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Actually, from a marketing point of view that's exactly what you want to do. It subconsciously associates your car with cars of a higher pedigree. Marketing is fundamentally about creating a perception of your product in the minds of the customer.
For performance and features, absolutely. For size, it's forced ... especially when skipping models like A6 or 5 series. It also clearly didn't work since the only reason it's selling better now is due to price drops.
Actually, from a marketing point of view that's exactly what you want to do. It subconsciously associates your car with cars of a higher pedigree. Marketing is fundamentally about creating a perception of your product in the minds of the customer.
Its a two way street in marketing. The other side of comparing a base item to an upmarket item is termed "knockoff". Example a flea market copy of a Chanel purse.
Also think the whole size thing is bogus. Every time the 3 Series gets bigger the fan boys get pissed & the magazine writers scold BMW for not staying true to the theme.
Two nice bigger cars
201" L x 73" W x 59" H 18.8CUFT T 305BHP V6 base price $31,620
195″ L x 75″ W x 56″ H 13.5CUFT T 272BHP I4 base price $37,500
Should the $31,620 car advertise against the Acura TLX because its bigger with more powerful V6 engine?
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 04-28-2021 at 11:07 AM.
For performance and features, absolutely. For size, it's forced ... especially when skipping models like A6 or 5 series. It also clearly didn't work since the only reason it's selling better now is due to price drops.
Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory
Its a two way street in marketing. The other side of comparing a base item to an upmarket item is termed "knockoff". Example a flea market copy of a Chanel purse.
I agree that size was a weak comparison for sure. But really I think the objective was to just put TLX and A7/Panamera in the same sentence. Could have been anything, like "TLX comes in the same colors as a Panamera". I think for serious buyers this type of thing rings pretty hollow for sure. But for some buyers it may actually work just a bit. I sold Acuras back in 1990 for about 8 months (kind of a temp job to pay bills on my way to my actual career). But it was a fascinating and eye opening experience. You would be shocked at how many people leave their house to go grocery shopping and wind up buying a new car. I'd say about 20% of the people who bought a car just stopped at the lot for a random reason. I think those kind of comments are aimed at those kind of buyers. Of course those buyers aren't on a forum like this either.
On a completely unrelated note, it was a fun time to be driving 1990 Legends, Integras and Vigors all the time.
I agree that size was a weak comparison for sure. But really I think the objective was to just put TLX and A7/Panamera in the same sentence. Could have been anything, like "TLX comes in the same colors as a Panamera". I think for serious buyers this type of thing rings pretty hollow for sure. But for some buyers it may actually work just a bit. I sold Acuras back in 1990 for about 8 months (kind of a temp job to pay bills on my way to my actual career). But it was a fascinating and eye opening experience. You would be shocked at how many people leave their house to go grocery shopping and wind up buying a new car. I'd say about 20% of the people who bought a car just stopped at the lot for a random reason. I think those kind of comments are aimed at those kind of buyers. Of course those buyers aren't on a forum like this either.
On a completely unrelated note, it was a fun time to be driving 1990 Legends, Integras and Vigors all the time.
I don't disagree with you but the internet has changed everything now. Actually customers are making dealers life much harder. Majority of people are better educated than sales reps. I was at Lexus Dealer this summer and the guy was giving me wrong info. I told my friend let's go. Clearly he doesn't know about their own product. I have heard the same about Acura or Audi, BMW and other brands.
I don't disagree with you but the internet has changed everything now. Actually customers are making dealers life much harder. Majority of people are better educated than sales reps. I was at Lexus Dealer this summer and the guy was giving me wrong info. I told my friend let's go. Clearly he doesn't know about their own product. I have heard the same about Acura or Audi, BMW and other brands.
The internet is a great resource for those who use it, and are inclined to be "research shoppers". Which I bet is 100% of everyone here.
You'd be shocked at some of the ways people make buying decisions when it comes to cars. Dealerships make car buying as easy as going to the grocery store. There are still people who buy that way. Maybe not $50k sports sedans so much, but they are all still out there.
The internet is a great resource for those who use it, and are inclined to be "research shoppers". Which I bet is 100% of everyone here.
You'd be shocked at some of the ways people make buying decisions when it comes to cars. Dealerships make car buying as easy as going to the grocery store. There are still people who buy that way. Maybe not $50k sports sedans so much, but they are all still out there.
