The Updated, 2024 Acura TLX Type S gets a refreshed look, new tech inside, and a few other tweaks. But worry not, the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 continues to pump out power to all four wheels.

What’s Good Fantastic V-6 that sounds fantastic too. Brilliant torque vectoring all-wheel-drive helps provide a more neutral chassis balance than expected.

What Could Improve Super twitchy throttle in the sport+ drive mode. Deserves high-performance summer tires as standard equipment from the factory.

My Conclusion A welcome tech update combined with sharper styling keeps the TLX Type S on my wishlist. But the Integra Type S is higher on that list.

OVERVIEW

Acura updated the TLX for 2024, sharpening up the styling, increasing the screen sizes inside, and quieting down the cabin. All welcome changes. But, for the Type S, the brand also made the only factory tire an all-season and sped up the throttle map in the sport plus driving mode. The driving enthusiast purist may feel slightly bereft. But, after driving the car, I can confidently say, “stay calm folks.” The TLX Type S still delivers a fantastic driving experience.

Powertrain

Little changed here since the debut of the 2021 Acura TLX Type S. You still control a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that delivers 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft of torque at their respective peaks. Power still channels through a racy, fast-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission on its way to all-four wheels. The Type S also retained its fourth-generation super-handling all-wheel-drive system to work magic with on-power chassis balance. All of the above keeps the TLX eager to please, like an excited puppy.

Just keep it out of the sport plus driving mode. People wanted a quicker throttle map, Acura said, which engineers delivered in the sport plus driving mode. I find it way too quick to slowly feed in power as you exit a corner on the limit. No worries, though, just set individual settings to the normal response for the engine, but keep the shocks nice and stiff. And throw the transmission in sport, or S, to keep things moving. Do so, and the car rewards you with great feel.

Chassis

Acura also left the TLX suspension geometry and tuning alone, much to my satisfaction. You still get double-wishbone front and multi-link rear geometry. Moreover, structure engineers retrained this sport-sedan’s added bracing for both the front and rear shock towers. As a result, the Type S feel sharp in the corners, quickly responding to your inputs and keeps chassis balance neutral, all without feeling punishing.

Yank steering lock into a corner and you feel understeer first, but not much, and once you supply power, the torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system literally overdrives the outside rear wheel to give near perfectly neutral balance.

The only downside, you do all this with a “performance” all-season tire. It’s a good tire, but the performance of the Type S deserves the grip of a high-performance summer tire. Acura offers one as a dealer option, so no big deal, I just wish it came as standard equipment.

Details and Inside

You see several of the 2024 updates to the TLX inside. The center display grew from 10.2-in to 12.3-in. And Acura installed a faster processor to speed up the action you see on the screen. Moreover, you now get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Milano leather seats now come standard, too, as does additional red cross stitching sprinkled throughout.

Finally, Acura used thicker carpets, more insulation, and front driver and passenger door acoustic glass to help quiet down the cabin. Except in the Type S, they didn’t, not entirely anyway. To allow more engine noise to come through the cabin, engineers deliberately left out some of the add-ons. And, its quiet enough, so do enjoy the drive!

Outside, the grille got a new pattern and the Acura logo prominently displayed in front no longer includes a plastic shield. Welcome changes. And you can now coat the the TLX Type S in Urban Gery Pearl paint. Lovely.

in conclusion

Acura offers three trims of TLX for 2024, the front-wheel-drive only Technology Package, the all-wheel-drive only A-spec, both of which use a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. And this, all-wheel-drive only, Type S. While the Tech pack car starts in the mid-40s, $46,195, going Type S will cost at least $58,195.

For the money, you get a sharp looking, quick, and fun-to-drive sport sedan. And one that will play grown-up well, when you need to act like an adult now and again. Just as it did in 2021, it delivers top-notch driving pleasure. It’s fun, and easy, to drive quickly.

But, now that Acura also offers the Integra Type S, I officially have to call the TLX Type S my second favorite Acura car sold today.

Learn more about the Acura TLX from its product planning Manager here

COMPETITORS
Cadillac CT5
Genesis G80
Lexus ES

SPECIFICATIONS
2024 Acura TLX Type S: 5-door, 5-seat, sedan

Base price: $58,195
Price as tested: $58,795

Powertrain:
Engine: Turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6
Power: 355 horsepower at 5500 rpm
Torque: 354 lb.-ft between 1400-5000 rpm
Transmissions: 10-speed automatic transmission
Drive: all-wheel-drive

Dimensions
Length: 194.6 inches
Width: 75.2 inches
Height: 56.4 inches
Wheelbase: 113.0 inches

Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: 4221 lbs.
Interior volume: 93 cu ft
Trunk volume: 14 cu ft

Performance
Calculated weight to power (lbs./HP): 11.9:1
Mfr’s claimed 0-60 mph: “around” 5.0 seconds
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)

Test Car Options:
Urban Grey Pearl paint, $600

Acura just updated the MDX for the 2025 model year.