The Cheapest Mid-Size Luxury Sedan On Sale Today

It is common practice within the automotive industry for companies to have divisions dedicated to producing luxury cars. Within the realm of Japanese automakers, where Toyota has Lexus and Nissan has Infiniti, Honda has Acura. Over the years, the Acura brand has produced stunning vehicles like the iconic NSX and has continued to merge performance with luxury. While it grinds to cater to a high-end market, it also offers models like the Acura TLX as a luxury sedan that won’t break the bank.

The 2023 Acura TLX is an affordable luxury mid-size sports sedan that offers great value for a reasonable price. Boasting an athletic appearance, it has Acura’s specialized performance capabilities that enhance the car’s suspension and grip. Adding to the driving experience is a 2.0-liter V-TEC engine that has an impressive power output that rivals its competition. Given the number of features that you get as standard, when compared to its competitors from other luxury brands, you will be hard-pressed to overlook this mid-size sedan. This should further encourage you to consider the TLX as a worthwhile purchase.

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In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Acura, Edmunds, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Cost Of Performance

The TLX has approximately six different trims that capture Acura’s ability to offer quality at different levels. These six trims are built on two platforms: the standard TLX and the sportier TLX Type S. The base model is the cheapest trim in the lineup with a price tag of a little over $40,000.

The standard TLX is front-wheel-drive and comes fitted with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that is complemented by a 10-speed transmission. This precise pairing produces 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque sending power to the front wheels. This base powerplant in FWD configuration offers an EPA-rated 25 combined mpg.

Now considering that the Acura TLX leans more on the sporty side rather than luxury, performance-wise, compared to a similarly priced 2023 Audi A4 Premium 40 TFSI Quattro, it produces 71 more horses. The Audi A4 Premium costs a couple of hundred dollars more but produces far less power from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that works with a seven-speed transmission.

Comparing Acura’s Performance Package

The performance Type S costs $55,750, offering more features and power. You will find a Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system that works with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine also mated to a 10-speed transmission. This mechanical setup produces 355 horsepower, which unfortunately produces less power than its rival the 2023 BMW M340i xDrive. Generating 382 horsepower from an inline six, 3.0-liter engine, the BMW M340i costs over $3000 more than the Type S.

Performance

(Figures sourced from Acura and Edmunds)

Whereas the Audi A4 and BMW M340i are similar in price to the Acura TLX and TLX Type S, both are compact sedans and are a size smaller than the TLX’s mid-size proportions. You can smile knowing that Acura released a nefarious-looking Type S PMC Edition. This exclusive hand-built model emulates the famous NSX supercar, with 20-inch Y-Spoke wheels, a carbon fiber deck-lid lip spoiler, and black-chrome quad exhaust finishers. This lineup includes only 50 examples of handcrafted Type S PMC Edition draped in Gotham Gray matte paint and costs $65,000.

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The Dynamic Abilities Of The Acura TLX

You will smile knowing that this luxury sedan has been tweaked to offer enhanced driving performance. This means that the TLX is strapped with an Adaptive Damper System (ADS) that delivers pinpoint handling that should shine when hugging corners. To complement their suspension is an electro-servo braking system derived from the iconic Acura NSX, which provides electrically-assisted braking force and is essential when tackling corners and bends.

Adding to the enhanced suspension, you have four different driving modes in the base model. Through Acura’s Integrated Driving System (IDS) consumers can select any one of four modes:

• Comfort
• Normal
• Sport
• Individual

These settings adjust the car’s performance according to your desired driving preference, to increase your thrill behind the wheel or allow for a stress-free drive.

Acura’s Value-Added Safety Features

To truly enjoy the thrill of driving, performance capabilities with strong safety measures. In this regard, this mid-size luxury sedan offers you stellar safety features. Acura has labeled AcuraWatch. A standard feature in the base model, this suite of safety features provides driver-assistive technologies that increase measures of road awareness to avoid accidents and minimize damage.

