@@DyslexicMitochondriahey man I got intrigued by your name so decided to hop over and check you out. Damn your channel seriously surprised me in a good way
Ive owned a 2021 TLX for 2 years now. The entertainment system (once learned) is quite nice. Its beautiful inside and out, very comfortable, gets 31mpg at 80mph and is average in acceleration. I have a baby seat in the middle rear and often times put 3 other children in as well, it works but is tight in the back. I love it so much im considering trading for a type s trim in the near future. I know it wont be the fastest but it will be beautiful and reliable
I would 100% get this car over the competition just because of the way the interior/exterior looks. The car is a head turner and IMO by far the best looking car in the segment. BY FAR. Lets be honest, nobody in this segment is tracking their cars, and if you really wanted to, you could drive a 20 year old Yaris aggressively and quickly. Any modern car is capable of being quick on a road, if you want to be a jerk.
I had a 2010 Acura TL and absolutely loved it, I made the mistake of going to a bmw, but now I’ve come back to Acura with the RDX.. absolutely love the car and if the brand stays as it is, in 7 years I’ll get another one, maybe an mdx once I have a family. Reliable, easy maintenance, very comfortable and feature rich, just can’t beat it with what Acura has to offer. My Rdx is aspec and has 99% of what I need
The Type-S doesn't get close to 30 MPG and the infotainment, mostly due to its touchpad, is arguably one of the worst I've experienced in the last 5 years.
Come to the US, you can spend like a third of your net labor compensation on the care, plus more in additional taxes than you pay for Canadian Medicare, and the care is mediocre to atrocious! USA!!
@@partysodownbetween ur employer and your payments for the insurance, you’re still paying alot for that insurance. And it usually isnt nation wide and subject to “networks”. America needs to wake up to universal healthcare and its benefits
I own the regular TLX and everything described here is exactly why I chose the car over the competition. It’s beautiful, functional, comfortable, and has all the essential tech you need with a top-of-the-class sound system. It may not beat track times or leave the competition in the dust in a drag race, but I’m not doing that along with 99% of the driving population. Not to mention the car is cheaper and significantly more reliable than its German and Korean competition, it carves its own niche as the most practical sports sedan in the market today. I can’t wait to upgrade to the next generation TLX Type S with hopefully a touchscreen.
Wth is wrong with some of you people trying to find ways to justify you purchasing this car.. " oh its more reliable than the german" plz..why dont you speak to a german owner who acutally maintain their cars. Yall go on the market buy german cars that have never been maintain and complain. Well if it makes u feel good go ahead. But an acura tlx type s can never drive like a m340i. Never. The acura is a regular car but just a bit faster. Thats it
@@layne4376 Sorry to say but JD Power is known to be unreliable and untrustworthy. You’re much better off with Consumer Reports who puts Acura and Honda in 3rd/4th place, BMW in 9th, and Genesis at 18th.
I used to drive my semi through Ontario fairly often and I agree the coffee was weak and bitter at the same time,but I'am still recovering from a Tim's Bit's addiction.
15 years ago, the coffee was good. I drove a lot for work, and a Tims was the key start to the day. They changed it to Robusta at some point and it went to absolute shit. They're also owned by Burger King now, so is anyone surprised?
@@MLHunt Yes they are starting to expand into the states now.I've seen them in parts of MI,and OH also.I will have to try one of those crullers as I never meet a pastry I didn't like.
I said this back when it was just Thomas, that I seen Top Gear like potential. I promoted them on my own groups everywhere. Been a fan since day one. Looking back at those videos now is funny. They have come a long way. Very Proud of our Canadian Auto Journalists! Even if James isn't quite Canadian lol.
What Top Gear did so well, was combine humor (pioneered really by Clarkson) with automotive journalism. These guys do the same thing, it's just the right level of humor well still being informative.
I know this is the third time you've reviewed the TLX, and you've mentioned it before, but any test of this car's daily livability should absolutely bring up its piss-poor relationship between exterior size (huge) and interior space (miniscule). If you haven't seen one of these in person, it's actually shocking how little room there is in a car with exterior dimensions within an inch of a 5-series.
Sad but true. I loved my TLX but after my lease end period I just couldn’t see buying it out due to the interior space. On looks alone I still think it wins over anything else in the class, but the backseats were worse than some coupes I’ve been in.
This has only been discussed a million times. The manufacturer themselves said this was done on purpose to prioritize style over function, if people want practicality they will just buy an RDX anyways. I think it’s ridiculous, but it is what it is
First, I absolutely love you guys and the channel! So, this review addresses and highlights something that I think a lot of automotive reviewers are affected by. The reviewers get the rare opportunity to drive some of the greatest vehicles in the world. It’s a win, win. It’s fun for them, and it’s fun for us the viewing audience. We share in their authentic excitement and love getting to see and hear about vehicles we all dream about. - The problem is the reviewers become addicted or jaded. They now have more experience with just how good a vehicles can be, and are subsequently letdown by anything that wasn’t built for people in the top 10% income class. - This car and others like it are “The People’s Champions”. Did they beat the actual champion? No. But they fought a good fight and regular people can relate to them. Every Acura owner is proud of the fact that they have a vehicle that shares in Honda’s well known reliability. That kind of thing isn’t a thought or deciding factor for the customer who bought that Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing. But to regular people who can be hurt financially by vehicle repair bills, it matters. So here’s to all the everyday people’s champions out there, we love you!
21 TLX-S owner here. It’s a great daily with many luxury features. It’s got enough speed to be fun to drive and the SH-AWD makes it feel really exciting in the turns. It would have been nice for Honda to deliver 400+ HP from the factory but let’s face it, they’re a conservative company. I don’t know if there is a perfect car out there but this one gets a B+ in my book.
@@KC-lg8qf I like it. I primarily drive in sport mode and run the stage 1 map on Ktuner. It makes all the torque you need, I rarely need more than 50% throttle to get moving quick.
@@Timbuckley01that’s good then if you only gotta push the pedal half way. I figured a tune, some exhaust and intake systems, plus new intercooler would help make this car come more to life. I’ve got a 2019 v6 TLX Aspec, but will eventually get a Type S later down the road 🥲
I will never understand the hate for the track pad that controls the center screen on Acuras. I own a 21' MDX Type S and it uses the same thing. I've had the car ever since it was brand new and the pad is honestly my favorite part of the interior. You don't have to worry about reaching all over the place to touch certain buttons on the screen, no fingerprints, and it's less distracting. I got used to the pad very quickly and I can navigate the whole screen without even looking at it now.
