A New Era of Performance: Acura Type S Concept to Debut at Monterey Car Week

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• Type S Concept sets the stage for the return of Type S performance variants to the Acura lineup
  • Teaser image and
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    highlights the concept's muscular rear arches, quad exhaust and iconic Type S badge

• 2001-2003 3.2CL Type S
  • 2002-2003 3.2TL Type S
    • 2002-2006 RSX Type S
      • 2007-2008 TL Type S

Acura Type S Concept to Debut in Monterey – Brand’s Precision Crafted Performance Takes Shape

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• Concept sets the stage for the return of Type S performance variants and will heavily influence the character of the upcoming, second-generation TLX Type S
• Design team set out to shape a striking expression of Acura performance with a powerful stance and expressive silhouette
• Acura to debut two Type S performance variants in the next two years

The Best Acura 2021 Models

Reviewing the 2021 Acura Lineup

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What’s Hot in the New 2021 Acura Lineup

04. 2021 TLX

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A 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from the RDX will likely serve the next-gen TLX’s lineup. It’s good enough for 272 horsepower which is just shy of the outgoing model’s most powerful 290-horsepower V6 mill. On the other hand, the performance-oriented 2021 Acura TLX Type S will likely borrow the NSX sports car’s technology. Its 3.5L twin-turbo V6 should be more than capable of providing around 350 horsepower without the help from separate electric motors. A 10-speed automatic transmission is expected to be the sole option while both the front and all-wheel drive will be in the picture as well.

Both the regular and Type S Acura TLX models are expected to arrive in time for model year 2021 with prices starting at under $35,000 for the entry-level. The all-new Type S models should warrant stickers higher than $40,000 to begin with. For comparison, the previous performance V6 SH-AWD grade started from around $38,000.

03. 2021 MDX

in its segment.

Design-wise, the all-new Acura MDX won’t stray too far from what the outgoing models are providing, but sharper angles all over are still expected to convert it into a more aggressive-looking SUV. Thinner headlamps, a larger grille, new set of wheels, and revised fascias will all play their part in achieving that goal.

Inside, the 2021 Acura MDX also gets the RDX’s infotainment system with a widescreen pop-up display which receives commands via a touchpad controller. Actually, the entire Acura range is expected to adopt the same setup within the next few years. Being a relatively expensive option (although still more affordable than competition), the redesigned MDX will also boast a long list of advanced safety gear and driver’s aids.

The current models rely on V6 engines alone, but that might soon get changed. The RDX’s 2.0L turbo 4 is more than capable of providing similar numbers as the outgoing MDX’s 3.5L V6 while improving fuel economy at the same time. As far as the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD model goes, its 3.0L V6 with three electric motors will likely be carried over. After all, it’s good enough for 321 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque while returning up to 27 mpg combined. Expect the next-gen models to adopt a new 10-speed automatic gearbox while the hybrid is expected to continue using a 7-speed dual-clutch.

The next-gen Acura MDX is expected to make its official debut sometime in 2020 and arrive to dealerships in time for MY 2021. Prices will likely remain mostly intact with the entry-level models requiring around $45,000 and the range-topping units warranting at least $55,000 prior to extras.

02. 2021 NSX Type R

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01. 2021 RDX

Only recently overhauled, the RDX is now the best-selling Acura model with 63,580 units delivered to U.S. buyers throughout 2018. The compact luxury crossover offers a fine combination of refinement, technology, comfort, and style, and is a good value for money. Although nothing is expected to be changed in 2021, the compact will easily remain one of the most coveted Acura vehicles.

The RDX might not have been the first Acura model to don the new design language but it will be the one to pave the way for others since it was the first fully redesigned model in company’s portfolio in recent years. It’s a bold and stylish alternative for compact luxury crossover buyers which does its job admirably but doesn’t come completely faultless.

