The 2017 Acura TLX is a midsize luxury sedan offered in three main trim levels: base, Technology and Advance. Technology and Advance are essentially options packages that are available on both front- and all-wheel-drive TLX models, though Advance requires the V6 engine.

The four-cylinder TLX may appeal if you're looking for a reliable and reasonably priced luxury sedan, but judged by its performance, it comes up short. Unlike the engines of most entry-level cars in this class, the TLX's 2.4-liter engine isn't turbocharged, which is the reason for it lagging behind. The transmission's Sport+ mode helps matters once you're underway, as downshifts come swiftly and lower gears are held longer, but acceleration remains below par by luxury sedan standards.

More suitable luxury sedan performance can be had with the V6. Passing power is ample once the tachometer needle swings past 4,000 rpm, and the engine emits a pleasing audible snarl at high rpm, too. During our long-term test of an all-wheel-drive TLX, we've noted that the nine-speed automatic transmission sometimes shifts abruptly, which is something to keep in mind on your test drive.

Around town and on the highway, you'll enjoy the 2017 TLX's comfortable and discernibly refined ride. Shoppers who might still associate Acura products with elevated road noise will find a counterpoint in this sedan, as there's little wind or tire roar to interfere with conversations or music. There's also respectable handling when you ask for it, whether you're in the front-wheel-drive models or the all-wheel-drive TLX V6, which can apportion torque to individual wheels to help the car quickly carve through and power out of turns. Acura doesn't offer summer tires as an option, so if you find yourself running up against the limits of the all-season tires, replacing them with summer rubber will further improve the TLX's sport sedan credentials.

The TLX cabin is similar in appearance to that of the larger flagship RLX sedan, featuring a sleek dashboard with swoopy lines that flow continuously into the door panels. The majority of materials are of good quality with the exception of a few trim pieces that aren't quite as substantial as what you'll find in an Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The front seats in the TLX have thick, supple padding and decent lateral support, creating a sporty yet cushy feel. The rear seat is quite plush, too, with a comfortable seatback angle and relatively generous legroom, though headroom might be lacking for tall passengers.

The TLX's standard dual-screen infotainment setup is a bit of an oddity in this segment. The lower touchscreen handles functions including radio and climate controls, while the upper screen displays the navigation map or other status screens on demand. The learning curve for this interface isn't that steep, but some touchscreen controls are tedious to use, and the control knob below the touchscreen can be challenging to reach and manipulate on the move. The graphics are also underwhelming compared to class standouts such as BMW's iDrive and Audi's MMI. We do like the impressively balanced sound of the upgrade ELS audio system, though. It's almost reason enough to go with the Technology package.

Trunk space, at 13.2 cubic feet, is about average for this class.