2021 Acura TLX vs The Competition
#1801
Yeah, hated it when I saw the first pictures of it. Had planed on waiting for one but after the pictures bough the Z4 M40l. Then a year or so later saw one in person & thought its not so bad. Got to drive a M4C Coupe for a few hours, unlike the TLX-S that they would not even open it up to sit in, the ride sealed the deal. Ordered the car. Best car I have ever ridden in or drove. Daughter was its champion & she was right.
#1802
lol @ bear turning this thread into "look at me guys!!!" I love Acurazine. I would say something about cleaning out your garage but mine is just as bad.
Last edited by Nexx; 02-15-2022 at 05:55 PM.
#1803
Honestly, the M3/M4 grille has grown on me. It's certainly not as aesthetic as the "normal" kidney grilles, but I don't mind them as much anymore. I still hate the grilles on the regular 4-series though.
It's odd that they're starting to take reservations, but they're not revealing what the powerplant or drivetrain is going to be. The pessimistic d*ckhead in me thinks this is a bad sign for what's to come. With what we've been getting out of the Ikeda Administration, it's the same old story ... hype hype hype ... meh. I can see it going one of two ways.
Good option: Civic Si clone as the base Integra; Accord 2.0T engine in the Type-S variant.
Bad option: Standard Civic (1.5T) clone as the base Integra; Civic Si clone as the Type-S (I'm thinking this is going to be the most probable)
*Unicorn option: De-tuned CTR as the Type-S variant. I honestly don't think there's even a remote chance of this.
The fact they have a manual option makes me believe SH-AWD won't be an option at all for the Integra ... FWD only.
If they don't reveal what the full car is going to be prior to taking reservations, you know this thing is going to be a dud.
"Limited run" aka it will be marked up like crazy. I like the idea of this vehicle but can't imagine it will do well if it's too far out of whack, as the Civic is a worthy internal competitor. And speaking of it is interesting to see that Acura kept the interior very Honda-like and in turn now much different than the rest of the lineup.
Good option: Civic Si clone as the base Integra; Accord 2.0T engine in the Type-S variant.
Bad option: Standard Civic (1.5T) clone as the base Integra; Civic Si clone as the Type-S (I'm thinking this is going to be the most probable)
*Unicorn option: De-tuned CTR as the Type-S variant. I honestly don't think there's even a remote chance of this.
The fact they have a manual option makes me believe SH-AWD won't be an option at all for the Integra ... FWD only.
If they don't reveal what the full car is going to be prior to taking reservations, you know this thing is going to be a dud.
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#1804
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Yeah, thought they were going to not sell very initially due to the grill & higher base price. That's said surprisingly the 4 series alone did pretty well against the TLX series last year TLX&S 26,100 units sold & 4XM4 22,938 units sold.
#1805
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Garage was loaded with Cobra upgrades material when the picture was taken. Piece on the freestanding workbench is the rear of a new console section I built. Tend to spread out stuff when I work, wife hates it.
#1806
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Thing that I do like about it is 100% functional with interesting duct work behind it. Wheel well air curtain, oil cooler, brake rotor ducts, intercooler, main radiator, CAI, brake rotor ducts. secondary radiator, wheel well air curtain.
#1807
Adept Acura Enthusiast
something about that competition trim and having one of the fastest beamers on the road excites me.
Now back on topic, I love the strides some TLX Type-S owners are making so far and it’s awesome to see it. Probably wouldn’t risk making my TLX fast while it’s still under warranty but after I’d definitely do some tuning
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BEAR-AvHistory (02-16-2022)
#1808
Burning Brakes
Expect it will be like Audi & Lexus grills & people will get used to it or maybe not
Thing that I do like about it is 100% functional with interesting duct work behind it. Wheel well air curtain, oil cooler, brake rotor ducts, intercooler, main radiator, CAI, brake rotor ducts. secondary radiator, wheel well air curtain.
