2024 Acura TLX

Volume trim is the front-drive Technology model with the 2.0L turbo four at 272 hp; the facelifted 2024 carries the powertrains over unchanged, with the Type S V6 topping the range at 355 hp.

The 2.0T delivers 280 lb-ft across a broad low-rpm plateau; Type S adds 354 lb-ft.

Instrumented tests of the 2.0T put it around 5.9–6.3 s depending on drivetrain; the FWD volume car sits near the slower end, behind six-cylinder rivals.

Strong low-end turbo response and little lag, but the four sounds coarse when worked hard and trails the six-cylinder smoothness of German and Genesis rivals; the 2024 refresh added cabin insulation, which helps mask it.

The 10-speed automatic is generally smooth and quick with paddle shifters, with occasional indecision at low speed and part throttle.

SH-AWD with torque-vectoring rear drive is optional on the base Technology model and standard on A-Spec and Type S — sophisticated hardware, but the volume entry car is front-drive by default.

Two gas engines (2.0T four, 3.0T V6) with no hybrid, PHEV or EV option, behind electrified mid-size luxury rivals.

EPA rates the volume front-drive 2.0T at 25 mpg combined; adding SH-AWD costs 1 mpg and the Type S V6 drops to 21.

EPA city rating of 22 mpg for the volume FWD 2.0T, with no hybrid assist.

EPA highway rating of 31 mpg for the volume FWD 2.0T, helped by the tall 10-speed.

15.9-gallon tank times the 25 mpg EPA combined rating gives about 398 miles for the volume FWD 2.0T.

EPA's annual fuel cost estimate for the volume FWD 2.0T is $3,300 at current premium-fuel prices — high for the segment because it is premium-fueled and gas-only.

Acura specifies premium 91-octane for both engines (recommended on the 2.0T), and EPA rates every variant on premium; there is no regular-fuel, hybrid or plug-in alternative to soften running costs.

The refreshed 2024 TLX keeps the second-generation structure and carries a 5-star NHTSA overall rating on both FWD and AWD.

Good in both small-overlap tests and the original moderate-overlap test (one Acceptable leg/foot sub-measure, one Marginal driver lower-leg sub-measure), but the TLX has no 2024 award and no published Good results in the updated side or updated moderate-overlap (rear passenger) tests the 2024 criteria require.

AcuraWatch is standard on every 2024 trim — CMBS with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise with Low-Speed Follow, FCW, road departure mitigation, LKAS and traffic sign recognition — and blind-spot information is standard, giving full AEB/ACC/LKA/BSM/RCTA on the base Technology trim.

IIHS rates the standard CMBS Good for pedestrian front crash prevention, and the 2024 refresh widened the radar to 120° and the camera to 90° for better detection of pedestrians, cyclists and cut-ins; no current-protocol vehicle-to-vehicle top rating is published for this model year.

Blind Spot Information and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor are standard, and 2024 extended the BSI radar range to 82 ft to add Lane Change Alert, but the system remains alert-only with no active steering or braking intervention or safe-exit warning.

LKAS provides lane centering backed by the wider 2024 camera, but reviewers still describe it as functional rather than confident, with some wander on curving highways and frequent hands-on prompts.

Full-speed-range adaptive cruise with Low-Speed Follow is standard and works smoothly in steady traffic combined with LKAS; it lacks navigation-linked curve slowing or automated lane changes, and reviewers put it a step behind German and Genesis rivals.

No hands-free highway driving system is offered on any 2024 TLX trim; AcuraWatch requires hands on the wheel at all times.

IIHS rates the LED projector headlights Good on every trim, and high-beam assist is standard; there is no curve-adaptive lighting.

The fastback roofline brings thick C-pillars and a shallow rear window, which leave notable over-the-shoulder blind zones. The 2024 standard rear camera, BSI with Lane Change Alert and a higher-resolution Surround View Camera on the Type S (also offered with upper-trim packages) partly compensate.

IIHS rates LATCH Good+ — two full LATCH positions and a third tether position, with anchors that are not too deep, need little force and are easy to maneuver around. The sloping roof and a mid-size sedan's rear width limit three-across and rear-facing installs.

Five-seat sedan on every 2024 trim.

Moonroof is standard, which costs front headroom versus segment rivals.

Generous front legroom for the class.

Sloping roofline and standard moonroof limit rear headroom.

Rear legroom is the TLX's main packaging weakness despite a 194.6-in body.

Trunk is below average for a mid-size sedan.

Everyday storage is adequate; the 2024 refresh adds a standard wireless charging pad, but the touchpad-dominated console limits bin space and there are no standout solutions.

Front seats are supportive and widely praised; the rear bench is angled back comfortably but short on knee room, pulling the score down.

Sport-tuned ride is well balanced between suppleness and composure, but sharp edges send a thunk through the cabin.