Touchscreen brain has infected a lot of car reviewers because they review so many cars. Same with their expectation for consumers to deal with screen based hvac. But at least there the market has revolted to the point where manufacturers and reviewers cannot astroturf over such a shitty stupid decision.
Yeah, I was test driving sedans last summer and after a few different runs in different Lexus ES models with a trackpad, I totally got used to it. Did I love it? No, but it was totally fine.
I don’t mind the standard functionally, but I agree the operation is frustrating when in CarPlay. It turns away a lot buyers which is reason enough to change it, no matter who actually likes it. Every single car on the road has a touch screen, Acura needed to take a hint, and they have. The 2025 MDX will have a touch screen, I’m assuming the new RDX will, and they should have put it in here too.
I own a 2024 TLX Type S. I got it after my 2021 G70 3.3 was totaled. Is it the fastest car, nope, but it’s plenty fast enough. I’m not a red light dragster and I don’t care about street racing morons in other cars. I do however like the power when I need it for passing, merging, and the like. What I do love about this car, is its daily driving. The transmission is smooth as butter, the Genesis was a little more harsh. How solid and planted the car feels regardless of road conditions. And I think Thomas said it perfectly. If you are an audiophile that wants a nice ride in a car that look cool, this is it.
Except I wanted a 6 cylinder and until you drive both, you will find the driving dynamics of the Type S are not the same as the A-spec. I bought the Type S because that’s what I wanted.
Which makes his attitude genuinely hilarious to me. 95% of sport sedans never see the track. Especially leased German ones (and they're all leased because they're not designed for long-term ownership, they're meant to last a lease with minimal fuss and little else). Track nerds aren't buying S4s, M340is, etc. Hardly anything except a Miata is actually *fun* to drive anywhere near the speed limit on public roads. So most people who buy sports sedans looking for a sporty driving experience just drive like absolute jackwagons (or don't actually utilize more than the badge). Acura honestly hit on something good with the Type S. Amazing daily driver with enough grunt and enough handling to be good the way sane human beings drive on public roads, with great looks, great front seats, and a great sound system. Well, so long as you don't mind the fuel economy. Reviewers have the most disingenuous attitude towards actual car ownership, and either tacitly support reckless driving or actually believe more than a tiny fraction of sports sedan buyers actually track their cars. If I DID want to track a car, it'd be a CT4 Blackwing in a heartbeat. But that's not the car I'd want as a daily driver (because my wife refuses to learn to drive stick and we need to be able to use our vehicles interchangeably). For me, the Type S is the short list. It's a better car overall than a G70, you can own it (affordably) out of warranty unlike Zee Germans, and it has enough real-world strengths to be an awesome car to live with on the daily (with enough oomph and handling to be useful and fun below 10/10ths).
@@jr1885I have a 2023 TLX aspec and I get this take. The passing power is plenty with my 2.0T and is even better with a tune (haven’t gotten it yet, but from what I’ve been read and told). Cheaper and arguably more reliable than a type S, as 4 cylinders are hondas bread and butter. Everything else is mostly the same outside power and badges
@@Wolfgangmetal92 yeah, it seems like the A-SPEC is a better value. Thomas stated that he likes the Type-S better in just its comfort mode. So I don’t see a reason to upgrade to the performance model that doesn’t deliver performance.
Gr8 review. I just bought one and this guy is right on the money. Plus repairs are way cheaper than other cars in its class. Hey I don't race, just back and forth to work. Lots of power to pass people and luxurious inside. I love this car.
One of the biggest reason why one can't really enjoy something is the habit of comparing it with everything else. If you consider the look and the price tag, I think it's a good car with some long-term reliability and performance.
Ah the Brit telling the Canadian how it's gonna go down... As an Australian with a Canadian father and an Irish mother, that intro hit in so many complicated ways.
In a world where the Kia Stinger exists with arguably better "sportishness", the TLX has been a hard sell for me for the money. Yes, the Stinger is officially out of production, but because of that reason, they are going on sale for well under $50k (US), and even cheaper than that for older year models. Sure, it might not be as luxurious or have the best infotainment in the industry, but it punches well above it's price tag. If you enjoy a daily car that is a decent all-rounder for the enthusiasts, the Stinger is still a great contender.
@@marcjones744 Hmmm, not sure I agree actually. I'll take the Stinger over either, personally, very few rides look better. But I think I prefer the look of the TLX S over the G70 by a bit. Lighting on the G70? Forget about it, AMAZING, but take that away and, a lil meh imo. TLX has some sick lines.
Especially its hatchback design. The rear seats are more spacious than the TLX as well and is equipped with heated rear seats. Maybe the older TLX had the rear heated seats as well but was cut like BMW 3 series?
Living with the infotainment it’s great you just have a learning curve. Much safer than a touch screen and it’s functional. It’s never as bad as reviewers made it sound
@@eurly93 Because that's exactly what someone would do with a normal comfortable sedan before putting their family into a bone crushing road trip experience
@@eurly93I would like to think that a $60k sedan with a Type-S badge on it should have the suspension already sorted. But hey. That’s just me. And value is subjective 🤷♂️
I think the issue with this car is that at least exterior size-wise (people have been saying that it's small inside) it's not CT4-sized, it's CT5-sized. And in that context it's as bad because you can get a CT-5 V (the twin-turbo V6 one) - which occupies the exact same market segment and comes standard with magneride, rear-drive, and will be cheaper than the Type S even if you spec AWD. And to boot, you can shove SuperCruise onto it and have yourself a self-driving car if that's the weird shit you're into. And it's really a shame because just as a concept, I love the clever single twinscroll system Acura has on its V6. It's well-engineered, it just needs a corporate edict to be a bit wilder, a bit more substantial. The two-liter on this car is a 270hp vehicle already; 85hp is not enough of a boost for the price they demand. When you have less power per dollar than a Caddy - not a value brand at all - you know you need to back off the profit margin and make the car more substantial.
I've been cross shopping sporty-ish sedans and what you brought up is similar to what my analysis has lead me to. The TLX Type S is more in the sake of nostalgia for the brand, they want buyers that have outgrown the Integra name because Bob from Accounting will judge them but don't want an SUV. While they mention CT4 Blackwing, at least here in the states these are nearly a $25k difference and seems to be an unfair comparison. I think your dead right on the money with the CT5 V. I wish Lexus would've made a similar competing vehicle but the IS500 is outright too small and they killed off the GS which I feel is right in the same honey pot of vehicle, sporty-enough and luxurious-enough. The Genesis G70/G80 keep sneaking in the side door in my comparisons but dealership experience is a mood killer. I personally don't want a kidney killer car (Supra, Integra, Camaro etc.) but I also don't want a sleepy saloon (LS, CT5, G90 etc.) . I think CT5 V is the best of both spectrums for someone like me that wants a quick car but not something that eats tires every 4k miles via compound alone, paranoid driving Michigan state roads because 30 series tire, and not cramped up.