Thing that I do like about it is 100% functional with interesting duct work behind it. Wheel well air curtain, oil cooler, brake rotor ducts, intercooler, main radiator, CAI, brake rotor ducts. secondary radiator, wheel well air curtain.
There's a lot more to that car than just the way the grill looks (or it not looking like the old ones).
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#1809
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#1810
Senior Moderator
Nothing like successfully one-upping Lexus in the ugly front end game.
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#1811
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Somebody has to be number 1. That spot might be short lived as the top of the M4/M4C range the M4CS will be a 2022/23 release. Its the lightweight track day version around 550bhp and it has its own specific grill, possible rear seat delete & a lot of carbon fiber pieces in addition to the already standard CF roof.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 02-16-2022 at 01:12 PM.
#1812
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#1813
Expect it will be like Audi & Lexus grills & people will get used to it or maybe not
Thing that I do like about it is 100% functional with interesting duct work behind it. Wheel well air curtain, oil cooler, brake rotor ducts, intercooler, main radiator, CAI, brake rotor ducts. secondary radiator, wheel well air curtain.
Thing that I do like about it is 100% functional with interesting duct work behind it. Wheel well air curtain, oil cooler, brake rotor ducts, intercooler, main radiator, CAI, brake rotor ducts. secondary radiator, wheel well air curtain.
#1814
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Been here since 2006 & still find it a lot of fun. Had a TL 6MT for 7 years & has been interesting to watch the change in motorsports demographics. As for the Lexus grill I don't think it lives up to its Predator look.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 02-16-2022 at 01:38 PM.
#1815
#1816
Senior Moderator
Just to be clear, I absolutely take no issue with this front end....which looks TIGHT!!
#1817
Burning Brakes
#1818
That is not saying much. The lexus grill I thought would grow on me but nope. Even after a few years it looks like crap, imo.
Last edited by jhb31; 02-16-2022 at 05:37 PM.
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#1819
#1820
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Fully functional air intakes
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 02-16-2022 at 08:19 PM.
#1821
AZ Community Team
Let's stay on thread topic which in case you didn't know is "2021 Acura TLX vs The Competition"
#1822
AZ Community Team
It’s crazy to me how no one sees where the tlx actually competes. I won’t rely on marketing or online reviews to tell me what it competes with. If they told u the Mdx competes with the Lexus NX you would be like no it doesn’t. But somehow we gargle up that the tlx competes with the 3/IS/S4/ etc… even if Acura somehow said it themselves. Just look at how they compared the regular tlx to the A6. If you look at size, weight, power, ….basically everything , it clearly competes with the A6, 5series, would of been GS. And it easily undercuts them heavily in price and performs just as well. Everybody drank the lemonade and clearly didn’t think for themselves.
The 3G TL dimensions also was sorta between the 3 and 5 series which was highlighted in the Acura press kit 18 years ago
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=401897281
Last edited by Legend2TL; 02-17-2022 at 02:20 PM.
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#1823
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I sorta agree here, here's Edmunds car comparison of the 4-cylinder TLX/5/A6, dimensionally they are fairly close except the backseat is slightly smaller. Kinda surprised the TLX is the lightest of the 3, all being 4 cylinder models. The 3G TL dimensions also was sorta between the 3 and 5 series which was highlighted in the Acura press kit 18 years ago
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=401897281
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=401897281
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#1824
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You know how the TLX has the most front legroom at 42.5" and the least legroom at 34.9"? Not sure if it works this way, but is it that bad if you move the front seat 1.1" further? It will then have 41.4" matching the other two cars, and the back would get that extra space or 36", and be much closer to the 36.5" in the A6 or 5 series?
interesting chart.
Acura TlX
7.6 / 10 Overall Rating
530
8.1 / 10 Overall Rating
A6
8.2 / 10
Looks like the Acura buyers paid over MSRP & the 530/A6 buyers under MSRP. They still cost more as the TLX was rated as a small car & the 530 as medium car. Think it has to do with the wheelbase as the TLX is 113" 530 117" A6 115"
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 02-17-2022 at 02:48 PM.
