2022 Acura TLX Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

This sports sedan offers a thrill and is a great choice for customers who really love the idea of driving a responsive, high-performance car. With its comfortable cabin and modern amenities, the 2022 Acura TLX is also a practical choice. It's refined in a lot of ways, and it's clear that this isn't just a typical sedan.

What's New for 2022?

Nothing major has changed for the 2022 model year. That makes sense, considering that 2021 was a year in which the Acura TLX was redesigned pretty drastically. The body of the TLX became wider, and it was altered to sit lower to the ground. In addition, the wheelbase increased and the rear fenders were given a bit of a makeover.

Importantly, the engine options were enhanced, as were some of the accompanying mechanical components. The Type S made a return in 2021 as well, and it's still the most upscale version of the TLX that's currently available.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Acura TLX – The Pros

1. A True Pleasure to Drive

The Acura TLX is one of those models that feels almost like a race car. It hugs the road well, and it takes turns with ease. Whether someone wants to take it easy on a daily commute or really push the engine hard, the TLX will respond appropriately.

This car has been made with a rigid and lightweight materials, and it has double-wishbone front suspension. An adaptive damper system is available to make things even more precise.

2. Two Available Powertrains

Most of the TLX trims use 2.0-liter, turbocharged engines with four cylinders. One of these engines can make 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Transitions between gears are nice and smooth, as Acura has chosen to go with a ten-speed automatic transmission.

If someone isn't quite satisfied with the standard engine on the Acura, there's another option. It's a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine, and it comes with the Type S trim. It's a twin-scroll turbocharged engine that can make 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. If the other engine doesn't get adrenaline-junkies excited, then this one surely can.

3. Take Advantage of All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive is available on the lower trims of the TLX, and it's standard on the higher trims. Acura uses a system called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, or SH-AWD. SH-AWD makes the car more stable and gives drivers more control in slippery conditions. Even when the pavement is dry, it can enhance performance, especially when cornering and accelerating.

4. Enjoy the Cockpit

Once someone gets behind the steering wheel of a TLX, all of these little details start to stand out. There's a Dynamic Mode dial that can be used to choose the driving mode, there are paddle shifters to mimic the experience of driving a manual, and there are available sport pedals and a flat-bottom steering wheel. Also, there are various gauges that have a race-inspired appearance. It almost seems like this car could be racing down a track instead of the highway.

5. Customize the Experience

As just mentioned, the Dynamic Mode dial can adjust the feel of the car. Comfort mode results in softer dampers and lower engine noise. Normal mode makes things a bit more exciting than Comfort mode, and it may be what most end up using on a regular basis. Sport mode offers the opportunity to manually shift and can make the car handle more aggressively. Individual mode can be set up to match someone's preferences regarding throttle response, interior lighting, damper settings, and shifting.

There is one additional mode that's found on the Type S, and that't Sport+ mode. It makes the throttle response significantly sharper and opens up the exhaust valves to increase the engine noise and really engage all the senses.

6. A Sporty Aesthetic

The new TLX has a striking design. The hood is long and sculpted, with a few ridges strategically placed to make the car look more aerodynamic. A low and wide stance makes the Acura look strong and athletic, and it can come with a rear spoiler and exposed dual exhaust finishers. Up front, the Jewel Eye LED headlights are quite modern in style.

7. Luxurious Cabin

Even the base trim of the Acura TLX looks classy. It has leatherette seats, with the front seats being power-adjustable and heated. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED ambient lighting, and an auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror are all standard, and so is a power moonroof.

Moving up in trims is associated with getting some major upgrades. Higher trims have perforated Milano premium leather seats and heated and ventilated front seats. Those front seats come with thigh extensions and side bolsters, offering superb comfort. A heated steering wheel is another bonus.

8. Advanced Safety Mechanisms

AcuraWatch is the name of the driver-assist safety suite. It comes with several programs that allow the car to watch out for problems and actively help drivers avoid certain types of accidents. The TLX can hit the brakes in an effort to prevent a frontal collision, and it can correct steering if it senses that it's drifting out of position. Along with this, it has warning systems and traffic sign recognition, and it has adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection.

9. Technology Is Convenient

In an Acura TLX, passengers can stay entertained, thanks to SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, and WiFi capability. There are multiple charging ports, with a wireless charging pad being available. The 10.2-inch center display is simple to use, and there's an additional seven-inch display behind the steering wheel. This other display shows key vehicle information.

Almost all trims come standard with navigation, making it easier to get around town. The system can accept voice commands, or users can enter addresses or search the destination database to find places to travel to. With HD Traffic, people will be informed about any congestion along their routes. The program uses data stored on a hard drive to provide a quick response to user input; this means that it'll work even in areas with poor cell reception.

10. Special Trims Are Unique

The A-Spec, Advance, and Type S trims have an elevated style. The A-Spec has a gloss black decklid spoiler and LED fog lights, and it has a flat-bottom steering wheel. LED puddle lights are found on the Advance and Type S trims, and they have power-folding side mirrors. The Type S also has a black rear spoiler, and it has a special diamond pentagon front grille and several gloss black exterior accents.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Acura TLX – The Cons

1. Small Second Row

The TLX doesn't appear to be that small, but once people get inside the cabin, it starts to feel much more like a compact sedan. It only has 34.9 inches of rear seat leg room. This isn't on the extreme end of the spectrum, but it certainly isn't that great. Those who know that they'll be having adults ride in their back seats might think twice about the space that this vehicle offers.

2. Blind Spot Monitoring Not Standard

Many vehicles offered at a price point that's comparable to that of the TLX come standard with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These two safety features are not found on the entry-level trim of the Acura, and this is going to be noticeable to buyers who are shopping around and comparing notes about various cars. These components are standard on all the other trims, but it seems as if Acura could have found a way to integrate them into the base trim.

3. Not Very Efficient

The TLX is fast and sporty, but it's not the most eco-friendly option out there. With all-wheel drive, it can earn 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway. With front-wheel drive, those numbers are bumped up slightly, but they still aren't anything to get excited about.

4. Manual Transmission Isn't Available

Some people love driving with manual transmissions, and this isn't offered on the Acura. It does have a manual driving mode with paddle shifters, but this isn't the same as using a clutch and a stick shift.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Acura TLX vs 2022 Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is another luxury sedan that has an athletic style and a good deal of power. However, its base engine doesn't have as much horsepower as that of the Acura TLX. Plus, the TLX has special jewel eye LED lights instead of traditional LED lights, and it has larger wheels that the Lexus does.

Inside the cabin of the Lexus IS, there's an eight-inch display that's not as large of the one in the TLX. Also, it's front seats can move in eight ways as opposed to 16 ways like what can be seen in the TLX.

2022 Acura TLX vs 2022 Audi A4

While these two models seem to be the same size, the Acura has the larger trunk. This could make it more practical to certain buyers.

An important point is that the engine found on the lower trims of the TLX is much more powerful than the entry-level engine of the Audi A4. The A4 starts with 201 horsepower, which is much less than the 272 horsepower that the Acura has. The A4 has a seven-speed transmission, in contrast with the ten-speed transmission on the Acura.

Conclusion

Acura might not be as well known of a brand as some others, but it's a company that can be trusted to design and build elegant vehicles that have exceptional handling. The stylish, sleek, and sporty TLX can be fun to drive, and it treats passengers to nice interior features in addition to high-tech equipment.