Legend2TL

Haven't seen the TLX yet, but a friend just picked up a 2014 EX-L and we were looking at it and thought it was much better quality of materials/fit/finish and features/functions compared to a neighbor's 2006 EX. The 7G Accord seems cheap looking to me it was the low-point in quality/feature/function of the Accords. They started to improve on the next 8G and alot more on the 9G. Honda really stepped up Accord on the current gen.

phile

It depends on where they're touching the interior. I personally think the new Accord's interior improved over the outgoing model, particularly in the areas of soft touch plastics. What I don't like is the Accord's trim pieces - the one on the passenger dash and doors - I still cannot figure out what that is. It's not simulated wood, it's not the plastic metal look, it's just some weird trim with texture on it.

So I was quite disappointed to read Liq's review that there were some cost cutting, cause the TLX has a pretty solid foundation to build up from. I did notice the lack of any leatherette covered surfaces surrounding the dash (which is becoming de-rigueur in the luxury class), but I was hoping they'd offset that by high quality material bare plastics. Guess not.

Legend2TL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPuCTIXJ3kQ#t=143

RACER: Peter Cunningham Acura TLX World Challenge GT Tech Review

AZuser

How well does your neighbor take care of the '06 EX?

Better features/functions? Yes

Better fit/finish? Maybe

Better materials? Not IMO. Feel the carpet and floor mats, door panel materials, and even seat fabric. I could immediately tell they were lower quality. Definitely thinner. There are a bunch of people on a Accord forum who've complained about wearing a hole into their floor mats in under a year.... there's even one person who's on his 3rd set (all replaced under warranty).

Edward'TLS

Even my wife finds the steering assist in any IDS setting other than "Sport", is too excessive.

That's why the MDX is always set to the "Sport" mode.

I just wish that the IDS could also change the suspension damper rate as well.

MTEAZY

New TLX GT Racecar- Powered by 0.3 liter engine.

oonowindoo

first i thought you were kidding.. but i guess not..

why do you need a radiator for .3L engine?

Fibonacci

Agreed. It is somewhat odd that adjustable dampers only lasted one generation in the 2G MDX and didn't migrate to any other vehicle in the Acura lineup. Along with SH-AWD, it is a pretty strong differentiator if you ask me and should be at least an optional feature in every Acura.

Legend2TL

It's all opinion, but IMO the quality of the interior materials of the 7G Accord are below the 6G and 8G. I've looked at 7G's in the past and considered one when I when I bought my 05 TL. I was disappointed in the quality of the materials used in the interior (plastic, seats, fabric, switches, displays, ....).

Honda cheapen out the 7G Accord similar to the pre-MMC 9G Civic which Honda rectified. The 9G Accord interior materials feel and look better than the previous two gens.

Legend2TL

+1, I think conservative display was important for the TLX. It's also competing with the ES (and A4/3/C/...) with more traditional instrument clusters.
While I love some electronic displays, I imagine the general population probably do not. One thing for a C7, Ferrari, and IS-F another for a mainstream sedan.



That is a really cool display.
I'd like to see how well it fares with sunlight shining on it to see if it washes out with no or little contrast.
That's always a potential issue with electronic displays, one advantage mechanical displays don't have.

My fav electronic display is the C7

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Can't wait to test drive it and see how it works in person!

For sure. That's why Lexus is so successful and is a well established Japanese luxury brand unlike Acura and Infiniti.


I see what you mean...they could have use the money for even better materials for example.

But for sure the electronic gear selector is something that can be seen and acknowledged right away, "hey this car has push button gear selector! cool!" This might be more appealing to most average TLX buyers?

So what do you think about the learning curve of this 2-screen system? Are you getting used to it? Do you prefer this system more, or the old system where there's one screen with tons of buttons? Would be nice to see some feedback from actual owners.

Not a deal breaker I think since most cars in this class use traditional display.

However, a display similar to the IS would be welcome if there's a TLX Type S.

Belzebutt

I test drove the IS with that display. It's REALLY cool, definitely a must-have feature on that car. I didn't see any issues with glare or anything.

MTEAZY

You guys should see the ATS gauges. Looks like a 90's Buick cluster with an LCD slapped on.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

that's pretty bad.......

Costco

That's like straight out of the '90s! Looks more like econobox than sports sedan.

Are the other trim levels different?

Fibonacci

Fibonacci

Is it really a "must have"?

Not that I'm in the market for a Benz, but I think the fake gauges in the S-class are gross, at least from the pics.

Edward'TLS

The learning curve is definitely steep for this dual-screen setup, with multiple menus embedded inside menus.

Many "used-to-be-button" operations become very clumsy and attention grabbing, even with the tactile vibration feedback on the main touch screen.

One typical example is to change the "Fresh-air/Recirculate-air" mode. It takes two screen touches to achieve an otherwise single-press-button operation.

