2026 Acura TLX Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

01-07-2025

Overview
The TLX is Acura's mid-sized sports sedan, one rung up from the smaller Integra. Its athletic proportions help this Acura stand apart from mainstream four-doors, but also exact a toll in rear-seat space. The upscale interior is nicely finished and not overwhelmingly techy—just make sure you're comfortable with the infotainment system's touchpad interface.
A standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine can be had with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the performance-oriented Type S gets turbo–V-6 power and standard AWD. The Type S also gets a sportier suspension with adaptive dampers (which can be had on the mid-grade Advance model as well), although we like the standard setup just fine. Acura's pricing is more attractive than that of the BMW 3-series—particularly the six-cylinder M340i xDrive—but the Genesis G70's pricing is more attractive still.
Expert Tip: If you regularly carry adults in the rear seat, the smaller Acura Integra actually has more rear legroom.
What's New for 2026?
The TLX is still fairly fresh following a styling update for the 2024 model year, so we expect to see no significant updates for 2026.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Acura TLX is expected to start around $47,000 and go up to $60,000 depending on the trim and options.
Technology
$47,000 (est)
A-Spec
$52,000 (est)
Type S
$60,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k
The 355-hp Type S occupies the top spot in the TLX lineup in both performance and price. While its verve makes it our favorite, it comes standard with luxuries such as adaptive dampers, leather upholstery, and an ELS premium audio system.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Engines: 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6
272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 Transmission: 10-speed automatic
10-speed automatic Drivetrains: front-wheel-drive; all-wheel-drive
The regular TLX features a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder lashed to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and Acura's all-wheel-drive system, which is called SH-AWD and shuffles power among the wheels to improve agility and traction, is optional.
The TLX's well-tuned chassis makes it very entertaining to drive and shows that Acura can still build a sports sedan. This sentiment is especially true of the higher-performance Type S, which boasts a 355-hp turbo 3.0-liter V-6, a responsive 10-speed auto, SH-AWD, and a sportier suspension setup. Unlike the regular TLX, it's available with stickier summer tires on 20-inch wheels.
Our latest test drive showcased its gutsy engine, engaging steering, terrific body control, and strong brakes. However, the Type S does have a firm ride that doesn't mask road imperfections, and it didn't feel as nimble as shorter, sportier competitors such as the Audi S5.
0–60-MPH Times
In Comparison: While the Type S model is notably quicker than the base TLX, it's still behind the BMW M340i, which managed a 3.7-second 60 mph time in our testing.
View Photos
Marc Urbano
|
Car and Driver
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 30 mpg (base AWD)
30 mpg (base AWD) EPA City Ratings: 19-22 mpg
19-22 mpg EPA Highway Ratings: 25-31 mpg
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 TLX yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings as high as 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder version. The V-6 Type S had lower estimates of 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. All versions are a few mpg lower than their equivalent BMW 3-series rivals.
The all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder model we ran on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, returned 30 mpg. For more information about the TLX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: The TLX has an expressive cabin design that highlights the car's sporty character. That's particularly true of the Advance and Type S models' available two-tone black-and-red or black-and-white (called Orchid) color treatments. Build quality is excellent, and the TLX also boasts premium cabin materials, including open-pore wood, real aluminum, and standard leather.
The dash is sculpted and still features a good number of physical buttons and controls rather than over-relying on screens. Customizable ambient-lighting settings are each named after iconic driving destinations and racetracks, such as "Pacific Coast" and "Suzuka."
Second Row: Although the sedan feels spacious in width, rear-seat knee clearance is somewhat wanting, and the smaller Integra has more rear legroom. Otherwise, the seats are well-cushioned and comfortable.
Cargo Capacity: The trunk measures 13.5 cubic feet, and the rear seatbacks can fold down to expand cargo capacity. We managed to fit six carry-on suitcases inside the trunk and packed in an extra 10 cases when we folded the rear seatbacks.
View Photos
Marc Urbano
|
Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment: 12.3-inch display with touchpad
12.3-inch display with touchpad Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Audio System: 13-speaker ELS stereo (standard); 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D stereo (optional)
Every TLX features a 12.3-inch infotainment system that's primarily controlled through a touchpad on the center console. A padded resting place for your wrist below the touchpad makes it more comfortable to operate, but hitting the right spot on the screen by moving your finger on the touchpad is a somewhat awkward disconnect—more so if you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, because their targets are smaller than the native Acura system's. Thankfully, some functions can also be manipulated via steering-wheel buttons and physical controls next to the touchpad.
Besides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both wireless), the TLX also includes a Wi-Fi hotspot. Those who want the fancier ELS sound system and a wireless charging pad will have to opt for the Advance package or the Type S.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Every TLX comes standard with AcuraWatch, which includes a host of driver-assistance features. The sedan also has other equipment, such as traffic-sign recognition and a driver-awareness monitor.
For information about the TLX's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control
automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control Optional Safety Features: 360-degree exterior camera system
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Acura provides one of the longest powertrain warranties on the market, and its limited warranty aligns with most of the TLX's rivals, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes C-class.
Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: six years or 70,000 miles
six years or 70,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 24,000 miles
C/D Test Results and Specs
We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.
Specifications
Specifications
2024 Acura TLX Type S
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $58,195/$62,478
Options: 20-inch copper-colored wheels with Pirelli P Zero summer tires, $3441; Urban Gray Pearl paint, $600; premium carpeted floor mats, $242
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3
Power: 355 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 354 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.3-in vented disc/13.0-in disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
255/35R-20 97Y Extra Load
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.0 in
Length: 194.6 in
Width: 75.2 in
Height: 56.4 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/40 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 4212 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.6 sec
100 mph: 11.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.3 sec @ 105 mph
130 mph: 21.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 156 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 155 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 311 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.99 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 21/19/25 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs