2015 Acura TLX 3.5L P-AWS Review

2015 Acura TLX 3.5L P-AWS evaluation

Pros

Quick Steering Ratio

9-Speed Transmission

Interior Options

Cons

Torque Steer

Rear Shoulder Boom

Center Console Buttons

88

VERY GOOD

Chocolate and Vanilla are the two most popular flavors when it comes to desserts. But, when you combine them into a chocolate and vanilla swirl, then your taste buds feel like they have landed in the sweetness heaven (and oh yeah, the brain freeze follows soon after.)

Now, after reading this, you might be wondering: “why is he using a chocolate and vanilla flavor analogy to describe the 2015 Acura TLX” OR “what is wrong with this author?”

Well, my answers to these questions are: “please bear with me, and by the end, everything will make sense.”

Late last year, Acura officials announced that by the end of 2016, they will terminate both the TL and TSX and replace it with a new model range that blends the TL’s luxury and the performance offered by the TSX.

What’s New for 2015?

Trim Levels

Interior Options and Features

Exterior & Interior Accessories

Engine Specs & Fuel Mileage Ratings

Driving Dynamics

Conclusion

2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS Gallery

What’s New for 2015?

Last year when Acura announced that they will discontinue the production of both the TL (chocolate) and TSX (vanilla) and combine them into a whole new model range (chocolate and vanilla swirl), Acura enthusiasts nationwide started to freak out. They began to wonder, “what now?!”

However, after seeing the debut of the new TLX model range, Acura enthusiasts let out a collective sigh of relief and started breathing properly again, knowing that the new TLX is a vast improvement over both the TL and the TSX.

It perfectly combines the two cars into one advanced, fun-to-drive sports sedan.

Trim Levels

The 2015 Acura TLX comes in 7 trim levels, and the starting price for a base model is around $32,000, while the price for a top-of-the-range model is around $45,000.

To be more specific, here is the list of all seven trim levels and their exact starting prices:

Base Model: TLX 2.4 8-DCT P-AWS ($31,445)

Next: TLX 2.4 8-DCT P-AWS with Technology Package ($35,500).

If you want more power, the 2015 Acura TLX can be optioned with a V-6 engine with five trim levels. The final two trim levels will include an all-wheel drive.

The base V-6: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS ($35,320)

Next: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Technology Package ($39,375)

Then: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package ($42,600)

Next: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT SH-AWD with Technology package ($41,575)

Finally: TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT SH-AWD with Advance Package ($44,800)

The one we drove was a 2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package.

As for the 2015 Acura TLX with SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive), my colleague Denis Flierl reviews it here.

Interior Options and Features

Acura and Japanese auto manufacturers, in general, are known for combining optional features into a simple and convenient package – which not only saves the consumer’s mind from going crazy but it also saves them a sizable amount of money.

Regardless of the engine and transmission choices, the 2015 Acura TLX comes with the Technology and Advance Packages as optional.

The Technology Package includes:

Acura Navigation System, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with exclusive street conditions and traffic rerouting.

Phone-book exchange for Bluetooth, hands-free link, multi-color display with turn-by-turn guidance.

Acura/ELS surround, premium audio system with 10 speakers, HD radio and song by voice.

Perforated Milano premium-trim seats, blind spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic monitor.

AcuraLink The Next Generation, rain-sensing windshield wipers, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning and lane departure warning system.

The Advance Package includes all of the features in the technology package but adds a collision mitigation braking system with heads-up warning, road departure mitigation system, 3-point height-adjustable seat belts with load limiters, and a pre-tensioner system.

Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, heated and ventilated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, and auto-dimming side mirrors are also part of the Advance Package.

LED puddle lights, LED fog lights, and remote engine start with vehicle feedback round out the list.

Exterior & Interior Accessories

Owning an Acura vehicle is a unique experience in itself, but if you want your TLX to be as unique as you are, Acura’s accessories department has you covered.

On the outside, the 2015 Acura TLX already looks aggressive and seems like it is ready to take on any of its German competitors. But, if you want your TLX to look even more sinister and unique, you can always add these additional accessories, among others.

Chrome Door Handles ($285)

Body Style Molding ($259)

19-inch Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels ($2,340)

Aero Kit ($1,632)

Inside, the cabin of the 2015 TLX is quite luxurious and sporty already, but again, if you have the spare change, you can make the cabin feel as comfortable as your living room.

You can option your TLX with the following interior accessories, among others.

