Acura, Honda's upscale, primo brand, is in the midst of a makeover, seeking to re-tap lost momentum at the hands of Eurasian counterparts Lexus, Infiniti, BMW and Audi.
In the 2015 model year, the all-new TLX sedan serves as next-step forward in mid-size luxury, replacing two outgoing Acura models, the TL V-6 sedan and four-cylinder TSX sedan/sport wagon.
The 2015 streamlined Acura sedan lineup includes the compact ILX (substantially updated in 2016), all-new mid-size TLX, and flagship RLX. In addition, Acura offers two crossover-hatchbacks: compact RDX and mid-proportioned MDX. Compared to the outgoing 2014 Acura TL, the 2015 TLX measures 3.7 inches shorter, yet maintains the same wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) and tandem (front-to-rear) passenger seating distance. Much of the length reduction is the result of shorter front and rear overhangs.
Honda launched its upstart, stand-alone luxury brand back in 1986 with Integra and Legend models. Toyota and Nissan followed up soon thereafter, introducing Lexus and Infiniti brands respectively. Total U.S. Acura sales in the 2013 calendar year totaled 165,436 units, a 5.9 increase from 2012. By comparison, parent-company Honda sold 1,359,867 units. Acura has some ground to make up as Toyota's Lexus division sold 273,847 units in 2013.
To help stimulate lost mojo, Acura has an ace up its sleeve; the return of the rear-drive, mid-engine NSX supercar that originally debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Produced from 1990 to 2005, the low-volume NSX coupe served as a halo car, performing commendably in that role. Due out in the 2015 calendar year, the next-generation, two-seat NSX will feature twin turbo chargers and two electric motors assisting the V-6 engine.
The mid-size TLX is marketed in three distinct offerings, including an all-wheel drive version attractive to Chicago area and Midwest drivers encountering four-season driving. Assembly takes place in Marysville, Ohio near Columbus.
The TLX's sole four-cylinder gets motivation from a new, direct injection, 2.4-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder delivering 206 horsepower. Front-wheel drive comes standard. Move up to the 3.5-liter, 24-valve, 290 horsepower, direct-injected V-6 and shoppers can choose between front wheel or Acura's next-generation, super handling all-wheel drive (SH-AWD). The V-6 works with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both engines recommend premium, 91-octane fuel for maximum efficiency when filling the cap-less, self-sealing tank.
Helping improve V-6 fuel economy is Acura's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) another name for cylinder deactivation. At moderate highway speeds and low engine loads, the engine operates with the front bank of three cylinders.
The Super handling all-wheel-drive version is the sole TLX equipped with another fuel-saving technology: idle-stop. When specific conditions are met, the engine temporarily shuts down at complete stops. The engine purrs back in a noticeable fashion after brake pedal release. Idle-stop technology became widespread in gas-electric hybrids and now is making its way to select gas-exclusive powertrains.
The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine comes with a dual clutch eight-speed automatic transmission and torque converter. This technology with closely-spaced rations and ultra-quick shifts, generates significantly better fuel economy (24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) than the outgoing TSX's 2.4-liter (22 city/31 highway). Front-wheel drive V-6 models average 21 mpg city and, 34 mpg highway. With all wheel drive, subtract three miles per gallon highway.
Pricing starts at $30,995 for a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder edition. Our opulent tester, a SH-AWD including Technology and Advance Package started at $44,700 with a bottom line of $45,595 with $895 destination charge factored.
The Technology Package (available in both powertrains) adds 3-D navigation, 10-speakers, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rain-sensing wipers. Advance Package (a V-6 option exclusively) includes: adaptive cruise control, heated and ventilated front seats and lane departure warnings.
Lower-than-average seating positions mimic performance cars rather than conventional mid-size sedans. Front headroom is good while back row riders under six-feet, three-inches will find confines pleasant. A power moon roof comes standard.
At the corner of the lower center column is a connectivity pocket. This well-designed intersection houses a 12-volt power outlet and auxiliary and USB ports assisting portable electronics with pull-out plate/cover and fold-down door for keeping things organized and out of sight. Another set of ports is found inside the arm rest/storage bin.
The attractive, three-dimensional instrument panel includes white backlighting and a center digital information window. A red-hued push-button start-stop right of the manual tilt-and-telescope steering column comes standard.
Switching gears with the V-6 engine's nine-speed automatic transmission no longer necessitates a mechanical shifter. Instead, a vertically-arranged series of electronic push-buttons and pull tabs moves the transmission from park to reverse to drive. Each gear command includes tactile uniqueness. For example, 'park' is a rectangle shape push button, "reverse' requires a pull motion of a tab and 'drive' is a large, illuminated circle placed at an angle. The electronic parking brake tab resides directly in back.
Available electronic adaptive cruise control monitors from illuminated tabs at the nine-o'clock face of the leather-wrapped steering wheel along with a tutorial button though the digital instrument panel display. Secondary audio and hands-free phone controls reside at three o'clock. Amber blind-spot icons illuminate in the dark corner of the inside 'A" pillars when vehicles hang out in side blind spots; a location well protected from sun glare. The driver's side mirror includes a low-tech, yet effective vertical slice bringing into view that side's closer-in activities. Available cross traffic alert, a simple yet effective radar-inspired defensive driving tool, audibly assists when backing out of a tight parking spot where vision is impaired.
Two multi-function display screens offer information feedback concerning audio, hands-free phone connection, three-dimensional navigation, multi-view rear camera feed and climate controls. The upper, eight-inch deeper-set screen is not touch sensitive and the primary navigation display window. The lower, seven-inch touch-sensitive screen offers quick tap and vibrating options for audio and climate functions. Satellite radio with 165 channels and three months of complimentary service comes standard. Below is a large, round twist-push dial interacting with the top screen flanked by push buttons for quick links to audio, information, phone and navigation. Mechanical tabs drive dual temperature settings up and down while fan speed and mode gets controlled via the touch screen.
Wood grain accents adorn the intuitive dashboard and all four side doors. The glove box includes a removable shelf for better organizational options. The trunk, with low lift over height, includes 13.2 cubic feet of cargo volume.
During a three-hour trip through southern Wisconsin, the heated and ventilated front bucket seats remain exceptionally supportive and comfortable. For those who call the highway home, TLX is a great comfort partner. Rear seat backs, accommodating three riders for short distances, fold down with a 60/40 split. Now concaved inward, the backs of the front bucket seats provide additional knee room for outboard row two riders.
The TLX continues with Acura's pleasant, flowing exterior theme with a slightly longer roofline than the outgoing TL. The TLX front grille includes the Acura shield design with centered "A" logo in place of traditional horizontal bands. Very narrow headlight housing includes five in-row diminutive illumators on each side, part of Acura's Jewel-eye Light Emitting Diode (LED) illumination with the LED theme continuing through the tail lights and license plate illumination.
2015 Acura TLXPrice as tested: $45,595
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 190.3 inches
Width: 73.0 inches
Height: 57.0
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 290
Curb weight: pounds
Powertrain warranty: Six year/70,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway
Assembly: Marysville, Ohio