I am sure you're right and I do know some people that don't do their homework.
But Acurazine members go above and beyond to do their homework
I don't disagree with you but the internet has changed everything now. Actually customers are making dealers life much harder. Majority of people are better educated than sales reps. I was at Lexus Dealer this summer and the guy was giving me wrong info. I told my friend let's go. Clearly he doesn't know about their own product. I have heard the same about Acura or Audi, BMW and other brands.
This applies for almost all dealerships. Most dealership sales employees don't actually know 1/2 of what they are selling. I've seen this a lot on various forums and more on the BMW enthusiast page. They get upset when the sale person feeds them a bunch of bullshit and options that they don't specify all the details. For example, if you get cooled / heated front seats for the 2018-2019 X3's you lose the adjustable side bolsters. It's clearly mentioned on BMW's website but sales constantly fail to mention this when customers order their vehicles. Customers end up being pissed off. I always tell everyone, don't rely on the dealership, DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK. When you do your own homework, you are prepared and ready. When I wanted a Mercedes the dealership told me they can CUT cross drilled AMG rotors and had their "Master A technician" come out to tell me the same crap.. The rotors had the classic "Waves" in them and Mercedes advises to replace the rotors. Dealerships goal is to make sales, no matter what.
You would be shocked at how many people leave their house to go grocery shopping and wind up buying a new car. I'd say about 20% of the people who bought a car just stopped at the lot for a random reason. I think those kind of comments are aimed at those kind of buyers. Of course those buyers aren't on a forum like this either.
On a completely unrelated note, it was a fun time to be driving 1990 Legends, Integras and Vigors all the time.
I did that once. My son in law asked me to go with him to look at a new Explorer. When we wandered around the lot I saw a red pickup with an old style box. Paid $15,000 & drove it home. That was in 1998. Still have the truck. My son in law bought his Explorer. Happy salesmen that day.
Parked next to its competition for seat time. 23 years old & still look'in good with mostly all its original parts.
I did that once. My son in law asked me to go with him to look at a new Explorer. When we wandered around the lot I saw a red pickup with an old style box. Paid $15,000 & drove it home. That was in 1998. Still have the truck. My son in law bought his Explorer. Happy salesmen that day.
Parked next to its competition for seat time. 23 years old & still look'in good with mostly all its original parts.
It is fun when you can treat yourself! Especially since you still have it - you got your money's worth!
I don't disagree with you but the internet has changed everything now. Actually customers are making dealers life much harder. Majority of people are better educated than sales reps. I was at Lexus Dealer this summer and the guy was giving me wrong info. I told my friend let's go. Clearly he doesn't know about their own product. I have heard the same about Acura or Audi, BMW and other brands.
Six years ago I was buying a Benz from the local dealership and as a licensed mechanic retired, I was interested in some tech features of the car. The salesman couldn't answer the questions so they got a MB mechanic to try and answer. The info I got from him was pure bullshit and I knew it was bullshit before I researched the topic later. They must think all of their customers are complete idiots. It would have been nice to hear "I'm not sure but let me research your questions and I'll get back to you." An answer like that would have impressed me even though the topics were of stuff that a MB technician should know.
But when I was buying my TLX recently even the service manager waffled at my question of "what type of oil do you use, synthetic or regular?" I didn't get the impression that he had a clue.
Six years ago I was buying a Benz from the local dealership and as a licensed mechanic retired, I was interested in some tech features of the car. The salesman couldn't answer the questions so they got a MB mechanic to try and answer. The info I got from him was pure bullshit and I knew it was bullshit before I researched the topic later. They must think all of their customers are complete idiots. It would have been nice to hear "I'm not sure but let me research your questions and I'll get back to you." An answer like that would have impressed me even though the topics were of stuff that a MB technician should know.
But when I was buying my TLX recently even the service manager waffled at my question of "what type of oil do you use, synthetic or regular?" I didn't get the impression that he had a clue.
I know it's crazy. I was at Acura dealer when I went to test drive the new TLX. I was just waiting for the guy to bring me the keys. His colleague was giving wrong info to a customer about 2017 or 2018 RDX. He was trying to sell AWD as SH-AWD smh! I was like dude there was no SH-AWD for the second gen RDX lol!