To change mode, a first screen-touch on the "Fresh/Recir" screen icon is to bring up the "Fresh/Recir" menu, and a 2nd touch to select the either "Fresh" or "Recirulate" button on the popped-up menu.

Acura could have make the "Fresh/Recir" screen icon as a single-touch toggle operation, with which each touch of the icon would toggle between the "Fresh" mode and the "Recir" mode, just like a conventional mechanical switch would be.

Take a visit to the 3G MDX forum, and you can check out the threads (mostly negative) on the new dual-screen MDX system.

Incidently, there seems to have less complaints on the dual-screen RLX system on the RLX forum, even though the MDX and the RLX dual-screen systems are almost identical.

I guess it may have to do with the runaway sales of the MDX versus the stagnant RLX sales, and as a result, only a handful of RLX owners can get to try out the new dual-screen system.

oonowindoo

you, my friend bought a 4G TL.

You shouldn't comment on what looks gross.

oonowindoo

I think 1 screen is enough and a BIG one. You still can do all the things you want to on the screen when you want to show off to your friends. But for everyday use, you can't beat the simplicity of knobs and buttons. So it should have both. (like the GS)

There is enough distraction on the road already. Last thing i need is going through endless pages while i am driving just to adjust temp or change radio station and etc..

but dual screens definitely look high tech... until you actually use it. or at least dont connect functionality between 2 screens.

MTEAZY

No, that's all you get on the ATS... and what's worse is that the CTS also comes standard with those gauges unless you spec the highest trim.

Curious3GTL

I have friends that just bought an IS-350 F sport and the gauges are truly amazing. Hands down the best in the class.

Now I know why GM is idling the plant for 3 weeks due to slow sales...... That doesn't look fit for a $15,000 car let alone a $30,000+

oonowindoo

while American cars have definitely improved but the mentality of designing things will not change.

I think culture and environment have big effect on this.

Japanese and German historically are good at this kinda stuff.

MTEAZY

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I like pulling for the home team, but some of their decisions are just head scratchers.

Like in the new Escalade.. everything is covered in wood, leather, and suede, but they somehow stuck in a work truck column shifter and DVD headrests from 2003.







I used to appreciate the attention to detail that went into import cars.

These days, although they don't make bone-headed interior decisions, most feel built to a price unfortunately.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Yeah those look like crap. Really no point for DVD headrests in today's world of iPads and tablets. DVD is a dying breed.

Thankfully its only an option.

LiQiCE

Considering the TLX was designed by Americans - what does that say about your opinion of the TLX?

jwong77

Yup and its even cheaper looking in person. I have to believe this is a parts share with a minivan somewhere in gm lineup.

kurtatx

That is borderline nauseating.

oonowindoo

you know exactly what my opinion is on TLX.

and also those designs still have to be approved by the real Japanese people.

oonowindoo

column shifter

Nothing screams more gangsta in a Escalate than a column shifter.

Yumcha

Here's Acura's marketing campaign videos:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FM7PcYMH67c?list=PLxDNKxVW_TO9MRX5GZ1_P9vULS-kn9Oep" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

oonowindoo

i actually like it.. it is more emotionally connected than say... the stupid Seinfeld crap.

VR1

^+1

00TL-P3.2

The "gauges" in the S are actually fine in person. I really like the big screen in lieu of real gauges. Didn't think I would from pictures, but it works in person.
From the 2 times I've driver my grandmother's '14 S550, I've yet to find anything I don't like (aside from the disable-able stop/start function), other than it's not in my garage

EhkoXC

Holy crap that's awful... I think my friend's Chevy Sonic has a more expensive looking cluster.

I don't see anything wrong with the cluster they put in the TLX, but I would have taken the one from the IS F, that's just awesome.

RPhilMan1

My (previous) Acura dealer has 5 TLXs in inventory right now. All are the 3.5L V6.

Crystal Black Pearl / Espresso Leather with Advance Package
Bellanova White Pearl / Graystone Leather with Advance Package
Graphite Luster Metallic / Ebony Leather with Advance Package
Basque Red Pearl II / Parchment Leather with Technology Package
Fathom Blue Pearl / Graystone Leather with Technology Package

Where are the 4-cyl? Already sold?

Belzebutt

In the S-class they're completely fake (not that I've seen them) but in the IS the silver circle is physical and the LCD behind shows electronic gauges (and the picture moves along with the physical circle). You should go for a test drive.

I know I wouldn't buy an IS without that. Too bad the rest of their multimedia system is not as nice as Audi/BMW, they could improve it a lot just by giving it nicer graphics.

oonowindoo

i don't understand what is a Fake gauge?

Legend2TL

^ I presume he means using needles and circle dials on a dot-matrix display such as how some manufacturers do.

With the "Torque" Android app you can select dial, number, or graph for instrumentation. Really cool OBD2 app.

dom