Acura TLX

Which Acura TLX to buy: version-by-version comparison

Buy the Acura TLX 3.5 AT (294 hp, AWD) from 1 generation, restyling (May 2016–October 2020) if you want the fastest measured 0–100 km/h in this catalogue — 6.1 s — at 5.81 kg per hp. Buy the current 3.0 AT AWD / 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT (355 hp) if you want the highest horsepower, torque (480 Nm from 1400 rpm) and power density among six-cylinder versions.

Buy the Acura TLX 3.5 AT (294 hp, AWD) from 1 generation, restyling (May 2016–October 2020) if you want the fastest measured 0–100 km/h in this catalogue — 6.1 s — at 5.81 kg per hp. Buy the current 3.0 AT AWD / 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT (355 hp) if you want the highest horsepower, torque (480 Nm from 1400 rpm) and power density among six-cylinder versions. Buy a 2.4 DSG (208–209 hp) only if mixed-cycle consumption and a measured top speed matter more than sprint times. The model is an Acura Sedan in 2 generations (with one restyling each), in production from September 2014 with no end date on 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling 1. There are 12 named versions. Prices are not measured.

Generations: what actually changed

1 generation (September 2014–April 2016) is a Sedan with 3 versions: 2.4 DSG, 3.5 AT (290 hp, AWD), 3.5 AT (290 hp, FWD). This is the only generation with a measured top speed, CO2, Euro class, and gross weight — and only on two of the three versions.

1 generation, restyling (May 2016–October 2020) keeps the same three names. Arithmetic on the data: 2.4 DSG gains 1 hp (208→209) and loses 93 kg (1683→1590); 0–100 improves 0.2 s (8.2→8.0). 3.5 AT AWD gains 4 hp and 7 Nm (290/355→294/362), loses 107 kg (1815→1708), and 0–100 improves 0.8 s (6.9→6.1). 3.5 AT FWD also gains 4 hp but 0–100 stays 6.4 s; kerb weight rises 14 kg (1626→1640). Ground clearance rises from 139 mm on all 1 generation cars to 147 mm (2.4 DSG) or 150 mm (both 3.5 AT). Mixed consumption gets worse on every restyled version (see mpg section).

2 generation (October 2020–, 3.0 AT AWD from January 2021) drops the naturally aspirated 2.4 / 3.5 pair. Boost changes from No to Turbo. Gearbox changes from Robotic 8 or Automatic 9 to Automatic 10. Fuel grade changes from 95 to 92. Tank shrinks 5 L (65→60). Clearance drops to 135 mm. 0–100, top speed, and consumption are not measured on any 2 generation version.

2 generation, restyling 1 (November 2023–) keeps 272 hp on the fours and 355 hp on the six. The named versions become 2.0 Turbo AT, 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT, 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT. Torque on the 2.0 rises 100 Nm (280→380) at the same 1600 rpm. Displacement is listed 1999 then 1996 cc, and 3000 then 2997 cc. Engine placement is listed Front, transverse on the restyling (not measured on 2 generation). Kerb weight, tank, clearance, 0–100, top speed, and consumption are not measured on restyling 1.

Engine options and specs

Horsepower and torque, version by version: 2.4 DSG is 208 hp (153 kW) at 6800 rpm and 247 Nm at 4500 rpm in 1 generation; restyling is 209 hp (154 kW) at the same rpm, same torque. 3.5 AT is 290 hp (213 kW) at 6200 rpm and 355 Nm at 4500 rpm in 1 generation; restyling is 294 hp (216 kW) and 362 Nm at the same rpm. 2.0 AT, 2.0 AT AWD, 2.0 Turbo AT, and 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT are 272 hp at 6500 rpm; kW is not measured on 2 generation 2.0 versions and is 200 kW on restyling 1. Torque is 280 Nm at 1600 rpm on 2 generation 2.0 versions and 380 Nm at 1600 rpm on restyling 1 — +100 Nm with horsepower unchanged. 3.0 AT AWD and 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT are 355 hp (261 kW) at 5500 rpm and 480 Nm at 1400 rpm.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.4 DSG 1 generation 88.3 hp/L (208/2.356); restyling 88.7 hp/L. 3.5 AT 1 generation 83.5 hp/L (290/3.471); restyling 84.7 hp/L. 2.0 AT / 2.0 AT AWD 136.1 hp/L (272/1.999). 2.0 Turbo AT / 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT 136.3 hp/L (272/1.996). 3.0 AT AWD 118.3 hp/L (355/3.000). 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT 118.5 hp/L (355/2.997). The turbo 2.0 fours are the densest engines in the catalogue; the naturally aspirated 3.5 sixes are the least dense.

