The 2019 Acura TLX is a head-turning and sporty family sedan. Starting at $33,995 (including a $995 destination charge), this four-door is offered in four packages (trims), is available with two engine combinations, and a choice of either front- or all-wheel drive. Consumers can customize this daily driver with a plethora of standalone upgrades to suit almost any taste.
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What you must know before buying the Acura TLX- 2019 Acura TLX is plentiful
- Unadvertised incentives
- Lease: NEW! From $399/mo. (2018)
- Finance: From 0.9% APR (2018)
Model year overlap:
The refreshed 2018 TLX, which includes a new pentagon grille, styling that distinguishes the V6 and four-cylinder models, and a new, more aggressive-looking A-Spec model, is still available.
The 2019 TLX is hitting showrooms now. The 2019 TLX is a carryover model, but it offers a new A-Spec package for four-cylinder models instead of just the V6.
All offers listed here are available nationally and run through September 4, 2018.
Unadvertised incentives:
Acura is not big on rebates like its competition, but it gives its dealers unadvertised incentives they can use to reduce the price of a vehicle or pad profits.
The 2018 TLX's unadvertised incentive is huge at $5,500.
The 2019 TLX also has unadvertised incentives, but they are smaller and vary by trim level. The base model gets up to a $500 incentive, the Tech model gets up to $750, and the Advance and A-SPEC models get up to $1,000.
When you lease the 2019 TLX, these incentives jump to $3,275 on the base model, $4,250 on the Tech model, and $3,450 on A-SPEC and Advance models.
It's important to note that dealers pass these savings along at their discretion — savings aren't automatic as they are with a customer rebate — so shop around for the best deal.
Lease from $339 per month:
You can lease the 2018 Acura TLX four-cylinder with the Technology Package from $339 per month ($40 increase) for 36 months with $2,499 due at signing. Moving into the 2018 TLX V6 with the Technology Package pushes the lease offer to $389 per month ($40 increase) with $2,499 due at signing. With respective effective monthly costs of $408 and $458, thefour-cylinder model is a great value, and the V6 is a good value.
The 2019 TLX has afewlease offers too. The base model with the four-cylinder engine starts from $329 per month with $2,499 due at signing. Adding the V6 engine pushes the offer to $369 per month with $2,499 due at signing. Combining the V6 engine with all-wheel drive pushes the payments to $409 per month and the amount due at signing to $2,999. With effective monthly costs of $398 and $438, the base four-cylinder and V6 promotional leases are good values, but the V6 AWD and its $492 effective monthly cost is a bad value.
All of Acura's promotional leases allow up to 10,000 miles per year.
Finance from 0.9 percent APR:
Qualified buyers can get the 2018 TLX with 0.9 percent APR for up to 36 months and 1.9 percent APR for up to 60 months. Buyers can combine these attractive APR deals with the unadvertised incentive.
The 2019 TLX's financing offers start from 1.9 percent APR for 36 months and rise to 2.9 percent for 60 months. You can combine these APR deals with the unadvertised incentives.
Model year overlap:
The refreshed 2018 TLX, which includes a new pentagon grille, styling that distinguishes the V6 and four-cylinder models, and a new, more aggressive-looking A-Spec model, is still available.
The 2019 TLX is hitting showrooms now. The 2019 TLX is a carryover model, but it offers a new A-Spec package for four-cylinder models instead of just the V6.
All offers listed here are available nationally and run through September 4, 2018.
Unadvertised incentives:
Acura is not big on rebates like its competition, but it gives its dealers unadvertised incentives they can use to reduce the price of a vehicle or pad profits.
The 2018 TLX's unadvertised incentive is huge at $5,500.
The 2019 TLX also has unadvertised incentives, but they are smaller and vary by trim level. The base model gets up to a $500 incentive, the Tech model gets up to $750, and the Advance and A-SPEC models get up to $1,000.
When you lease the 2019 TLX, these incentives jump to $3,275 on the base model, $4,250 on the Tech model, and $3,450 on A-SPEC and Advance models.
It's important to note that dealers pass these savings along at their discretion — savings aren't automatic as they are with a customer rebate — so shop around for the best deal.
Lease from $339 per month:
You can lease the 2018 Acura TLX four-cylinder with the Technology Package from $339 per month ($40 increase) for 36 months with $2,499 due at signing. Moving into the 2018 TLX V6 with the Technology Package pushes the lease offer to $389 per month ($40 increase) with $2,499 due at signing. With respective effective monthly costs of $408 and $458, thefour-cylinder model is a great value, and the V6 is a good value.
