Bargain Pricing For A Midsize Car. The 2023 Acura TLX occupies an interesting spot in the segment. While it competes with midsize sedans, it’s priced similarly to a compact sedan. Beyond its in-between size, the TLX also has a price tag that's in between the two classes.
Pricing for the 2023 Acura TLX starts at $40,095 with destination, which undercuts options like the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Genesis G80, Audi A6, and Volvo S90 by a wide margin. In some instances, like comparing the TLX to the E-Class, the TLX can be thousands of dollars cheaper as it’s roughly $16,000 cheaper than the Mercedes. Even when you compare the TLX to compact vehicles, it stands out as the more affordable choice.
Despite its affordable pricing, the TLX comes well-equipped with features. The base trim comes with heated front seats, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a moonroof.
The TLX 2.0T with Technology Package stands out as the best option for the 2023 TLX. It adds more niceties like Milano leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a 13-speaker ELS Studio audio system, navigation, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and GPS-linked climate control. Pricing for the trim starts at $46,295, which is still more affordable than the starting price for most of the TLX’s competitors.
Balanced Performance. Unlike most sporty sedans in the segment, the TLX won’t beat you up on the daily commute to work. Instead, the sedan manages to straddle the line of being sporty when you want it to be and comfortable in nearly every other condition. The sedan’s excellent chassis tuning keeps body movement to a minimum, while the available all-wheel-drive system delivers tenacious grip. Strong brakes and direct steering add to the sedan’s sporty feel.
The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which is one of the more powerful base engines in the segment. TLX sedans with the base engine are surprisingly quick in a straight line, delivering a zero-to-60-mph time in roughly 5.5 seconds.
The available Type S trim is the one to get. It comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that makes 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. These are improvements over the base engine and result in far quicker acceleration, allowing the Type S to get to 60 mph in roughly 4.5 seconds. With standard AWD, Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, extra chassis bracing, and a unique Sport+ driving mode, the Type S feels like a proper sports sedan, though it’s not as capable as M vehicles from BMW or AMG models from Mercedes.
Short On Interior Space. The TLX is an oddity in the midsize class, as it’s one of the smaller options available. The front two seats have plenty of space and are comfortable, but the rear seats come up short on interior space. Passengers get 34.9 inches of rear legroom and 36.3 inches of rear headroom. Every other midsize sedan in the class offers more space in the rear seats, with the Lexus ES having 39.3 inches of rear legroom.
Cargo capacity is another one of the TLX’s weak points. The sedan offers up to 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is average for the class but falls behind competitors like the BMW 5-Series which has 18.7 cubic feet of trunk space.
While the TLX is short on space, it has comfortable seats that offer a great amount of support. The highly adjustable front seats make it possible for a variety of people to get comfortable, while the rear seats have a good amount of cushioning.
Infuriating Infotainment System. Every TLX comes with a 10.2-inch display and a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, 10 audio speakers, and voice recognition. The TLX’s infotainment system is small for the class, but our main issue with the system is that it’s hard to use.
Unlike most of its competitors, the TLX comes with a trackpad that’s used to control the touchscreen. It’s similar to one found on a laptop. You can imagine how difficult it can be to control a small screen with a laptop touchpad, especially when you’re driving down the road. Acura also packs a variety of controls on the steering wheel that are supposed to make the infotainment system easier to use, but they complicate things.
Final Thoughts. The 2023 Acura TLX has character and is a sporty sedan. It features a sharp design that makes it hard to miss and has engaging handling that helps it stand out in the segment. The high-performance Type S trim is a joy to drive and it’s a performance bargain compared to performance cars from BMW or Mercedes. Unfortunately, the TLX’s cramped rear seats, small trunk, and maddening infotainment touchpad ensure it lands near the bottom of the midsize pack.
The BMW 5-Series isn’t as sporty as it once was, but still delivers blistering straight-line acceleration and athletic handling with its high-performance M models. It remains a comfortable car with a classy interior design, high-tech features, and roomy rear seats.
The Genesis G80 doesn’t offer the same agile handling as the TLX, but its elegant design, refined road manners, and high-end cabin make it an excellent option for drivers that are looking for something that puts comfort first. It’s a great value option, comes packed with tech features, and has a spacious cabin.
