2015 Acua TLX 3.5L V6 9AT FWD (294 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Acura introduced the TLX lineup as its mid-size sports sedan on the market, replacing both the TL and the TSX, and made it on top of the same platform as the Honda Accord.

After the world financial crisis, Honda had to re-arrange its business, and thus it combined two Acura vehicles into one, namely the TLX. It was not just a facelifted version of an old car but a completely different one. It competed against Audi’s A4 sedan and BMW’s 3 Series, but despite sporting a shorter wheelbase than both of them, it was slightly longer.

The front fascia sported the Acura’s shield-like chromed grille flanked by LED headlights, which looked like jewels aligned behind a common lens. From its profile, the ascending beltline emphasized the car’s sporty character, while the sculptured lines on the door panels made it look even better. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed two exhausts neatly concealed under the bumper.

Inside, the cabin resembled the RLX but with better materials. Inside the instrument cluster, the automaker placed the large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, while on the center stack, it placed the infotainment screen, which was controlled by a rotary dial. Above it, Acura placed a second LCD for the navigation system. With room for four adults on long journeys, the TLX proved that Acura’s idea to replace two vehicles with one was good.

Under the hood, the carmaker offered a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated inline-four and a 3.5-liter V6. Both of them sent the power to the front wheels only via either an eight- or nine-speed automatic.