tiny fuel tank. The sound system sounded like transistor radio speakers wrapped in gunny-sacks. Unacceptably horrid, especially for an entry-level luxury car. Went to test drive the TLX after watching tons of reviews on youtube and fell in love immediately.

Tony Pac

You will never win...there is always something fuel, design, speed, material and the list keeps going on for Acura. Yet, all other cars are simply perfect and flawless, especially Germans. They don't even require maintenance. i read the other day, BMW cars no longer need oil and brake change. It's done free over charge OTA. LMAO!

Legend2TL

From the article, Honda/Acura did some ECU tuning for 2024.

F23A4

Tony Pac

Good video but Acura never said this is going against M3 or C63. Our reviewer got it wrong I don't understand how some reviwers don't do their homework and come give public a review...calling the TYPE S Twin turbo, not the same as C63 or etc. Does he know the C63 is legit 2X more expensive than this???

That said, still an interesting and informative video!

ELIN

"Steering is numb" (sound familiar to the BMW haters?)

"The redline in this car is completely pointless!"

He really didn't like the steering or the auto upshift on that winding canyon road!
The lurch he felt slowing down from 2nd to 1st gear was what I felt when driving in Comfort/Normal mode on my A-Spec. You won't get any transmission help to slow you down in this mode!

PRP5150

These reviewers need to understand, this is a Type S, not a Type R.

BMW M cars and AMG's are not competitors.

22TypeS

Didn't he even say 3.5L V6 in the Acura. M340 or C43 are "competitors".

Tony Pac

A very solid review by my Canadian folks. Short, precise, no BS, and marketing buzz words! Sincere review!