Driven: Acura Gets Its Mojo Back With The 2021 TLX
BY Michael Gauthier | Posted on May 2, 2021 19Mainstream sedans may have have fallen by the wayside, but that’s not the case in the highly competitive luxury segment.
Quite the opposite, as Mercedes recently unveiled the redesigned C-Class and Genesis pulled the wraps off the facelifted G70 not long ago. The segment has also seen plenty of fresh blood as the Cadillac CT5, Lexus IS and Volvo S60 are all relatively new or recently updated.
They’re facing a reinvigorated Acura, which is looking to climb the sales chart with an all-new TLX. After spending a week with the sedan, it’s clear they’re primed for success and the upcoming TLX Type S will undoubtedly build on that momentum.
Designed To Stand Out
Acura’s sedan lineup has been unremarkable as of late, but that’s certainly not the case with the 2021 TLX that was previewed by the well-received Type S concept and features a bold front end with a diamond pentagon grille that is flanked by slender LED headlights.
Moving further back, there’s a long hood and aluminum front fenders which help to save 7.4 lbs (3.36 kg) of weight. The model also features a rakish windscreen, streamlined bodywork, and a sharp character line that cuts through the doors and wraps around the vehicle.
Other notable highlights include a flowing roof and an expansive greenhouse that provides excellent visibility. Designers also gave the sedan distinctive taillights, a sporty dual exhaust system and a short rear trunk with an integrated spoiler.
Our A-Spec tester goes even further as it features tinted lighting units, black accents and a black rear spoiler. The car also rides on exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels which have a shark grey finish.
Besides looking good, the 2021 TLX has grown in size as it measures 194.6 inches (4943 mm) long, 75.2 inches (1910 mm) wide and 56.8 inches (1443 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 113 inches (2870 mm). Compared to its predecessor, it is 2.9 inches (74 mm) longer, 2.2 inches (56 mm) wider and 0.2 inches (5 mm) lower with a wheelbase that gains 3.7 inches (94 mm).
As a result, the TLX is a ‘tweener’ as it straddles 2 different segments thanks to its generous dimensions and affordable price tag. It’s the same ‘Segment Above’ strategy used by the Cadillac CT5 and this makes it the TLX’s natural competitor, although both models also fight compact luxury sedans such as the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class.
Look But Don’t Touch(screen)
The sporty styling continues in the cabin as the TLX A-Spec features an excellent flat-bottom steering wheel, which is wrapped in perforated leather. It resides in front of analog gauges that are separated by a 7-inch multi-information display.
To the right is a tiered center stack with climate controls, gloss black trim, a push-button shifter and a drive mode selector. It’s topped by a 10.2-inch display, which replaces the dated dual-screen setup used in the previous TLX. The display is set far back on the dash, but this isn’t an issue as it’s not a touchscreen. Instead, it’s controlled by a True Touchpad Interface which is located on the center console.
Everything on the touchpad is echoed one-to-one on the screen, so clicking on the top right results in the top right item on the screen being selected. The touchpad also allows for swiping gestures and handwriting recognition, which is used for entering in addresses for navigation.
Needless to say, there’s a bit of a learning curve and it takes some time to get used to. However, the system is pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it and there are dedicated home and back buttons above the touchpad. Users will also find power, volume and seek controls which are a godsend. Furthermore, steering wheel controls allow drivers to quickly access favorite radio stations and adjust the volume. There’s also natural language voice recognition technology, which is a helpful alternative to entering addresses and finding a specific radio station.
As for the infotainment system itself, it’s Android-based and features customizable screens that users can swipe between. This means you can place commonly used features such as FM radio, navigation and Android Auto / Apple CarPlay where you want them and banish unused items altogether.
The system is reasonably quick as it only takes a few seconds to load the various displays. That being said, since it’s not a touchscreen, some actions are more complex and take a bit longer than they otherwise would.
Putting the infotainment system aside, the A-Spec’s heated and ventilated sport seats are heavily bolstered and feature perforated Milano leather with stylish ultrasuede inserts. More importantly, they’re comfortable, spacious and feature 12-way power adjustment.