Valves per cylinder: 4 on every version. Compression: 11.6 on both 2.4 DSG; 11.5 on all 3.5 AT; 9.8 on every 2 generation and restyling 1 engine. Bore × stroke: 87 × 99 on 1 generation 2.4 DSG, 87 × 99.1 on restyling 2.4 DSG, 89 × 93 on all 3.5 AT, 86 x 85.9 on both restyling 1 2.0 versions, 86 x 86 on 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT; not measured on 2 generation. Engine placement: Front, transverse on 2.4 DSG and on all restyling 1 versions; Front, longitudinal on all 3.5 AT; not measured on 2 generation. Injection: Direct injection (direct) where measured; not measured on 2 generation.

Performance, 0–100, and mpg

Measured 0–100 km/h exists only in 1 generation and its restyling.

• Slowest: 2.4 DSG 1 generation 8.2 s. Restyling 2.4 DSG 8.0 s.
• Mid: 3.5 AT (290 hp, AWD) 6.9 s; both FWD 3.5 AT (290 hp and 294 hp) 6.4 s.
• Fastest measured: 3.5 AT (294 hp, AWD) 6.1 s.

AWD vs FWD on the same 3.5 AT name: in 1 generation AWD is 0.5 s slower (6.9 vs 6.4) and 189 kg heavier (1815 vs 1626). After restyling AWD is 0.3 s faster (6.1 vs 6.4) despite 68 kg extra (1708 vs 1640). That is the one place in the data where AWD is the quicker 3.5 AT.

Top speed is measured only twice: 2.4 DSG 1 generation 210 km/h; 3.5 AT (290 hp, AWD) 201 km/h. All other versions: not measured — including every 2 generation car and both restyling 1 cars, and including the fastest 0–100 car (3.5 AT 294 hp AWD).

Consumption (L/100 km, city / highway / mixed), only 1 generation and restyling:

• 2.4 DSG 1 generation: 11 / 6.1 / 7.9. Restyling: 10.2 / 7.1 / 8.7. City improves 0.8; highway worsens 1.0; mixed worsens 0.8.
• 3.5 AT AWD 290 hp: 12.9 / 6.8 / 9.1. Restyling 294 hp AWD: 11.2 / 7.8 / 9.8. City improves 1.7; highway worsens 1.0; mixed worsens 0.7.
• 3.5 AT FWD 290 hp: 11.2 / 6.9 / 9.4. Restyling 294 hp FWD: 11.8 / 7.3 / 9.8. City worsens 0.6; highway worsens 0.4; mixed worsens 0.4.

On mixed cycle the cheapest-running measured TLX is 2.4 DSG 1 generation at 7.9. The thirstiest measured mixed figure is a tie at 9.8 on both restyled 3.5 AT versions. 2.0 AT, 2.0 AT AWD, 3.0 AT AWD, 2.0 Turbo AT, 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT, and 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT: city, highway, and mixed all not measured.

CO2 and Euro class: 2.4 DSG 1 generation 184 / Euro 5; 3.5 AT (290 hp, AWD) 211 / Euro 5; every other version not measured.

Dimensions, weight, and kg per horsepower

Kerb weight (kg) where measured:

• Lightest: restyling 2.4 DSG 1590.
• 3.5 AT FWD 1 generation 1626; restyling 1640.
• Restyling 3.5 AT AWD 1708.
• 2.0 AT 1682; 2.0 AT AWD 1781 (+99 kg for AWD at the same 272 hp).
• 2.4 DSG 1 generation 1683.
• Heaviest: 3.0 AT AWD 1945; then 1 generation 3.5 AT AWD 1815.

Gross weight is measured only on 1 generation 2.4 DSG (2055) and 3.5 AT AWD (2175). Payload from those two pairs: 372 kg (2055−1683) and 360 kg (2175−1815). All other versions: not measured.

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp):

• Best (lowest): 3.0 AT AWD 5.48 (1945/355).
• 3.5 AT FWD restyling 5.58 (1640/294); 1 generation FWD 5.61 (1626/290).
• 3.5 AT AWD restyling 5.81 (1708/294).
• 2.0 AT 6.18 (1682/272); 3.5 AT AWD 1 generation 6.26 (1815/290); 2.0 AT AWD 6.55 (1781/272).
• Worst: 2.4 DSG 1 generation 8.09 (1683/208); restyling 7.61 (1590/209).

