I'm in love with the '21 TLX. Currently have a '16 TLX Advance and I'm seriously eyeing a new Type S within the next year. Anxious for it to come out and start reading/watching reviews about it. Love the color combo of the TLX reviewed in this video. Modern Steel Metallic/Red Leather.
You have really gone so much more professional, but still have the humour of the orignal reviews.... It's a shame we don't get Acura in SA and unsure it's a very great product and better than the IS , coming from a Lexus fan
I like how you talk about the engine options like how you talk about the spreadsheet but without the spreadsheet and with a real engine in front. I like how you put your face view camera onside and show more about the street view, so I can see how it drives. With the right amount of B roll. You really have improved your car reviewing skills. In fact, I like this car review over a lot of other RU-vid car review channels, seriously.
I think it looks good both on camera and in person I seen a white one A-spec with tints all around and it was snowing my friend didn’t know what type of car it was she said what type of sports car it’s that I laughed and said ACURA 😂
As an owner of 2018 TLX TECHNOLOGY V6, I don't miss having the extra Bling the A-Spec brings. In my year it did not bring any performance enhancements besides wider tires. Saved me over $4K...Now the Type S when it arrives is definitely going to be a game changer!
This guy looks like Matt Moran's older brother. Or maybe it's just Matt Moran with a beard. You can make your voice sound as deep as you want, but we're onto you Matt Moran.
Acura didn’t give up on the midsize performance car, Lexus could have made a redesigned GS to compete but they just gave up. I might have to switch to Genesis or maybe the Type S TLX
Nice but a bit large which isn't a bad thing, another excellent review kirk. Overall it looks like a very nice package I'm glad they went with a in house transmission
I have one in this color. But my interior is black with the red stitching. I have a spec SHAWD... came from a 2018 a spec v6 SHAWD. It definitely is much more refined inside and out. Overall I love the car. Interestingly enough gas mileage isn’t much different than my v6 was.
@@KirkKreifels thanks! One of my favorites in the car is the sound system in addition to everything else. I also think the headlights give the best lighting output of any car I’ve been in.
Buyers of this car won't have many passengers in rear seat anyway. I bought the base model and I love it so far. I'm almost 70 and I have figured out the touchpad.
The Type S better have all those features fixed, if they want to compete with BMW etc... They need to fix those kind of things, I want a luxury performance Type S not a slightly better than basic performance TLX. The fact that the 4th gen TL SH-AWD is the fastest production TL or TLX to date is sad, but obviously once the new Type S comes out the 4th Gen SH will fall to 2nd best. My issue is I don't want to pay 60k for a car that doesn't have basic features that's suppose to be luxury. My other issue is the no manual option, I know everybody says that but the only reason I will not be buying the Type S is because it has no 6 speed option. If they twin turbo the Type R in future it better have all the features and 6 speed option. Even BMW still has the lovely M3 and M4 with a 6speed option, I love Acura and they are stepping up but they have a few more steps to make before I can be sold, MDX Type S however, I see no need for a manual option, I will most likely buy one in the future as long as the features can compete with the X5, Q5, lines.
Ok just came back from test driving this in southern Ontario and it performs as good as it looks. I mean it’s just awesome - I’m 5” 7 and my wife 2 inches less. Back space felt more than enough for us. But the performance and the feel of the car was just awesome. Feels premium inside. The Sound system I am not sure with the mask and head-cap I could not deduce - but none the less it sounded nice. The a-spec is my pick in blue and red interiors. A car is more than just 0-60 speed.
Bummer about the video files, but good review anyway, you did a good job describing what you couldn't show. I agree, car looks awesome. Hopefully Acura can keep it up.
I hope the 10 speed can handle the extra torque from the v6. Typically FWD transmissions are smaller in size so because of its limited cooling vs RWD transmissions
It's funny, when the RDX came out with the big logo radar, people complained about it. When they shrunk the logo on the TLX, people complained about it. So they went back to the big logo on the MDX.
