The newest era of the Acura TLX wormed its manner into our hearts from the second we received behind the wheel. It’s a driver’s automobile, and Acura’s made that clear from the get-go. Then we tried out the TLX Kind S and appreciated it sufficient to even give it the nod over a BMW M340i in a head-to-head comparability check. Now that it’s been a number of years for the reason that sport sedan got here out, Acura has a mid-cycle refresh able to sweeten the pot slightly extra.
Our first go-around with the up to date mannequin is that this 2024 Acura TLX Kind S, however a lot of the updates apply to the pared-down assortment of different trim ranges (extra on that later). The inside sees essentially the most substantive upgrades, together with a brand new set of screens for each the infotainment system and the analog-turned-digital gauge cluster. The latter is the extra controversial of the bunch as a result of despite the fact that a digital cluster is essentially seen as an improve nowadays, the white-trimmed gauges of the pre-refresh automobile have been a fantastically distinctive contact in an age of largely nameless digital clusters.
However, the cluster is now a 12.3-inch display that comes customary on all TLX fashions. There are a number of completely different views together with a conventional two-dial method, one which pushes the gauges all the way in which to the sides, and unique to the Kind S, a 3rd that encompasses a horizontal tach paying homage to the S2000’s rev counter. The ADAS graphics within the heart are a pleasant contact, and the display is quite crisp, although we’re unsure that everybody will discover it to be an improve over the analog cluster. On the very least, couldn’t Acura have replicated the outdated white-trimmed gauges (under, white) to take care of some continuity and appease purists like us? The 2024 Mustang’s retro Fox Physique gauge design exhibits such issues are attainable.
The infotainment show is bumped from 10.3 inches to 12.3, although the ever-controversial Acura Precision TouchPad stays. It responds faster and extra fluidly to inputs than earlier than, and the newly-added wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality is a nice-to-have. And because the cherry on prime, Acura added a brand new customizable head-up show and a 360-degree digicam to the Kind S.
The remainder of the TLX’s inside is acquainted. You sit low and are surrounded by easy-to-operate buttons, knobs and scroll wheels aplenty. The rear seat remains to be a scrunched affair for the TLX’s footprint, however Acura by no means meant for this sedan to be a limo. Step outdoors, although, and also you’re met with some refined however impactful design adjustments.
A brand new entrance fascia with a mesh sample for the grille stands out initially. Look nearer, although, and also you’ll discover the unpleasant radar sensor that beforehand backed the Acura brand is gone. As an alternative, Acura built-in the radar into the Acura brand itself, leaving you with a far cleaner look than the pre-refresh grille. For the Kind S pictured right here, new 20-inch wheels completed in Berlina Black are the usual setup with all-season tires. Fortunately, you may nonetheless spec the copper-painted 20-inch Y-spoke wheels which are wrapped in high-performance summer season tires. Lesser trims get 19-inch wheels customary now (up from 18s beforehand), and A-Spec automobiles get new, twin, spherical exhaust exits and a shiny black rear spoiler. City Grey Pearl (pictured right here) and Liquid Carbon Metallic are new paint choices for 2024, with the previous being unique to the Kind S. And don’t fear, the gorgeous Tiger Eye Pearl paint remains to be within the colour palette for the Kind S, too.
The powertrain lineup is similar to the pre-refresh automobile, and whereas we didn’t have many complaints about how any variations of the TLX drove, a horsepower improve would’ve been appreciated. That sentiment most strongly resonates with the Kind S variant and its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. It makes 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, which is respectable by itself, however lags behind extra highly effective competitors just like the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C 43.
Regardless of wishing for slightly extra go, the TLX Kind S is a hoot to pilot. Regardless of a low redline of simply 6,200 rpm, the V6’s tuneful and high-winding sound urges you to rev it out. The shifts come shortly from its 10-speed computerized transmission, and it’s loads sensible in Sport+ to type out downshifts all by itself. The paddles are responsive sufficient that you just’ll have simply as a lot enjoyable tapping via them, although we want it didn’t routinely shift up each time you run close to to redline.
Acura says the one replace to the driving expertise was the throttle tuning in Sport+ mode. It’s laborious to say that the go-pedal feels a lot completely different with out a direct comparability, however it’s feels loads responsive. It doubly helps that each time you choose Sport+ mode the transmission immediately downshifts into an aggressive and ready-to-pounce low gear. Word that Sport+ is unique to the Kind S – lesser variations due to this fact don’t take pleasure in these sharper, extra quick transmission responses.
The TLX’s dealing with continues to shine as brightly because it did earlier than. The massive distinction with this second attempt of the Kind S is that Acura fitted the usual all-season tires as a substitute of summer season rubber (it’s chilly right here in Michigan nowadays). In consequence, the steering, significantly in Sport and Sport+ modes, is much less satisfying. There’s a contact of sunshine vagueness off-center earlier than it transitions to a lot heavier – and pure feeling – steering. That off-putting, stepped transition disappears once you put the steering into Regular or Consolation, and finally Regular ended up being essentially the most pure and feelsome mode to be in.
SH-AWD is dynamite to mess around with in tighter corners the place you are feeling the torque vectoring shoving you thru from the skin rear wheel. Change off traction management, and also you’ll even get the Kind S to present you a good quantity of slip angle must you ask for it with the throttle. It does lots of nice work in masking the Kind S’ 4,221-pound curb weight. That mentioned, the poundage remains to be sufficient that you just’re going to really feel it underneath braking and on twisting roads, however don’t let or not it’s forgotten that the TLX is just a few inches shorter than a 5 Collection and significantly bigger than the three.
Acura says it’s added sound deadening, however it’s not solely obvious on the freeway. We weren’t essentially of the thoughts that the TLX wanted to be quieter to start with. Listening to the V6 and its accompanying valved exhaust is an important a part of this Kind S expertise. For the four-cylinder variants, we’re utterly tremendous with some highway or engine noise disappearing.
And on the subject of these four-cylinder variants, Acura diminished the variety of selections from seven down to 2 primarily based on what clients have been overwhelmingly getting: the front-wheel-drive TLX with Expertise Bundle and the SH-AWD-equipped TLX A-Spec. That places the A-Spec on a better efficiency pedestal, accurately, however you continue to can’t get it with adaptive dampers. They have been beforehand unique to the now-discontinued Advance trim stage and are due to this fact now extinct on the four-cylinder TLX. That’s a disgrace.
The value for all TLX trims is up for 2024, however not an insurmountable quantity with the largest improve being $1,750 for the Kind S. Eliminating the bottom mannequin is maybe the largest draw back there, because it successfully makes the brand new “entry” worth $5,540 greater than 2023. You wouldn’t have discovered us choosing a base mannequin anyway, and if it’s true that the surviving four-cylinder fashions have been certainly the most well-liked, we weren’t alone in that opinion. To go one step additional, choosing one of many two SH-AWD fashions is a requirement because it’s simply so darned good, going above and past the standard all-wheel-drive system in a significant manner.
As a complete, the refreshed TLX appears like a step enchancment in the correct course. It seems to be higher each in and out, has some sensible characteristic add-ons, and continues to be an completely pleasant driver’s automobile.
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