The final TLX: What potential buyers should know
The TLX has been in production since its 2015 model year, and after a decade-long run, Acura is retiring this sport sedan. While declining sales led to the TLX’s exit, some may be wondering whether the car’s below-average market performance reflects its value. Along with sporty looks and quality chassis tuning, the 2025 Acura TLX offers extensive standard features, solid efficiency, and better resale value than many of its luxury competitors. Still, we’ll highlight this sedan’s downsides and how it stacks up against primary players, such as the BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS, and whether it’s worth the $45,400 starting price.
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How sporty is the TLX, really?
Is the 2025 TLX’s sporty design primarily for show, or is it indicative of high-grade performance? The TLX Technology and A-Spec trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. While the base 2025 BMW 3 Series has more torque at 295 lb-ft, it falls behind the TLX in horsepower, producing just 255. In contrast, the 2025 Lexus IS falls short of the TLX in both horsepower and torque, with 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The TLX offers 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque in its Type S model, but this variant is significantly pricier than the base TLX Technology, with a $58,050 MSRP. A Type S has a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds.
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Regarding efficiency, the TLX performs well, earning a combined 25 mpg in its Technology trim, 24 combined mpg in its middle A-Spec trim, and 21 combined mpg in the high-performance Type S. These figures are on par, albeit slightly better, than the 2025 Lexus IS, but remain lower than the 2025 BMW 3 Series. Acura enhances the 2025 TLX’s performance with a firm double-wishbone front suspension and an available adaptive damper system, resulting in balanced handling and improved grip. The base 2025 TLX Technology trim is front-wheel drive, but those seeking all-wheel drive can find what they’re looking for in the $50,400 A-Spec or Type S grades. The 2025 TLX’s four standard drive modes include Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual.
Grace and balance: Acura nails the TLX’s exterior
Acura’s 2025 TLX exudes sporty confidence with an expressive profile, including Jewel Eye LED headlights, a low stance, a wide body, and a long hood. The TLX isn’t quite a midsize car, but it’s larger than competitors like BMW’s 3 Series. Its design carries over from 2024, when Acura introduced design tweaks, including a frameless diamond pentagon grille. This grille contributes toward the model’s balanced look, whereas models like the Lexus IS contain a larger grille that’s more likely to divide viewers. However, one drawback associated with the entry-level 2025 TLX’s exterior is that you’ll miss out on cool A-Spec styling features, such as a piano black spoiler.
Infotainment pluses and minuses
If you find the amount of touch controls in many of today’s vehicles excessive, you’ll love the 2025 TLX’s interior. You’ll find dual 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and central infotainment screen, but Acura adds plenty of analog buttons for everyday features, like heated seats and air conditioning, instead of potentially pesky haptic feedback controls. Where things go south for many is Acura’s continued use of its True Touchpad Interface to control display features like navigation. The True Touchpad Interface often has a learning curve, as it mirrors the display’s layout instead of requiring the user to provide direct touchscreen inputs. Still, the Dynamic Mode dial, which controls drive modes, helps compensate with a more intuitive feel.
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Acura
Above and beyond standard safety
While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t yet confirmed the 2025 TLX as a Top Safety Pick, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the model its highest rating of five stars. This Acura’s extensive list of standard safety features increases its value, as drivers receive:
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Road departure mitigation
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
- Lane keeping assist system
- Pedestrian detection
- Traffic sign recognition
- Traffic jam assist
- Blind spot information system
- Rear cross traffic monitor
While the surround-view camera and head-up warning (on windshield) are limited to higher trims, the 2025 TLX has enough standard features to give most drivers peace of mind.
Final thoughts
Despite driving off into the sunset after its 2025 model year, the entry-level TLX is indeed worth its price tag. If you want to upgrade beyond the base trim, Acura incentivizes shoppers with sportier interior features, such as available full-grain Milano leather and a 355-horsepower engine. Additionally, the TLX is known for holding its resale value better than luxury competitors like the BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS. Some 2025 TLX features, such as the interior’s touchpad interface, pose a learning curve, but this sedan’s downsides don’t overshadow its pluses.
About the author
Cody Carlson
Contributing Writer, Autoblog