Hey all,

So, I've had my 23' Type S for a little over a month at this point. I like the Type S, but I don't love it. The power is great.... WHEN I have it. I'm not sure if it's just my car, but I am noticing quite a bit of turbo lag. It seems like when I hammer it, it takes a good 1.5 seconds or so for it to downshift, spool up and take off. I know all turbo cars have some type of lag, however, I thought with the twin-scroll turbo I'd get boost quicker. I honestly think that my previous 21' RDX spooled up faster when I got on it.

I am actually starting to regret the Type S purchase a little bit. I should have listened more to ELIN on here. I actually wish I had just gone for a 23' RDX Aspec Advance and gotten the cameras, HUD, rear heated seats, etc. Or, better yet, maybe I should have just splurged for a BMW M340i.

Anyway, I'm having a little buyers remorse. If you Type S owners aren't noticing any turbo lag, I am definitely going to stop in at Acura.

 

The turbo lag will always exist but the car is very responsive. Do you leave it in normal mode and D in the gear shifter? If you put the gear into S (Sport) and then the dynamic mode to Sport or Sport+ it’s much more responsive.

 

Now that you mention it, I have never put the shifter in S. I will have to try that tomorrow. I have used all of the modes without having the transmission in S mode. For some reason, I thought the S put it in the paddle shifter mode.

I will definitely give it a try tomorrow and report back.

Also, are the exhaust baffles ONLY open in sport and sport + modes? Do they close in Normal mode?

What issues have you had with your Type S, Krylon? What kind of maintenance have you done on it so far? Did you have to do the rear differential change yet?

So, what's funny is that I absolutely love the handling and cornering of this car. The power is decent, and the responsiveness is decent in my opinion. However, this car is all about the handling. Prior to driving it, I would have thought just the opposite of what I stated.

 

Yesterday, in Sport Plus and “S” drive mode, I hung close to a Ferrari 458 over multiple red light runs. We were bringing that car home from a detailing shop and we weren’t actually racing, but when we leaving the stop lights, he didn’t pull away by much.

Not saying the TLX Type-S is Ferrari quick, but I wasn’t embarrassed once over the 20 mile trip.

 

Buy the MDX Type-S Advance to augment your fleet and enjoy the extra bells and whistles you are looking for.

 

Like what Krylon said, be sure to set both the IDS to Sport/Sport+ and the transmission in S mode. The throttle is very responsive in those settings.

 

I have 15,360 miles on my Type S. I’ve had the standard oil changes and tire rotations along with the differential fluid. Not much else to talk about as it’s been perfect since I bought the car.

I love this car. I always look back at it after parking it and smile while driving it. It’s such a beautiful machine.

 

@swttsx007, I tried to be as neutral as possible when giving you recommendations, especially for pros and cons. Your heart seemed dead set on going to a sedan and back to Acura so I didn't force the issue. Sometimes, you have to go through the experiences yourself in order to learn good lessons.

Having said that:

1) Try to reserve judgment on the TLX Type S since you've only had it a month.
2) Make use of the Sport modes as others have suggested (note that your fuel econ will take a hit of course).
3) Enjoy the sedan ownership while you and your wife are still not encumbered with kids

As with my TLX, you are only leasing the car. The used car market is still relatively hot where you can get out of a lease early if you want but do keep the above in mind if you're still thinking about getting out of the lease.

 

Set to Sport Mode and always hit S for transmission. Night and day and you will not be disappointed with lag. RDX is laggy.... If there's still 1.5 sec delay something is off. Take it to the dealer.

 

I almost always run in Sport with tranny in D (I sometimes go to S for long down hills so I don't have to use the brakes so much) and hardly notice any turbo lag. S for the trans reduces lag a bit more. I call Sport+/S beast mode, as quick as it will ever be.

KidK, I'd buy your story. I haven't had a direct competitor G70 3.3T beat me yet, glad I made the choice for TLX-S.

P.S. There are 4 Type S badges on the outside of the car and too many pull up and think "Oh, TLX I want to embarrass that" Oooops, check the badges!

P.P.S. There is production variation, hope swttsx007 didn't get a slower variant.

 

Swttsx007, keep the engine rpm above 2,000 at all times, then you won't have much turbo lag. Set the IDS to Sport or Sport+ mode also helps.

