Updated May 16, 2025
The new TLX is one of the smartest investments in the segment, thanks to its mix of performance, technology and resale value. It also finally has the good looks that show off all the pluses that this car has to offer.
The TLX doesn’t have the prestige of the 3 Series or C-Class, but it’s an excellent car that most people will enjoy. The new A-Spec model is fun, but doesn’t add more power and isn’t in the same atmosphere as the BMW M3, Audi S4 or Cadillac ATS-V.
The TLX’s major refresh adds a performance-biased A-Spec model, which has sport-tuned suspension, unique styling cues, a different steering ratio and interior differences compared to the rest of the lineup. To get a better idea of what it’s like to own the TLX A-Spec as your daily driver, check out our 2018 Acura TLX A-Spec Ownership Review. All models receive fresh, attractive new front-end styling. Acura also made the infotainment system easier to use.
For 2018, Acura has given its best-selling TLX sedan its first update, and it’s a good one. The original TLX did a fine job of establishing itself as a technology-rich, comfortably smooth luxury sedan, but it didn’t stir the driver’s soul like other cars in its class. That changes this year. Building on the strong foundation of the first TLX, Acura added gorgeous front-end styling and a compelling A-Spec model that gives the driving experience more bite. Throw in excellent safety features, a strong value proposition, and options like Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and a potent V6 engine, and the TLX is the readiest it has ever been to compete with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Infiniti Q50.
2018 Acura TLX pricing starts at $16,600 for the TLX 2.4 Sedan 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $33,995 when new. The range-topping 2018 TLX 3.5 w/Advance Pkg Sedan 4D starts at $20,022 today, originally priced from $44,745.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (national avg.) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$33,995 | $16,600 | |||
$37,195 | $16,111 | |||
$37,695 | $16,926 | |||
$40,895 | $18,423 | |||
$44,192 | $19,580 | |||
$44,745 | $20,022 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2018 Acura TLX models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
While there are two engines to choose from, our drive time in the TLX focused on the V6-equipped A-Spec and the V6 Advance. The steering is linear and nicely weighted in both models. There is no power difference between the two V6 models (290 horsepower), and the 9-speed automatic, retuned for 2018, shifts quickly and smoothly. In addition to a sport-tuned suspension, the A-Spec offers better-bolstered seats and unique 19-inch tires. The result is a sporty driver-centric car that’s a blast on curvy roads. With the A-Spec you lose some ride quality on straight stretches of road; if that’s a problem, you can look to the more serene V6 Advance. The V6 Advance is the more comfortable of the two on the open road and the seats feel a little flatter, but this trim level is still great fun to drive.
The TLX’s interior reflects close attention to detail, with fantastic fit and finish and appealing color choices. Acura has made the 2-screen infotainment system easier to use by streamlining menus and reducing the system’s response time. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are operated in the top screen through a click wheel, which frees up the lower touch screen for other functions. New features include a surround-view camera, heated steering wheel and rear seats, and built-in wireless charging. The V6 TLX comes with a push-button-operated transmission. A-Spec models have different gauges and steering wheel, plus seats with more side bolstering.
You have to notice a car to see how good it is, and the Acura TLX finally has the styling that will get it noticed. With a clean pentagon grille and sharper LED headlights, the new front end draws the eye and makes the car look fresh and youthful. V6-equipped models add chrome accents in the front and rear, and Advance models receive LED fog lights and a rear spoiler. The A-Spec TLX fills the grille with matte-black diamond accents, adds A-Spec-specific styling cues in the front and rear, and rides on 19-inch Shark Gray wheels.
SUPER HANDLING All-WHEEL DRIVE
While many cars are available with all-wheel drive, SH-AWD is different. In addition to providing all-weather traction, SH-AWD is a torque-vectoring setup that constantly routes torque to all four wheels — splitting power front and rear, and to the individual rear wheels — improving cornering and stability.
A-SPEC SPORT-TUNED SUSPENSION
The A-Spec package brings a new, more driver-centric attitude to the TLX. At the core is an A-Spec-unique suspension with larger stabilizer bars and stiffer spring rates. It works with a quicker steering ratio and special 19-inch tires to make canyon roads downright entertaining.
Base engine for the TLX is a 206-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The TLX 2.4 rides on 17-inch wheels and comes with adaptive cruise control, heated side mirrors, paddle shifters, 7-speaker audio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, moonroof, and 10-way-power driver seat with power lumbar adjustment. (The passenger seat is power-4-way adjustable.) Standard seat material is Leatherette; front seat heaters are also standard. There’s an extensive list of standard safety features — including AcuraWatch with forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, road-departure mitigation — plus collision-mitigation braking and seven airbags.
