hamburger icon

2020 Acura TLX

Change vehicle or year
Select a Year - Acura TLX
Preview
OR
Change Vehicle
Make
Acura
Model
TLX
Year
2020
GO
OEM Exterior Primary
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
3.3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2020 2.4L 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $33,000
2020 3.5L 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $36,200
2020 2.4L Tech Pkg 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $36,700
2020 3.5L 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $38,200
2020 2.4L A-Spec Pkg 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $39,400
2020 2.4L A-Spec Pkg w/Red Leather 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $39,400
2020 3.5L Tech Pkg 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $40,100
2020 3.5L Tech Pkg 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $42,100
2020 3.5L A-Spec Pkg 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $42,800
2020 3.5L A-Spec Pkg w/Red Leather 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $42,800
2020 3.5L A-Spec Pkg 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $44,800
2020 3.5L A-Spec Pkg w/Red Leather 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $44,800
2020 3.5L Advance Pkg 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $45,950
2020 3.5L PMC Edition 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $48,950

Overview

In an era that rewards flash and pomp, the Acura TLX finds itself out of its element; it seems inevitable that this luxuriously competent but inherently demure sedan has few friends in the current automotive climate. It's too bad, as the TLX does many things well, not the least of which is the available V6 engine and the ever-present sense of value when compared to the class leaders from Germany. A good deal and a peppy engine, however, isn't always enough for success in the fickle luxury market. This truth has dogged this model for most of its existence, and will likely continue to do so for the 2020 Acura TLX.

What's New for 2020

The big news this year is the introduction of the TLX PMC Edition. Capped at just 360 copies, the PMC marries the Advance Package and A-Spec trim (which are normally mutually exclusive) with an NSX-only paint shade called Valencia Red Pearl. It'll carry a price tag of around $50,000 and be assembled by hand at the factory which builds the NSX supercar. The rest of the lineup sees four new colors added to the palette, making for a total of eight available exterior hues.

Choosing Your Acura TLX

Unlike the confusing merry-go-round of options, packages, trims, and body styles that are common to competitors, the Acura TLX keeps things simple. Four trim levels and two powertrains are about all you need to worry over when pondering how to equip your TLX.

Choose to stick with the base powerplant and you'll get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handles the work of shifting gears. This setup returns an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon city, 33 mpg highway, and 27 combined except in A-Spec form, which gets 23/32/26 mpg (city/highway/combined).

If that sounds too tepid, there's a 3.5-liter V6 also on tap. It comes standard on the Advance model and costs $3,200 to install elsewhere in the lineup. A total output of 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque is channeled to the tires via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy checks in at 20/31/24 mpg with front-wheel drive, or 20/29/23 with all-wheel drive. The A-Spec variant only gets 20/30/23 mpg with FWD, but the same 20/29/23 with AWD.

Front-wheel drive is standard with both engines, but V6 cars can be upgraded to Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive, or SH-AWD, for $2,000. Designed for more than just some extra grip in a winter blizzard, this system can send up to 70 percent of power to the rear wheels. Of the power that does go rearward, up to 100 percent of it can be sent to either the right or left wheel. The result is better performance in either dry or wet conditions.

The cars that don't get AWD do compensate by offering an all-wheel-steer system. It allows the rear wheels to slightly turn either with or opposite the front wheels. At high speeds it does the former, benefiting stability, while at low speeds it does the latter, turning opposite the angle of the fronts for increased agility.

Every TLX comes with AcuraWatch, the brand's suite of active-safety and driver-assistance features. Bundled under this marketing name are adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, road departure mitigation, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning.

Technically, the Technology, Advance, and A-Spec upgrades are considered packages, but Acura treats them more like trim levels in how they are structured and advertised. As such, we discuss them further under their own headings:

Acura TLX

Base

The base TLX, using FWD and the four-cylinder, costs $33,995 (all prices include a $995 destination charge). Features such as full LED lights, 17-inch wheels, and a moonroof decorate the exterior; interiors get a 10-way power and heated driver's seat, a four-way power and heated passenger seat, leather upholstery, keyless entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and two 12-volt power outlets.

Infotainment is a dual-screen affair that will be instantly familiar to anyone who has seen the inside of an Acura built in the last decade; the bottom is a touchscreen and the upper is merely a display for navigation and radio. The interface offers SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Siri hands-free. It also serves as the point of contact for the seven-speaker audio system.

Besides all-wheel drive, the V6, and two $400 paint colors, there are no options available outside of accessories.

Acura TLX

Technology

Moving up the totem pole brings you to the $37,695 Technology model. Again, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and front-wheel drive are standard fare, though all-wheel drive and the V6 are available.

Upgrades over the base model include higher-quality leather, a 10-speaker audio system, navigation with real-time traffic alerts, Acura cloud services, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Get the V6 to go with it and you'll also get 19-inch wheels, contrasting stitching, and a 12-way power driver's seat.

Acura TLX

A-Spec

Slotted above the Technology is the $40,395 A-Spec. As the sportiest TLX, it can be picked out from a crowd by its restyled bumpers, exclusive 19-wheels, dark chrome exterior trim, LED fog lights, dual exhaust outlets, and black decklid spoiler.

