2021 Acura TLX

All-new third-generation 2021 TLX launched with a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 making 272 hp across base, Technology, A-Spec and Advance trims; the Type S (355 hp 3.0L turbo V6) arrived mid-model-year as a separate, non-volume performance variant.

Peak torque for the volume 2.0T powertrain, identical across FWD and SH-AWD configurations.

MotorWeek's instrumented test of the 2021 TLX SH-AWD A-Spec (the 2.0T configuration most road-tested that year) recorded 5.8s to 60 mph; FWD variants are lighter and track similarly.

Reviewers found the turbo four smooth and adequately quick in everyday driving but unremarkable and occasionally coarse under hard throttle compared to segment benchmarks; no major complaints about lag.

The new-for-2021 10-speed automatic (replacing the prior 8-speed DCT/9-speed torque-converter mix) was widely praised as smooth and well-timed, a clear improvement over the outgoing generation's transmission.

Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is optional (not standard) on base/Technology/A-Spec/Advance trims but standard on Type S, and is genuinely sophisticated — up to 70% of torque to the rear axle and fully variable left/right torque vectoring at the rear wheels.

2021 lineup is two conventional gas engines only — the 2.0L turbo I4 and the mid-year Type S 3.0L turbo V6 — with no hybrid, PHEV or EV variant offered, unlike some mid-size luxury rivals.

EPA combined rating for the 2.0L turbo SH-AWD configuration; FWD trims rate slightly higher at 25 combined.

EPA city rating for the 2.0T SH-AWD configuration.

EPA highway rating for the 2.0T SH-AWD configuration.

EPA-derived range figure for the SH-AWD 2.0T configuration; FWD trims reach roughly 398 mi on the same tank with better combined economy.

EPA annual fuel cost estimate at standard assumptions; the turbo engine's premium-fuel requirement and only middling combined MPG push this toward the top of the sedan cost range.

The 2.0L and 3.0L turbo engines both require premium unleaded, with no flex-fuel or regular-gas option across the lineup.

NHTSA's own SafetyRatings API confirms a 5-star overall rating for the 2021 TLX FWD (volume configuration), with 5 stars in every sub-category.

The redesigned (2nd-gen) 2021 TLX earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the institute's highest award, with Good ratings across all six crashworthiness tests (both small-overlap front tests, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints) plus a Superior front crash prevention rating and Good headlights.

AcuraWatch (forward collision warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist/lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor) is standard on every 2021 TLX trim, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning are reserved for the Technology package and above, so the suite is not comprehensive on the base volume trim.

IIHS rated the standard Collision Mitigation Braking System Superior for front crash prevention, avoiding collisions in vehicle-to-vehicle 12 and 25 mph tests and in daytime pedestrian tests (crossing-adult and parallel-adult scenarios, cutting impact speed substantially in the hardest test).

Blind Spot Information and rear cross-traffic monitoring are alert-only radar systems bundled into the Technology package and standard from there up the lineup, but absent on the base trim — available on most, not all, trims.

Traffic Jam Assist adds lane-centering steering down to a stop (versus the prior 45-mph floor), and reviewers described the centering as functional and confidence-inspiring in traffic, short of class-leading smoothness.

Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow operates across the full speed range and combines with Traffic Jam Assist's lane centering for a usable highway/traffic-jam package; period reviews found it capable with only minor rough edges rather than class-leading polish.

The 2021 TLX offers no hands-free driving system — Traffic Jam Assist is a hands-on lane-centering and adaptive-cruise feature, not an eyes-off/hands-off system like Super Cruise or BlueCruise.

IIHS rated the 2021 TLX's standard LED projector headlights (with high-beam assist) Good overall, with fair straightaway visibility offset by good performance on curves — a Good rating on the tested configuration.

Reviewers generally praised slim roof pillars and decent glass area giving good sightlines to the sides and rear for a sleek-roofed sedan, with only minor complaints about a high beltline/hood from the low driving position.