@@Dr_Skot Regarding the CT4 Blackwing, unless you factor in markups (though in all likelihood/fairness you ought to) you can still get one for only a couple thousand over a Type S - granted, you're getting a small (legitimately) sports sedan with a manual and not a midsize comfort cruiser with extra punch. But I was surprised to see how genuinely good of a deal the 5V is. You just put on a couple bells and whistles and boom, all things to all men. Or you can try an ugly new 540i and pay extra to get real leather instead of "vEgANzA"
@Dr_Skot I have a 2023 G70 3.3 AWD Prestige, don't count it out because of a dealership that you'll spend .5% of your time at. It's a sleeper all the way. Buy the Eibach Pro Kit springs and sway bars, it has the perfect stance and for $850 (not including labor) it rails corners and looks amazing doing it. Buy the Takeda cold air intake when it's on sale for $400-450 and you get about 15 hp out of it. You have a killer G70 that's still $10k cheaper than an M340i with a better interior and more features. Don't know how it would compare to a CT5, but you're missing out on a badass car for reasons that once you're done buying the car you don't ever have to see the dealer again. I mean I even take my car to my mechanic for an oil change that's only $100 and I get better oil put into it than any dealer would use, and I know what oil I'm getting. That said it also depends on your dealership, I've also been there for scheduled maintenance and had zero issues getting a loaner and dropping off the car.
I would never consider an Acura when looking at cars in these price ranges. Glorified Honda that has never been known for sportiness. The BMW 340i and CT-5 V are the only two vehicles I would choose as options.
100% agree, it looks great. Not a big fan of the center dash/infotainment. Hate the button transmission. For my money, an Audi S5 Sportback or BMW M340i would be a better sports sedan pick.
Ended up with a Stinger GT instead of the Type S. I think it gives up some of the comfort and road isolation that the Acura has but provides more of the sport with rwd based chassis and practicality with the lift back I was looking for. Sadly the Stinger is dead but wish Genesis would bring the G70 wagon to Canada! Keep up the great videos!!
@@fri3ndlyatheist I have enjoyed 85,000 trouble free kms in my 2020 Stinger GT. There was a time that Honda and Toyota were the punchline of many automotive jokes...times change and IMHO Hyundai/Kia/Genesis are today putting out some of the best all around vehicles for sale.
@@fri3ndlyatheist Are there really still idiot badge snobs like you out there that won't even consider a genuinely great car just because "it's a Kia"
Couldn't agree more: the trackpad is an absolute deal breaker. I had one for a week while my older Acura was being serviced, and the system is INFURIATING!
@@paul5683but should it take a week to learn how to use something that should be intuitive and seamless so you can use it without have to look down at it every time you want to use it!?
The level of production in these videos are amazing! The way you both convey each vehicle is so easy to understand, as well as gives us enthusiasts a glimpse at potential cars we want to purchase! Yes the Type S is slow, but man does it look gorgeous! I've got a 2019 TLX Aspec with a v6, and I'm on the brink of trading it in for a 2021 used type S model, and videos like these help my decision become more clear. Thank you for the content!
I got rid of mine, these cars are slow as shit. Not worth the price tag at all. Nothing about this car is sporty. It’s an every day commuter. Nothing more, nothing less.
A decent trim line is over $50k, at that point any perceived value is negated by the fact that it's a fancy hyundai. It can compete with the premium brands like acura and infiniti as they're typically on the lower side when it comes to performance, but it ends there.
@@TheBreakfastLover that is true, good point. But the point of these cars is to be focused on road experience and performance. Since i have a good amount of track time i can def say if you wanted to do track time in a daily it would be a CTR, Elantra N, Gr86, etc.
The price to value thing is just so subjective. How do you define it? That it's cheaper with a little less performance, so it's best price to value? That's just a very unconvincing way to say you think the G70 is good because you like it.
I agree. Took me a whole 2-3 days to get used to it - it works two different ways too, normally and CarPlay wise. You then begin to appreciate the fingerprint free screen.
I used to say the same thing about the track pad in my Lexus, but I admit I am glad there is a touchscreen now. I only use the trackpad for navigating to the Android Auto screen itself when the car starts up. lol
@@Japplesnap Who cares? Seriously, of all the things that comprise a car, what a whiny First World problem to prioritize. "Oh, my god! I have to reach down and press my finger in an unfamiliar motion for two days until I become used to it, instead of my preferred method of reaching forward, taking my eyes off of the road, and smudging my oversized screen with my grubby fingers! I simply can't do it! I won't do it! I won't! I won't!" Jesus, man, grow a pair.
I miss my RSX-S although I did a Gauge cluster swap to an S2000 one (one of the best mods ever. Just looks and felt like it belonged in the car from factory)
Thank you for redoing a review and coming to effectively the same conclusion. Don't know why people were upset, but I'll bet they're no happier now ;).
Acura has lost the narrative. Used to be, the "luxury" variant of a Japanese brand was simple. A Lexus is "take the best Toyota and go from there." If you bought the cheapest Lexus it would still be better than the most expensive Toyota. Acura has decided to be the "slightly better Honda." This is what has almost killed Infiniti. That brand has become "an overpriced Nissan." Dear Acura: Don't be a slightly better Honda. Be a luxury brand.
I have been an Acura fanboy since I bought a 1995 Acura Legend 3.2L VTEC V6 back in 2000 when I graduated high school. I just bought a 2024 Acura TLX type S and this car for what you pay is absolutely incredible. My wife drives an Acura MDX and what makes the Acura brand so great is you get the Honda reliability but you get that Acura sporty luxury for a price that’s unmatched. If you are on the fence I would highly recommend not only the TLX but an MDX as well.
@@67keyakaren68 Really? That comment is pretty silly and you know it. Acura is no different than Lexus to Toyota, Infiniti to Nissan, Lincoln to Ford, and Cadillac to GM....just a fancier version of what they already make.