Kirk, are you planning on reviewing an Advance as well? My wife currently owns a 2020 TLX PMC, which as you know has the best of both worlds. I am interested to see if the Type S will basically become the new PMC as far as offerings since, for the cost, the Type S should come with Advance features with at least Aspec (or Type S) styling to justify the big price jump. I know that Aspec is just an appearance package at this point. But looking at the current non-Type S, it seems that there are things that you just cannot add to the Aspec. The Advance gets nickeled and dimed in order to make it look more like an Aspec with some things that, again, you cannot get. It seems that Acura has put themselves into a packaging issue (as you mentioned). I remember back in the day, anything was a dealer option for Honda. For the 3g TL, you could get almost anything as an Acura dealer option.
@@KirkKreifels Thanks for the reply. I can't wait to see what the Japanese brands actually release for EVs. It is very ironic that the rest of the world is beating Japan to the punch.
For 40k this car would be virtually unmatched but for the 47k the fully loaded model starts at I’d like to see connectivity in the back FOR SURE A HEATED STEERING WHEEL!! (When he mentioned no heated steering wheel I was like I’ve seen fiats sold for 18k with heated steering wheels😂) Ik there is a type s coming soon so I hope they include those features along with rain sensing windshield wipers and massaging front seats if they threw in rear heated seats to that’d be a huge plus for me! Everything’s here just waiting on that more powerful engine and a few features added on and I will literally throw my wallet through this screen rn lol
Kirk Kreifels very true although I don’t think I could do with the chrome on the front no carbon spoiler and My girls a marine biologist so she’d kill me if I got this car without something as cool as “shark grey” rims😂😂
Great job with the review!! Do you know if there is any possibility that the infotainment screen could be made full screen via a software update down the road? Seems like a waste of screen space, and that there should at least be an option to fill the screen if you want with the main content on the left. Really great job on the video and enjoyed the real-life type of drive through the neighborhood snow. And, agree on the GoPro batteries in the cold ... not good. USB power banks help. Thank you! PS - silly question, but can the spoiler be removed (and put back on?)
Really enjoy your reviews and humor, but make mine an Advance! Gosh it looks cold there, but your neighborhood is really pretty. Ever consider doing some family reviews?
It should have gotten the 8 speed DCT. As much as I love 6 speed it make up only 1% of all sales total waste. The DCT like in my ILX is the best of both worlds. The 10 speed good for a accord or suv really slow down shifts made to save gas.
The car looks better than the predecessor and the interior is definitely an upgrade for last years However Acura is Honda’s quote on quote luxury brand and this car definitely is behind the competition. Now of course I know we shouldn’t compare these to the BMW’s, Mercs, or Audi’s but they could Atleast broke 370hp or more in the type s to compete with other cars! This care can’t even compete with the new Genesis or Kia stinger if you comparing the numbers on paper.
Honda bewilders me. You can connect your phone with Bluetooth, AND it comes with Apple Carplay, BUT you can not connect to Apple Carplay wirelessly - in a $45,000 technology and performance car. Asinine. I bought an aftermarket adapter for my Civic Touring to work around this.
Grey colour on TLX is so stunning!!! I just wished that they made inside a little bit bigger and more luxurious. But I am absolutely in love with this car.
AWD is a 400lb to 500lb option on most vehicled. An accord 3500 depending on option without awd. 10 years ago the same size car would have been 4500lb+ remember adding luxury features is alot of weight my ILX A spec is 3100lbs because all the features compared to 2500lb Civic of same style
I really wanted this car but I feel like it was just too much for what they were offering still a nice looking car. But if I were most people I will wait for the Type S and hope to get a great deal on it.
Totally man. Just get the type S. If you’re able to play in that price range, do it! Def test drive both models. See what speaks to you. I’m sure you’ll want the type S. I know that 272HP would bother me.