IIHS rated the LATCH geometry Good+ (its top tier) with two complete outboard lower-anchor sets plus a top tether at the center seat, but the lower anchors are hidden behind a Velcro-backed leather flap that must be peeled back, adding real-world fumbling despite the strong geometry rating.

Standard 5-passenger configuration for the redesigned second-generation TLX, the segment norm.

Average front headroom for a mid-size luxury sedan, within the normal band but not class-leading.

Generous front legroom; reviewers note the TLX is roomy up front for driver and passenger.

Mid-pack rear headroom; reviewers flagged the sloping roofline (tumblehome styling) as pinching tall rear-seat occupants.

Near the bottom of the mid-size luxury sedan band; multiple reviewers (Consumer Guide, AcuraZine, US News) singled out the rear seat as cramped, citing the long dash-to-axle ratio eating into rear space.

Below-average trunk volume for the mid-size luxury sedan segment.

Conventional console bin, door pockets and a usable center armrest storage area; wireless charging pad only on Advance trim, nothing standout versus rivals.

Consumer Reports staff praised the firm, well-bolstered front seats with standard 4-way lumbar and good head restraints; rear seats are comfortable for two but space constraints limit the rear-seat experience.

The redesigned double-wishbone front suspension on the new platform delivers a buttoned-down, composed ride that reviewers called properly premium — cushy yet controlled across varied surfaces.

Reviews are mixed — some note an impressively quiet cabin, while others (The Truth About Cars) found road/wind noise intrusive enough to fall short of German luxury-sedan rivals.

Heated front seats and heated steering wheel are available starting on the Technology package, with ventilated front seats and rear climate vents on Advance; no remote pre-conditioning beyond AcuraLink remote start.

Base MSRP for the entry 2.0T FWD trim of the all-new 2021 TLX, including destination charge.

The Technology Package is the volume trim for the 2.0T, adding the 10.2-inch display, navigation, premium audio and surround camera; SH-AWD is the common pairing in this segment.

Edmunds' True Cost to Own projects roughly $7,000 in maintenance over 5 years for Technology-trim 2.0T TLX models, in line with near-luxury sedan norms.

Industry depreciation trackers estimate the TLX retains roughly mid-50s percent of MSRP after 5 years, typical for a mainstream-premium sedan rather than a standout residual performer.

Acura's standard New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 2021 models, matching the segment norm.

Acura's powertrain warranty extends two years and 20,000 miles beyond the basic coverage, in line with most mainstream-premium rivals but shorter than Hyundai/Genesis and Kia's longer powertrain terms.

The 2021 TLX did not include a complimentary scheduled-maintenance program (Acura introduced that for MY2023); standard coverage was limited to roadside assistance bundled with the warranty period, with no charging credits or trial subscriptions of note.

$43,500 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (55.8% retained, or about $24,273) leaves about $19,227 in depreciation. Add the projected $7,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $26,227 in total.

2021 is the first model year of the redesigned (4th-gen) TLX, with an all-new 2.0L turbo base engine and new 10-speed automatic. Early predicted-reliability data landed squarely average rather than standout, though Consumer Reports noted the redesign held up better than most first-year redesigns.

Acura sat mid-pack among CR's brand rankings around this period and was more volatile at JD Power, which is consistent with a brand that is solid but not a dependability standout.

This generation accumulated several recalls that are more than cosmetic: a fuel tank/filler-neck weld defect with a leak risk, a front passenger airbag occupant-classification sensor fault, and (on Type-S) a fuel-injection ECU software bug that can cause engine stall. That's a heavier-than-typical pattern for a 4-5 year-old generation, even though none triggered a widescale stop-sale at launch.

The 2021 TLX's base 2.0L turbo-four is a member of Honda's K-series turbo family already proven across the Civic Si/Type R, Accord 2.0T, CR-V and RDX, and the 10-speed automatic had several years of service in other Honda/Acura products (Odyssey, Accord, RDX, Ridgeline) before reaching the TLX. Neither is brand-new technology even though 2021 was the TLX's first year with them, so there's no red-flag history specific to this application yet.