The 2019 TLX has afewlease offers too. The base model with the four-cylinder engine starts from $329 per month with $2,499 due at signing. Adding the V6 engine pushes the offer to $369 per month with $2,499 due at signing. Combining the V6 engine with all-wheel drive pushes the payments to $409 per month and the amount due at signing to $2,999. With effective monthly costs of $398 and $438, the base four-cylinder and V6 promotional leases are good values, but the V6 AWD and its $492 effective monthly cost is a bad value.
All of Acura's promotional leases allow up to 10,000 miles per year.
Finance from 0.9 percent APR:
Qualified buyers can get the 2018 TLX with 0.9 percent APR for up to 36 months and 1.9 percent APR for up to 60 months. Buyers can combine these attractive APR deals with the unadvertised incentive.
The 2019 TLX's financing offers start from 1.9 percent APR for 36 months and rise to 2.9 percent for 60 months. You can combine these APR deals with the unadvertised incentives.
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2019 Acura TLX Overview
Tim Charlet, Automotive EditorWhat's New for 2019
The latest TLX is mainly unchanged for 2019. Acura improved the A-Spec package for consumers choosing the fuel-efficient 2.4-liter engine with additions such as an enhance grille and front fascia. Advance and Technology models with the V6 engine feature new 19-inch wheels. Gone for 2019 is the black copper pearl exterior color, while Acura added bellanova white pearl.
Choosing Your Acura TLX
The 2019 Acura TLX is offered in four package options: Standard, Technology, A-Spec, and Advance. The entry-level TLX is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a conservative 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission supplies power to the front wheels. For an additional $3,200, a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 267 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission is available. All-wheel drive variants run an additional $2,000.
Advanced safety features and driver-assist technology is offered with each TLX package, including a collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning system, lane keeping assist, and a lane departure warning system. The EPA rates the four-cylinder engine at 23 miles per gallon city, 33 highway, and 27 combined. The front-wheel-drive V6 achieves an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 31 highway, and 24 combined. These figures drop by one across the board in all-wheel-drive models.
Base
The well-equipped base TLX starts at $33,995. Standard equipment includes LED headlights and turn signals, daytime running lights, automatic dual-zone climate control, and a leatherette-trimmed interior. It also includes 10-way power seats with lumbar support, heated front seats, and 60/40-split rear fold-down seating. The Standard also features a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Pandora compatibility, USB audio interface with smartphone integration, and an MP3 auxiliary input jack.
Technology
The 2019 Acura TLX Technology package begins at $37,695 with the four-cylinder and front-wheel drive. The Technology builds on the base and adds rain-sensing windshield wipers, HD radio, GPS-linked climate control, a 10-speaker ELS Studio audio system, an upgraded leather-trimmed interior, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and navigation. Buyers that select the V6 engine get additional upgrades, including 19-inch wheels, unique seat styling, and a 12-way power driver's seat.
A-Spec
The TLX equipped with the A-Spec package starts at $40,395, as it also requires the Technology package. The powertrain options remain the same, but the A-Spec brings exterior and interior styling upgrades aplenty. It includes the items available with the Technology and adds a choice of red or black leather seating, a rear deck spoiler, exclusive 19-inch wheels, dark chrome details on headlights and taillights, round LED fog lights, a rear deck spoiler, red LED ambient lighting, ventilated and heated front seats, and a wireless device charging pad.
Advance
The top-of-the-line 2019 Acura TLX Advance starts at $44,945. This package is only available with the V6 engine, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Like the A-Spec, the Advance picks up where the Technology leaves off and adds multiple luxury items. A decklid spoiler, rectangular LED fog lights, power folding side mirrors, and a surround-view camera system kick off the exterior improvements. Interior upgrades include white accent lighting, six-level heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless charging system. Additional safety and driver assistance features on the Advance include remote engine start, front and rear parking sensors, and auto-dimming side mirrors.
CarsDirect Tip
The 2019 Acura TLX is packed with technology and driver assist features, making it a good buy across the board. Car shoppers in cold weather climates will benefit from all-wheel drive, and should consider the Advance package, which includes a heated steering wheel and front seats, and a heat element front windshield defroster.
Our Take: 2019 Acura TLX
William Kinton, Automotive Editor
The 2019 Acura TLX is a luxury family sedan that goes in a completely different direction from most of its ilk. While the TLX is often compared with the compact offerings of other luxury marques like the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes C-Class, it really should be seen as a more upscale alternative to the Honda Accord in the same vein as Buick and Chevrolet. The TLX is a bit of a luxury sedan jack-of-all-trades, competent in most things but without anything that really sets it apart from the rest of the market.
