2021 Acura TLX: The revival of Japanese sports cars? We think so!

2021 Acura TLX is everything we expect and more. The second-generation TLX has no similarities with the upcoming models, which is a good thing. For starters, the old TLX is underpowered and boring to drive, and it is difficult to sell compared to the lively Germans. However, when Acura previewed the unforgettable Type S concept car at The Quail, a motor sports gathering held in California last year, we knew that the upcoming TLX would mark the revival of Japanese sports cars.

And based on what we’re seeing so far, we were right. The all-new TLX is not just here to impress, but it’s engineered from the ground up to literally blow away the competition. “With this new TLX, we’re doubling down on what today’s sport sedan enthusiasts are asking for – a more stylish, personal, and performance-focused driving experience,” said Jon Ikeda, Vice President and Acura Brand Officer.

Identity Crisis? What Identity Crisis?

Getting Behind The Wheel

2021 Acura TLX: You’re So Fine You Blow My Mind

2021 Acura TLX Type S: Back With a Vengeance

What Engine Does The 2021 Acura TLX Have?

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive

2021 Acura TLX: Pricing & Availability

2021 Acura TLX Gallery

Identity Crisis? What Identity Crisis?

Sure, we all know the TLX is built on a shared global platform with the Honda Accord. Some people refer to the old TLX as an Accord with a more plush badge, but things are different for the 2021 TLX. “Our designers and engineers really took the gloves off, rethinking what an Acura sport sedan should be, right down to its most essential elements – stance, proportion, platform, and powertrain,” Ikeda added.

It’s the first Acura sedan built around the brand’s Precision Crafted Performance ideology, riding on a model-exclusive chassis and body structure. According to Acura, the new chassis is 50 percent stiffer than before and is the most rigid one Acura has ever made, barring the NSX. The new TLX signals the return of a double-wishbone front suspension architecture to replace the previous MacPherson setup.

The increase in structural rigidity comes by way of a new center tunnel, triangulated front shock tower bars, front and rear underfloor braces, a one-piece rear bulkhead stiffener, and new cast-aluminum front shock tower mounts. Photo: Acura.

Getting Behind The Wheel

The new Dual Personal Cockpit interior is further proof the 2021 Acura TLX is not merely an Accord clone. The cockpit is home to a high-mounted 10.2-inch display along with a generous application of premium materials, including full-grain Milano leather, aluminum trimmings, and open-pore wood. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, too.

Speaking of the interior, the new TLX is equipped with power-adjustable front seats, a thick-rimmed flat-bottom tiller wrapped in leather, ambient LED lighting, and a console-mounted touchpad with swipe zones and handwriting recognition.

But enough about the interior. Let’s talk about the real shock factor of the 2021 TLX: The way it looks!

2021 Acura TLX interior layout. Photo: Acura.

2021 Acura TLX: You’re So Fine You Blow My Mind

Longer, lower, wider – this basically explains what the 2021 Acura TLX is all about. It pretty much resembles the Type S Concept with a lower and wider stance, a magnificently long hood, bulbous rear haunches, and a tapering greenhouse. The new TLX has a 3.7-inch longer wheelbase than the old model, and the dash-to-axle ratio was elongated by as much as 7.8 inches. Add to this the lower roof, a 2.2 inch wider body, and wider front and rear tracks, and the result is a serious performance contender with the looks to match.

At the front, the hideous beak-shaped grille is retired for a new diamond pentagon design. The eyes consist of jewel-type LED headlights with four LED elements and Chicane daytime running lights, both of which were lifted directly from the Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype racing car. The clean-sheet design is also evident in the back with an upswept deckli

What really impresses is the clear evidence of restraint in the overall design package. Mentioning the words ‘Type S’ or ‘Type R’ immediately brings to mind large spoilers, aggressive body kits, and aero cutouts, elements which are thankfully absent in the new Acura TLX and Type S. In fact, the available A-Spec sport package for the new TLX only includes larger wheels, gloss black accents, a subtle decklid spoiler, and darkened lighting elements.

2021 Acura TLX Type S. Photo: Acura.

2021 Acura TLX Type S: Back With a Vengeance

Oh yes, the Type S is back after a 10-year hiatus, and we reckon it’s going to be the best Type S yet. This high-performance derivative of the new TLX will have a larger V6 engine, 20-inch wheels, larger side intakes, quad exhaust tips, a new front splitter, and a subtle rear diffuser – all of which were previewed in the Type S Concept presented last year.

However, the 2021 Acura TLX Type S won’t arrive until the spring of 2021. It’s quite a long wait, but the standard TLX is good enough to merit your undivided attention.

Related: The history of the Acura TLX.

What Engine Does The 2021 Acura TLX Have?

The 2021 Acura TLX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger with VTEC and direct injection. It produces 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque. Acura says this new 2.0-liter engine has the highest specific horsepower output among other four-bangers in the sport-luxury category dominated by Beemers, Mercs, and Audis. The new engine has 66 more horsepower and 98 more lb-ft. of torque than the larger 2.4-liter mill of the outgoing TLX.

When it comes to the new TLX Type S, we were right in predicting a turbocharged V6, although Acura will release the final specs closer to the intended launch date. It’s actually a 3.0-liter V6 with direct injection and double overhead camshafts. Acura says the Type S engine was developed by the same team that honed the twin-turbo hybrid V6 in the NSX supercar, so we’re expecting it to be doubly special.

And if Acura manages to squeeze out upwards of 350 to 400 horsepower, we’re all in.

Photo: Acura.

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive

Both engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The standard TLX is front-wheel drive while Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) is optional. The 2021 TLX Type S is the first Type S to have an AWD system. The fourth-gen SH-AWD in the TLX is a rear-biased system. It can transfer up to 70 percent of the available torque to the rear axle and send up to 100 percent to either the left or right rear wheel.

The new Acura TLX is outfitted with selectable driving modes (Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ on the TLX Type S) and a plethora of new safety features. This includes three-chamber front airbags, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and a driver awareness monitor.

2021 Acura TLX: Pricing & Availability

The 2021 Acura TLX will arrive on September 28th 2020. The chart below shows the starting MSRP for the car, depending on options. Add $1,025 to the figures below for destination and handling. Regarding the TLX Type S, Acura says it will arrive next spring with a starting MSRP in the low to mid $50,000s.

2021 Acura TLX MSRP

Trim

Two Wheel Drive

Super Handling

All-Wheel Drive

2021 TLX 2.0T

$37,500

$39,500

2021 TLX 2.0T with Technology Package

$41,500

$43,500

2021 TLX 2.0T with A-Spec Package

$44,250

$46,250

2021 TLX 2.0T with Advance Package

$46,300

$48,300

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

2021 Acura TLX Gallery

Photos & Source: Acura.