Interiors likewise get the sporty treatment with heavily-bolstered seats with contrast stitching, black or red leather upholstery and matching door panel inserts, ventilated front seats, a sportier steering wheel, red accent lighting, and red instrument panel illumination. The only functional bits are a wireless charging pad and front and rear parking sensors.

Acura TLX

Advance

The range-topping TLX is the Advance, which is priced at $46,945. This price includes all-wheel drive and the V6 engine – the only trim where both of these features are standard.

Compared to the Technology, the Advance adds a decklid spoiler, puddle lights, power-folding side mirrors, a windshield de-icer, heated and cooled front seats, three-stage heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Additional technology includes wireless charging, a surround-view camera system, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, remote start, and front and rear parking sensors.

CarsDirect Tip

There's no bad choice in the 2020 Acura TLX lineup, really – even the Advance costs less than most competitors with comparable options. Whatever trim suits you best, we recommend you get the V6 engine. The performance and refinement it offers is worth the price tag and the slightly-worse fuel economy.

Get your price on an Acura TLX »

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Pros
  • Outstanding fit & finish
  • All trims come with auto emergency braking
  • Great AWD system
  • Supports Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Cons
  • 9-speed automatic feels slow
  • Rear seat can feel cramped
  • AWD limited to V6 styles
Expert Rating
3.3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Space for five, but best for four. The 2020 Acura TLX competes with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but it isn’t as roomy inside as these two German competitors. The TLX’s front seats are thick and well bolstered, delivering all-day comfort. The rear compartment offers space for three, but two is the ideal. Even so, the rear seating compartment feels cramped for tall passengers.

The materials used and its fit and finish match the top competitors. As for storage space, the TLX falls short with just 14.3 cubic feet available.

Technology on the leading edge. Acura furnishes the TLX with many of the tech features we want for no extra cost. You’ll find Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone compatibility, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, and a seven-speaker sound system.

Add in such standard features as heated front seats, a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, a power front passenger seat, and a large color display, and the TLX brings much value for its just under $34,000 starting price.

Beyond the base technologies, Acura’s Technology Package ($3,700) is worth considering as it bundles upgraded wheels, a leather-trimmed interior, navigation, a 10-speaker audio package, and advanced-driver assist technologies.


Acura TLX

Performance to satisfy most buyers. The Acura TLX gives buyers a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines. Most shoppers should be satisfied with the engine choices, but there are differences of note.

The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 205 horsepower and works with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 3.5-liter V6 delivers 290 hp and comes with a nine-speed automatic. The dual-clutch transmission is the better of the two as it changes gears quickly and crisply. However, the nine-speed seems comparatively lazy and slow.

Front-wheel drive is standard and only the V6 offers Acura’s available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. It supplies enhanced, high-performance cornering, which rivals some of the segment’s top models.

An impressive list of safety features. Acura supplies every TLX with collision-avoidance features. You’ll find lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking on all models. Also available is blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the TLX with its top five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) wasn’t as generous, awarding the ILX top scores in most categories, except for acceptable in the driver's side small overlap front crash test.

Final thoughts. The 2020 Acura TLX may not have the performance panache of its chief rivals, but it doesn’t take second place in style, refinement, and tech appointments, either. Its price point comes in lower than the competition, as even a well-equipped model can be had for about $40,000.

In all, the TLX sedan brings much value to the segment. For Acura fans wanting more room, the RDX SUV is a logical alternative.

Check prices for the 2020 Acura TLX »

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.4L I-4 / 206 HP / 182 ft.lbs.
Transmission
8-spd Sequential SportShift auto-shift man w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
23 / 33 / 28 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.4L I-4 / 206 HP / 182 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
23 / 33 / 28 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Steel / Compact
Fuel Tank
17.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$66
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
14.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
93 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
190.7 "
Exterior Width
73.0 "
Exterior Height
57.0 "
Front Headroom
37.2 "
Rear Headroom
36.7 "
Front Legroom
42.6 "
Rear Legroom
34.5 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.5 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,505 Lbs.
Wheel Base
109 "
Turning Radius
19.6 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Gray Aluminum / 18.0 " Chrome Aluminum / 19.0 " Polished W/painted Accents Aluminum / 19.0 " Black Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote W/tilt Down Heated, Convex Spotter Driver
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leatherette
Front Seat Type
Sport Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(4-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
7
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Mitigation Braking System (cmbs) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keeping Assist System (lkas) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Used 2020 Acura TLX for Sale

5 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Acura
FWD
Color: Gray
Price

$21,500

Mileage

38,980 mi

Map location icon

Driveline Used Cars Murrieta (76 mi)

Phone: (951) 446-7757
Acura
Color: Fathom Blue Pearl
Price

$22,995

Mileage

61,790 mi

Map location icon

Gold Coast Acura (52 mi)

Acura
A-Spec
Color: White
Price

$27,995

Mileage

38,683 mi

Map location icon

Pacific Auto Center - Costa Mesa (33 mi)

Phone: (949) 359-4135
Acura
A-Spec Red
Color: Apex Blue Pearl
Price

$28,888

Mileage

49,957 mi

Map location icon

Swickard Acura of Thousand Oaks (31 mi)

See All Used Car Listings

Insider Information

We have information you must know before you buy the TLX. We want to send it to you, along with other pricing insights.

Sign Me Up

I agree to receive emails from CarsDirect. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you, and will never sell your email. Privacy Policy.

Thank you. You are now subscribed to our Pricing Insider updates.