Few vehicles offer a mix of performance and comfort like compact luxury sedans. They usually feature a sporty exterior that makes them look and feel faster than they are. Yet they’re also the right size for pushing through back-road curves.
Inside, they offer many luxury appointments, such as leather upholstery, a premium audio system, and an array of safety and convenience technology. They still seat five, although the driver’s seat is always the preferred place to be.
The 2025 Acura TLX and 2025 Audi A4 certainly fit those descriptions, so let’s take a closer look at these two luxury sedans.
2025 Acura TLX
Propelled by a turbocharged 272-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, the 2025 TLX enjoys plenty of push for an engaging drive. The engine is connected to a quick and smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. Moving from its base Technology trim to the A-Spec model adds all-wheel drive (AWD).
If that’s not enough, the TLX Type S — with its 355-hp turbo V6 — races from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.
Moving inside, the Acura TLX comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless charging pad. The 12.3-inch center screen employs a fast processor and accommodates Amazon Alexa Built-In. This fresh technology is matched by impressive safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Pricing starts at $46,595, including destination charges.
Acura TLX Highlights
SH-AWD: Also known as Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, it distributes variable amounts of power to individual wheels to maximize grip, stability, and efficiency. Acura’s SH-AWD is standard on the A-Spec and Type S trim levels.
Stopping fast: Brembo specializes in high-performance braking systems, with a client list that includes Ferrari and Porsche. They’re standard equipment on the Type S.
ELS audio: Grammy-winning recording engineer Elliot Scheiner is the golden-eared expert behind this high-end — and standard — sound system for the Acura TLX.
Read our Acura TLX Expert Review or see 2025 Acura TLX models for sale near you
2025 Audi A4
For a sedan that’s nimble, quick, and luxurious, check out the 2025 Audi A4. Largely unchanged for seven years, the A4’s exterior styling is the epitome of clean, contemporary design, helping it to keep pace with the competition.
Energized by a 201-hp turbo 4-cylinder engine, the base A4 can keep pace in traffic, but it does the zero-to-60 mph sprint a touch slower than the Acura TLX. However, move up a trim level to the 261-hp 45 TFSI, and that will cross the finish line first. The high-performance Audi S4 with a 349-hp turbocharged V6 is also available. All A4 models come with all-wheel drive standard.
The A4’s interior is plush and neat. Nothing is superfluous, although every trim level gets leather seats, unlike the TLX. It also comes with a set of safety and convenience technologies. Pricing begins at $43,295, including destination charges. One reason for the price difference is that the Acura TLX is a bigger sedan than the Audi A4. That said, the A4 beats the TLX in terms of rear legroom.
Audi A4 Highlights
Bang & Olufsen: The A/V components manufacturer makes some of the finest sound systems on four wheels — including the A4. It becomes standard at the Premium Plus level.
Audi Pre Sense City: Otherwise known as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Working at speeds below 25 mph, it scans more than 325 feet in front of the car, alerting the driver to possible danger, and it’s standard across the A4 range.
Visibility: These matrix-design LED headlights, part of the Prestige trim, feature multiple points of light to maximize illumination for the driver yet minimize glare for other road users.
Read our Audi A4 Expert Review or see 2025 Audi A4 models for sale near you
Similarities
Pretty on the outside, loaded with comfort and technology on the inside, the Acura TLX and Audi A4 are among the best options in the small luxury sedan market. There’s one marked difference, though. The Acura TLX is a much younger model, having launched for the 2021 model year, whereas this could be the fonal year f production for the Audi A4 as we know (and possibly love) it.
Conclusion
The A4 starts cheaper, but getting it to apples-to-apples in terms of performance requires moving up a trim level. Although the Audi has a lower starting price, the Acura is arguably the value choice because of its bigger size and stronger standard engine. Despite the A4’s top-notch interior quality and standard quattro all-wheel drive, we must give the nod to the fresher Acura TLX.
New 2025 Acura TLX Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$46,595 |
$44,251 |
|||
$51,595 |
$49,144 |
|||
$59,245 |
$57,094 |
New 2025 Audi A4 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$45,395 |
$42,271 |
|||
$49,895 |
$47,290 |
|||
$52,595 |
$49,681 |
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 New 2025 Acura TLX vehicles and New 2025 Audi A4 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Acura TLX | 2025 Audi A4 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 201 hp @ 4,475 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 236 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 7-speed automatic/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 22 city/31 highway/25 combined mpg | 26 city/36 highway/29 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 3.0-liter turbo V6/AWD | 261-hp turbo 4-cylinder; 349-hp 3.0-liter turbo V6 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 113.0 inches | 111.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 194.6 inches | 187.5 inches |
| Width | 75.2 inches | 72.7 inches |
| Height | 56.4 inches | 56.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.1 feet | 38.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 37.2 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 36.3 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.5 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 34.9 inches | 35.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.2 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.0 inches | 54.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 13.5 cubic feet | 12.0 cubic feet |