#1825
AZ Community Team
You know how the TLX has the most front legroom at 42.5" and the least legroom at 34.9"? Not sure if it works this way, but is it that bad if you move the front seat 1.1" further? It will then have 41.4" matching the other two cars, and the back would get that extra space or 36", and be much closer to the 36.5" in the A6 or 5 series?
https://ia800504.us.archive.org/4/it...1100.2001.html
Funny thing about seating and seat position, my '86 Prelude Si I could travel the front seats back so they touched the front of the bottom cushion of the rear seats without reclining the front seats Most Preludes had ALOT of front leg room and in that case no rear leg room.
Last edited by Legend2TL; 02-17-2022 at 03:08 PM.
#1826
I sorta agree here, here's Edmunds car comparison of the 4-cylinder TLX/5/A6, dimensionally they are fairly close except the backseat is slightly smaller. Kinda surprised the TLX is the lightest of the 3, all being 4 cylinder models.
The 3G TL dimensions also was sorta between the 3 and 5 series which was highlighted in the Acura press kit 18 years ago
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=401897281
The 3G TL dimensions also was sorta between the 3 and 5 series which was highlighted in the Acura press kit 18 years ago
https://www.edmunds.com/car-comparis...veh3=401897281
#1827
Burning Brakes
#1828
AZ Community Team
Omg but 1 inch less legroom. 1 gallon smaller gas tank. This competes with a Miata or a smart car. You must be a troll lol. Nice to see someone that is able to open up their mind and see this. Hard for people nowadays to question their original opinion that was probably fed (not thought up) to them.
I was curious so I checked our prior trip vehicle 2003 Honda Pilot which "gasp" only had 401 miles of hwy range. How did we ever manage our 40+ trips to Florida
One other measurements that I think is important to alot of owners is trunk room, which again surprised how close the A6 and TLX trunks are about the same at ~13.5cuft, whereas the 5 has 18.7cuft.
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#1829
AZ Community Team
https://www.motortrend.com/features/...make-no-sense/
Last edited by Legend2TL; 02-18-2022 at 10:31 AM.
#1830
LOL, when I saw that post about the TLX "gas anxiety" with 461 hwy miles I also I don't know anyone who wants to be in a car for that many miles.
I was curious so I checked our prior trip vehicle 2003 Honda Pilot which "gasp" only had 401 miles of hwy range. How did we ever manage our 40+ trips to Florida
One other measurements that I think is important to alot of owners is trunk room, which again surprised how close the A6 and TLX trunks are about the same at ~13.5cuft, whereas the 5 has 18.7cuft.
I was curious so I checked our prior trip vehicle 2003 Honda Pilot which "gasp" only had 401 miles of hwy range. How did we ever manage our 40+ trips to Florida
One other measurements that I think is important to alot of owners is trunk room, which again surprised how close the A6 and TLX trunks are about the same at ~13.5cuft, whereas the 5 has 18.7cuft.
A number of years ago in November, there was a freak ice storm that took NJ by surprise. The roads were not salted at all so every incline was a chore to navigate, not only because of the obvious but also for abandoned cars or spinning their wheels and blocking lanes. My 15 minute commute became 3 hours! Although my ’18 MDX didn’t have a full tank, I had plenty of fuel to get home, even after 3 hrs. With a dying cellphone, my poor wife was stranded on the road for 12 hours even though the distance is probably no more than 10 miles from home. Luckily,she had the GL450 with its massive tank so a quarter tank was still pretty significant and she eventually made it home safe. I shudder to think what would have happened to her if she had my current ’21 TLX on a quarter tank (just under 4 gallons). You think that will run for 12 hours supplying heat and charging a phone?
I understand some of you live in fair-weather cities and have well thought-out highways. I live in the brutal NE and sometimes being caught in a storm can be pretty bad. #realowner-realproblems
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#1831
AZ Community Team
The hyperbole was with your statement that you have "gas anxiety" with a car that has 380 mile range, then I think you have other real problems beyond your car.