I bought mine because I know it'll last since it's a Honda/Acura. I'm willing to compromise on not having the absolute best sports car so that it'll last and the repairs won't be outrageously expensive.
honestly I still love the way a v6 feels! let a lone a V6 TURBO! I have a 2016 RDX and the V6 there is peppy!!! very very responsive! and surprises me to this day! I hope ACURA does not abandon their V6 cars! truly still great reliable engines
As a tlx owner I really love my tlx. She’s getting alittle older now but I am not getting another car until I find one I like with 4 wheel steering like my tlx. Such a game changer
Because its hamstrung by its (typically Honda) weak drivetrain (ie: transfer case and transmission). There's a very good reason the car was limited to 355HP when they knew that every single car they were competing with made more (the S4 is underrated and everyone knows it ... because German). The fact that, besides being the slowest, it's also the heaviest, least practical and least fuel efficient car in its segment just shows how far Acura has lost the plot.
So what’s the point of getting the Type-S if it doesn’t deliver performance? If you’re going to cruise around in comfort just get the much cheaper A-SPEC. That 2.0T from the older Accord has plenty of daily commute power, plus it’s much more efficient than the V6.
the A-Spec is a 7 second car and hard on gas for a 4 cyl. The Type S is a 5 second car, smooth af, and doesn't sound like a hair dryer....or dare I say, a Honda Accord. No idea why anyone buys the 4 cyl for that money to be honest.
This car is just as fast as everything else in the real world. It’s only about 0.7 slower than the m340i. People are dailying these as they are everything else in this class. It’s much more reliable than the Germans.
So all of you guys are saying that Thomas is just a TLX hater and doesn’t know what he’s talking about? The TLX is truly a performance car and worth the extra 12k over the 4 Cylinder?
I currently have a BMW 340. I used to have a manual V6 Accord Coupe and I *loved* that car. In that context, I wouldn’t replace my 340 with a TLX, but I wish that I would. In other words, I *WISH* Honda gave it some more sauce; real performance… I wish they offered actual competition and didn’t make the point just to be cheaper. Honda can dooooo performance when they want to… I wish they wanted to.
Based on the review, is the A-Spec the better choice then? It's ~10K cheaper in Canada, has the 272 HP turbo four that's no longer available in the Accord and SH-AWD. And, it still offers all the pluses you outlined. Probably less understeer with less weight on the nose too. Not as quick, but quickness isn't this car's strength anyway.
That's what I was thinking. I saw a blue A-Spec one the other day and at first glance I thought it was a Type-S. If the Type S isn't all that sporty and the A-Spec is 95% there in terms of looks, then getting the A-Spec and saving around $10k sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Great video although my only critique is that the TLX Type S has a closer competitor compared to the ones mentioned in the video. The Genesis G70 is cheaper and faster than the TLX and has better driving dynamics (imo) + non crappy infotainment system.
Loved the "Hammer above the nail" analogy. It can't actually hit the nail, but it looks like it's ready to and it's heavy enough to feel like it should be able to. Thank you for the honest reviews and not kissing the _ss of the manufacturers. I still recall your comments on the recent BMW M2 (or was it M4) coupe exterior styling.
@@ninolucania3350you haven’t been paying attention for the last 7 years. Kia/hyundai are churning out reliable vehicles and even back it up with a 10yr/100k warranty off the lot unlike Honda and its 4yr/60k
I just bought a TLX Tech this afternoon. It’s never going to be better than my 3 series but to get kids to practice and back and for longer rides than my wife’s Model X can do without hours of super charging I think it’s a win. The way it sips gas is great and I just enjoy a more refined interior. When the kids don’t need to be shuttled around from one practice to another I’ll get rid of it and grab me a rear wheel drive two seat convertible manual Porsche from the early 2000s. May not be the quickest or fastest but I’ll probably have a lot more fun driving it.
Sport mode tightens the steering, it has adjustable dampers which stiffen up, and adjusts throttle response....then you also have to put the over complicated shifter in S mode too to make it even more responsive. But for Thomas to say Sport+ only throttle response is wrong. He is 100% correct about the looks, add the side skirts which this car needs and its even better, and he is 150% correct about the infotainment garbage. But, Mr. Bmw doesnt like fwd biased cars...ever.
A Honda engine with a 6k rev limit in a sporty car is a bit baffling. Out of this and it's competitors, I wonder which one will just work the best without breaking down.
Maybe because his testing it for a couple of days only and based on limited time he can't definitely say that the car will be reliable for years. Doing so would be a lie, since he really doesn't know. I've read posts from actual owners having some reliability issues, so just because it's a Honda product doesn't mean it will be reliable.
@@neilgendzwill3260 @Joeromano95 Reliability is only one piece of the puzzle, and if you are actually buying new or low mileage, it shouldn't be an issue. The Germans have gotten a lot better reliability wise in the past 10 years. I'd take any over a Japanese product for overall package. No comparison.
How is a short term review going to test reliability? I like Acura, but that’s a ridiculous point that Japanese fans use when the vehicle is subpar everywhere else.
I never understood the complaint on the trackpad for Acura cars it's literally not that hard to use. Back when I had my RDX it took me only a few days to get use to it and it was smooth sailing from there. Most reviewers are making it out to be that this trackpad is a deal breaker and it's going to a pain everytime to use when its not.
Anyone that actually owns the cars with the track pad all say the same thing, has nobody ever used a mousepad on a laptop?? It’s practically the same thing and nobody says “wHy cAnT i ToUch my mOnItOr?” there.
I bought an RL way back (it was called the legend in Japan). Same sort of deal...it was the most boring car ever. I hated it. Sold it and got a used 911 and never looked back. They are still on the road and many have zillions of miles...they are well made, reliable cars. Just so darn boring. I mean really boring. That car's interior was super silly busy and annoying. This one is too....they probably need to figure out a whole new interior design process....it is a huge weakness overall. Buddy's new gen NSX is horrid this way too... Great review.
I have an A4 45 S-Line, and after driving each car, I can confirm that even the A4 feels more sporty, and just about as quick as the Type S. It really doesn’t feel that engaging, and is uncomfortable being pushed in a way that the A4 is not.
@@Noelyanez55 The presenters don't care about reliability because they don't own the cars. These are loaned to them by dealers and manufacturers to promote in their videos. Anyone who will be spending their own money on cars of this caliber ($40K and up) should definitely care about reliability.
