gsealock

Hello Everyone. New to the forum. I am a current owner of a 2007 TL, but I'm ready to move on. I am considering the 2016 TLX as well as the 2014 TL.

With respect to the 2016 TLX I'm now considering the 4cyl given the issues with the 9 speed in the V6. Will I notice a comparable difference when comparing that 4cyl to my 2007 TL?

Is the 4cyl even worth considering in the TLX?...or is it worth risking the trans problems in the V6?

Or should I just skip both TLX's and focus on the 2014 TL?

Appreciate any and all feedback regarding these options.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

will you notice a difference going from 250ft/lbs to 150ft/lbs of torque!?
yes. yes, you will.

CheeseyPoofs McNut

The 4 cyl is pretty spunky and mated with the super fast DCT has plenty of power for normal daily driving IMO - but it certainly doesn't have the low end torque of a V6. You'll need to drive one for an extended drive to see if you can live with it.

a35tl

You will definitely notice a difference going from a V6 to the I4. I would not buy a '15 TLX V6 due to the transmission issues that plagued that model but the '16+ models seem to have those things resolved. One may still not like the way the 9 speed transmission performs but the hardcore problems it was having in the '15 model have seemingly been rectified. The '14 TL is still a great car but the technology is a generation behind if that's an issue to you. The only other thing is that the '13 or '14 TL models which are in really good shape with reasonable mileage are somewhat difficult to find.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^also, for some...oil consumption on the 4G might be a big deal.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Drive one.
Everyone is different. Everyone will have different answers.

excluding the drivetrain, the TLX will be more awesome than your 07...because...welll it's a newer car.
will it have enough power/passing power? only YOU can answer that by test driving one.

Saintor

Totally different.

The smoothness of the V6 is a better match to the character of the car. The 9-speed is just fine if you are not allergic to use the paddle shifts or drive in S-mode. The 2018 are less reluctant to downshift, it is all known.

gsealock

I enjoy everything about my current 07 TL....will the 4 cyl TLX compare at all? Guessing not given difference in HP and torque.

svtmike

CheeseyPoofs McNut

I had a V6 loaner for a day and I thought the power difference wasn't "BLOW ME AWAY" better - but the V6 is smoother and has more low end grunt when you mash it. If you're used to that then the I4 will dissapoint.

That said - I thought the V6 felt top heavy compared to the I4 when plowing into a corner - the I4 has a lighter and more nimble feel to it. No doubt related to the additional weight of the V6. I suggest you drive one but I'm guessing the V6 is what you want.

Saintor

I'll disagree with that one, in SH-AWD. Yes more weight, but the way that SH-AWD increases torque on the a single wheel (rear external one) creates something that can't be matched by P-AWS. I am not totally pleased by my TLX's overall handling, but it is certainly not feeling nose-heavy (i.e. meaning understeer)

jhb31

I also had a 2007 TL although the Type S. I had the V6 FWD 2017 TLX and was not too happy with it handling wise and for power. I do enjoy pushing the car and the 2017 (same as 2016) V6 had a very soft ride with a lot of lean in the corners. While I didn't drive the AWD variant at the time I can say with certainty that the 2018 AWD V6 A-spec has a much nicer ride, very little lean and you can accelerate through the corners with ease. If your buying now I would probably opt for the 2014 AWD model or wait a year and go for a CPO 2018 A-Spec with AWD. If you drive more conservatively then I don't think it will matter too much. I will say that I wasn't too happy at first with the Trans on the 2018 but it has improved in performance over time and it's not much of an issue for me now. Either way I do think the 3rd gen trans was better than the TLX. Personally I would always opt for the V6 over the 4cyl.

noclue02

I have a 16' TLX i4 and drove the v6 fwd and sh-awd for a loaner. After the week of the loaner, I was kind of regret not getting the V6, kind of. Corning the v6 drive smoother, quieter, corning is better and the power are there when needed it comparing to the 4cyl. The only thing I'm glad I did not buy a v6 and happy with my i4 is the transmission. I hated the v6 tranny during first thru 3rd gear. None of my v6 loaners, maybe 4 or 5 within the last 2 years, had the vibration issues.

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

A '14 SH-AWD will be fun to drive but a bigger car

F23A4

mapleloaf

I can't really comment on the TL because I have only driven a 2014 a few days as a loaner several years ago. However, having leased both a 2015 V6 SH-AWD, and now a 2016 2.4, I can comment on those choices. I do love the 2.4 pairing with the 8 DCT and find it more than adequate for what I need and want. Frankly, it's more than anyone really needs, but then, there's lots of folks here that would disagree. The newer 3.5s certainly shift better than the 15 and are worthy of consideration as well. All of that being said, don't make the mistake that I and others have made....I test drove the 2015 2.4 extensively and wanted to lease one, but was seduced by the power, colour availability and deal of the 3.5 SH-AWD, and pulled the trigger prematurely on that car without adequate test driving. There really is no reason to buy/lease a car that you haven't driven sufficiently to know that you do like it and can live with whatever few things you don't love. As you spend more time on the forum, you will find wildly disparate views on the TLX and many other brands, so ultimately being armed with the facts and knowing your own wants is ultimately the only way to go.

Enjoy the search!

mapleloaf

BTW, the 2.4 has 182 lb-ft of torque.