My TLX SH-AWD test drive
12-09-2014, 03:25 PM
#1
I may be fat but I'm slow
Thread Starter
My TLX SH-AWD test drive
A little about me: 32, work in corporate finance, have owned H/A products since HS, went '98 Civic --> '04 TSX Nav --> '03 S2000 (still have) --> '11 TSX 5AT Base (still have). Live in Chicagoland.
We bought a '15 RDX AWD Tech for my wife this weekend to replace her Jetta that was totaled in a deer strike. While we were there, I was admiring the TLX that was on the showroom floor, as I've been eagerly awaiting its release. I really enjoy my TSX for what it is, a nice, somewhat sporty commuter car, but if I had 2 gripes they would be the lack of power (I have the 2.4) and FWD. After years of commuting in my S2000, I miss the RWD and lack of torque steer, and I miss the ability to slot into any traffic hole I see with a flick of the wrist and right ankle. I was hoping the TLX would solve these.
Anyways, so my dealer notices me admiring the TLX, and offers me the chance to drive an AWD version. I of course jumped at it. I drove a black/black SH-AWD Tech, which comes only with the V6. I know everyone thinks the 2.4/DCT is the enthusiast choice, but I want more power than that combo offers, and I'm tired of FWD. I've been banking on the SH-AWD making up for any sloppy 61% front-biased slop in the car's handling.
And it does. Boy, does it. Now, I live in the Chicago burbs, with mostly 90* corners and crowded surface streets, so if your commute is the Tail of the Dragon you may have different results. But being intentionally stupid with the car (full throttle 45mph 90* right hander) the car just took a set and spun me 90* and shot forward. It was awesome. And in sport plus (only way I drove it), the 9AT was great at staying in the right gear, having instant power available, and doing sweet blip-throttle downshifts as we slowed or braked. I used very little other tech (briefly the lane watch) and it was the Tech, not the Advance package (which I'd probably go with for the ball chiller seats, remote start, and LED fogs), but the one thing I did like was the brake hold which kept the car motionless at stoplights and the like. Just the thing for launching the car from a stop with no rollout at all.
From my brief drive, the size was perfect (I'm a big dude, I like the wide cockpit of the TSX and think the 4G TL was bigger in all the wrong spots without being roomier), and the ergonomics and interior finishes, etc, were all right on. I also really like the outside styling, I think it's clean and handsome without the 4G TL's gimickery. I also don't mourn the loss of the manual transmission, as I have my S2000 for that, but I would pony up for a Type S with a little more power and maybe some more aggressive brakes and tires (I run snow tires in the winter anyways).
Overall, I'm a fairly big Acura fan anyways, but I friggin' loved the thing. Thought the drivetrain was great, the featureset is there, and I really like the styling. I can't pay off my wife's RDX fast enough so that I can buy one.
We bought a '15 RDX AWD Tech for my wife this weekend to replace her Jetta that was totaled in a deer strike. While we were there, I was admiring the TLX that was on the showroom floor, as I've been eagerly awaiting its release. I really enjoy my TSX for what it is, a nice, somewhat sporty commuter car, but if I had 2 gripes they would be the lack of power (I have the 2.4) and FWD. After years of commuting in my S2000, I miss the RWD and lack of torque steer, and I miss the ability to slot into any traffic hole I see with a flick of the wrist and right ankle. I was hoping the TLX would solve these.
Anyways, so my dealer notices me admiring the TLX, and offers me the chance to drive an AWD version. I of course jumped at it. I drove a black/black SH-AWD Tech, which comes only with the V6. I know everyone thinks the 2.4/DCT is the enthusiast choice, but I want more power than that combo offers, and I'm tired of FWD. I've been banking on the SH-AWD making up for any sloppy 61% front-biased slop in the car's handling.
And it does. Boy, does it. Now, I live in the Chicago burbs, with mostly 90* corners and crowded surface streets, so if your commute is the Tail of the Dragon you may have different results. But being intentionally stupid with the car (full throttle 45mph 90* right hander) the car just took a set and spun me 90* and shot forward. It was awesome. And in sport plus (only way I drove it), the 9AT was great at staying in the right gear, having instant power available, and doing sweet blip-throttle downshifts as we slowed or braked. I used very little other tech (briefly the lane watch) and it was the Tech, not the Advance package (which I'd probably go with for the ball chiller seats, remote start, and LED fogs), but the one thing I did like was the brake hold which kept the car motionless at stoplights and the like. Just the thing for launching the car from a stop with no rollout at all.
From my brief drive, the size was perfect (I'm a big dude, I like the wide cockpit of the TSX and think the 4G TL was bigger in all the wrong spots without being roomier), and the ergonomics and interior finishes, etc, were all right on. I also really like the outside styling, I think it's clean and handsome without the 4G TL's gimickery. I also don't mourn the loss of the manual transmission, as I have my S2000 for that, but I would pony up for a Type S with a little more power and maybe some more aggressive brakes and tires (I run snow tires in the winter anyways).
Overall, I'm a fairly big Acura fan anyways, but I friggin' loved the thing. Thought the drivetrain was great, the featureset is there, and I really like the styling. I can't pay off my wife's RDX fast enough so that I can buy one.
The following 6 users liked this post by HondaGuy347:
blacktsxwagon (12-09-2014),
ssjoeboe9 (12-09-2014),
Terdbath (12-09-2014),
thunderbt3 (12-09-2014),
TSXV6Guy (12-10-2014),
and 1 others liked this post.
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Garcia85 (12-10-2014)
12-10-2014, 03:10 PM
#5
Nice review. The AWD must be badass. I've only driven the I4 TLX, and I was thoroughly impressed with the ride, DCT, handling composure, and general refinement. But it is a little underpowered, and I simply can't have something that big. I also want MT, but I liked that 8DCT enough that I'm curious about how the TLX drivetrain will work in the upcoming refreshed ILX, which is a perfect size for me. I doubt I'd buy one, but who knows?
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xtcnrice (12-10-2014)
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Warrior 6 (12-10-2014)
12-10-2014, 05:03 PM
#12
Ive owned a manual car ever since i was 17. That TL wasnt my only car at the time.
BTW, Im surprised you didnt read my signature and only saw my avatar.
12-10-2014, 05:34 PM
#13
Great review, I've been reading up on the TLX SH-AWD. I think I need to give it a test drive when I get a chance, however I probably wouldn't buy one until its had a few years under its hood to work out the kinks.
The following users liked this post:
xtcnrice (12-11-2014)
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