First Aid Kit ($30)

Carpet Trunk Mat ($99)

Illuminated Door Sill Trim ($375)

Rubber Floor Mats ($164)

Engine Specs & Fuel Mileage Ratings

The base engine in 2015 Acura TLX is a 2.4 L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 206 horsepower @ 6800 RPM and 182 lb.ft. of torque @ 4500 RPM.

The engine is backed by a slick-shifting, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

All of the engine’s power is sent to the front wheels, but it also offers P-AWS or Precision All-Wheel Steering. It enables the TLX to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds, thus making a sharp turn or corner a breeze.

However, the car in today’s review is a 2015 TLX with the optional 3.5 L naturally aspirated V-6 engine.

This engine produces a robust 290 horsepower @ 6200 RPM and 267 lb.ft. of torque @4500 RPM.

All of the power is either routed to the front wheels with the P-AWS system, or to all four wheels via the SH-AWD system.

Regardless of the drive-train choice, the sole transmission backing the V-6 is a new 9-speed torque converter automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Fuel tanks on all TLX models hold up to 17.2 gallons of premium unleaded fuel. The EPA rates the TLX with the V-6 engine at 21 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

On a full tank of premium fuel, the 2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package has an overall cruising range of 361 miles in the city and

585

miles on the highway.

Driving Dynamics

The driving dynamics of the Acura TLX are a vast improvement over the previous TL and TSX models. As it was intended, the TLX combines the larger TL’s luxury while combining the performance capabilities of the smaller TSX into one wonderful package.

Steering in the TLX is a rack and pinion unit, and the feedback from the steering column is very satisfying. Like all sports sedans currently available on the market, the suspension setup on the TLX consists of MacPherson struts up front with a multi-link suspension setup at the back.

Brakes on the TLX consist of 4 wheel discs with anti-lock braking (ABS), bringing the TLX to a safe and secure stop, with minimal brake fade, despite a couple cycles of heavy braking.

2015 Acura TLX Right Rear Three Quarters

The standard wheels on the TLX are 18-inch alloy, wrapped with 225/50R18 series rubber. Since this is a “sports sedan,” I was hoping that Acura would at least fit 235/40R18 series rubber to provide an additional contact patch between the road and the vehicle, but for 95% of Acura TLX customers, the lack of tire width will not be that glaring of an issue.

Overall, the chassis of the new Acura TLX is much more enjoyable than the one which underpinned the TL. But, if you want a little more excitement from your Acura, then I would recommend that you buy the TLX with the optional SH-AWD system as it eliminates a majority of the torque steer.

Torque steer plagues the FWD version’s handling, but aside from this small kink in performance and chassis setup, the TLX was a blast to drive around town and on the highway.

Conclusion

Remember the chocolate and vanilla swirl analogy that I started with? Well, the new TLX is like that awesome chocolate and vanilla swirl, which combines the best of both the chocolate (TL) and vanilla (TSX) into one delicious treat, err..... I mean an awesomely packaged sports sedan.

Is this car perfect?

Well, no, it isn’t.

But then again, can cars ever be perfect? To be quite frank, the entire auto industry is not perfect. That is why major automakers worldwide hire engineers and designers to constantly update and refine their product lineups year after year.

The 2015 Acura TLX is a well-packaged sports sedan with a very acceptable entry price point. Is this car meant for the hardcore sports car enthusiast? Not entirely – if you want something that handles like a go-cart and has enough space for four adults and one child, then I would recommend a BMW 3 Series at the higher end, or the Mazda 6 at the lower end of the sports sedan spectrum.

However, if you are in the market for a reasonably priced, reliable, and fun-to-drive family sports sedan with an infusion of luxury and refinement, then the 2015 Acura TLX should be at the top of your list.

Image and Information Source: Acura

2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS Gallery

2015 Acura TLX Right Side Profile

2015 Acura TLX Right Rear Three Quarters

2015 Acura TLX Left Front Three Quarters

2015 Acura TLX Right Front LED Headlights

2015 Acura TLX Brake and Wheel Package

2015 Acura TLX Right Rear LED Tailights

2015 Acura TLX Instrument Cluster

2015 Acura TLX Seating Arrangement

2015 Acura TLX Navigation Screen

2015 Acura TLX in Motion

2015 Acura TLX Front Fascia

2015 Acura TLX Bluetooth Steering Controls

2015 Acura TLX Cruise Controls

2015 Acura TLX Infotainment Stack

2015 Acura TLX Radio and HVAC Controls

2015 Acura TLX ELS Premium Sound System

2015 Acura TLX Transmission Gear Selector

2015 Acura TLX Front Seats

2015 Acura TLX Rear Seats

2015 Acura TLX

2015 Acura TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT P-AWS with Advance Package

2015 Acura TLX steering wheel