@@TangentialShark decent argument, but: If you regularly watch the channel, you’d know the TH guys own an Alfa, an M2, and, before you argue those are under 40k, have recently ordered a Lotus Emira; all cars that are generally considered unreliable, so to say they solely don’t care about reliability because they don’t own the cars is just wrong. Nice try though
I think it really does look fantastic and if I'm honest, that's one of the bigger reasons why I chose to buy a car. I bought a 2003 Volvo S60 solely for the way it look and I very quickly loved that car for everything else! Now I'm on my 2015 Volvo S60 R and I love that car just as much!
I think this review was spot on. It's a practical car, but there are better "sporty" options out there from Europe, USA and even Korea. Honestly, if I wanted an old school luxury sedan that's sporty, I'd probably go Lexus IS over this. Even more physical buttons, knobs, a touchpad, better seats, LFA-inspired speedo, V6 and V8 options available and last - but not least - a CD player! :)
Oh, I would not take it over the 500, it is just a much better comparison to this Acura in terms of price, luxury and performance, that's all. 500 has a 5.0L V8, much better performance, much worse fuel economy and is in a different league in terms of price. Basically, what I'm saying is: I'd take a Lexus IS350 over Acura TLX Type S, and frankly I would not think twice. @marcjones744
Have been a supplier of Honda and Toyota for years. Honda lost the magic shortly after 2010. Quality went down and became a difficult customer (more American method of manufacturing). Great video as always!
Since i'm early, never EVER remove the scene with James banging his head on the i8
Best. Scene. Ever.
Ever
*Ding!
What about the face punch?
That sound lives happily in my head 😆
I feel like “a normal car that’s a bit quicker” sums up Type S in one sentence. Great review.
How expensive the 2024 Acura TLX Type S may be? For me i think only about $55.800.
Acura is insanely underrated
@@DyslexicMitochondriahey man I got intrigued by your name so decided to hop over and check you out. Damn your channel seriously surprised me in a good way
I love throttle house
the 2024 TLX Type S beat the M340i's lap time at MotorTrend, somehow.
I don't even care about cars I'm just here for their intros
Go away
Yes! And this time the intro is 4 minutes long, which is good.
Make a supercut
@@nexushexus4365You first. Literally. Leave earth.
Then the TLX type S is for you
The immovable spanish ship the La Quinta got a hearty belly laugh out of me.
Ive owned a 2021 TLX for 2 years now. The entertainment system (once learned) is quite nice. Its beautiful inside and out, very comfortable, gets 31mpg at 80mph and is average in acceleration. I have a baby seat in the middle rear and often times put 3 other children in as well, it works but is tight in the back. I love it so much im considering trading for a type s trim in the near future. I know it wont be the fastest but it will be beautiful and reliable
I would 100% get this car over the competition just because of the way the interior/exterior looks. The car is a head turner and IMO by far the best looking car in the segment. BY FAR. Lets be honest, nobody in this segment is tracking their cars, and if you really wanted to, you could drive a 20 year old Yaris aggressively and quickly. Any modern car is capable of being quick on a road, if you want to be a jerk.
I had a 2010 Acura TL and absolutely loved it, I made the mistake of going to a bmw, but now I’ve come back to Acura with the RDX.. absolutely love the car and if the brand stays as it is, in 7 years I’ll get another one, maybe an mdx once I have a family. Reliable, easy maintenance, very comfortable and feature rich, just can’t beat it with what Acura has to offer. My Rdx is aspec and has 99% of what I need
Why does he sound so sarcastic😂
@@arnavjoshi74 EXACTLY. It's like the whole video was made to mean the opposite of what he said. I was just waiting for them to reveal it at the end.
The Type-S doesn't get close to 30 MPG and the infotainment, mostly due to its touchpad, is arguably one of the worst I've experienced in the last 5 years.
"That was free and the care was sub standard" 😂 yup
Still beats: "That made me go bankrupt and still took me 30 days to get done."
Come to the US, you can spend like a third of your net labor compensation on the care, plus more in additional taxes than you pay for Canadian Medicare, and the care is mediocre to atrocious! USA!!
@@ryanlcooperonly if your workplace doesn't provide insurance.
Haha...100% correct.
@@partysodownbetween ur employer and your payments for the insurance, you’re still paying alot for that insurance. And it usually isnt nation wide and subject to “networks”. America needs to wake up to universal healthcare and its benefits
I own the regular TLX and everything described here is exactly why I chose the car over the competition. It’s beautiful, functional, comfortable, and has all the essential tech you need with a top-of-the-class sound system. It may not beat track times or leave the competition in the dust in a drag race, but I’m not doing that along with 99% of the driving population. Not to mention the car is cheaper and significantly more reliable than its German and Korean competition, it carves its own niche as the most practical sports sedan in the market today. I can’t wait to upgrade to the next generation TLX Type S with hopefully a touchscreen.
@@layne4376 its pretty easy to buy out JD power
Probably you have never tried other cars available.....
Wth is wrong with some of you people trying to find ways to justify you purchasing this car.. " oh its more reliable than the german" plz..why dont you speak to a german owner who acutally maintain their cars. Yall go on the market buy german cars that have never been maintain and complain. Well if it makes u feel good go ahead. But an acura tlx type s can never drive like a m340i. Never. The acura is a regular car but just a bit faster. Thats it
@@ACURACALABAR11 You've never driven Acura either. Outside your... cute little black Merc.
@@layne4376 Sorry to say but JD Power is known to be unreliable and untrustworthy. You’re much better off with Consumer Reports who puts Acura and Honda in 3rd/4th place, BMW in 9th, and Genesis at 18th.
“ Cigarettes and Popsicles”…Lol. You nailed it. Their coffee is horrible.
I used to drive my semi through Ontario fairly often and I agree the coffee was weak and bitter at the same time,but I'am still recovering from a Tim's Bit's addiction.
We have Tim's (Timses?) in South Jersey now. Their honey crullers are a revelation.
15 years ago, the coffee was good. I drove a lot for work, and a Tims was the key start to the day. They changed it to Robusta at some point and it went to absolute shit. They're also owned by Burger King now, so is anyone surprised?
@@MLHunt Yeah just wait. They're trying to impress you with market penetration into the USA. Once you guys fall for it, they'll shit it up.
@@MLHunt Yes they are starting to expand into the states now.I've seen them in parts of MI,and OH also.I will have to try one of those crullers as I never meet a pastry I didn't like.
I have been following you guys since the first year, please don’t ever change. I love you guys.