@@nacho7614 I’m curious to what people will do. I had to buy a car cause my other gave out on me and I saw the TLX and in California the dealers were not coming down on price. It was between this, Stinger GT, and G70. TLX they were asking 46k and out the door price it was close to 51k. There was no coming down on the price. At the end went with the stinger because they offered everything I wanted at a reasonable price plus the cargo room was a big selling point as well. But I agree all people should wait for Type S. If they are willing to spend upwards of 50k then do it
@@B1ackAlloy1992 me too. I would hope people would test drive both models. Just to make sure. Although 272HP is plenty power for every day driving in CA for sure. Ahhhh man sorry to hear about your car dying. Damn. Very time sensitive to get another car. Ugh. Typical dealer not to work with you on price. I despise dealing with dealerships. You in SoCal too? But man you did good with the Stinger. Worked out for you. It’s a slick ass car! What color did you get? But hell yeah stingers are quick AF. You did good. Cargo space? Who are your storing in there? Jk. Congrats though on the Stinger. Maybe in another 5yrs we both will be in EVs LOL.
@@nacho7614 you know it was fast enough and it is fine for everyday driving. Those dealers were being snobby but oh well. It was fast enough until I drove the stinger and man that car is beyond responsive with the 8 speed. You know it was time I had the other car for 11 years so it was time anyway. Oh I hate dealing with them as well. One of the guys at Acura said the car is a hot commodity either you want it or your dont. So I walked out and never looked back. Yes I’m in SoCal and thank you. I ended up going with white. Something about the black accents, tinted windows, and the red brake calipers just stood out to me. You never know what you might have to move lmao jk. The price of these EVs are looking like premiums. I do not know if you saw the Audi ETron. The asking price is 99k!!!! Maybe another 10 years until I own a EV
Have you driven a Q60? You mention the TLX 10AT can be reluctant/slow to downshift, I wonder how that compares to the 7AT in the Q60? I have a Q60 and the 7AT can be annoyingly slow to respond. Upshifts are fine, though.
A perfect as usual, I dont get why the ditch the stick for the transmission, you are supposed to chanhe gears without looking at it, but with this you always have to look at it. Its ridiculous, just put a normal stick
The MDX Advance package offers inflatable side bolsters (I assume same as TLX Advance) so that might have made them more similar. Any idea if you can turn off the entry & exit sounds in settings?
Great Review Man. Regarding the transmission, I wonder what Acura did with the 8 speed DCT from the 1st Gen TLX...I guess that would not work with turbo and shAWD. Oh well.
It felt really slow to me off the line. Like it hesitated or didn't know how to use all it's power in that instance. The v6 was never like that in the previous gen BUT that vehicle seemed to struggle with Acceleration if you would start to push it in 40's instead of at a standstill. Hmmm... maybe a v6 turbo would fix these issues
The MDX seemed faster off the line than the TLX. It has more aggressive gearing and no turbo lag. If you were to rev the turbo with the brakes on, then go, the TLX it might be close...but it's not practical haha
@@KirkKreifels mdx is naturally aspirated v6 in your comparison makes no sense it's still quicker then the old V6. The TLX design was made as you can see under the hood to be the Type S 3.0 dual turbo set up for you to see it's true potential as sports sedan. The 2.0T is for a really nice looking daily driver that's affordable. That's why the gearing is set up to save gas.
No. I prefer the upcoming TLX Type S twin scroll single turbo v6 paired with tuned automatic transmission, i use to like manuals, but no more, now the technology is so advanced the auto can shift way faster and precise shifts than manual, not a fan of manual anymore
@@balancemode4112 maybe it's just because I live in Alaska, but the control you get from a Manual is almost a necessity up here, especially in the.winter
Acura needs to come up with an alternative to that plastic shield badge on the grill. It looks cheap AF. Why can't they just put front sensors in the same place as they are on the Accord?
Finally the TLX has a better interior than the accord, the 2018+ accord had a better interior than the TLX, but kinda sad to still know that the accord is faster than the TLX until the type S comes but the TLX finally looks better on the outside and inside, is beautiful car
The "faster" accord is only in a straight line. Tlx would likely best it on a track with it's AWD and torque vectoring and superior brakes, and superior suspension.
I’m not a big Hyundai fan but you are so right. They updated their vehicles so much that you can’t deny how good they are and how well they are priced. But I think the Japanese have woken up and realize that they need to play catch-up to the Koreans to stay relevant
Will not understand the fascination with touch screen. You're driving you are reaching for it anyway. Sony sport camera cold has no effect on it. Good video. Color I may have missed that. Was it actually matte?
