Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.

Favorites

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Become a Member Upgrade

Other Membership Benefits:

Become a Member Upgrade

Suggested Searches

All Products A-Z
Cars Home & Garden Appliances Electronics Health & Wellness News Deals Babies & Kids Money Travel All Products A-Z
 
Sign In
Become a Member

    First Drive: 2021 Acura TLX Reborn With Performance in Mind

    Acura targets two categories—compact sport sedan and luxury midsized sedan—with one model

    2021 Acura TLX Consumer Reports

    Acura hopes to position its new 2021 TLX luxury sports sedan as a tweener: priced like a compact luxury sedan, but sized to compete with more-expensive luxury midsized sedans.

    Initially, the 2021 Acura TLX will be offered with front- or all-wheel drive and a 272-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In spring 2021, a high-performance Type S version with AWD and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine making approximately 355 hp will be available.

    Even though SUVs continue to proliferate, Acura says premium sedans still comprise enough of the market today that it makes sense for the automaker to invest in the TLX.

    More On New Models
    First Drive: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA Is an Improvement
    Jeep Unveils New Plug-In Hybrid SUVs and Grand Wagoneer Concept
    First Drive: Redesigned 2020 Porsche 911 Proves Its Mettle
    First Drive: Redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson Edges Upscale and Offers a Hybrid That Shines
    First Drive: Not All Changes on the Redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento Are Improvements

    While we have plans to buy one as soon as they go on sale, we took the opportunity to rent one from the automaker to get some early first impressions.

    If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial assessment of the 2021 Acura TLX is available to you here. We plan to put it through more than 50 tests at CR's Auto Test Center, including those that evaluate acceleration, braking, fuel economy, handling, car-seat fit, and controls. CR members will get access to the full road-test results as soon as they’re available.

    If you haven’t signed up to become a member yet, you can click below to do so and access this full article and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and home appliances.

    Sign up for CR's Cars email newsletter to be notified when we post our latest road-test results, including when we have our full test results on the 2021 Acura TLX.

    What we drove: 2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD A-Spec
    Powertrain: 272-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; 10-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive.
    MSRP: $46,250
    Options: Performance Red Pearl paint ($500)
    Total options: $500
    Destination fee: $1,025
    Total cost: $47,775

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.

    Become a Member
    More From Consumer Reports