Harrison and karston delivered in the intro. And James gave a emotionally gripping letter and outstanding outro
For me these guys are the new Top Gear
I said this back when it was just Thomas, that I seen Top Gear like potential. I promoted them on my own groups everywhere. Been a fan since day one. Looking back at those videos now is funny. They have come a long way. Very Proud of our Canadian Auto Journalists! Even if James isn't quite Canadian lol.
wow what a novel and interesting opinion
Amen
What Top Gear did so well, was combine humor (pioneered really by Clarkson) with automotive journalism. These guys do the same thing, it's just the right level of humor well still being informative.
I know this is the third time you've reviewed the TLX, and you've mentioned it before, but any test of this car's daily livability should absolutely bring up its piss-poor relationship between exterior size (huge) and interior space (miniscule). If you haven't seen one of these in person, it's actually shocking how little room there is in a car with exterior dimensions within an inch of a 5-series.
Sad but true. I loved my TLX but after my lease end period I just couldn’t see buying it out due to the interior space. On looks alone I still think it wins over anything else in the class, but the backseats were worse than some coupes I’ve been in.
Wait until you drive a Genesis SUV
This has only been discussed a million times. The manufacturer themselves said this was done on purpose to prioritize style over function, if people want practicality they will just buy an RDX anyways.
I think it’s ridiculous, but it is what it is
@@drivescene6747 "if people want practicality they will just buy an RDX anyways."
Indeed, or one of the TLX's competitors, as they've been doing.
I drove a Charger for the first time last summer. It's huge and bulky on the outside but very small on the inside.
You’ve exposed yourself, Mr. Thomas! How can a Canadian be “exhausted by apologizing?!” Uuuhuh!! Got you now!
First, I absolutely love you guys and the channel!
So, this review addresses and highlights something that I think a lot of automotive reviewers are affected by. The reviewers get the rare opportunity to drive some of the greatest vehicles in the world. It’s a win, win. It’s fun for them, and it’s fun for us the viewing audience. We share in their authentic excitement and love getting to see and hear about vehicles we all dream about. - The problem is the reviewers become addicted or jaded. They now have more experience with just how good a vehicles can be, and are subsequently letdown by anything that wasn’t built for people in the top 10% income class. - This car and others like it are “The People’s Champions”. Did they beat the actual champion? No. But they fought a good fight and regular people can relate to them. Every Acura owner is proud of the fact that they have a vehicle that shares in Honda’s well known reliability. That kind of thing isn’t a thought or deciding factor for the customer who bought that Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing. But to regular people who can be hurt financially by vehicle repair bills, it matters.
So here’s to all the everyday people’s champions out there, we love you!
Well said!
Amen!! 🙌
21 TLX-S owner here. It’s a great daily with many luxury features. It’s got enough speed to be fun to drive and the SH-AWD makes it feel really exciting in the turns. It would have been nice for Honda to deliver 400+ HP from the factory but let’s face it, they’re a conservative company. I don’t know if there is a perfect car out there but this one gets a B+ in my book.
how do you like the transmission?
@@KC-lg8qf I like it. I primarily drive in sport mode and run the stage 1 map on Ktuner. It makes all the torque you need, I rarely need more than 50% throttle to get moving quick.
@@Timbuckley01 nice!
@@Timbuckley01that’s good then if you only gotta push the pedal half way. I figured a tune, some exhaust and intake systems, plus new intercooler would help make this car come more to life. I’ve got a 2019 v6 TLX Aspec, but will eventually get a Type S later down the road 🥲
If that's a B+ what's an A and A+ then?
Thomas has a mall-Santa side-hustle during the holidays 😂
Very cool fact, bro.
I will never understand the hate for the track pad that controls the center screen on Acuras. I own a 21' MDX Type S and it uses the same thing. I've had the car ever since it was brand new and the pad is honestly my favorite part of the interior. You don't have to worry about reaching all over the place to touch certain buttons on the screen, no fingerprints, and it's less distracting. I got used to the pad very quickly and I can navigate the whole screen without even looking at it now.
Touchscreen brain has infected a lot of car reviewers because they review so many cars. Same with their expectation for consumers to deal with screen based hvac. But at least there the market has revolted to the point where manufacturers and reviewers cannot astroturf over such a shitty stupid decision.
Yeah, I was test driving sedans last summer and after a few different runs in different Lexus ES models with a trackpad, I totally got used to it. Did I love it? No, but it was totally fine.
@@ruvindap66 that would involve them to actually use the screen for more than 5 seconds.
I don’t mind the standard functionally, but I agree the operation is frustrating when in CarPlay. It turns away a lot buyers which is reason enough to change it, no matter who actually likes it. Every single car on the road has a touch screen, Acura needed to take a hint, and they have. The 2025 MDX will have a touch screen, I’m assuming the new RDX will, and they should have put it in here too.
I have it in my RDX. It sucks!!
I own a 2024 TLX Type S. I got it after my 2021 G70 3.3 was totaled. Is it the fastest car, nope, but it’s plenty fast enough. I’m not a red light dragster and I don’t care about street racing morons in other cars. I do however like the power when I need it for passing, merging, and the like. What I do love about this car, is its daily driving. The transmission is smooth as butter, the Genesis was a little more harsh. How solid and planted the car feels regardless of road conditions. And I think Thomas said it perfectly. If you are an audiophile that wants a nice ride in a car that look cool, this is it.
So basically you should’ve just bought the A-SPEC. It also has plenty of passing power, better fuel economy, and is much cheaper.
Except I wanted a 6 cylinder and until you drive both, you will find the driving dynamics of the Type S are not the same as the A-spec. I bought the Type S because that’s what I wanted.
Which makes his attitude genuinely hilarious to me.
95% of sport sedans never see the track. Especially leased German ones (and they're all leased because they're not designed for long-term ownership, they're meant to last a lease with minimal fuss and little else). Track nerds aren't buying S4s, M340is, etc.
Hardly anything except a Miata is actually *fun* to drive anywhere near the speed limit on public roads. So most people who buy sports sedans looking for a sporty driving experience just drive like absolute jackwagons (or don't actually utilize more than the badge).
Acura honestly hit on something good with the Type S. Amazing daily driver with enough grunt and enough handling to be good the way sane human beings drive on public roads, with great looks, great front seats, and a great sound system. Well, so long as you don't mind the fuel economy.
Reviewers have the most disingenuous attitude towards actual car ownership, and either tacitly support reckless driving or actually believe more than a tiny fraction of sports sedan buyers actually track their cars.
If I DID want to track a car, it'd be a CT4 Blackwing in a heartbeat. But that's not the car I'd want as a daily driver (because my wife refuses to learn to drive stick and we need to be able to use our vehicles interchangeably).
