2025 Acura TLX Type S Review

It's a been minute since I've been behind the wheel of the TLX - but that all changed recently when a 2025 TLX showed up for review. And not just any TLX. It's a TLX Type S - and it has a lot to live up to, as Acura deems it the quickest, best-handling all-wheel-drive sedan in in the brand's 35-year history.  

Exterior

It's evident from the get-go that the TLX Type S can handle the pressure. Sharp, sporty and stylish are three words right up the TLX's alley. The Type S distinguishes itself with an exclusive open surface Diamond Pentagon Grille that feeds air into the engine, a gloss black front splitter and rear diffuser, along with a rear decklid spoiler and large quad exhaust. 

Its premium Apex Blue Pearl hue looks fantastic with 20-inch split-spoke Berlina Black wheels that sport Type S red front Brembo brake calipers. Other features include Jewel LED headlights, Chicone LED tail lights,  and Type S power-folding, heated side mirrors. 

Powertrain

If you know anything about Acura, you know the Type S badge means you're going to like what is under the hood. In this case it's high-performance 3.0-liter turbo-V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. 

The engine delivers 355-horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. (For comparison,  the manual-only 2024 Integra Type S is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter delivers 320 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque.) The TLX is equipped with standard Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Interior

The TLX Type S's exclusive two-toned Orchid and Black interior with brushed aluminum trim is one to love. The design and overall layout is very user friendly and both the build quality and craftsmanship impress.  Acura clearly has not gotten the industry memo about trendy minimalism, and thank goodness for that.  Acura is sticking to its command center type console and center stack structure that works well. 

Things that especially impress: 16 way power leather-trimmed sport seats with ultra-suede inserts. Yes, these are some of my favorite seats ever.  Both seats are heated and ventilated, and surprise! Both also have a power thigh extension and side bolsters.  

Designers also did a great job with the leather-trimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel.  It looks terrific.  The 12.3-inch digital driver's display is also pretty wonderful. It's bright, easy to read and has great graphics.   Best of all, is a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio system with 4 ultra-slim Highline overhead speakers. Sound quality is just superb. Acura's ELS 3D sound systems have become my favorite in the industry.

You control a 12.3 inch multimedia and 3D Navigation dual-content display using Acura's True Touchpad interface, which I find a bit cumbersome to use. On the bright side the multimedia system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and also features Alexa Built-In. Voice command works great.

Dual-zone climate on the center stack sticks to traditional controls.  The center console is two parts. A top slanted area is home to the shift-by-wire gear selecter and a large drive mode dial. The lower, traditional console area is where you find Acura's touch pad, two cup holders and a wireless charger.  A ergonomically designed palm rest for use with the touchpad is a great design feature.

The 2nd row is roomy for passengers, with cushiony seats, nice door panels, a drop-down armrest with cupholders and USB-C ports (there are 2 up front as well.)

Other TLX standard lineup features include a power moonroof, a Wifi hotspot and 27-theme Iconic interior ambient lighting. The Type S adds rain-sensing wipers and windshield wiper de-icer.

Ride and Drive

Like the 2024 Integra I've reviewed, I found the TLX incredibly fun to drive. But they deliver different driving dynamics. The quick-accelerating TLX delivers a refined, powerful ride thanks to its smooth automatic transmission, while the Integra's excellent manual 6-speed gearbox gives you a more engaging ride due to the nature of it being, well, a manual.  Overall, the TLX Type S - equipped with chassis bracing, a sport-tuned Adaptive Damper System, and SH-AWD - shines in the handling and steering department, living up to Acura's promises of precision. Sport + mode is where it's at with its increased throttle response. The exhaust note sounds fantastic too. 

Safety

The TLX features standard AcuraWatch which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning,  Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and Traffic Jam Assist. 

The Type S adds Blind Spot Info, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, and Front/Rear parking sensors, plus a 10.5-inch head up warning display and Surround View Camera System.

Verdict 

The TLX doesn't always get a lot of notice in the luxury sports sedan segment - a segment that's dominated by German automakers. But the expertly designed and engineered (and priced under $60K) Type S deserves a seat at the table.