The crew at KelleyBlueBook spent a year driving the 2018 Acura TLX, but now, it has to return home, so they’ve wrapped up their long-term review in a video.
The TLX A-Spec model cost $45,750 and comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 290 hp (294 PS / 216 kW) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque, which encourages a more spirited driving. A smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic gearbox works with the brand’s torque-vectoring Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which would have been more useful in cold climates, but it proved to be a reliable partner in L.A., too.
In terms of fuel economy, the compact luxury sedan averaged 21.42 mpg (11 l/100 km / 25.7 mpg UK), during the 11,676 miles covered by the journalists, which is less than the EPA’s 23mpg combined figure.
It comes with sufficient gear, including Blind Spot Monitoring, sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and red leather sport seats.
Also Read: Review: The Acura TLX Is That Indulgence Your Sensible Side Can Live With
Some of the amenities appreciated by the testers were the extending sun visors, ergonomic equal-height armrests and cooled and heated comfortable seats. On the other hand, they had complaints about the infotainment system and rotary knob.
In the 1 year it spent in their garage, the TLX was trouble free, though obviously, that’s not enough time to evaluate its long term reliability.
The TLX has a tough job as an alternative to premium competitors from BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, such as the 3-Series, A4 and C-Class. Nonetheless KBB found that the TLX is a car that gradually grows on you.