The RDX’s interior has already started migrating to other Acura cars and will have become a standard by the time MY 2021 has said its piece. A more intuitive (at least according to Acura) infotainment system is only one part of the complex interior puzzle. The compact crossover provides an abundance of tech and convenience gear even in entry-level trims, but you’ll have to opt for upper grades in order to unlock its full potential.

There’s only one engine responsible for moving the best-selling Acura crossover around. A 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder generates a healthy 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque while pairing with a contemporary 10-speed automatic transmission. Both the front and rear-wheel drive are available across the board. One of the four-banger’s biggest advantages is its fuel economy which peaks at 22/28 mpg in front-wheel drive models but a more powerful optional engine would have been appreciated regardless.

The Acura RDX starts from just under $38,000, while the range-topping Advance Package trim with all-wheel drive requires at least $10,000 atop of that. Neither of these figures is expected to budge come MY 2021’s time.

What’s Not in the New 2021 Acura Lineup

02. 2021 RLX

The aging flagship Acura sedan isn’t enjoying its most successful of periods as fewer than 2,000 buyers opted for buying one in 2018. Then again, the full-size sedan was never the best of sellers to begin with since its best result was around 5,000 units back in 2013. Although Acura is in a process of overhauling its lineup, it would seem that the RLX will be omitted for MY 2021.

In spite of the fact the RLX rides on underpinnings unchanged since 2013, the full-size luxury sedan was already brought up to the new design language’s standard after a recent facelift for MY 2018. Although flagship luxury sedans are rarely engaging to drive, the RLX feels more burdened than its competitors. That’s the proof a facelift often isn’t enough to reverse one car’s bad fortunes.

Although the RLX offers an extremely comfortable cabin with an abundance of convenience and tech gear, it still doesn’t feel as luxurious as most of its competitors – especially the ones from Germany. What’s more, it’s also one of the most expensive cars in its segment – at least in an entry-level form. Heck, it’s more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz E Class even, although we all know that the similarly equipped E Class sedan would warrant a much higher price tag.

There’s only one engine behind the RLX sedan and it’s an aging 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 which develops 310 horsepower. Luckily enough, the same engine can also be obtained in the SH-AWD configuration with trio of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack. The RLX hybrid cranks up 377 combined horsepower and returns up to 28 mpg combined – 5 mpg more than the regular model. While the conventional RLX pairs to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the hybrid models make do with a 7-speed dual-clutch.

As already mentioned, the regular RLX stands out as the most expensive vehicle in its class thanks to a rather hefty price tag of $55,000. The optional hybrid package with all-wheel drive requires $62,000.

01. 2021 ILX

As 1 of the most outdated cars in its segment and one of the most outdated Acura cars overall, the ILX’s placement in the latter part of our hot/cold scale doesn’t really come as a surprise. There are simply plenty of better options out there and the fact that nothing has yet come out of Acura’s camp regarding the compact’s redesign, doesn’t work in its favor.

The compact luxury sedan might have received couple of facelifts already but it can’t hide the fact its underpinnings haven’t been properly updated since mid-2012. Technically, the ILX is just a plushier Civic, but at least Honda doesn’t have the luxury to neglect one of its best-sellers in such a way.

At least the ILX offers plenty of standard features from the get-go such as a dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, and a sunroof. Advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist are also standard. However, the entry-level ILX doesn’t offer a touchscreen infotainment system which speaks volumes about its age.

There’s only one engine available with the Acura ILX, and it’s a 2.4L naturally aspirated inline-four. Paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the 4-cylinder returns 201 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Only front-wheel drive is available with the ILX which further distances the smallest sedan from the rest of the Acura lineup.

The Acura ILX starts from just under $26,000 before destination fees, and works its way towards the $32,000 price tag with the Premium and Technology packages both included. Although it’s one of the more affordable ways of owning a luxury sedan, the Acura ILX is far from actually being a true luxury vehicle. Of all the available Acura models, the ILX is arguably the one which provides the most reasons to avoid.