2024 added insulation, but the extensive NVH package (acoustic door glass, thicker carpet, wheel insulators) is A-Spec-only; base-trim reviews still note road/wind noise and a tinny engine.

Heated front seats and dual-zone climate are standard, but ventilated front seats require the A-Spec package or Type S, and the heated wheel is not standard on the base trim.

The 2024 refresh cut the lineup to three models, so the entry point is now the front-drive TLX with Technology Package. The old base trim is gone, which raised the starting price, but it still undercuts German mid-size rivals.

The A-Spec is treated as the volume trim, consistent with the 2025 scorecard. For 2024 it bundles SH-AWD with the sport appearance package, so it sits between the FWD Technology and the $58,195 Type S. The trim's price is confirmed; its status as the best seller is an assumption, because Acura publishes no trim mix.

Industry estimates for the 2024 TLX range from about $4.5k (base 2.0T) to about $9k (Type S V6). The A-Spec uses the same 2.0T as the base car, adding SH-AWD, so it lands near the low end. That is below German rivals at $8k–10k and close to Lexus ES/IS at about $5k.

Projected 5-year residuals cluster around 45–47%. That beats BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class at about 40%, but trails the Lexus ES/IS. Early retention is strong, at about 70% after two years.

Acura's 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty matches the luxury norm (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac). It is a step above the 3/36 that mainstream brands offer, but behind Genesis's 5/60.

The 6/70 powertrain warranty is typical for luxury brands (Lexus, Cadillac) but well behind Genesis's 10/100.

The Acura Maintenance Package covers scheduled maintenance for 2 years/24,000 miles, and roadside assistance runs for the warranty term. This beats Mercedes/Audi, which include none, but trails Genesis's 3-year/36,000-mile plan and its valet service.

$51,195 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $24,062) leaves about $27,133 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,200 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $32,333 in total.

The second-generation TLX sits around average-to-good on predicted reliability: J.D. Power rated the adjacent years 79/100 (2023, Average) and 81/100 (2025, Great), so the 2024 facelift year falls between. A model-specific 2024 J.D. Power score could not be retrieved, and Consumer Reports' 2022 TLX was rated more reliable than other cars of its year. The facelift adds new electronics (HUD, 12.3-in screen, a new radar), which is a small first-year risk.

Acura ranked 5th of 22 brands in Consumer Reports' 2025 brand reliability study, ahead of Mazda, Audi, BMW, Kia and Hyundai. Its J.D. Power VDS standing is less consistent, landing near or below the industry average in some recent years, so it falls just short of Lexus and Toyota.

Two NHTSA campaigns cover the 2024 TLX. The one that hits the volume trim is a brake pedal pivot pin that was not properly secured (a fleet-wide 2021-2025 TLX/MDX/Pilot recall). The other is an FI-ECU software stall fix that applies only to the Type S. The fuel filler neck recall (24V950) stops at MY2023. There is nothing about the engine or structure on the volume trim, but the brake pedal defect is a real safety item.

The volume Technology/A-Spec trims use Honda's K20C-family 2.0L turbo four with the Honda 10-speed automatic. That pairing is shared with the Accord 2.0T and Civic Type R lineage and has no systemic failure pattern. Only the Type S runs the newer 3.0T V6, and that engine is the one carrying the FI-ECU stall recall.

The TLX cabin is well finished for its roughly $45-52K volume price band, with good soft-touch coverage. The 2024 refresh added a 12.3-in display, a digital cluster, a 10.5-in HUD, ambient lighting and extra insulation. It still trails the material richness of the BMW 5 Series and Genesis G80, and the lower cabin has some hard plastics.

The TLX is built at Honda's Marysville, Ohio plant and gets consistent marks for panel fit and assembly. The 2024 facelift dropped the criticized True Touchpad Interface for a touchscreen and added insulation in response to owner feedback about noise, which addresses the main early-generation complaints.

Acura has roughly 270 US dealers, well spread across metro areas but thinner than Lexus in rural regions. Service satisfaction is generally around or above average for premium brands.

Heavy parts sharing with Honda (2.0T engine, 10AT, chassis components) keeps commodity parts plentiful and cheaper than at German luxury brands. Facelift-specific electronics and SH-AWD hardware cost more, and aftermarket support is moderate.

The 2024 refresh enlarged the center display to 12.3 in but kept it non-touch, controlled via Acura's True Touchpad Interface (unlike the refreshed MDX).

Faster processor and bigger screen help, but reviewers consistently find the touchpad clunky and distracting versus a touchscreen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every 2024 trim.

Native navigation and voice commands are functional but most owners rely on phone projection; no Google built-in.

ELS Studio premium audio became standard across the lineup for 2024, a strong base system for the class.

A configurable 12.3-in digital cluster is new and standard on all 2024 trims.