Almost all turbo-charged engines have some degrees of turbo lag. You just need to find out each individual engine's characteristics and then you can find a way to get around it.

 

Also, keep in mind these cars "learn" your driving style as well. This could take up to 2000-5000 miles. Have noticed it on all my Honda's since 2013. I elected to do a fuel pump TSB on my 2016 Accord which unfortunately reset all the "learning" (which is why I held off doing it until I decided to keep the car off of lease)...I definitely noticed a difference in the way it drove once I got the car back. It took a couple thousand miles again, to get back to MY normal. Basically, I'm saying not to make too many early judgements.

 

I use individual mode ever minute that I am in the car. I have everything in sport minus the suspension which I keep on comfort. i never use sport mode in the transmission and my Type S is incredibly responsive. If I put my foot into it at any moment, it just goes. If I don't put a lot of foot into it, it hang in the current gear which sport engine setting keeps revs at 2k rpm, there is just a slight moment of lag and then just a surge of torque. And yes, these cars do learn and adapt to your driving style. If you drive like a little old lady, no jab intended, the car will become softer and less responsive. I drive rather spirited and like to accelerate up to the speed limit with about 1/2 throttle on the regular. In doing just that, mine gets down and moves with the quickness when you really foot it. And I only average 17 mpg overall because of this...

 

As others have said pretty sure it's the drive mode and/or the transmission mode. They make a huge difference on this car. 80-90% of the time I'm in comfort and in comfort it's very hesitant to downshift and does everything it can to stay quiet smooth and calm, punching it in this mode there is a definite lag almost like the car is asking are you sure? Reallly sure? Alright let's go.

Switch it to Sport/Sport+ with or without transmission in S and it's much more aggressive and even slight throttle inputs you get a good surge of immediate power since it's in a low gear and the turbo is already ready to pump, flooring it in this mode it downshifts so fast and hard it almost makes me think I'm hurting it.

 

Wow...those were my 2011 Sienna minivan numbers...

 

So, I got a chance to put the car in Sport + and the transmission in Sport mode today. Yeah, forget what I previously said about the car not being responsive. That was a total night and day difference, so thanks for letting me know about putting the car in those modes, especially the transmissions sport mode.

Once I had the car in those modes, the revs stayed up, so the turbo was spooled and I got almost instant power. The car is a completely different animal in those modes!

 

I am glad your issue was resolved. Enjoy the Type S!

 

As I mentioned above, I call this beast mode. Glad you figured it out.

 

Ive had to learn to use the car, and what you describe is on spot. Always be in Sport+, use Sequential Mode (vs Drive Mode), and watch your RPMs. (I wish they hadn't called it Sequential, as the S makes you think Sport, but thats different). I am doing lots of highway driving (100 mile roundtrip to work), so I cruise in 8th a lot (average 24mpg). I find I will need to down shift to 5 in order to get the pull Im looking for when I'm cruisiing. Biggest issue here is I need to pay close attention to what gear Im in if I want on demand power - I'm usually cruising in high gears to save on fuel, so if I need power, I need to pay attention. If Im tooling around town, in Sport+ mode and Drive Mode (D) is good enough.

Despite peoples' misgivings about the spec #s, Car and Driver reviews, she performs really well; I don't feel bad about driving her at all. I think it is a great ride and I am very happy with the purchase (2023 Type-S, bought 1st of the year)

 

..... and your gas bills will rack up pretty fast too.

 

"Pay to Play"

 

Yes please!!

 

I may be in the minority here, but I would think that most people that can afford a Type S and/or drive one probably aren't too concerned about MPG's. I never worry about what it's going to cost me to play. This is the reason why I bought the Type S. If I was a penny pincher and worried about the MPG's, I'd be driving a Prius!

I always live by the motto, "You only live once!"

 

When do you feel this turbo lag? Is it from a standstill, or very low speed (<5mph) re-acceleration like the crazy lag in RDX?

Personally, I see less turbo lag in MDX-S than RDX, especially from speed <10mph. The twin-scroll turbo is ready to deliver above 1.5k rpm, while RDX needs to wait until 2k rpm to be fully in boost zone. But then I probably don't drive MDX-S as hard as RDX...

