2024 Acura TLX vs. 2024 Lexus IS Comparison

Luxury sedans are alive and well, even if most car shoppers continue to migrate towards heavier, high-riding SUVs. 

Representing the realm of midsize luxury sedans is the agile and attractive 2024 Acura TLX. With its choice of a turbocharged 4-cylinder or turbo V6 engine and available all-wheel drive (AWD), the TLX impresses with its lithe handling and excellent build quality.

One level down in size is the compact Lexus IS sedan. Thanks to its smaller proportions, the IS is ideal for attacking city traffic or zipping down lonely stretches of tight and curvy backroads. The IS also has available AWD, along with a choice of turbo 4-cylinder, a V6, and even a mighty V8 in the top-of-the-line IS 500. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights of the Acura TLX and Lexus IS sedans.

2024 Acura TLX

The 2024 Acura TLX gets modest tweaks in the form of new wheel designs and an ever-so-slightly redesigned front bumper. Standard equipment now includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, leather seating surfaces, and a wireless charging pad. 

The price of the TLX has also risen. That’s primarily because Acura decided to drop last year’s Base trim from the lineup. The entry-level TLX Technology trim starts at $46,195, including factory-to-dealer destination fees.

Acura TLX Highlights

Sporty Type S: The base 272-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder is a superb engine. It’s powerful and operates fluidly with the 10-speed automatic transmission. As good as it might be, the enthusiast in us prefers the 355-horsepower turbo V6 fitted to the TLX Type S. It gives the TLX true sports sedan levels of acceleration.

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive: This is Acura’s name for the TLX’s all-wheel-drive system. And yes, we can vouch that its operation is pretty super. Whether roads are slick or dry, SH-AWD transfers power seamlessly to each wheel to enhance grip and sharpen the handling. 

ELS audio system: This available surround-sound audio system has stunning quality, proving Acura was savvy about having a Grammy-winning sound engineer design the stereo for its premium midsize sedan. 

Stopping power: The racy Type S doesn’t just go fast; it comes to drama-free stops thanks to Brembo brakes fitted at each corner. These stoppers are used in various sports cars and supercars, so it’s nice to see them nestled behind the alloy wheels of the TLX Type S.    

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the TLX models for sale near you. 

2024 Lexus IS

The Lexus IS has a starting price of $41,235 for the base IS 300 fitted with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. There are three trims – the IS 300, IS 350, and IS 500 – along with the F Sport package newly available on IS 300 models for the 2024 model year. Despite this generation of IS stretching back to the 2014 model year, Lexus has kept its smallest sedan in the hunt with incremental updates.

Lexus IS Highlights

Engine choices: The 241-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder in the IS 300 is peppy and worth considering if you want to keep the price low. Interestingly, opting for AWD on the IS 300 means a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 replaces the 4-cylinder V6. A 311-horsepower version of this engine is used in the midrange IS 350. 

Sporty IS 500: There is a third engine option, and it’s a doozy. Lexus engineers found a way to squeeze a 5.0-liter V8 into the engine bay of this petite luxury sedan. The result is the IS 500, a 472-horsepower speed machine that sends power solely to the rear wheels courtesy of an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. 

Cabin quality: We’ll admit the cabin itself is starting to look dated compared to newer rivals from the likes of Acura, BMW, Genesis, and Mercedes-Benz. Yet we have no complaints about the quality and robust feel of the materials found throughout the cabin of the IS. It looks and feels built to last. 

Touchscreen: The standard 8-inch touchscreen in the IS with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto isn’t exactly a game changer among small luxury sedans. Yet, it’s easier to use than the touchpad controller found in the Acura TLX. A larger 10.3-inch screen is also available. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the IS models for sale near you.    

Similarities

Fun to drive and more affordable than many direct rivals, the Acura TLX and Lexus IS make strong cases for bucking the SUV trend and taking these luxury sedans for a test drive. Their warranties, safety ratings, and base engines are also similar.

Conclusion

The obvious difference here is that the TLX is a midsize sedan, while the IS is a smaller compact. Not only is the TLX about nine inches longer than the IS, it has significantly more rear legroom, shoulder room, and cargo space. The TLX simply looks and feels much fresher and more modern than the aging IS – even if its touchpad infotainment controller occasionally drives us batty. 

We enjoy how the IS remains a taut and driver-focused 4-door. Except there’s no getting around the fact it’s beyond the point of showing its age. The rear legroom is tight, the trunk is tiny, and the dashboard is dated. Lexus has made near-constant updates since the IS debuted a decade ago. Yet, there comes a point when these tweaks seem akin to putting moisturizer on a tortoise. It’s still an entertaining car to drive and comes with Lexus quality and resale value. But the TLX is the better choice for most drivers.