Best Value
The 2019 Acura TLX is best had with the four-cylinder engine and the Technology Package. The V6 engine is certainly more powerful than the four-cylinder, but it's seriously let down by the nine-speed automatic transmission – which cannot shift quickly enough to apply the power when you want it. Instead, stick with the 206-horsepower four-cylinder, which offers enough power for passing along with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic that's a much crisper and sportier transmission.
The $3,700 Technology Package is a great choice for the TLX as it adds a ton of noticeable features to the vehicle. Not only does the package equip the TLX with some very cool technology like navigation with real-time traffic, rain-sensing wipers, GPS-linked climate control, an upgraded audio system, and a few driver assistance features, but it also provides some luxury must-haves like leather-trimmed seats. The base level TLX comes very well equipped with driver assistance features so leaving the optioning at just this package keeps the price in a competitive territory, while still giving you quite a bit to fiddle with on your commutes.
- Model: 2019 Acura TLX
- Engine: 2.4-liter inline-four
- Output: 206 hp / 182 lb-ft
- Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- Fuel Economy: 23 City / 33 Hwy
- Options: Technology Package ($3,700, rain-sensing wipers, navigation with real-time traffic, Milano leather-trimmed interior, voice recognition, premium audio, GPS-linked climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert).
- Base Price: $33,995 (including a $995 destination charge)
- Best Value Price: $37,695
Performance
The TLX is somewhat marketed as a sport sedan like many of its rivals, but, in reality, it doesn't quite have the chops. The standard naturally aspirated inline-four produces an adequate 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque, but it isn't enough to get us excited. The 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 is certainly eyebrow-raising with good acceleration, but it's seriously handicapped by the lackadaisical nine-speed automatic that's incapable of quick shifts befitting of a sport sedan. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that comes with the four-cylinder is the better gearbox, but it isn't available with the V6. Neither engine choice is particularly efficient either, so there isn't much trade off for the lack of performance.
All-wheel drive is available on V6 models, and it's well executed, offering better handling and grip across all conditions. Additionally, the A-Spec Package is available on both four-cylinder and six-cylinder models. It's mostly an appearance package, like Lexus F-Sport models, but it does give the TLX a tighter steering and suspension set up along with a more aggressive exhaust note.
Style
While the TLX is no longer the eyesore many saw it to be with the controversial beak-like grille it sported before its 2017 facelift, it isn't exactly an interesting looking car either. It isn't boldly styled like competitors from Lexus and INFINITI, but it doesn't quite pull off the handsome, button-downed look that the Germans have perfected with Audi and BMW. Instead, like many Acura models today, the TLX looks more like it should be wearing a Honda badge. This isn't acceptable for a brand that's meant to compete with blue-chip luxury car companies.
Inside, the TLX is nice and refined, but it doesn't quite feel like Acura has put in as much effort as other brands have. Sure, there are leather seats and contrast stitching is available with higher trims, but the car just doesn't feel that special overall. The TLX is very comfortable though, and the seats have been updated to address previous criticisms. The real selling point of the TLX is in the technology offered; all TLXs come with the AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist, which is a nice touch that helps set it apart from rivals.
The Best and Worst Things
The TLX offers some really cool technology at a relatively attainable price. GPS-linked climate control is a really neat idea, as it tracks the sun's position in the sky and your position on Earth to provide the appropriate amount of cooling or heating to maintain your preferred temperature. Furthermore, the inclusion of standard driver assistance features is a nice touch that's appreciated by many.
Overall though, the TLX doesn't feel special in any way. Its exterior styling is completely anonymous, and the interior feels more like they're trying to compete with Volkswagen instead of Audi. The car wants to be sporty, but the effect doesn't really come to fruition. Honestly, it may be a better idea to buy a fully-loaded Honda Accord.
Right For? Wrong For?
The TLX really excels as a predictable and sensible upgrade for current drivers of a 10-year-old Honda Accord. It's sporty enough to feel fun for people who don't care about sportiness, the engine choices are old-school but reliable, and it'll feel comfortable to longtime Honda buyers while still feeling futuristic with all of the available technology.
On the other hand, the TLX isn't the right car for anyone looking for the typical luxury sport sedan experience. At the very least, luxury sport sedans need to offer superior driving dynamics with an interior that feels like you've spent your money well, and the 2018 TLX doesn't quite live up to that. Instead, look at the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class, or INFINITI Q50.
The Bottom Line
The 2018 Acura TLX is a sensible car without many faults, but there isn't anything that makes it interesting enough to get excited about. The styling is forgettable inside and out, and its performance chops pale in comparison to almost every other luxury sedan. The TLX does come with some interesting technology, but most drivers would be better served either in a different luxury sedan or a completely-loaded Honda Accord.