2.0 Turbo AT, 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT, 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT: kerb not measured, so kg/hp not measured.

Ground clearance: 139 mm all 1 generation; 147 mm restyling 2.4 DSG; 150 mm both restyling 3.5 AT; 135 mm all three 2 generation versions (12 mm lower than 1 generation, 15 mm lower than restyling 3.5 AT). Restyling 1: not measured.

Tank: 65 L on every 1 generation and restyling version; 60 L on every 2 generation version. Restyling 1: not measured.

Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.

Chassis items that do not distinguish versions: Independent, spring front and rear; Ventilated disc front; Disc rear.

Which version to choose

If the number you care about is 0–100: take 3.5 AT (294 hp, AWD) from 1 generation, restyling. It is the only car in the set under 6.2 s. Versus the same-name FWD restyle you pay 68 kg and pick up 0.3 s. Versus 1 generation 3.5 AT AWD you pick up 4 hp, drop 107 kg, and cut 0.8 s. Versus restyling 2.4 DSG you have 85 hp more (294−209) and 1.9 s less (8.0−6.1). Mixed consumption is 9.8 vs 8.7 on that 2.4 DSG — 1.1 L/100 km more.

If the number is horsepower or torque: 3.0 AT AWD (2 generation, from January 2021) and 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT (restyling 1) are tied at 355 hp and 480 Nm. That is 61 hp and 118 Nm above restyling 3.5 AT (294/362), and 83 hp and 200 Nm above 2 generation 2.0 AT (272/280). Peak torque arrives at 1400 rpm vs 4500 rpm on the 3.5 and 1600 rpm on the 2.0. 0–100 for both 355 hp cars is not measured, so you cannot prove they beat the 6.1 s restyled 3.5 AT AWD with these data. 3.0 AT AWD is the heaviest measured TLX at 1945 kg, 237 kg above 2.0 AT AWD and 255 kg above restyling 3.5 AT AWD — but still the best kg/hp at 5.48.

If you want a current 2.0 four, not the six: 2.0 AT vs 2.0 AT AWD is the same 272 hp / 280 Nm; AWD adds 99 kg. After restyling 1 the names are 2.0 Turbo AT (FWD) and 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT (AWD), still 272 hp, but torque is 380 Nm — +100 Nm. Weight of those two restyles is not measured, so you cannot price the AWD hardware in kilograms after November 2023. Power per litre stays about 136 hp/L, the highest in the model.

If you want the lightest car and the lowest mixed mpg that was actually measured: 2.4 DSG restyling at 1590 kg and 1 generation 2.4 DSG at 7.9 mixed. The restyling four is 93 kg lighter and 1 hp stronger, with 0.2 s better 0–100, but mixed use is 8.7 not 7.9. Both are FWD only, Robotic 8, Gasoline 95, boost No. Ground clearance is 139 mm then 147 mm.

If you need a measured top speed: only 1 generation 2.4 DSG (210 km/h) and 3.5 AT AWD (201 km/h). The faster-sprinting restyled 3.5 AT AWD has top speed not measured.

If you need Euro 5 and a CO2 figure: only those same two 1 generation versions (184 and 211). Restyling and 2 generation: not measured.

If you need 92-grade fuel instead of 95: every 2 generation and restyling 1 version. That is the fuel-grade trade for Turbo, Automatic 10, and the 272/355 hp set.

If you need the highest ground clearance: restyling 3.5 AT at 150 mm. Avoid 2 generation if 135 mm is too low; restyling 1 clearance is not measured.

Do not treat same names as the same car. There are four 3.5 AT rows: 290 hp AWD, 290 hp FWD, 294 hp AWD, 294 hp FWD. There are two 2.4 DSG rows (208 vs 209 hp). 2.0 AT is not 2.0 Turbo AT; 2.0 AT AWD is not 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT; 3.0 AT AWD is not 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT. Use the exact catalogue names when you pick.

Short map: measured sprint and measured restyle V6 → 3.5 AT 294 hp AWD (2016–2020). Peak hp/Nm and best kg/hp among weighed cars → 3.0 AT AWD (from 2021) or 3.0 Turbo V6 SH-AWD AT (from 2023) with 0–100 not measured. Current four with the torque bump → 2.0 Turbo AT or 2.0 Turbo SH-AWD AT. Lightest / only Robotic / only 2.4 → 2.4 DSG. Only measured economy and top speed → 1 generation 2.4 DSG. No prices are in this dataset; choose on the numbers above.