The TLX’s optional engine is a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is available in V6-powered models. Other options include navigation, 10-speaker audio, leather seats, GPS-linked climate control, parking sensors, rear seat-heaters, ventilated front seats, surround-view camera system, blind-spot information, rear cross-traffic monitor, and wireless smartphone charging. The A-Spec model is the only way you can get an Alcantara interior; it’s also the only one available in Still Night Blue Pearl paint and with 19-inch Shark Gray wheels.
There are two available engines. The 206-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is backed by an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Models powered with the 4-cylinder are front-wheel drive (FWD) only. The optional engine is a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Both transmissions have been retuned for 2018. SH-AWD is optional with the V6; any TLX models that aren’t equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) receive Precision All-Wheel Steering. The V6 engine is well-suited to this sedan, and thanks to stop/start (AWD-only) and cylinder deactivation, it offers a lot more power than the 4-cylinder without a huge fuel-economy penalty.
2.4-liter inline-4
206 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
182 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/33 mpg
3.5-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/32 mpg (FWD), 21/30 mpg (AWD), 20/30 mpg (FWD A-Spec), 20/29 mpg (AWD A-Spec)
Get 4.99% APR for 24-60 months. on a new 2025 TLX Special APR for well-qualified buyers.
Closed-ended lease on a new 2025 TLX TECH 10 Speed Automatic for $479 a month for 48 months with $4999 due at signing for well-qualified lessees.
Get $500 Acura Graduate Offer on a new 2025 TLX Type S.
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Year | Vehicle Depreciation* | Resale Value | Trade-In Value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | + $922 | $24,468 | $22,121 | ||
2023 | $3,890 | $20,578 | $18,217 | ||
2024 | $4,235 | $16,343 | $13,968 | ||
Now | $2,248 | $14,095 | $11,838 |
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2-Year Forecasted Depreciation
*Depreciation for the last 12 months of the private party resale value.
Annual Depreciation is an estimation of what your vehicle's value might be over time based on an average of similar vehicles. Estimations are calculated by comparing Kelley Blue Book Private Party Values of vehicles similar to yours over time, as well as forecasts from Manheim Auction data comparing current and projected auction values against current Kelley Blue Book Private Party and Trade-In Values. This is not a guarantee of actual depreciation. Local weather conditions, market factors and driver performance will also impact your vehicle's actual depreciation.
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Curb Weight | 3616 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
EPA Passenger | 93.3 cu.ft. | ||
Fuel Capacity | 17.2 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 37.2 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 42.6 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Overall Length | 191.7 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 57.5 inches | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 14.3 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 38.8 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 109.3 inches | ||
Payload Capacity | 850 lbs. | ||
Width with mirrors | 73.0 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fog Lights | Available | ||
Moon Roof/Sun Roof | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 4 doors | ||
LED Headlights | Available | ||
Rear Spoiler | Available |
City | 20 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 32 mpg | ||
Combined | 24 mpg |
Drivetrain | FWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
9 speed | Available | ||
Recommended Fuel | Premium | ||
Hill Start Assist | Available |
Horsepower | 290 @ 6200 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 267 @ 4500 rpm | ||
Engine | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter |
Basic | 4 years / 50000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 6 years / 70000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 5 years / Unlimited miles |
Used 2018 Acura TLX | Used 2018 Jaguar XF | Used 2018 Volvo S90 | Used 2018 Audi A6 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $16,111 | $19,080 | $15,261 | $16,888 | |
KBB.com Rating | 4.4 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.6 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | |
Fuel Economy | City 20/Hwy 32/Comb 24 MPG | City 31/Hwy 42/Comb 35 MPG | City 24/Hwy 34/Comb 27 MPG | City 21/Hwy 31/Comb 26 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Safety Rating | 5.0 | N/A | N/A | 5.0 | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 4 years or 50000 miles | 5 years or 60000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | |
Horsepower | 290 @ 6200 RPM | 180 @ 4000 RPM | 250 @ 5500 RPM | 252 @ 5000 RPM | |
Engine | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo Diesel, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Drive-E, 2.0T | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD | FWD | AWD |
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Yes, the 2018 Acura TLX is a good car, as reflected by its above-average Kelley Blue Book rating of 4.4 out of 5.
2018 Acura TLX city/highway fuel economy ratings range from 20/32 mpg to 23/33 mpg, depending on trim and equipment.
Used 2018 Acura TLX prices currently range from $16,111 for the 3.5 Sedan 4D to $20,022 for the 3.5 w/Advance Pkg Sedan 4D when purchasing from a dealership, depending on a range of factors like equipment, mileage, and condition.
The cheapest 2018 Acura TLX is the 3.5 Sedan 4D, with a Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price of $16,111.
The 2018 Acura TLX is part of the 1st-generation TLX, which our owners give an above-average reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.