The reborn Acura Integra gets all the attention, thanks to Gen X nostalgia. But it has a big brother that doesn’t shout as loud and quietly does very well for himself. The TLX is Acura’s flagship sedan these days — a well-rounded midsize luxury 4-door that only sits in the middle of our list of the Best Midsize Luxury Cars because there are so many excellent cars in that class.
For 2024, the TLX is getting a makeover. It’s not a full redesign. It’s what automakers call a midcycle refresh — an update halfway through a design’s lifecycle.
In the TLX’s case, it means a more toned look, a technology update, and simpler choices for buyers.
Acura hasn’t released pricing information for the updated version. The 2023 model starts at $40,050 plus a $1,195 freight fee. We anticipate an inflation adjustment for 2024, but nothing upsetting.
Less Chrome, More Screen
The grille goes frameless for 2024. That’s a subtle change that does a lot to make the car look trimmer and sleeker. The lower air dam has also been reshaped and lost some chrome. The radar sensor for the smart cruise control is now hidden behind the logo rather than visible in the grille.
Inside, the screen has gone from 10.3 inches to 12.3 inches and gained a faster processor. Frustratingly, it’s still not a touchscreen — controlled instead by a small touchpad like a laptop. That’s the kind of thing owners get used to quickly. But if you’re test-driving several options, it will feel low-tech next to the touchscreens in most luxury cars.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard. Analog gauges in the driver’s instrument cluster have been replaced with a screen — what Acura calls the Precision Cockpit Digital Instrument Cluster. As with almost every other screen behind a steering wheel, it mostly displays mock analog gauges. But you can choose between several views based on which information you care about while driving.
Simpler Choices for Buyers
There are no mechanical changes, but it will seem as if the engine runs quieter because Acura added sound-dampening material to every trim level.
Speaking of trim levels, the biggest change in the TLX may be a newfound simplicity in ordering. The lineup has gone from eight trim levels to three.
The base model is now called the TLX with Technology Package, even though there is no TLX for sale without the technology package. It comes exclusively in front-wheel drive (FWD). The A-Spec and high-performance Type S come solely with the Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system our test drivers love.
