There are some time the Acura brand has lost its means. The recent consolidation of the range of the brand cars has resulted in the ILX small, medium and top-dog TLX RLX size i n a configuration of three proven even sausage lengths. I recently had the chance to taste both the entry level 4 TLX-cylinder and V6 version loaded all-wheel drive.
The TLX is a comb ination of the TSX and TL models, which makes sense because these two cars were so similar. The new car retains the wheelbase of the old TL, but gets a few inches cut his front and rear overhangs. The high strength steel increased use and results of aluminum in a stiffer chassis and a slight weight reduction. Style wise, the TLX adopts the brands design language seen in the ILX and RLX, with most hated beaked slimmed and trimmed. The headlamps, too, get branded treatment the first time on the MDX, with five bright LEDs on each side.
The displacement of each engine remains the same, but both get upgraded to direct injection for duty TLX. The result is a slight bump in power 206hp and a torque curve more with a peak of 182 lb-ft at 4500 rpm for four cylinders. The V6 gaining power throughout the rev range, but only a small gain peak of 10hp for a total of 20hp at 60rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4500rpm. Fuel economy ranges from 24mpg city / 35mpg highway for the four-cylinde r to 21mpg city / 31mpg highway for the AWD V6.
Honda seems to have disappeared while on his new transmissions. The I4 is mated to a 8-speed dual-clutch, which intelligen tly uses a torque converter for smooth low-speed takeoffs and maneuvers with a typical action after DCT. In everyday driving, it works very well, as all the side effects of a typical DCT left, but when the vehicle is really pushed the paddle-shifter requested changes are not as fast as some of the DCT competitors. This combination is only available in the driving front wheels.
often criticized by self-journalists, and frankly no one else, for its lack of gears, the V6 ditches the 6-speed automatic now becomes addicted to a new 9-speed automatic, probably no another reason to shut these guys up. Honda said the changes are now five times faster and the transmission is over sixty pounds lighter than the 6-speed it replaces. The V6 also gets start / stop and a strange, unnecessary in my opinion, the push-button and shift toggle switch that is somehow supposed to inspire performance because it will also be presented on the next NSX. The V6 can be had in driving front-wheel or th e torque vectoring Super Handling all-wheel drive configurations, last that gets its share of upgrades.
both cars have adjustable driving modes; Econ, Normal, Sport and Sport +. The Econ mode must be the evil I have not even tried to drive in it. Normal is good for people who use cars as appliances and are never in a hurry. Sport was my favorite street fashion with the Liberals crossings and quicker throttle response. The Sport + transforms each transmission in full manual mode. The four-cylinder is not much faster than my stock 95 Integra GS-R, but in the street, I think it is very short on power. I would say four is more fun to drive than the V6 because it requires more attention from the driver. The V6 is smooth and quiet at highway speeds, but even with its flat torque curve, the 9-speed transmission is forced to kick down a few gears during overtaking maneuvers.
The TLX drive models feature front-wheel system with four steering wheels cutely named P-AWS. The system provides supposedly better low speed agility and greater stability at high speeds. Between this and the AWD super fancy handling system, these new Acuras should know-manage anything M badge on it. But they did not. The suspension is tuned for comfort and d id a phenomenal job of absorbing road imperfections. In addition, Honda took all that technology and innovation suspension and fantastic direction and surpassed with tourism road tires belonging to a minivan.
Acura has played it safe with the interior, focusing on function. Front and center are two gauges with a small screen in between. On the center pod is a control wheel with function buttons around, and four climate control with two buttons toggle switches below the main button on the touch screen. The seats are comfortable, heated, heated and ventilated on the top model, and each occupant has a lot of head and leg room. There is a nifty cubby for cell phones, cup holders, two great center and glove compartments, door deep pockets with space for bottles, and a carrier sunglasses. The rear seat armrest with cupholders and 60:40 split seat seat folds down.
I knew a new infotainment center with two Honda screens before and found it frustrating. This time, I set aside thirty minutes to set everything up; radio presets, phone setup, Pandora, "Favorites", and such. So I took my time to learn the basic soft-key location on the main screen and the following menu po p-ups. Even then, even when using commands to the maximum steering wheel, there were functions to take me eyes from the road for too long to get something on one of two screens. The system can also be controlled by voice commands, but I have not tried. This is a system of large capacity, but as the system of two similar display in the Infiniti Q50, it is just too complicated and most buyers will use a fraction of it.
TLX is a better vehicle than the TSX and TL it replaces. It is spacious and comfortable, but not great. It is very quiet and it has an amazing sound system. It is full of wonderful technology vehicle that will never be appreciated. Both engines have good power and fuel economy. Moving on TLX is so reserved that deep thoughts will start going through your mind as if you are Matthew McConaughey, but it is not nearly as sad as the Lexus ES. For these reasons, the TLX will keep the majority of the return TSX and TL very happy buyers. These are the people waiting for an Acura sport sedan that says it is to be disappointed.
Kamil Kaluski is the East Coast Editor for Hooniverse.com. His ramblings on Eastern European cars, $ 500 runners, and other various automotive things can be found there. He owns a mint and rather original Acura Integra GS-R. It carries around her two children in an Acura MDX.
American Honda has provided vehicles for the purposes of this review.
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