AcuraWatch offers the following:

• Collision Mitigation Breaking System (CMBS)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Pedestrian Detection

The TLX is a car that keeps on giving and also dutifully considers the safety of all its occupants. It’s reassuring to know that Acura did not abandon its responsibility to offer quality safety measures in a bid to offer value. It scored an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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The TLX Comes With A High-Quality Luxurious Interior

A car’s cabin needs to reflect the value you expect from a luxury sedan. To fulfill the commitment to luxury, even the standard TLX is clothed in leather. This affordable luxury sedan offers a leather-clad steering wheel and leather seats.

In the pilot’s seat, you have access to a wealth of convenience at your fingertips. The steering wheel has driver-assist functions such as adaptive cruise control and steering assist. This removes the inconvenience of searching for relevant assistive features while driving.

An Affordable Luxury Sedan’s That Loaded With Tech

Infused into the sophistication of this mid-size luxury sedan, is an electric current of digital technology. Placed between two analog gauges is a digital display that helps you monitor the car and access information about your driving. Alongside driver-assist features, this luxury sedan offers the hands-free convenience of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, the connection is not wireless and requires you to connect through the USB port hidden in the armrest.

Base Model Interior Highlights

• Active Sound Control / Acoustic Glass Windshield
• Automatic-dimming frameless Rearview Mirror
• Retained Accessory Power for Windows and Moonroof
• Ambient LED Cabin Lighting
• Heated Front Seats
• Front 12-Way Power Seats with Power Lumbar Support
• Sport Seats with Leatherette-Trimmed Interior
• Apple CarPlay compatibility / Android Auto compatibility
• True Touchpad Interface / Wi-Fi Hotspot
• AcuraLink Connected Services
• 10.2-inch HD Dual-Content Center Display
• 7-inch Color Multi-Information Display (MID)
• HD Radio / SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Acura Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers

A rather controversial aspect of this mid-size luxury sedan is the touchpad that navigates the high-mounted 10.2-inch infotainment screen. Edmunds pointed out the awkward frustration of manipulating the infotainment system through the touchpad, not a touchscreen, as expected in a luxury sedan. They note that the touchpad is not large enough to accurately capture driver inputs, which could make the whole experience annoying.

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Power-Driven Exterior Design

Coming to the design, the base model has bold contours that confidently display an eye-catching blend of luxury and performance. The TLX has a long sculpted hood, with flaring lines that run down to align with the edges of a pentagon grille. Flanking the standout grille is a pair of squinting Jewel LED headlights that cast a wide, white beam that provides better down-road visibility.

Building on its striking appearance, this luxury sedan has a wider body and lower stance that swells an athletic determination usually found in high-end sports sedans. This strong resolve is further visible in the rear with its slick spoiler and chicane tail lights that are stunning to look at.

Sealing its spirit of performance, you get dual-exhaust finishers that appear to be a bit too menacing for an entry-level mid-size luxury sedan. Further adding to its confident persona is a set of 18-inch Glitter Silver Multi-spoke wheels that are unique to the base model. And if you want something slightly bigger, you can easily upgrade to 19 inches through the Acura Genuine Accessory catalog.

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Getting More Than Expected From Acura’s Mid-Size Sedan

When the word cheap or affordable is thrown into a conversation, it is natural to have low expectations. Yet, it is surprising that the TLX is the cheapest mid-size luxury sedan considering the plethora of features it offers. For a base model that is cheaper than the smaller Audi A4 Premium, it is faster and offers more power.

To help manage that 272 horsepower output that is directed to the front axle is an intuitive suspension that sticks the car to the road. And while you are still trying to wrap your head around the performance, this budget luxury car houses a leather interior with all the technological functions you’d expect in more expensive sedans. It’s not an exclusive mid-size luxury sedan, but it is so feature-rich that you doubt the base model Acura TLX’s $40,050 MSRP. It is strikingly good-looking, with an intimidating glare that will convince you that it is anything but cheap.