robscharp05

Our CFO of our company invited myself and my co-worker to lunch today. We proceeded out of the building and he asked me why I traded my Acura (RL) in for an Optima. My colleague chuckled as he drives a Benz CLA. I said "it's an Acura TLX" He then apologized and said he mistaken the back of it for an Optima...This is not the first time someone has mistaken it for a less expensive car..

TacoBello

RDX10

hadokenuh

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

theredia92

During my first day at my new job, my manager commented about how "sharp" my TLX is. He drives an Optima. My coworker also made comments about how smooth and quiet it was after taking a ride with me to pick up lunch. He's been test driving a 5 series and E class to purchase. At my previous job I had gotten positive comments from a hand full of people about it. The only negative feed back I've gotten on my TLX was from a fanboy Accord coworker. Why would you buy an Acura over a Honda? After I went over the differences between my 16' TLX and his 16' Accord he asked me again...but why would you? I told him next time he's at Honda for service, go next door to Acura and test drive one. Then see if the differences are something he likes and if the extra 5000 is worth it. I also had a CPO 535i owning coworker tell me the only nice part about my car was the headlights. Of course this was after I had just gotten it and everyone was giving me congrats and compliments. I have a feeling his comments were made in jealously. I also had a 3rd coworker lease an MDX after taking a look at my TLX. I wouldn't be too worried about your boss's mistake. Most non car people cant tell two cars apart unless they are side by side. And to your co worker who drives the CLA, he shouldn't be laughing too hard. I know I wouldnt if I couldn't afford a real Benz.

F23A4

THey do have a similar appearance in the rear.

WheelMcCoy

If, instead, I had a Kia Optima which was mistaken for an Acura TLX, that would be a compliment?

kurtatx

Plain jane styling will do that.

mapleloaf

Plain jane or just nice looking with a more timeless design.....kinda like an A4.

kurtatx

I'll be honest with you, I think the TLX's problem is it's neither exciting nor timeless. The front end suggests it wants to be edgy or futuristic looking. Meanwhile, the rest of it is just a little too plain. I'm hoping the next TLX borrows heavily from the precision concept. The 2019 RDX is definitely a good sign.

BEAR-AvHistory

Depends on the flavor. The CLA 45 version has a 375BHP 2.0T & does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds . A major sleeper. Entry level line with a lot of top end.

BEAR-AvHistory

Not timeless more generic Japanese. There is no family history in ACURA's design philosophy going back 20+ years. Each generation had no visual attachment to the prior generation. In a car brand signature styling each generation is an orphan. MB, Audi, BMW & Lexus have a "look". You know what it is just by looking at the design.

My 2018 has a lot of the design ques as my 2004 did. You could easily tell the same car company built them without looking at the logos

Speed_Racer

Should have told him your last salary adjustment forced you to downsize. . .

Richie Roads

Nothing wrong with that, the Optima's a nice looking car

Christopher.

Today I pointed out a BMW 745i on the road in front of us to my son (he's 14 and likes McLarens and the Lykan HyperSport) and say to him "that's a pretty expensive car there", he says "it's OK, but the design of our car is a lot cooler".

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

like 14 year old opinion's matter

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Just like it's silly to get offended over a bosses comment.

RDX10

TacoBello

I'll be honest- I'm glad Acura doesn't have that. I hate that BMW hasn't changed their looks in 35 years. I hate Porsche styling also. Every 911 looks the same since it's inception.

I know there are [many] folks who love it, but to me it just screams they couldnt come up with anything better. I look forward to every new generation of car design and how it changes. BMW and Porsche just copy paste gen after gen. Audi does it too, but for some reason, I don't mind it on their cars. Go figure. It's not even that they do anything different or better than Porsche or BMW. I guess their designs just resonate better with me.

mapleloaf

That's a matter of opinion. But I would agree that MB, Audi, and BMW have a look given they have't changed a whole lot over the years. Perhaps MB needs to, but that's my opinion only. Can't agree with Lexus, particularly given their unfortunate front end these days - they went from bland to "overly edgy", IMHO. As am Acura customer only since 2008, I frankly don't much care about whether the previous models had a much different look. My comment was more about the current lines and body style, including my 2016, which will still be a nice looking car going forward.

