Review: 2024 Acura TLX Type S is an excellent, underrated sports sedan

When we first drove the refreshed 2024 Acura TLX Type S in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it didn’t take long to realize how exceptionally well executed it is. It’s balanced, fast, attractive and handles supremely well. It also made us recall the shockingly few times we’ve seen a TLX Type S on Utah roads. The answer? Twice. We’ve seen exactly two of these since the car’s debut in 2021. And that’s too bad. 

The Germans may have originated the sport sedan segment and have long had a strong foothold in it, but Acura has quickly come up from behind. After spending a week with the refreshed sports sedan, we can attest that this one’s a good one folks. 

Here’s what to expect with the refreshed TLX Type S and why it’s worth a serious look. 

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Photo courtesy of Acura

Price and value

In a competitive segment against renowned nameplates, Acura brings the goods — and then some — all for a price that’s hard to pass up. Forgo the pricey summer tire option, and the TLX Type S can be had for $58,195, a price that’s ultra tempting considering the competition’s propensity for price tag bloat.

For less than $60,000, you get a fine-tuned, Japanese crafted supermodel of a sports sedan with one of the best handling all-wheel drive systems on the planet. Oh, and it’s also laden with luxury features, very comfortable front seats, all the latest technology and one of the best stereos in the business. Interested? You should be. 

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Performance

Knowing the reputation that the TLX Type S’s competitors bring, we were eager to see how it hangs with the big boys. The answer? Very, very well. 

The TLX Type S is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that propels the car with impressive force. The Type S is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offers smooth, precise shifts. However, it didn’t feel quite as sure as some of the competitor’s incredible ZF transmissions. Regardless, the engine is a joy to push and wring out. We only wish its exhaust were as crazy as its little brother’s, the Integra Type S. 

Photo courtesy of Acura

The updated Sport+ mode is the way this car needs to be driven to fully extract the joy that is there. Sport+ mode intensifies the driving experience with sharper throttle responses and more aggressive gear changes, enhancing the car’s performance on twisty roads and straightaways alike. 

As in other Acuras, the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is simply jaw-dropping in the TLX Type S. This all-wheel drive system dynamically distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, and even side-to-side, which allows for some truly impressive agility and cornering dynamics. Whether it is spirited city drives or aggressive canyon carving, the TLX Type S is down to dance as hard as you dare push it. 

The downside to this performance is fuel economy. The 15.9 gallon gas tank runs dry fast; you’re lucky to go even 300 miles between fill-ups. In our week of testing, we barely eked out 20 mpg.

In short, the TLX Type S’s blend of power, handling and technology delivers performance that is both thrilling and well-balanced, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts — especially for the price.

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Photo courtesy of Acura

Interior comfort and convenience

Here’s where recommending the TLX Type S gets awkward. While no doubt an excellent driving car, the TLX isn’t the most comfortable or practical offering out there — even amongst its own lineup. On the plus side, the front seats are amazing. They are 18-way adjustable, comfortable and accommodating enough to spend multiple hours in. 

The same cannot be said for the rear seat. Despite the TLX being a fairly large car (it’s more than 16 feet long and more than 6 feet wide), the rear seat space is surprisingly tight. Even with the driver’s seat moved as far forward as we could comfortably drive, the rear seat was still a very cozy fit. And that’s a shame. 

For such a large car, it’s genuinely bewildering where all the space has gone. Even the trunk can only swallow 13.5 cubic feet of storage. How much is that? Not a lot, maybe enough for carrying a small load of groceries. 

Photo courtesy of Acura

And sadly, while the infotainment is much improved for 2024, there is still the confusing and occasionally erratic trackpad used to navigate the screen due to its distance from the driver. We didn’t enjoy the trackpad and would have preferred a secondary control device, something akin to the wheels used by brands such as Mazda, BMW and Genesis. 

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The Integra in the room

A few months ago, KSL Cars reviewed the new Integra Type S, and we loved it. And if we’re being honest, despite our praiseworthy time with the TLX Type S, we couldn’t help but think of how much we’d rather be in its sibling, the Integra.

Interestingly, the Integra is smaller and lighter than the TLX — by a whole 1,000 pounds! — but it is also more spacious and comfortable. There’s more room in the front and rear, and it has double the cargo space of the TLX. It is also similarly quick, offers a manual transmission, has an incredible active exhaust and costs less. 

Given the advantages of the Integra over the TLX, we tried to assess why someone would buy the TLX over the objectively — somewhat subjectively — better Integra. For us, it comes down to the drivetrain and the power.

If you really want all-wheel drive, the TLX Type S and its super handling all-wheel drive are astounding. It’s an amazing system and is legitimately up there with some of the best all-wheel drive performance systems of all time.

The Integra is not available with all-wheel drive. But, 95% of the time you wouldn’t even know it. The Integra Type S does a magical job of having you think that it is. It’s just that good.

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Photo courtesy of Acura

The other reason we can see someone choosing the TLX Type S over the Integra Type S is its spec-sheet power. The TLX’s turbocharged V6 is a wonderful engine, especially when wringing it out in Sport+ mode. It produces a very healthy 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque and provides plenty of thrills.

On the other hand, the Integra isn’t far behind, producing 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. But given the Integra is lighter than the TLX, the Integra’s power-to-weight ratio is far more favorable. 

So, who is the TLX for? Perhaps it's for middle managers who think the Integra is too youthful. Or maybe it’s for those who want to show their friends they could have bought a 3 series, but went with something different. Regardless, the TLX is an excellent car, it just has an exceptional younger brother. 

Final Thoughts

The Acura TLX Type S is a top-tier sports sedan. Its performance is impressive and it’s wonderful to drive. The luxury features and front seat comfort is excellent. It also looks sharp, athletic and strong, especially with the refreshed bits for 2024. 

However it is cramped inside, the infotainment is still a bit frustrating and it’s not all that practical despite its larger size. For most buyers, the Integra Type S is a better fit, unless you absolutely want a V6, an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

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Photo courtesy of Acura

Highs

• Superb, imposing exterior styling

• Wonderful performance from the V6 and the SH-AWD system

• Excellent front seats

• Stellar sound system

• Priced competitively

Lows

• Cramped interior, especially for the rear passengers

• Cargo space is limited

• The infotainment is a little challenging to use

• It could use a more dramatic exhaust setup

• The old analog dials were more interesting than the new digital gauge cluster

• It weighs 1,000 pounds more than the Integra Type S

• The Integra Type S exists

FAQs

Is it fun to drive?

Absolutely. From grocery getting to canyon carving, the TLX Type S is a blast — especially in Sport+ mode. 

Is it good for families? 

Unfortunately, no. The backseat is mostly unusable, even for kids, and the trunk struggles to fit strollers and other kid gear. 

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.