Used 2021 Acura TLX Consumer Reviews
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Horrendous Ride-Quality... Acura missed the mark
Piano Man, 04/30/2021
2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/2.0T and Technology Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
18 of 28 people found this review helpful
I didn’t need to own/lease this car to know very quickly what I would be in for in the long haul. The steering is sharp and responsive (especially with the SH-AWD), the powertrain delivers quick and strong acceleration, the driving position is quite comfortable, and the craftsmanship is far superior to the last generation TLX. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER, for a (now) flagship sports sedan, the ride is unbearable. On New England city roads, this new TLX road so stiff, I thought I was in my colleague’s Ford Mustang... that’s how rough the ride was. Having leased a 1st-Gen TLX, and knowing how refined (albeit, less sporty) the ride was, there is no middle ground here. I recently drove an Audi A5 Sportback as well and that is the kind of ride I expected: tight but with some dampening, certainly never jarring. Considering the new TLX is actually more along the size of the Audi A7, I’m amazed how much worse that drove from the A5 and the old TLX. Another side note: the road noise from the tires was also worse on this 2nd-Gen than the 1st-Gen. Highly disappointed, as I had a GREAT lease deal on the table... I couldn’t pull the trigger. PLEASE, if you’re considering this car, make sure you’re test drive is not only on freshly-paved highways... request a back-road route as well!
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There is potential
John C, 05/07/2021
2021 Acura TLX 4dr Sedan w/2.0T and A-Spec Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
10 of 15 people found this review helpful
Acura has always been close to my heart. Having owned 5+ Hondas/Acuras, I finally decided to see what Acura has been doing the last few months. I was looking at this model and the Lexus IS350 F sport. Before I get into my opinions about the TLX, I will add the deciding factors over the IS350. Lexus did a wonderful job on the new IS (exterior wise). The interior was quite lackluster. It’s literally the prior model year interior but with a bigger screen. I was disappointed that Lexus got lazy with the IS. I would’ve loved to see the interior fully redesigned like the exterior. Also the red seats on the Lexus weren’t as nice as the TLX. Price was also a deciding factor. The TLX was roughly $45k sticker while every IS I would find with the upgraded stereo system was upwards of $48k. I felt it was more bang for your buck. While yes Lexus had better reliability, I wanted something new both inside and out. Plus everyone has the new IS and not that many people have the TLX yet. Now onto the review. I had previously looked at the 2020 TLX last year and the interior was very outdated. It was a bit of a turn off considering how much I like Honda products. After the redesign I decided to check out the car and I will say although the 2.0 4 banger is fun, it just doesn’t beat a V6 feel. Me personally I think Acura took a step back by replacing the V6 engine...not saying the new 2.0 is horrible...it’s just not as responsive as I wished and it feels like a 4 cylinder. Aside from that, I loved all the angles of the exterior of the car. The redesign shows that Honda has a lot of potential for their luxury brand. I’ll start with the interior...they did a better job at making the cabin feel a lot less like a Honda and more like an Acura. I got the red leather seats in mine and the interior with red leather seats is absolutely beautiful! The interior ambient lighting gives you a lot of cool color options to chose from though I wish they would’ve continued the light strips to the back doors of the car. The screen is a good size but users beware...the pad used to maneuver the screen takes some getting used too. It’s definitely not perfect and for those who aren’t tech savvy, it will be annoying trying to learn the system. I kind of wish Honda went with a full digital screen for the tachometer...it’s a bit outdated still but wasn’t that big of a let down for me to hold me back from purchasing the car. The ELS 3D Audio system has a very nice kick to it, and the tech in the car is great for the price. Overall I feel like it’s a good value for your money. My only big complaint I have is they don’t offer remote start on the A-Spec package only on the app and it’s free for 3 months after that it’s a yearly fee. You would think at that price, the car would have something as cheap as remote start. Aside from that the cars comfortable, it’s very attractive (though the wheel design is a bit boring), and it shows Honda’s capable of making good products...I just wish they’d realize that sooner...I’m sure the car would’ve been a lot better had they not taken the Infiniti route and made okay cars the last few years. I’m glad to see Honda trying to revamp the Acura brand.
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2021 Acura TLX for sale near you
3 of 33 listings
- Base Sedan w/2.0T and Technology PackageMSRP: $29,30083 mi away
- Type S Sedan w/3.0TMSRP: $39,99983 mi away
- Type S Sedan w/3.0T and Performance Wheel & TireMSRP: $37,59083 mi away
See all 33 listings
More TL than X
JRM, 07/31/2021
2021 Acura TLX 4dr Sedan w/2.0T and A-Spec Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I am a long time Acura fan and just traded a 2020 RDX for a TLX A-Spec a month ago. I love the styling inside and out as well as the long list of standard features that you pay dearly for on other so called luxury brands. The car drives very well on various road surfaces and provides a comfortable ride while still being capable of impressive handling. Fit and finish is top notch along with high quality materials inside and the seats are truly excellent. And then there's the incredible ELS stereo system. I have only two complaints, the first being the lack of rear seat legroom and the second being the motor. It's the same 4 cylinder turbo I had in my RDX and while it provides adequate power for daily driving, it lacks in character and real performance. With the A-Spec package the car look fast standing still but it doesn't come close to providing the thrill I get when I drive my Genesis G70 3.3 Sport. I realize the Type S would be more comparable to my G70 and would cost about the same, but another 30 horsepower would add greatly to the driving pleasure. Regardless the new TLX is a big step forward and I am very happy with the car.
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Better than an Accord, maybe!
Lee, 01/14/2021
updated 06/23/2021
2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/2.0T and A-Spec Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
24 of 42 people found this review helpful
As others have noted the styling is much sportier than the outgoing TLX, but the transmission doesn't live up to those lofty standards. Off the line pep seemed adequate until I drove a neighbor's Accord sport, and it definitely had more get up and go than the TLX. The TLX in lower gears shifts quickly to redline and gets underway, but in highway passing the gears are spaced too for apart (or there are just too many). The interior is nicely laid out and the ELs system is good for a $50k car. For those that think this is a premium sound system, please hop in a Lexus with the Mark Levinson system or a BMW with a Harman Kardon, no comparison. This car isn't a straight line burner, but the new suspension and SH-AWD do wonders keeping the car flat in corners. My review is really based on Acura marketing this car as a sports sedan, which I think is a mistake and why I only give it 3 stars. It isn't a sports sedan. A BMW 340i or even an Alfa Giulia are sports sedans in this class. The new TLX is an entry level sedan and is very good at being that, but if you market a car to me as something else I am going to grade you based on how it was described to me. Update: I've got 10k miles on my TLX and I have to mention the seats are not comfortable for long trips. The side bolstering is to prominent for an average size individual. Also, as one other reviewer has mentioned the wireless charging pad is useless. It doesn't stay connected and I've tried on my iPhone and Android devices.
Acura did a awesome job!!!!
Team44, 05/23/2021
2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/2.0T and Technology Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The TLX it’s not trying to be a German sports car. It’s a comfortable reliable great handling car. Steering feedback is awesome With the lowdown torque. The interior has so much style.
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