Modern steel metallic is the color. The reaching isn't the issue. It's not being able to select exactly what you want to when you want. That's why touchscreens are typically easier.
Nice , but these gear selectors by button are deal breaker for me. Why are they going this route.? BTW I recall your favorite wheels were on the 2015. GS 😂😂😂😀
Same transmission in the rdx as well, but they changed it a bit for the tlx. Prefer the set up in rdx, wish they would have kept it the same, but it is still great overall.
My next car needs to last a long time, thus the engine must provide both Direct Injection and Port Injection. Say what you will about carbon build up on the intake valves being something to worry about or not, I choose to error on the side of caution. See Genesis 2.5L in some new/upcoming models. It may well turn out that having the 2 modes of injection ends up being more expensive in the long run (reliability?) than having the values cleaned, time will tell.
I really wanted to get the new Type S. Unfortunately I don't want to choose between having the full luxury features of the Advanced and the performance of the Type S. Guess I'll pass until Acura decides to give us the option to have both.
Acura should add heated steering wheel, front winfow or wipers at least as additional option+ chargers fir the back seat. Ansd wireless android / apple I thoght have t has them(
im so torn right now.... looking at CX-5, vs RDX, vs even GLA. i won’t hold anyone to their opinion but I would love opinions.! (looking at leases btw) THANKS!
CX-5 is not a suv I would recommend as the long term history for reliability isn't the best and the interior is plastic cheap my cousin bought one regretted trading in his 2015 RDX for 2020 CX-5 he said it feels cheap and uncomfortable by comparison to his older 2015 RDX he traded in. He made the deal over the pc during the lockdown. Now he spends more time driving his wife's 2018 Honda CR-V rather then drive it very much. Now the GLA is the most overrated of these and is also unless your a Mercedes geek the biggest maintenance killer in cost over 5 years. Add that AWD system is just average in comparison to the competition and purchase price is higher it's not worth the time. It will cost more for same features but you gain just name Mercedes but atleast you do get a touch screen.. 😂. I noticed you didn't mention the BMW X3 if you don't care about little more cost go with BMW X3 it is a proven winner for its x drive AWD system. Also the standard 4 cylinder is excellent with a optional M model twin turbo straight 6 that's well worth it and the interior is best in class. As for the RDX it has the best AWD system other then the BMW X3 out of all the others and a very reliable VTEC 2.0T engine and 10 speed transmission combo. Add in the best standard warranty, lowest overall maintenance cost, a very high end interior and a lower purchase price you can't go wrong. The RDX is the best deal out of them all but If cost isn't a issue the best purchase is the BMW X3 M with twin turbo straight 6 it's easily the most fun to drive and my favorite if cost isn't a issue. I've driven every one and the X3 is sports sedan and a suv all in one. The worst easily is the CX-5 the RAV4 prime is a much better compact suv and I'm not big on its Transmission or AWD.
@@robertblack6630 bMWs are great Ive owned a few in the past but I’ll tell you what after they’re out of warranty you better dump them quick. Not looking to spend quite that much, GLA was suggested to me but I am not a Mercedes kind a guy. It’s very confusing. Sometimes I think just screw it I’m just get the damn Miata
Those looks make me consider Acura back on the radar since the earlier RSX, & for my slightly outdated tech my phone could work fine too Was I the only person FINALLY understanding what Kirk meant when he said "shouty" *SH-AWD . . Hah I thought it was middle America slang
If you're over 6ft there is no room for someone to sit behind you. Also, Acura removed the sport+ tune that's in the RDX from the TLX which makes the SUV feel more sporty thank the "sport sedan". The only reason I can think of them doing this is because they want to be able to push people toward the type s. The car is awesome to look at but a bummer in the execution.
I dunno man, kinda expensive for a 2.0 turbo motor. Looks wise, it's luxury. I just don't know if the combo of high quality interior and low displacement motor will sell well. I mean there are LOTS of 2.0 turbos on the market.
@@IReahpZz compact rear interior with midsize front interior and body size. It has no car in it's class it's midsize compact which I think will see it's true colors when the Type S comes out