And yes unfortunately if you went with that B58, you would have zero lag. But the car is not as fun/rewarding to drive beyond the powertrain, and the suspension tuning is off for comfort.

 

lol

 

That reminds me of a time long ago, shortly after I had purchased a new Jaguar Series 3 E-Type. I was in a gas station filling up when the owner of the car behind me, busy looking at the V12 emblem on the rear. asked me what kind of gas mileage it got. I just laughed and told him if I was worried about economy I certainly wouldn't have purchased a V12, the proper question is "how fast does it go?"

Enjoy your Type-S.

 

I mostly agree although I’ve been using Comfort mode lately to increase my MPG. I am still having fun with the car and once in a while change to Sport mode for some extra highway fun.

The mileage won’t kill me either way but in the suburbs I don’t see a reason to use Sport when it’s only 40-45mph with minimal chances for aggressive acceleration. Once I get on the highway it’s free game though.

 

my sentiments exactly

 

I totally agree. I love mine, but, I admit not right away. But, the more I drove it the more I ended up really appreciating
what I had under me. I don't have your miles, but, lots of miles with so many cars, SUV's over the years. I also have
the MDX Type S Adv. Same with it. The more I drove it the more I appreciated what it had to offer. As I've said before
on here, some time ago...it's not about being the fastest car on the streets, but, the overall driving experience that a
vehicle gives you. Both my Type S's are very quick for sure, and give me what I want. Great driving, handling, super
quick vehicles that are just flat fun to be in and drive. Are they perfect? No vehicle is. But, they put a smile on my
face, and that's what matters. I really have learned to really enjoy the size, ride height, comfort AND quickness of
a great SUV and my MDX does that for me. I'm almost tempted to get another one in place of the TLX. This Type S
Adv. MDX is just flat out fun, comfy with great handling, great ride, and the power is there. Again, is it the fastest?
No, but, again, I love driving it. Hmmm...my current one is white/red just like the TLX....should I get the blue/orchid one??
I'm tempted. What's holding me back? My 2 car garage is not the desired "oversized ones" that makes it way hard to
park 2 MDX's in it.
Best Wishes to all that have come to learn and like the Type S vehicles. More than I thought...at first.

 

I know you love you B58.... I mean G20 M340. I was talking to OP from his perspective...

 

You're comparing a sedan (M340i) to your type S SUV? Did you mean to say X3M40i? If quick out of the hole acceleration was your goal, why did you opt for a type S MDX?
5.5 seconds 0-60 (Car and Driver) is no rocket for $75K. Did you give any thought to the X5 at basically the same money as the type S and nearly a second quicker 0-60.

 

Why do you think he’s referring to an MDX Type S? Looks to me like he has the TLX Type S.

 

OP is talking about the TLX Type S but to your point, a loaded X5 is not much more money than the MDX Type S!
You have to really want that 3rd row and not care about fuel economy to even consider the MDX!

 

I agree. My error in what vehicle the poster was speaking of.

I recently purchased a 2023 3.5L Advance. I couldn't justify the extra $10,000 for the Type S, especially since it has inferior braking performance and is only 9/10 of a second quicker 0-60 than the
tried and true 3.5L.

 

I had a '18 MDX SHAWD Tech and that infotainment was rock solid compared to what they have now. I think they did the right thing keeping the 3.5L for the regular MDX but I agree w/you that the Type S engine is too underpowered for how heavy it got!

 

Agreed ... the old 2-screen system was nice (our 2014 MDX had it). No CarPlay back then, but the on-board Nav worked great with Acura-Link Subscription (IIRC, they called it "Gen-2" equipment) .

 

Acura needs to go with the 3.0 turbo as the standard engine for the MDX and tweak it for more power in the "S" version like BMW does with the X5.

 

Unfortunately, I don't see that happening. The eggheads at Acura have tuned their cars to what their comfortable with and are trying to strike a balance b/w affordability and performance.

Their days of being in the conversation with BMW are long gone!

 

That's okay. I still like my 2023 3.5L Advance. For $65K it is still a nicely rounded vehicle. It's no rocket but, if you jump on it in sport mode, it wakes up a bit.

 

I don’t think Acura was ever in the conversation with BMW…