Skip to main content

Used 2021 Acura TLX Sedan Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2021 Acura TLX is a compact luxury sedan available in five trim levels: base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance and Type S. Technically, Acura refers to each as packages, but they're no different than trim levels. The first four trim levels come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (272 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque), a 10-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is optional. The Type S sports a unique turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (355 hp, 354 lb-ft) and comes with AWD standard. Feature highlights for the TLX include:

Base
Starts the TLX off with:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Sunroof
  • Keyless ignition and entry
  • Heated front seats
  • Simulated leather upholstery
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • 10.2-inch infotainment screen with touchpad controller
  • 10-speaker sound system
  • Satellite radio
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
  • Wi-Fi hotspot

The TLX also comes standard with these safety features and driver aids:

  • Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Lane keeping assist (steers the TLX back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
  • Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the TLX and the car in front)
  • Traffic sign recognition

All TLX models can be ordered with these useful stand-alone accessories:

  • Remote engine start
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Heated steering wheel

Technology
The Technology package adds, as you might expect, more technology:

  • 19-inch wheels
  • Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
  • Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
  • Leather upholstery
  • Navigation system
  • Customizable ambient lighting
  • Upgraded 13-speaker sound system

A-Spec
The A-Spec starts with the Technology package and includes more features and a sportier appearance package:

  • Sporty exterior appearance package available in unique colors
  • Unique brushed aluminum interior trim
  • Flat-bottom steering wheel
  • Microsuede seat inserts
  • 17-speaker ELS sound system
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Wireless device charging pad

Advance
The TLX Advance starts with features from the Technology package and adds:

  • Adaptive suspension (enhances ride comfort and handling stability)
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Puddle lights
  • Front-seat bolster and thigh support adjustments
  • Premium leather upholstery
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Heated rear seats
  • Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
  • Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the TLX and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Type S
This sporty TLX has the more powerful engine as noted above. Feature-wise, it's similarly equipped to the A-Spec. It also has:

  • 20-inch wheels
  • Adaptive suspension
  • Brembo performance brakes
  • Sport+ driving mode
  • Extra chassis bracing (can help to enhance handling)
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Puddle lights
  • Front-seat bolster and thigh support adjustments

The Type S can also be optioned with lightweight wheels with summer performance tires.

Which TLX trim does Edmunds recommend?

The 2021 TLX is well equipped right out of the gate, but buyers looking to upgrade from a loaded Honda Accord might find the features on the base TLX a little lacking. We think it's worth upgrading to the A-Spec, which offers ventilated front seats, a sporty appearance package and the supremely satisfying 17-speaker ELS audio system. Tick the box for the SH-AWD system if you want to have a little fun on mountain roads. No matter which trim and powertrain you choose, however, rest assured that you're getting more bang for your buck than your neighbor with a new C-Class.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Hooksett, NH
Vehicle
TLX Base
TLX SH-AWD
TLX Type S
Vehicle
Base
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A
See all TLX Base for sale
SH-AWD
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A
See all TLX SH-AWD for sale
Type S
3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A
See all TLX Type S for sale
Hide similarities
Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
standard
standard
standard
Parking assistance
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Upholstery
leatherette
leatherette
premium leather/sueded microfiber
Heated seats
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
standard
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
Engine power
272 hp @ 6,500 rpm
272 hp @ 6,500 rpm
355 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Engine torque
280 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
280 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
354 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
3.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
v6
Transmission
10-speed shiftable automatic
10-speed shiftable automatic
10-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
235/50R18
235/50R18
255/35R20
Wheel size
18 X 8.0-in
18 X 8.0-in
20 X 9.0-in
Wheel type
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
22 / 31 / 25 MPG
21 / 29 / 24 MPG
19 / 25 / 21 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
15.9 gal.
15.9 gal.
15.9 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
350 / 493 miles
334 / 461 miles
302 / 398 miles
Fuel Type
premium unleaded (recommended)
premium unleaded (recommended)
premium unleaded (recommended)
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
40.1 ft.
40.1 ft.
40.2 ft.
Curb weight
3,709 lb.
3,927 lb.
4,221 lb.
Ground Clearance
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
75.2 in.
75.2 in.
75.2 in.
Height
56.4 in.
56.4 in.
56.4 in.
Length
194.6 in.
194.6 in.
194.6 in.
Wheelbase
113.0 in.
113.0 in.
113.0 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
13.5 cu. ft.
13.5 cu. ft.
13.5 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
37.2 in.
37.2 in.
37.2 in.
Front Leg Room
42.5 in.
42.5 in.
42.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room
58.2 in.
58.2 in.
58.2 in.
Rear Head Room
36.3 in.
36.3 in.
36.3 in.
Rear Leg Room
34.9 in.
34.9 in.
34.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
55.0 in.
55.0 in.
55.0 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$42,435
$44,582
$52,732
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.57
$0.59
$0.7
Depreciation
$11,461
$12,201
$15,390
Financing
$4,168
$4,519
$6,714
Taxes & Fees
$220
$220
$220
Fuel
$13,029
$13,571
$15,504
Insurance
$4,211
$4,444
$4,444
Maintenance
$6,520
$6,505
$7,338
Repairs
$2,826
$3,122
$3,122
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Parchment, leatherette
Ebony, leatherette
Parchment, leatherette
Ebony, leatherette
Red, premium leather/sueded microfiber
Orchid, premium leather/sueded microfiber
Ebony, premium leather/sueded microfiber
Exterior
Modern Steel Metallic
Platinum White Pearl
Performance Red Pearl
Lunar Silver Metallic
Majestic Black Pearl
Fathom Blue Pearl
Modern Steel Metallic
Platinum White Pearl
Performance Red Pearl
Lunar Silver Metallic
Majestic Black Pearl
Fathom Blue Pearl
Modern Steel Metallic
Tiger Eye Pearl
Apex Blue Pearl
Platinum White Pearl
Performance Red Pearl
Majestic Black Pearl