For me, the Type S is the short list. It's a better car overall than a G70, you can own it (affordably) out of warranty unlike Zee Germans, and it has enough real-world strengths to be an awesome car to live with on the daily (with enough oomph and handling to be useful and fun below 10/10ths).
@@jr1885I have a 2023 TLX aspec and I get this take. The passing power is plenty with my 2.0T and is even better with a tune (haven’t gotten it yet, but from what I’ve been read and told). Cheaper and arguably more reliable than a type S, as 4 cylinders are hondas bread and butter. Everything else is mostly the same outside power and badges
@@Wolfgangmetal92 yeah, it seems like the A-SPEC is a better value. Thomas stated that he likes the Type-S better in just its comfort mode. So I don’t see a reason to upgrade to the performance model that doesn’t deliver performance.
Gr8 review. I just bought one and this guy is right on the money. Plus repairs are way cheaper than other cars in its class. Hey I don't race, just back and forth to work. Lots of power to pass people and luxurious inside. I love this car.
Yeah exactly right, everything is not a track car.
Every time I see a TLX from the back at night, it looks fantastic. Especially how the lights are very recognizable.
2:59 Love seeing a 4th gen TL in the wild while you're out reviewing one of its extended family members!
Thought I was the only one who spotted that and fan boy'd
Me too! I currently drive a 2013 as my daily.
I own a 2009 TL sh AWD For 10 years nothing but matinance the most underrated Acura ever
@@frankienieves5124I agree!
Yessss!
As a fellow Canadian, I approve of all those stereotypes and observations!
I'm sorry I have to agree with you
Looks better than any other sport sedan and since I'm not tracking it, seems like a great option
The genesis g70 says otherwise
@@eae9486G70 doesn’t look better at all
@@eae9486beautiful car but it’s a Genesis so no
@@lolwhatt820 what's wrong with genesis
Arteon?
The way you deliver an entire review passive aggressively is top notch in my book.
One of the biggest reason why one can't really enjoy something is the habit of comparing it with everything else. If you consider the look and the price tag, I think it's a good car with some long-term reliability and performance.
It's a common thing these days, they tell us what it's not, not what it IS
Ah the Brit telling the Canadian how it's gonna go down... As an Australian with a Canadian father and an Irish mother, that intro hit in so many complicated ways.
The Canadian references here are superb. “Sorry, ketchup chips, our brutal health care - free but substandard”
In the US, we can gloat over our expensive, but substandard health care.
@@JawsofFenririf you have money US healthcare is world class
A rich US citizen has a longer lifespan than an average Canadian. An average American, not so much.
Correction, not free!
@@pandabmwVery true.
In a world where the Kia Stinger exists with arguably better "sportishness", the TLX has been a hard sell for me for the money. Yes, the Stinger is officially out of production, but because of that reason, they are going on sale for well under $50k (US), and even cheaper than that for older year models. Sure, it might not be as luxurious or have the best infotainment in the industry, but it punches well above it's price tag. If you enjoy a daily car that is a decent all-rounder for the enthusiasts, the Stinger is still a great contender.
Still got the g70 without the stinger as well
@@marcjones744 LOVE the G70. LOVE my Stinger.
@@TPCV2 definitely a dope car... Im an acura guy, but the g70 makes this type s look bad in a lot of ways
@@marcjones744 Hmmm, not sure I agree actually. I'll take the Stinger over either, personally, very few rides look better. But I think I prefer the look of the TLX S over the G70 by a bit. Lighting on the G70? Forget about it, AMAZING, but take that away and, a lil meh imo. TLX has some sick lines.
Especially its hatchback design. The rear seats are more spacious than the TLX as well and is equipped with heated rear seats. Maybe the older TLX had the rear heated seats as well but was cut like BMW 3 series?
More Thomas and James solo adventures! it was seriously fun to watch and super relaxing right after work!
Living with the infotainment it’s great you just have a learning curve. Much safer than a touch screen and it’s functional. It’s never as bad as reviewers made it sound
6:13 the hint of performance for 60k.
Tuned and coilovers its pretty quick
@@eurly93so 60k +
@@eurly93 Because that's exactly what someone would do with a normal comfortable sedan before putting their family into a bone crushing road trip experience
@@eurly93I would like to think that a $60k sedan with a Type-S badge on it should have the suspension already sorted. But hey. That’s just me. And value is subjective 🤷♂️
@@eurly93cheaper cars out there that outperform with the same additions
A 350 hp car that excells at Timmies Drive Throughs? Be still my heart!
I think the issue with this car is that at least exterior size-wise (people have been saying that it's small inside) it's not CT4-sized, it's CT5-sized. And in that context it's as bad because you can get a CT-5 V (the twin-turbo V6 one) - which occupies the exact same market segment and comes standard with magneride, rear-drive, and will be cheaper than the Type S even if you spec AWD. And to boot, you can shove SuperCruise onto it and have yourself a self-driving car if that's the weird shit you're into.
And it's really a shame because just as a concept, I love the clever single twinscroll system Acura has on its V6. It's well-engineered, it just needs a corporate edict to be a bit wilder, a bit more substantial. The two-liter on this car is a 270hp vehicle already; 85hp is not enough of a boost for the price they demand. When you have less power per dollar than a Caddy - not a value brand at all - you know you need to back off the profit margin and make the car more substantial.
I've been cross shopping sporty-ish sedans and what you brought up is similar to what my analysis has lead me to. The TLX Type S is more in the sake of nostalgia for the brand, they want buyers that have outgrown the Integra name because Bob from Accounting will judge them but don't want an SUV.
While they mention CT4 Blackwing, at least here in the states these are nearly a $25k difference and seems to be an unfair comparison. I think your dead right on the money with the CT5 V. I wish Lexus would've made a similar competing vehicle but the IS500 is outright too small and they killed off the GS which I feel is right in the same honey pot of vehicle, sporty-enough and luxurious-enough. The Genesis G70/G80 keep sneaking in the side door in my comparisons but dealership experience is a mood killer.
I personally don't want a kidney killer car (Supra, Integra, Camaro etc.) but I also don't want a sleepy saloon (LS, CT5, G90 etc.) . I think CT5 V is the best of both spectrums for someone like me that wants a quick car but not something that eats tires every 4k miles via compound alone, paranoid driving Michigan state roads because 30 series tire, and not cramped up.
@@Dr_Skot Regarding the CT4 Blackwing, unless you factor in markups (though in all likelihood/fairness you ought to) you can still get one for only a couple thousand over a Type S - granted, you're getting a small (legitimately) sports sedan with a manual and not a midsize comfort cruiser with extra punch.