Reviewers consistently singled out the redesigned cabin's materials as a major step up — soft-touch surfaces, real wood and metal trim, and a hand-stitched dash top — as class-competitive or better for the price.

Professional reviewers rated assembly and panel fit highly in the redesigned car, but scattered owner complaints about failing trim components (repeated LED puddle-lamp failures) keep it just below the top tier rather than flawless.

Acura placed near the top of the luxury-brand pack for dealer service satisfaction in the 2021 JD Power study, just behind Lexus, Cadillac and Jaguar — a dense, well-regarded network for a mid-tier luxury nameplate.

As a Honda-engineered platform with extensive shared componentry, the TLX draws on one of the largest dealer and independent parts networks in the US, and running-cost data for the model line shows meaningfully below-average repair bills versus the luxury midsize class.

Standard 10.2-inch HD dual-content display across the range — a reasonable size but not a large screen relative to the segment's upper end.

The second-generation True Touchpad Interface replaces direct touch with an absolute-positioning trackpad; reviewers (Digital Trends, Autoblog) consistently called it a frustrating, distraction-prone system to learn and use while driving.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims but wired-only in this generation; wireless projection did not arrive until the 2022 model year refresh despite the hardware supporting it.

Built-in navigation and voice commands are functional but unremarkable; most owners default to CarPlay/Android Auto navigation instead of the native system.

Base trims get an unbranded 10-speaker system, but Technology package and up add a 13-speaker ELS Studio system, topping out at a well-regarded 17-speaker, 710W ELS Studio 3D system with overhead drivers on A-Spec/Advance.

The gauge cluster is analog dials flanking a 7-inch color Multi-Information Display, not a full configurable digital cluster — behind rivals that offer a fully digital display.

AcuraLink supports connected services and map data refreshes but there is no evidence of comprehensive whole-vehicle software OTA updates for the 2021 model year.

The AcuraLink app covers remote lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle status, geofencing and collision notification, but remote start is standard only on the Advance trim and the full service requires a paid subscription (~$100/yr after the trial).

Two 2.5A USB-A charge ports up front cover daily device charging, but wireless charging is limited to the Advance trim (accessory-only elsewhere) and there is no dedicated rear-row USB.

Proximity keyless entry and push-button start are standard across the range; walk-away auto-lock and app/AcuraLink remote start add convenience, but there is no phone-as-key feature in this generation.

A rear camera is standard fleet-wide, front/rear parking sensors are standard from the Technology package up, and the four-camera 360-degree Surround View system is standard only on the Advance package.

A head-up display is offered, but only on the range-topping Advance and Advance Package trims — not on the volume Technology/A-Spec configurations.

Tight rear legroom (34.9 in) and a sloped roofline pinching rear headroom make car-seat installation and everyday rear-seat kid duty a squeeze versus segment rivals; reviewers recommend keeping rear occupancy to two.

AcuraWatch — forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure/keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise with low-speed follow — is standard on every trim including the base model, a strong family-safety baseline even before options.

Comfortable, well-cushioned front seats and a composed ride help on long trips, but the cramped rear seat and modest 13.5 cu ft trunk limit multi-hour comfort and gear capacity for a full family.

A smooth, well-controlled ride, confident SH-AWD low-speed grip (where equipped), and standard adaptive cruise make the TLX a relaxed daily driver in traffic.

EPA-rated 25 combined MPG (FWD) / 24 combined (SH-AWD) on required premium fuel trails key German and Japanese rivals like the A4 and 330i, making the TLX a costlier-than-average commuter to run.

A 40.1-40.2 ft curb-to-curb turning diameter is about average for the class; a standard rear camera plus optional parking sensors and 360-degree camera (Advance) ease tight urban parking.

As a trunk-only mid-size luxury sedan with no published tow rating and a 13.5 cu ft trunk, the TLX has essentially no work/towing capability.

RepairPal rates the TLX 4.5/5 for reliability (#1 among luxury midsize cars), a positive durability signal, but it is a luxury-interior sedan never positioned or proven for fleet/work-duty abuse.