In terms of design language, I would also argue that their SUVs are easily recognizable going back a number of years. Much more consistency in terms of design language.

F23A4

Honestly, you cannot fully assess the TLX's general design without considering it's predecessor: the 4G Acura TL.

The 4G TL was Acura's attempt at fashioning a bold entry into the segment: edgy design like no other competitor, largest most powerful Honda V6 to date and toss in SH-AWD. After all that, most were horrified by its general appearance. (Release timing in the middle of the Great Recession didn't make things any better.)

So after all that, the styling direction with the TLX made sense. Clean, conservative but not overtly plain with slightly beefed up motors from its Accord cousin. I enjoy every moment behind the wheel of my TLX. Not perfect nor the benchmark but, does most things very well.

BEAR-AvHistory

I generally like linked family design in a car. Heritage was a good word to use. I would have no trouble buying an Audi except for the grill. The Audi, Lexus style of the big opening does not appeal to me but they both make very buyable cars. MB's design I never liked but that is just me. Kind of ponderous.

TacoBello

To be honest, the 4G seems like the black sheep. The TLX looks like what should have come directly after the 3G TL.

dopeboy1

I personally am glad to drive something that could be described as a "bold entry into the segment: edgy design like no other competitor, largest most powerful Honda V6 to date and toss in SH-AWD" even if some people are "horrified" by its appearance (because I like how my car looks and wanted something that will stand out from the rest)

Instead of a kia optima look-a-like

Richie Roads

That 4G TL was unsightly. The TLX looks like like it followed the 2G TSX rather than the 4G TL. Always liked the look of the 3G TL ... couldn't afford one till they got long in the tooth, so ended up getting a 2G TSX instead of the 4G TL.

F23A4

neuronbob

Non car people can’t often tell one car from another. As it happens, I like the tweaks done to the TLX for 2018. At the end of the day, though, it’s what YOU think that matters the most. I liked it enough to lease one. You may not. Life goes on.

robscharp05

I feel like this generation TLX is barely an upgrade from the previous generation TL. I'd say this would be a perfect 3rd generation TSX. I have made the decision that I will most likely trade my Audi Q7 with 140k miles in for the first CPO 2018 RLX that becomes available in my area. I have to admit this is the perfect commuter car. Great fuel efficiency and enjoyable features that I can live with, but I really wish this generation had a double wishbone setup.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

lol i often mix up the Nissan Rogue and Lexus RX.....these things happen...lol

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the new RDX rear tail-lights LOOK very similar of the Lexus NX.
both are CUV type things. both have sharp angular tail-lights.


the problem is keeping up with the Joneses.
Really ask yourself why you bought the TLX. Dig Deep Down and ask yourself what made you buy the TLX.
it's not because you wanted to keep up with appearances, it's because you saw value in the TLX. Keep that in mind the next time someone has choice words for the car.
which leads to another point...it's just a car.

9SpeedTran

From the side the TLX looks a lot like a Maserati. The rear does not look like a Kia (except for no tailpipes <18), especially after dark. I personally love the look -- although what the 18 did with the front parking lights/blinkers is way cool.

graphicguy

TacoBello

I guess the NX and upcoming RDX are similar in some sense... but as much as I love Lexus' styling these days, I'd still choose the 3G RDX over the NX. Every single time.

Truth be told, I liked the design risks Lexus took- but they are a bit much in some cases. And overall, I can't imagine them aging well. Time will ultimately tell, but yeah... color me surprised if they do.

TacoBello

Not all CLAs are considered equal. Your rental unit is likely as bare bones as possible, with one of the weaker engines in it.

kurtatx

Right. The stripped down CLAs are notoriously bad. Barely counts as a Mercedes. It's just a way to get people in the door.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

neuronbob

Someone complimented my TLX today, saying "Nice Benz there!" I guess he saw the large logo, similar in placement to the current tristar logo, and didn't notice the "A". I took the time to show him the A-Spec and told him a bit about Acura. Of course, I'm a car guy and not everybody is, so unsurprising that he wouldn't know. Better to be mistaken for a Benz than a Kia, I guess?

fiatlux

You mean the one with the 2.0L turbo? The one that 99% of CLAs come with? I've only ever seen one CLA45, whereas I've seen hundreds of CLA250s (it's the official car of 25-year-old girls in LA).

F23A4