This past week I’ve been behind the wheel of a 2024 Acura TLX Type-S. Stylish, sporty, and quick — this is what a luxury sport sedan should be.
The Type S adds a front splitter, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, quad exhaust outlets, and Brembo brakes with red-painted calipers to the TLX.
Changes for 2024 include the addition of a 360-degree camera and head-up display, a new 20-inch wheel design, and what Acura says is improved throttle response when the Sport+ drive mode is engaged.
The turbocharged V6 displaces 3.0 liters and makes 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission and the power gets to ground via all-wheel drive.
Pros
- This is luxury with a kick. There’s more than enough power on tap and the peak torque is available as low as 1,450 RPM. Passing is a breeze.
- I don’t think I ever drove the previous TLX Type S, so I can’t compared the Sport+ mode throttle response, but I can tell you that there is instant yet progressive response from the throttle in every drive mode but Comfort.
- It’s a joy to wheel this car through corners, especially in Sport and Sport+ mode, but there is a bit too much body roll, and the Sport modes can only mitigate so much of it.
- The ride is tuned for sport but rarely stiff — only the worst potholes and bumps upset it. A freeway ride to the suburbs and back was comfortable enough.
- As per usual with Brembos, the brakes are stout and smooth.
- The steering is perfectly weighted and spot-on accurate.
- The sound system, while far from being the best I’ve tested, sounds good.
- Cargo space in the trunk is generous.
- The engine sounds glorious, but it’s only loud when the revs are summoned. Wind and tire noise are well muted.
Cons
- I was constantly confounded by the mousepad infotainment controller — I often had to swipe it two or three times to achieve the action I wanted.
- I didn’t love the push-button shifter or the dropped-in and tacked-on infotainment screen.
- Rear-seat room is not bad, but it’s merely adequate. I fit fine at six-foot-one, but taller adults may be bumping their head.
- HVAC controls are a mixed bag. The climate controls are easy to see/reach/read/use, but I don’t love having to use the accursed mouse pad so much to make simple audio adjustments such as changing the station. At least there’s a volume knob and you can change the volume via the steering wheel.
- Although I had plenty of legroom and head room while driving, the car’s design makes the interior feel a tad more cramped than it probably actually is.
- Some of the materials, particularly on the doors seemed a bit less luxurious than one would expect at this price point.
- That extra power will cost you some fuel economy. The numbers are 19/25/21.
I didn’t get a Monroney for this one, but building and pricing this car with this paint color — a $600 option — cost $57,600. Add in the $1,158 D and D fee and the as-tested price would likely be $58,795. A Type S bases at $57,000 and outside of some accessory choices/packages, the car already comes pretty fully equipped.
When I test vehicles one of my metrics is a simple pass/fail. I take money and the competitive set out of the equation and ask myself: “Would I drive this car everyday for three to five years?”
The answer here is a resounding yes. Its biggest flaw is the outdated and annoying infotainment setup, but it’s not that hard to live with, and the TLX Type S is so fun to drive that you’ll forgive it.
Acura has had its misses in recent years, but between this car and the Integra A-Spec and Type S, it’s getting its sports sedans right.
Style, sport, and smoothness — this one does all three well.
[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]
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