Rear seat passengers aren’t as lucky as there’s only 34.9 inches (886 mm) of legroom in back. This is significantly less than the 37.9 inches (963 mm) offered by the Cadillac CT5 and even less than the smaller Audi A4 (35.7 inches / 907 mm), BMW 3-Series (35.2 inches / 894 mm) and outgoing Mercedes C-Class (35.2 inches / 894 mm). To make matters worse, the front seat backs are covered in hard plastic which back seat passengers will bang their knees on. On the bright side, the ceiling is sculpted so there was plenty of headroom for this 6’ 2” reviewer.
While the back seats leave something to be desired, the same can’t be said about the trunk. Despite looking small from the outside, it’s pretty spacious and offers up to 13.5 cubic feet (382 liters) of storage space. Owners can also fold down the rear seats to haul longer items and we didn’t have any issues fitting a 4 foot (1.2 meter) shovel in the boot.
Material quality is good as well as there are nice plastics, classy metal accents, and aluminum or open-pore wood trim. Buyers will also find padded surfaces and a frameless rearview mirror. While some of the switchgear is only so-so, nothing really screams cheap.
A Four-Cylinder Turbo That Punches Above Its Weight
While the previous-generation TLX came with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that produced 206 hp (154 kW / 209 PS) and 182 lb-ft (247 Nm) of torque, that engine is a distant memory as the 2021 model has an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.
It produces 272 hp (203 kW / 276 PS) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque, which makes it almost as powerful as last year’s 3.5-liter V6 which developed 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm). The engine also beats the competition as it’s significantly more powerful than the base engines found in the A4, 3-Series, CT5 and C-Class.
Given those numbers, it’s not surprising to learn the TLX can hustle. Acceleration feels strong off the line and there is minimal turbo lag. The engine is responsive and Sport mode optimizes this by raising idle speeds as well as deactivating the engine start/stop system. However, it feels a little high-strung in Sport and engine noise is much more prevalent.
The engine is paired to an excellent 10-speed automatic transmission, which offers smooth and comfortable shifts. Like the rest of the car, the gearbox has a dual personality as putting the vehicle into Sport mode increases responsiveness and makes the driving experience more engaging. Speaking of the latter, there are steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters that allow for fully manual operation with “backstops” to prevent over-revving and potentially damaging shifts.
Unsurprisingly, the four-cylinder engine is relatively fuel efficient as most front-wheel drive variants have an EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. Opting for Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system lowers those numbers to 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.
Those ratings echo our observed mileage as we averaged 23.5 mpg during our week of testing. However, drivers can expect better numbers as our tester spent hours idling during photo and video shoots. We’ll also add that the TLX drinks premium fuel, just like its competitors.
Speaking of the competition, the CT5 is slightly more fuel efficient as it’s rated at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. The Germans also post higher numbers but, as we mentioned before, the TLX is the most powerful of the group.
A Super Handler
While some sedans struggle finding the right balance of comfort and sportiness, the TLX isn’t one of them as it mixes both attributes well. The ride is comfortable and refined, without feeling soft or floaty. Impacts are well absorbed and most minor road imperfections are barely noticeable.
Despite this, the TLX hugs corners and begs you to accelerate out of them. A lot of this can be chalked up to a new double wishbone front suspension and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which costs $2,000 and is money well spent.
While most all-wheel drive systems are focused on traction, Acura takes a different approach as their system can send up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear axle and appropriate 100 percent of it between the rear wheels. During cornering, the system sends more torque to the outside rear wheel and this helps to improve accuracy and control while also minimizing understeer.
While the SH-AWD system has been around for awhile, it’s now in its fourth generation and the company says it has “40 percent more rear torque capacity and 30 percent quicker front-to-rear torque transfer” than the third-generation system used in the previous TLX. The system is great and it makes the car much more dynamic and engaging than it otherwise would be. It also has all of the usual benefits of an all-wheel drive system as it increases traction, builds confidence and helps to make the car feel completely secure.
Sticking with dynamics, the TLX has an electric power steering system which is responsive and has a good feel. While things are a bit too light in Comfort mode, Normal is decent and Sport adds heft and responsiveness. Speaking of which, the Integrated Dynamics system has Comfort, Normal and Sport modes that can be accessed by turning a knob on the center stack. Each has its own distinct settings for the steering, throttle and transmission as well as the all-wheel drive system and adaptive dampers, if equipped.