While not perfect the EPA is still the best reference standard for determining car's fuel economy.
While not perfect the EPA is still the best reference standard for determining car's fuel economy.
First of all, 461 miles is the “on paper” range. With my current 24 mpg combined, my range is more like 380 miles! It’s already well known throughout the Acura universe that its current lineup of cars disappoint when it comes to matching EPA estimates (so I’m not alone in my complaint). Second, I love it when non-TLX owners chime with hyperbole and anecdotal evidence that really adds to their credibility!
A number of years ago in November, there was a freak ice storm that took NJ by surprise. The roads were not salted at all so every incline was a chore to navigate, not only because of the obvious but also for abandoned cars or spinning their wheels and blocking lanes. My 15 minute commute became 3 hours! Although my ’18 MDX didn’t have a full tank, I had plenty of fuel to get home, even after 3 hrs. With a dying cellphone, my poor wife was stranded on the road for 12 hours even though the distance is probably no more than 10 miles from home. Luckily,she had the GL450 with its massive tank so a quarter tank was still pretty significant and she eventually made it home safe. I shudder to think what would have happened to her if she had my current ’21 TLX on a quarter tank (just under 4 gallons). You think that will run for 12 hours supplying heat and charging a phone?
I understand some of you live in fair-weather cities and have well thought-out highways. I live in the brutal NE and sometimes being caught in a storm can be pretty bad. #realowner-realproblems
A number of years ago in November, there was a freak ice storm that took NJ by surprise. The roads were not salted at all so every incline was a chore to navigate, not only because of the obvious but also for abandoned cars or spinning their wheels and blocking lanes. My 15 minute commute became 3 hours! Although my ’18 MDX didn’t have a full tank, I had plenty of fuel to get home, even after 3 hrs. With a dying cellphone, my poor wife was stranded on the road for 12 hours even though the distance is probably no more than 10 miles from home. Luckily,she had the GL450 with its massive tank so a quarter tank was still pretty significant and she eventually made it home safe. I shudder to think what would have happened to her if she had my current ’21 TLX on a quarter tank (just under 4 gallons). You think that will run for 12 hours supplying heat and charging a phone?
I understand some of you live in fair-weather cities and have well thought-out highways. I live in the brutal NE and sometimes being caught in a storm can be pretty bad. #realowner-realproblems
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WTF.Acura (02-19-2022)
#1832
What cars are really are the competition? Nissan Maxima, Accord? Not sure many Acura buyers even consider an A6 or any German car for that matter. Maybe a few but not the norm.
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#1833
#1834
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First of all, 461 miles is the “on paper” range. With my current 24 mpg combined, my range is more like 380 miles! It’s already well known throughout the Acura universe that its current lineup of cars disappoint when it comes to matching EPA estimates (so I’m not alone in my complaint). Second, I love it when non-TLX owners chime with hyperbole and anecdotal evidence that really adds to their credibility!
A number of years ago in November, there was a freak ice storm that took NJ by surprise. The roads were not salted at all so every incline was a chore to navigate, not only because of the obvious but also for abandoned cars or spinning their wheels and blocking lanes. My 15 minute commute became 3 hours! Although my ’18 MDX didn’t have a full tank, I had plenty of fuel to get home, even after 3 hrs. With a dying cellphone, my poor wife was stranded on the road for 12 hours even though the distance is probably no more than 10 miles from home. Luckily,she had the GL450 with its massive tank so a quarter tank was still pretty significant and she eventually made it home safe. I shudder to think what would have happened to her if she had my current ’21 TLX on a quarter tank (just under 4 gallons). You think that will run for 12 hours supplying heat and charging a phone?
