Luxury car shoppers don’t necessarily think in terms of bargains. But they’re smart enough not to resist one, either. The 2023 Acura TLX is a bargain, at least as far as a high-horsepower, sharp-handling sport sedan packed with advanced entertainment technology can be.
Starting at $39,650, it competes fairly with cars with prices in the low $50,000 range.
So, what happens if you stuff it to the gills with every option Acura knows how to build?
The most fully loaded, well-equipped TLX on the lot, with every option checked, registers at $63,812 — and that’s not counting dealer-installed accessories like protection film packages.
The maximum TLX includes the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) package and the Type S Performance Wheel and Tire package. Checking those boxes gets you a 355-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, Honda’s excellent torque-vectoring AWD system, and the enhanced suspension of Acura’s Type S high-performance lineup.
On top of that, a fully loaded TLX also features:
- Any of five premium colors, including Tiger Eye Pearl and Apex Blue Pearl: $500
- Ventilated leather upholstery in Ebony, Red, or Orchid
- All-Season Protection Package II: $453
- All-season floor mats, trunk tray, wheel locks
- Carbon fiber decklid spoiler: $1,046
- Carbon fiber rear diffuser: $1,301
- Carbon fiber interior trim: $713
- Side underbody spoilers: $800
- Rear underbody spoiler: $434
- Blade accent trim in black: $407
- Sport steering wheel with heating function: $485
- Remote engine start function: $425
- Illuminated door sill trim: $459
- Welcome light: $215
- Black chrome emblems:
- SH-AWD: $64
- Type S: $240
- A-Mark and TLX: $120
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best features of the fully loaded 2023 Acura TLX Type S.
355-Horsepower Turbocharged 3.0-Liter V6 Engine
The standard TLX engine, at 272 horsepower, is nothing to be ashamed of. But to truly compete with luxury cars like the BMW 5 Series or Cadillac CT5, you’ll want the added grunt of the 355-horsepower available turbocharged V6.
Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
The TLX’s real performance chops, though, come through thanks to the available SH-AWD system. It uses torque vectoring to point the car in hard corners, making it drive like something smaller than its size.
Performance Wheel & Tire Package
Anyone who’s done some high-performance driving knows that the best upgrade you can make to improve a car’s performance is stickier tires. The Performance Wheel & Tire package adds a set of Pirelli P Zero Summer tires, riding on gorgeous lightweight Y-spoke wheels.
Sport Seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather, Contrast Stitching, and Piping
You experience your car through the seats and control surfaces. Great seats make a huge difference in how your car feels. This TLX comes with a sharp-looking set in contrasting colors (Red, Orchid, or Ebony) that are well-bolstered to help you make the most of that SH-AWD system. Up front, they adjust 16 ways with power lumbar support and a thigh extension. A flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel doesn’t hurt, either.
ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System
Sixteen channels and 16 speakers make the TLX A-Spec with Technology Package a great place to listen to music.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems
The AcuraWatch safety suite is standard across the 2023 Acura TLX range. The fully loaded Type S also gets adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, advanced pedestrian detection, blind-spot information system, automatic high-beam headlights, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keeping assist, and a multi-view rearview camera. Better yet, it includes Traffic Jam Assist, which assists the driver in maintaining their position in traffic, even applying mild steering corrections. It’s a great feature to have when you find yourself caught in traffic too thick to take advantage of all that power and handling.
More 2023 Acura TLX
Read our full review to learn more about the TLX, build and price your own, or see TLX models for sale near you.