The big news for 2021 is a new Individual mode, which allows drivers to independently adjust settings for the engine, steering, suspension and start/stop system. As an example, you can put the engine into Normal while keeping the steering and suspension in Sport. This allows you to tailor the car to suit your preferences and Individual mode can be easily accessed by pressing a button on the center of the Integrated Dynamics knob.
Getting back to driving, the TLX comes with ventilated front and solid rear discs that measure 13 inches (330 mm). We didn’t test them to extremes, but they feel pretty strong and offer good modulation.
Last but not least, the TLX rides on an all-new platform that feels remarkably solid. This shouldn’t be too surprising as it’s the most rigid ever offered on an Acura sedan. Global torsional stiffness jumps by 50 percent, while localized rigidity has been improved up to 100 percent in some places.
Engineers also focused on improving weight distribution as a number of front end components are now constructed out of aluminum, while the battery has been moved from the engine compartment to the trunk. Thanks to these and other changes, the 2021 TLX has a 57:43 weight distribution which is an improvement over the previous model’s 60:40 setup.
Pricing Starts At $37,500
The TLX has a lot going for it and pricing starts at a reasonable $37,500, excluding a $1,025 destination charge. For that modest sum, customers get a nicely equipped luxury sedan with an acoustic glass windshield, a moonroof, LED lighting units and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The cabin comes loaded with amenities including 12-way power, heated front sport seats with leatherette upholstery. Buyers will also find a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster as well as a 10.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Other highlights include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, LED ambient lighting and a 10-speaker audio system. They’re joined by brushed aluminum trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, split folding rear seats and HomeLink connectivity.
The AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance systems comes standard and includes Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection. This is on top of Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition technology.
Moving up the trim ladder is the $41,500 TLX with the Technology Package. It features larger 19-inch wheels as well as an upgraded interior with perforated Milano leather sport seats. It also has a 13-speaker premium audio system and GPS navigation with real-time traffic information. Drivers will also find additional safety features including front / rear parking sensors, a blind spot information system and a rear cross traffic monitor.
The TLX A-Spec starts at $44,250 and features sportier styling inside and out. Since we’ve already covered the exterior changes, we’ll focus on the interior which features a flat-bottom sport steering wheel, a black headliner and perforated Milano leather sport seats with ultrasuede inserts. Buyers will also find a 17-speaker premium audio system, a wireless smartphone charger and exclusive aluminum trim with a geometric pattern.
Sitting at the top of the range is the TLX with the Advance Package. It starts at $46,300 and features rain-sensing wipers, a surround-view camera, adaptive dampers and unique 19-inch alloy wheels. The upgrades continue in the cabin as there are 16-way power front seats with perforated Milano leather as well as contrast stitching and piping, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, wood trim and a 10.5-inch head-up display.
A Compelling Sedan With Some Quirks
At the end of the day, the TLX is an exciting return to form for Acura as it’s sporty, comfortable and affordable. It also looks good and comes nicely equipped even in base form.
That being said, it isn’t perfect as the infotainment system takes some getting used to and the interior is a bit snug for such a large sedan. Of course, those are relatively minor issues as the touchpad isn’t a deal breaker and the rear seats are acceptable for adults.
Given that, the TLX is a promising sedan and our experience with it only builds anticipation for the TLX Type S.
QUICK FACTS
› Pricing starts at $37,500
› New 2.0-liter turbo produces 272 hp (203 kW / 276 PS) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque
› SH-AWD is great and costs $2,000
› No touchscreen, but it’s not a dealbreaker
› Looks good, but interior is a bit cramped for its size
This might be the most annoying, arrogant and superficial review that I have ever watched. His comments about being a slow car are over the top exaggerated. Everyone drives a 300 - 400 HP upscale expensive car in Texas...really? Perhaps the rather portly reviewer had issues seeing his feet to accelerate properly. Did he just figure out the HP after he got into the car? If he drops a hundred pounds, he might discover the car moves and handles well. I trust he's not feeding his family on the basis of car reviews.
