rlx015

Not sure how noticed this information is among Acura TLX owners, but I am wondering what are your opinions of TLX being classified by EPA as "Compact" classified vehicle?

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bycl...Cars2023.shtml

Almost makes no sense given that this list includes KIA RIO... are they serious... to give TLX credit, A4, BMW 3 series, C class is also listed as Compact classification lol

ELIN

Does EPA classify based on interior space? That's the only way the TLX gets lumped in with A4, 3 series, etc.

Traditionally, TLX has always competed in this segment but the 2G got supersized to the point where the exterior matches the A6 and 5 series better.
Honestly, I think this method Acura used to hedge sales worked against them. The phrase "Master of None" comes to mind...

Edward'TLS

Interior size-wise, the old 4G TL is a mid-size, but the 5G/6G TLX is a compact.

fiatlux

EPA classification is based on passenger volume + cargo volume. As has been discussed many times over, the TLX is lacking in the passenger volume department. It may be midsized on the outside, but it's very much compact on the inside.

It's a far cry from other Honda products that tend to be very very good with packaging efficiency. Case in the point, the considerably smaller Civic has about 6% more passenger volume than the TLX, which is enough to bump it up to a midsize car. In fact, believe it or not even the Honda Fit has more passenger volume than the TLX.

MarcoTLX

Now that’s just sad for the TLX

ijm5012

have you sat inside one? The rear seat has just as much legroom as my 2008 Civic sedan had, and the trunk opening is actually smaller (can’t fit the same hard sided cooler in my TLX that I could in my Civic).

I’ve gotta hand it to Acura, for a car on its own dedicated platform, they managed to make it hundreds of pounds heavier than the competition (impacts MPG, performance specs, etc.) while simultaneously making it smaller inside than a 3 series/A4, but as big outside as a 5 series/A6.

It’s quite possibly the most poorly-packaged car I’ve experienced, which is really a shame because it looks and drives really well.

subiefanIL83

I believe Acura was going for a certain look/proportion design wise for the exterior, and as a result there were compromises regarding interior packaging. Acura's logic was if you need more room, they would sell you an RDX.

fiatlux

Now it's become: if you need more room, you can buy an Integra.

bilirubin

Correct, you can't have RWD proportions on a FWD platform without making concessions to the interior space.
Part of why the TLX looks so good is the cab-rearward profile with a long dash-to-axle ratio, and a width-to-height ratio of a Maserati Ghibli or a Lexus RC-F.

Tony Pac

Honestly, who cares what category is...go check and see if it fits your needs or not. If yes, buy it! If not, go get something else. E class or A6 or 5 Series...reliable, amazing resale value and German engineering a bit more pricy but you get that "Das AUTO" magic!

If tomorrow MT comes and says TLX is full size sedan. Wil you believe it? All these websites and Youtubers are after clicks. They come up with all sort of videos and articles, so you just read, comment and they collect money! DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!

All I can say the width, height and length of TLX make it the best looking car in its category and one of the best well rounded sport sedan.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

Couldn't have said it better myself.

rlx015

I would agree... however, my initial inquiry was for current TLX owners their opinion about the classification - because if I am not mistaken, TLX was not in the compact classification for 2021/2022 (I might be wrong though)...
In 2021 I did a test drive of TLX and it truly was in the category of BMW 3 series, A4, C class. I would say, it even felt tighter/narrower than the A4 which I drove as well ... shame that TSX and TL were discontinued, and then Acura decided to create a TLX (Acura Frankenstein) which so far has not led anywhere but to increased pricing (mid 40s into 50s) for a 4-cyl vehicle...

fiatlux

The TLX has always been classified as a compact by the EPA. It's almost as if they decided to marry the larger exterior size of the TL with the compact interior size of the TSX and call it a day.