No manufacturer claim of vehicle-wide OTA updates; updates are largely limited to infotainment/maps or dealer-performed.

AcuraLink app offers remote start, lock and vehicle locate, but much is subscription-gated and there is no digital key.

Wireless charging pad and two rear USB-C ports are standard for 2024; no household outlet.

Proximity entry, push-button and remote engine start are standard; no phone-as-key or hands-free trunk.

Rear camera and parking sensors are standard; the new high-resolution Surround View Camera is Type S only.

The new 10.5-in color HUD is excellent but standard only on the Type S, not offered on the volume trim.

LATCH hardware is best-in-class, but tight rear legroom and a 13.5 cu ft trunk make strollers and rear-facing seats a squeeze.

5-star NHTSA overall and full AcuraWatch standard with a new rear seatbelt reminder, but IIHS has not run its updated moderate-overlap/side tests and no 2024 TSP award.

Standard rear USB-C and dual-zone climate help, but rear knee room and trunk space limit four-adult long trips.

Torquey 2.0T and composed ride make it easy in traffic; touchpad infotainment and firm sharp-bump response are the daily annoyances.

25 MPG combined on required premium fuel makes it an expensive commuter for its size.

Long 194.6-in body and ~40 ft turning circle with no surround camera on the base trim require care in tight spaces.

No US tow rating and a small sedan trunk; not a work vehicle.

Proven Honda 2.0T and 10-speed, but a luxury interior with no fleet or work history.

No onboard power outlets, roof rails or hitch provisions.

~398-mile range, strong standard audio and adaptive cruise suit highway trips, but road noise on the base trim and no hands-free assist limit it.

Volume trim is front-drive with low ground clearance and no tow rating; SH-AWD requires the A-Spec or Type S.

13.5 cu ft trunk and 60/40 fold-down rear seat; no roof rails or hitch.

Taut, composed chassis with precise responses; the volume FWD trim lacks the SH-AWD torque vectoring that makes A-Spec/Type S more agile.

Firm and precise, gaining useful heft in Sport, but short on communication.

Firm, progressive pedal and competitive stops on the 2.0T; Brembos reserved for Type S.

Punchy midrange from the 272-hp 2.0T, but some tip-in hesitation and occasional gear hunting from the 10-speed.

Quiet at cruise but the four-cylinder sounds tinny and thrashy under load.

Wide turning circle for a sedan.

Low, sporty driving position with good adjustability, undermined by the touchpad interface and limited rear three-quarter visibility.

Engaging for a front-drive-based luxury sedan, though the base FWD 2.0T is the least exciting configuration.

The 2024 refresh made more equipment standard on every trim. Even the base FWD Technology gets a 12.3" digital cluster, a 12.3" center display (20% larger), wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, ELS Studio premium audio, ambient LED lighting, Milano leather, 19" wheels and the upgraded AcuraWatch suite. German rivals charge option-package money for parity; the Genesis G80 is roughly level.

At $46k–$58k the TLX undercuts the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6 by roughly $10k while matching them on standard tech. The 355-hp Type S at $58,195 is strong performance value, and reviewers call the TLX a sport-sedan bargain. Against that, the base 272-hp 2.0T is coarse and the touchpad interface feels less premium. The Genesis G80 remains the value benchmark.

For 2024 the range shrank to three models, with large fixed steps between them: the FWD Technology, the A-Spec (SH-AWD only) and the V6 Type S. FWD buyers can't have the A-Spec look, and AWD now costs $5k more because it is bundled with the A-Spec. There is no hybrid or PHEV, while rivals offer far more powertrain and body choice.

US sales collapsed during the 2024 model year to 7,478 units for calendar 2024. That is roughly half the second generation's earlier pace and a fraction of BMW 3/5 Series or Mercedes C/E-Class volumes. The slide led Acura to end the nameplate after MY2025.

Acura is near-luxury: respected for engineering, reliability and value, with Type S/NSX enthusiast credibility. It lacks the aspirational pull of BMW, Mercedes or Lexus, and many buyers see it as premium Honda.

Slow sales kept 2024 TLX incentives flowing: lease specials and APR support, plus $750 military and $500 graduate offers. Transaction prices fell well below MSRP, and leftover 2024 stock was discounted further into 2025. The deals were real for buyers, though not the deeper clear-out pricing of the final 2025 model year.

MY2024 is the fourth year of the second generation (launched for MY2021), but it was a refresh year. It brought a new frameless grille, a larger 12.3" screen and cluster, a head-up display (Type S), a wider-angle radar and more insulation. It's current but not cutting-edge, and Acura announced in July 2025 that the TLX would end after one more model year with no direct successor.

Reviewers praise the styling, chassis and the Type S, and criticize the touchpad infotainment, cabin noise and tight rear seat. Consumer Reports' road test falls short of luxury sports-sedan rivals. The TLX finishes mid-pack and won no major awards.