This might be the most annoying, arrogant and superficial review that I have ever watched. His comments about being a slow car are over the top exaggerated. Everyone drives a 300 - 400 HP upscale expensive car in Texas...really? Perhaps the rather portly reviewer had issues seeing his feet to accelerate properly. Did he just figure out the HP after he got into the car? If he drops a hundred pounds, he might discover the car moves and handles well. I trust he's not feeding his family on the basis of car reviews.
Did not watch the whole review only looked for the section on acceleration. Just a comment on what I saw. At 70+ traffic was rolling by him. At 80 he was close to maintaining parity. Here on a road like that in the empty eastern section of the state parity is about 85MPH & just two lanes wide. Very common for the fast lane to be traveling at 90mph. Would agree not everybody drives a 400 bhp car my drive the wife car is below 400bhp. The turbo 4 will get along just fine at those speeds.
Where they lack is in the ability to pass quickly in a lot of cases. Its unfortunate but on rural interstates cars tend to cluster like a bunch of grapes. If the lead two cars are running at 70/75mph or so working through the pack is easier with more power. Then 5 to 10 miles up the road is another cluster. Some might say why bother. The longer the run the less time you spend on the road. 210miles at 70 takes over 3 hours at 85 about 2.5 hours.
It would also be easier if slower traffic would keep to the right like the do in Europe. Here we have way to many hall monitors out in the fast lane self enforcing the speed limits.
Have no idea what he was doing on the entrance ramp but he was very slow to get up to speed. Looked like he was in drive so maybe he was in too high of a gear & did not hit the kickdown switch.
This might be the most annoying, arrogant and superficial review that I have ever watched. His comments about being a slow car are over the top exaggerated. Everyone drives a 300 - 400 HP upscale expensive car in Texas...really? Perhaps the rather portly reviewer had issues seeing his feet to accelerate properly. Did he just figure out the HP after he got into the car? If he drops a hundred pounds, he might discover the car moves and handles well. I trust he's not feeding his family on the basis of car reviews.
People like to haul ass in Texas. Hell, there's a ton of wicked street racing videos out of Texas, so yeah it's not a shocker. The review was his honest opinion not everyone is going to have positive vibes only. I rented from Turo a 2020 RDX A-spec and racked 400 miles in two days. The best MPG I got (mostly all highway) was 27. My wife and I both found the infotainment system obnoxious and I hated the touch pad. He also had a 2021 TLX A-spec but wanted a vehicle higher off the ground. I had time behind two 2021 TLX's, I felt as the RDX rode better. The guy I rented from told me that he's been a loyal Acura owner (He currently owns 3) he was turned off by the cost of the new TLX and said the fuel economy is worse than his RDX and the rear seat is terrible (as we already know). It was his opinion as it was my opinion about the fuel economy and infotainment system. I put the RDX in Sport plus two times and gave it the beans. It was decent for a 2.0T and I knew what to expect from a 2.0T. I drive conservative so it didn't matter to me and i'm not the type of person to abuse a vehicle, especially one that's not mine.
Last edited by 04WDPSeDaN; 05-04-2021 at 05:40 AM.
People like to haul ass in Texas. Hell, there's a ton of wicked street racing videos out of Texas, so yeah it's not a shocker. The review was his honest opinion not everyone is going to have positive vibes only. I rented from Turo a 2020 RDX A-spec and racked 400 miles in two days. The best MPG I got (mostly all highway) was 27. My wife and I both found the infotainment system obnoxious and I hated the touch pad. He also had a 2021 TLX A-spec but wanted a vehicle higher off the ground. I had time behind two 2021 TLX's, I felt as the RDX rode better. The guy I rented from told me that he's been a loyal Acura owner (He currently owns 3) he was turned off by the cost of the new TLX and said the fuel economy is worse than his RDX and the rear seat is terrible (as we already know). It was his opinion as it was my opinion about the fuel economy and infotainment system. I put the RDX in Sport plus two times and gave it the beans. It was decent for a 2.0T and I knew what to expect from a 2.0T. I drive conservative so it didn't matter to me and I'm not the type of person to abuse a vehicle, especially one that's not mine.
He could have saved time by simply listing the HP and acceleration times of every vehicle, and spared me the waste of the 5 minutes i watched. If you can't survive with a 5.9 second 0-60 time in Texas, glad I've only driven there once. Does that include the slight delays involved in opening the beer can and checking the gun rack A car is so much more to most of us. I have tried the entertainment system on all my test drives and I quite like it. I am not a fan of reaching across to try to hit the right part of the touch screen, nor do I like fingerprints. I also enjoy mastering new technology, but each to his own.