I understand some of you live in fair-weather cities and have well thought-out highways. I live in the brutal NE and sometimes being caught in a storm can be pretty bad. #realowner-realproblems
A number of years ago in November, there was a freak ice storm that took NJ by surprise. The roads were not salted at all so every incline was a chore to navigate, not only because of the obvious but also for abandoned cars or spinning their wheels and blocking lanes. My 15 minute commute became 3 hours! Although my ’18 MDX didn’t have a full tank, I had plenty of fuel to get home, even after 3 hrs. With a dying cellphone, my poor wife was stranded on the road for 12 hours even though the distance is probably no more than 10 miles from home. Luckily,she had the GL450 with its massive tank so a quarter tank was still pretty significant and she eventually made it home safe. I shudder to think what would have happened to her if she had my current ’21 TLX on a quarter tank (just under 4 gallons). You think that will run for 12 hours supplying heat and charging a phone?
I understand some of you live in fair-weather cities and have well thought-out highways. I live in the brutal NE and sometimes being caught in a storm can be pretty bad. #realowner-realproblems
To me its not the specific milage but how long will the fuel last when the shit hits the fan be it a storm on the road or other non anticipated major problem. Was only a few weeks ago when people in VA caught in an unexpected storm were freezing their collective asses off on I95 when their snowbound cars ran out of fuel.
We had the Hurricane Frances hit Raleigh big time was without power for 8 days in the NC summer. Combined fuel from the cars into the 4X4 pickup to maintain mobility to get food, water & ice. Another one was a local ice storm, 13 hours in the pickup truck 17gal tank to travel to school & back to pick up my grandkids.
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ELIN (02-18-2022)
#1835
Burning Brakes
A6 is more like the old RLX. If you want to stay Japanese, Infinity and Lexus have similar mid-sized sporty sedans.
#1836
I’m curious what people cross shopped before getting their cars. For me it was IS500 or TLX type S since Lexus discontinued their GS. Thought about a G70 but couldn’t go Hyundai for 50k+. Maybe 25k. As much as I always wanted the ISF, and previously having a 14 IS350, the IS500 just didn’t seem that special other than the engine. I forgot how small and compact the front of the car is. And it’s literally a cheaper looking interior imo than the first year (2014 ) of the new body. Plus it was like I would be spending 60+k to go back in the same car I had 7 years ago. I love Lexus but hopefully they change something with the IS and keep that v8 in the future. Slap a competent transmission to it and re design it
Last edited by tlmarc; 02-18-2022 at 10:34 PM.
#1837
Burning Brakes
2. Agreed, but some guys here love Hyundai and Genesis.
3. Whole car seemed small to me. I didn't even test-drive it (we ended-up just leaving).
#1838
I’m curious what people cross shopped before getting their cars. For me it was IS500 or TLX type S since Lexus discontinued their GS. Thought about a G70 but couldn’t go Hyundai for 50k+. Maybe 25k. As much as I always wanted the ISF, and previously having a 14 IS350, the IS500 just didn’t seem that special other than the engine. I forgot how small and compact the front of the car is. And it’s literally a cheaper looking interior imo than the first year (2014 ) of the new body. Plus it was like I would be spending 60+k to go back in the same car I had 7 years ago. I love Lexus but hopefully they change something with the IS and keep that v8 in the future. Slap a competent transmission to it and re design it
#1839
Three Wheelin'
I’m curious what people cross shopped before getting their cars. For me it was IS500 or TLX type S since Lexus discontinued their GS. Thought about a G70 but couldn’t go Hyundai for 50k+. Maybe 25k. As much as I always wanted the ISF, and previously having a 14 IS350, the IS500 just didn’t seem that special other than the engine. I forgot how small and compact the front of the car is. And it’s literally a cheaper looking interior imo than the first year (2014 ) of the new body. Plus it was like I would be spending 60+k to go back in the same car I had 7 years ago. I love Lexus but hopefully they change something with the IS and keep that v8 in the future. Slap a competent transmission to it and re design it
I wound up leasing a loaded G70 that listed for $53,000. The truth is that if you take away the perceived stigma of it being a Hyundai, the car would still be a bargain at $60,000. It’s a fabulous car. I finally reached an age where I don’t give a shit about what other people think of what I drive.
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