No tie-downs, no bed/rack ecosystem, and a carpeted, leather-trimmed trunk — nothing about the TLX supports jobsite or upfit use.

Composed highway ride, supportive front seats, and standard adaptive cruise with lane keeping support long stints; a 17.2-gallon tank and 24-25 combined MPG yield roughly 400+ miles of highway range between fill-ups.

Optional SH-AWD adds genuine foul-weather and light gravel-road confidence via its torque-vectoring system, but low sedan ground clearance and no roof-rack provision rule out real adventure duty.

A below-average 13.5 cu ft trunk with a conventional pass-through/split-folding rear seat handles normal luggage but is a tight fit for bulky gear, with no roof rails offered.

On the new double-wishbone-front platform, the TLX turns in aggressively with quick steering and minimal body lean; the optional SH-AWD torque-vectoring system sharpens corner exit, though pushed hard it still shows some understeer and body roll versus the range-topping Type S.

Steering is nicely weighted with a quick ratio and accurate response, though reviewers note some of the artificial feel common to modern electric power steering systems.

No instrumented stopping-distance data was found for the 2021 model specifically; period reviews describe the brake pedal as firm and predictable without calling out fade or softness, placing it in the segment-typical range.

The 2.0L turbo-four paired with a 10-speed automatic is generally smooth around town, but reviewers (The Drive) found the standard powertrain lacks the responsiveness to match the car's sporty styling, with some turbo lag off idle.

The turbo four-cylinder is audible and can turn coarse under hard acceleration, a step behind the smoother six-cylinder engines offered by some rivals; cabin noise reviews are mixed overall.

A 40.1-40.2 ft curb-to-curb turning diameter sits at the wide end of the mid-size sedan band, making the TLX slightly less nimble in tight maneuvers than class norms.

Good seat/wheel adjustment range and a sporty, low-set driving position suit most drivers, though the sloping roofline and tall beltline (tumblehome styling) trim outward visibility somewhat.

The standard TLX looks and corners the part but reviewers consistently conclude the non-Type-S powertrain doesn't deliver the thrills to match — pleasant and competent rather than genuinely exciting.

Base 2.0T comes standard with AcuraWatch active safety, 10-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate and an 8-inch display, which is competitive for the price point but the base infotainment still relies on an older touchpad-controlled, non-touchscreen interface that rivals had begun to move past.

The redesigned 2021 TLX starts meaningfully below $40,000 with destination, undercutting the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class while offering comparable power and a genuinely new platform, and the Type S offers strong performance-per-dollar against the Audi S4/Genesis G70 3.3T.

Five trims (base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, Type S) each offered with FWD or SH-AWD (Type S is SH-AWD only) give a reasonably well-spaced range from value-focused to loaded sport-luxury, though there is no plug-in or hybrid variant.

26,100 units sold in 2021 is a steady mid-pack result for the segment — a solid year for the newly redesigned TLX but well behind segment leaders like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, and the model's volume would decline sharply in subsequent years.

Acura carries a reputation for reliability and value but lacks the aspirational pull of the German luxury brands it competes against; the redesigned TLX's bolder styling and Type S halo gave the brand a modest image lift in 2021 without closing the gap.

Real-world buyers reported meaningful negotiating room (5-11.5% off MSRP) plus $2,500 Honda/Acura loyalty or competitive-brand conquest cash and low-APR financing offers, giving buyers genuine deals without the car being a distress sale.

2021 is the first model year of an all-new, fully redesigned TLX generation on a new platform with revised proportions, SH-AWD and the reintroduced Type S performance variant — about as fresh as a model year can be.

Reviewers praised the redesigned TLX's styling, value and driving character ("a beautiful dancer"), but it wasn't a dominant comparison-test winner — the MotorTrend Type S vs. Cadillac CT5-V vs. Genesis G70 3.3T test went to the CT5-V, placing the TLX as well-regarded rather than the consistent class pick.