Did not watch the whole review only looked for the section on acceleration. Just a comment on what I saw. At 70+ traffic was rolling by him. At 80 he was close to maintaining parity. Here on a road like that in the empty eastern section of the state parity is about 85MPH & just two lanes wide. Very common for the fast lane to be traveling at 90mph. Would agree not everybody drives a 400 bhp car my drive the wife car is below 400bhp. The turbo 4 will get along just fine at those speeds.
Where they lack is in the ability to pass quickly in a lot of cases. Its unfortunate but on rural interstates cars tend to cluster like a bunch of grapes. If the lead two cars are running at 70/75mph or so working through the pack is easier with more power. Then 5 to 10 miles up the road is another cluster. Some might say why bother. The longer the run the less time you spend on the road. 210miles at 70 takes over 3 hours at 85 about 2.5 hours.
It would also be easier if slower traffic would keep to the right like the do in Europe. Here we have way to many hall monitors out in the fast lane self enforcing the speed limits.
Have no idea what he was doing on the entrance ramp but he was very slow to get up to speed. Looked like he was in drive so maybe he was in too high of a gear & did not hit the kickdown switch.
While that seems to be law in many areas, it's a shame that it doesnt appear to be enforced much....particularly here in the northeast.
He could have saved time by simply listing the HP and acceleration times of every vehicle, and spared me the waste of the 5 minutes i watched. If you can't survive with a 5.9 second 0-60 time in Texas, glad I've only driven there once. Does that include the slight delays involved in opening the beer can and checking the gun rack A car is so much more to most of us. I have tried the entertainment system on all my test drives and I quite like it. I am not a fan of reaching across to try to hit the right part of the touch screen, nor do I like fingerprints. I also enjoy mastering new technology, but each to his own.
Think you might be missing some of the point 0-60 is only an indicator of potential & an easy number to get ahold of. BTW that 5.9 is actually 6.2. There is a .3 rollout credit in the 5.9 number. What is important at least to me is the mid & upper range performance. Will admit that the 0-60 number is a fun thing
Three sample's of the mid range performance related to the 0-60 potential indicator
C/D TEST RESULTS
4 cylinder 272BHP
60 mph: 5.9 sec
100 mph: 15.3 sec
130 mph: 29.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.7 sec
1/4 mile: 14.5 sec @ 97 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 177 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 362 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST) Combined/city/highway: 24/21/29 mpg
C/D TEST RESULTS
4 cylinder 255BHP
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 5.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 28.5 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.4 sec Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.9 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 156 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 gC/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
The numbers important to me are in bold. I do a lot of my mileage in normal cars over the road. Performance at speed that includes braking & steering as well as acceleration to pass is used every trip. I am much safer in a car that can stop from 70, legal NC speed, in 148ft than one that stops in 177ft. I am also safer in a car that can turn to avoid an accident than one that does not turn as well. Two side benefits is in city traffic not having to use as much throttle as a 4 cylinder does to achieve the same speed results. That gives me around 22mpg in local driving. Having to use less throttle over the road gives me 2000rpm in the 80+mph range & 32MPG at a 79MPH average.
I think when it comes out the Type S will look very good compared to the 4 cylinder TLX fuel ratings & actual just because in an equal weight car it will have less work to do. So it will run at lower RPM's if they gear it correctly.
BTW My two brothers in law in Texas don't use gun racks for their rifles, just saddle scabbards. My Pick-Up also does not have a rifle rack in it. I do use a saddle scabbard when I visit them for varmint/predator control
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 05-04-2021 at 10:06 AM.
It would also be easier if slower traffic would keep to the right like the do in Europe. Here we have way to many hall monitors out in the fast lane self enforcing the speed limits.
We have family in western Montana so we drive from Seattle to there a few times a year.
Last trip I observed the following:
Highway in Montana: 10 cars in the right lane going 75 mph, using the left lane only to pass.
Highway in Western Washington: 9 cars in the left lane following some fool going 60 mph who is matching the speed of the 1 guy in the right lane also going 60.
It's enough to drive one insane.
Anyway to the topic, people always need to buy cars relative to what they need and where they live. These reviewers drive me crazy when they assume that everyone owns a car just to drive it fast. "The Honda Fit is very slow to 60....." Yea no kidding. Because it's a freaking Honda Fit and that's not what it's for - as if the only measure of a car was how fast it is and that's all anyone needs. If someone lives in the mid-west and has open highways to blast down that's great. And if that is of value then get something with a V6 at least (I would say that of any car....). But for most people, who commute in high density areas, accelerating onto a highway ramp is about as thrilling as it gets, assuming the ramp isn't also stop and go (talking to you Seattle ).
Anyway for the TLX, I'm just holding out for the Type S specs to see how interesting they are.
He could have saved time by simply listing the HP and acceleration times of every vehicle, and spared me the waste of the 5 minutes i watched. If you can't survive with a 5.9 second 0-60 time in Texas, glad I've only driven there once. Does that include the slight delays involved in opening the beer can and checking the gun rack A car is so much more to most of us. I have tried the entertainment system on all my test drives and I quite like it. I am not a fan of reaching across to try to hit the right part of the touch screen, nor do I like fingerprints. I also enjoy mastering new technology, but each to his own.
I think you need to drive in Texas to understand what i'm saying and what the video is about. Not for nothing, a majority of people dislike the Infotainment system with Acura. I rented a 2020 NSX and racked 100 miles in one day, my biggest issue was the damn infotainment system because it seemed as a notch higher in quality than my 2004 TL and i'm not kidding either.. Each to his own is right, I wouldn't own this vehicle to be what aggravated with a crap system? Anyway, not to cause an issue but it is what it is man and Texas is the way it is.
They're driving it now. For some reason, Acura made them agree to not publish reviews until May 20.
It’s possible that due to the pandemic they weren’t able to invite everyone to the press event, so they want to get these cars out to the B and C-list folks before all the reviews are released. After all, they did provide TLX and MDX press cars to a ton of random youtubers who most have never even heard of before.
Good to know Acura didn’t limit the interior trim to just the silver. Would love to see carbon fiber accent pieces. I am also really excited for this transmission. Seems like the transmission may be the strong point of this vehicle if he can do what they are stating on paper.
Did I hear that correctly? The option wheels reduce weight by 28 pounds, or 7 pounds per wheel? Geeze, just how heavy are the regular wheels? Trimming off 7lb of unsprung weight from each corner is pretty substantial.
Did I hear that correctly? The option wheels reduce weight by 28 pounds, or 7 pounds per wheel? Geeze, just how heavy are the regular wheels? Trimming off 7lb of unsprung weight from each corner is pretty substantial.
Makes you wonder why they didn't do the same for the 2.0 models. Surely better fuel econ would only help in its fight in the segment.
More tiresome griping about infotainment/track pad on top of the gripes about it being slow. What really grated is the comment about the small bolsters. First time I have seen a reviewer gripe about the bolstering. But a guy of his body type is going to gripe about bolsters any smaller than the wings off of a 747.
They're driving it now. For some reason, Acura made them agree to not publish reviews until May 20.
All the manufactures lay embargo's on reviews. They want to get their version of the story out through their own advertising to set an image in the potential buyers mind. Also the actual number of magazine readers, YouTube viewers etc is a very small portion of their potential sale population. Lots of people buy cars based solely on the manufactures marketing (Hondas Reputation) and have never heard of Car & Driver.
Interesting that he said "obviously they really increased the rear seat capacity". That was definitly not my impression when I test drove the 2G. It's practically the same as the 1G...maybe a half-inch more legroom if even that, but it felt like there was less headroom. Overall a wash.
04-28-2021, 10:31 AM
I think for serious buyers this type of thing rings pretty hollow for sure. But for some buyers it may actually work just a bit. I sold Acuras back in 1990 for about 8 months (kind of a temp job to pay bills on my way to my actual career). But it was a fascinating and eye opening experience. You would be shocked at how many people leave their house to go grocery shopping and wind up buying a new car. I'd say about 20% of the people who bought a car just stopped at the lot for a random reason. I think those kind of comments are aimed at those kind of buyers. Of course those buyers aren't on a forum like this either. 
CarScoops
New Car Spin
). 