But I was surprised to see how genuinely good of a deal the 5V is. You just put on a couple bells and whistles and boom, all things to all men.
Or you can try an ugly new 540i and pay extra to get real leather instead of "vEgANzA"
@Dr_Skot I have a 2023 G70 3.3 AWD Prestige, don't count it out because of a dealership that you'll spend .5% of your time at. It's a sleeper all the way. Buy the Eibach Pro Kit springs and sway bars, it has the perfect stance and for $850 (not including labor) it rails corners and looks amazing doing it. Buy the Takeda cold air intake when it's on sale for $400-450 and you get about 15 hp out of it. You have a killer G70 that's still $10k cheaper than an M340i with a better interior and more features.
Don't know how it would compare to a CT5, but you're missing out on a badass car for reasons that once you're done buying the car you don't ever have to see the dealer again. I mean I even take my car to my mechanic for an oil change that's only $100 and I get better oil put into it than any dealer would use, and I know what oil I'm getting.
That said it also depends on your dealership, I've also been there for scheduled maintenance and had zero issues getting a loaner and dropping off the car.
The car is really bad on space, the door sils are like a foot thick and the inside is really cramped and the seats aren’t the greatest
I would never consider an Acura when looking at cars in these price ranges. Glorified Honda that has never been known for sportiness. The BMW 340i and CT-5 V are the only two vehicles I would choose as options.
Hi Throttle House, you brought me back to car content. Thanks! Love it.
This is the best car channel on YT!
I can't decide which I enjoy more: this channel, or ExtraTH
u’ve guys come a long way. loved watching these videos over the year
Glad our Northern friends navigate stop signs the same way we do down here in the Midwest. “Ope, ope, there ya go bud.”
On the east coast, you beat the other guy to the 4 way stop sign so he knows you are the boss.
Ah the good ol’ “Ope, lemme just squeeze right past ya there”
This video is definitely a cure for all the junkies high on copium.
100% agree, it looks great. Not a big fan of the center dash/infotainment. Hate the button transmission. For my money, an Audi S5 Sportback or BMW M340i would be a better sports sedan pick.
I really enjoyed the undertone of contempt throughout the entire video. Well done!
Ended up with a Stinger GT instead of the Type S. I think it gives up some of the comfort and road isolation that the Acura has but provides more of the sport with rwd based chassis and practicality with the lift back I was looking for. Sadly the Stinger is dead but wish Genesis would bring the G70 wagon to Canada! Keep up the great videos!!
😂 kia
@@fri3ndlyatheistwomp womp. Still a better option than this TLX, where the stinger isn't tryna be this performance mimicker car. Stinger is luxury
@@fri3ndlyatheist I have enjoyed 85,000 trouble free kms in my 2020 Stinger GT. There was a time that Honda and Toyota were the punchline of many automotive jokes...times change and IMHO Hyundai/Kia/Genesis are today putting out some of the best all around vehicles for sale.
@@fri3ndlyatheist Are there really still idiot badge snobs like you out there that won't even consider a genuinely great car just because "it's a Kia"
Ah, but do you tell everyone who will listen that you bought one? 😂
You guys are nailing it - great channel!
Couldn't agree more: the trackpad is an absolute deal breaker. I had one for a week while my older Acura was being serviced, and the system is INFURIATING!
A week isn't long enough to learn how to use it.
It’s just a bad design.
@@paul5683but should it take a week to learn how to use something that should be intuitive and seamless so you can use it without have to look down at it every time you want to use it!?
It takes a while to get used to it but you just learn absolute positioning but I dont like it
next year they're bringing the touchscreen and ditching the track pad apparently
The level of production in these videos are amazing! The way you both convey each vehicle is so easy to understand, as well as gives us enthusiasts a glimpse at potential cars we want to purchase! Yes the Type S is slow, but man does it look gorgeous! I've got a 2019 TLX Aspec with a v6, and I'm on the brink of trading it in for a 2021 used type S model, and videos like these help my decision become more clear. Thank you for the content!
I really want this car for some reason. It’s not a manual or a coupe but I think I’m maturing now and just want a nice daily driver.
And unlike all those other cars you compared it’s ACTUALLY reliable 💀
As someone living in Minnesota, that stop sign scenario is all too accurate 😂
I got rid of mine, these cars are slow as shit. Not worth the price tag at all. Nothing about this car is sporty. It’s an every day commuter. Nothing more, nothing less.
This is one of the best looking sedans I think I have ever seen I am going to make it a mission to eventually own one.
Imo this car has easily the best proportions of any sedan rn, looks gorgeous
Did we forget about the G70? It would run rings around most of the cars in the class when you think about price to value
A decent trim line is over $50k, at that point any perceived value is negated by the fact that it's a fancy hyundai. It can compete with the premium brands like acura and infiniti as they're typically on the lower side when it comes to performance, but it ends there.
@@stitch438 just like an audi is a fancy vw
The TLX Type S beat the G70's lap time at both Car & Driver and MotorTrend.
@@TheBreakfastLover that is true, good point. But the point of these cars is to be focused on road experience and performance. Since i have a good amount of track time i can def say if you wanted to do track time in a daily it would be a CTR, Elantra N, Gr86, etc.
The price to value thing is just so subjective. How do you define it? That it's cheaper with a little less performance, so it's best price to value? That's just a very unconvincing way to say you think the G70 is good because you like it.
Have a RDX, the trackpad takes you no more than 2 days to learn… yea it’s stupid but it’s far from a deal breaker
I'm sorry to hear that, my condolences
I agree. Took me a whole 2-3 days to get used to it - it works two different ways too, normally and CarPlay wise. You then begin to appreciate the fingerprint free screen.
I used to say the same thing about the track pad in my Lexus, but I admit I am glad there is a touchscreen now. I only use the trackpad for navigating to the Android Auto screen itself when the car starts up. lol
I hate ours. A touchscreen is 1000 times easier and better. I will never buy another Acura until they put in a touchscreen.
@@Japplesnap Who cares? Seriously, of all the things that comprise a car, what a whiny First World problem to prioritize. "Oh, my god! I have to reach down and press my finger in an unfamiliar motion for two days until I become used to it, instead of my preferred method of reaching forward, taking my eyes off of the road, and smudging my oversized screen with my grubby fingers! I simply can't do it! I won't do it! I won't! I won't!" Jesus, man, grow a pair.
The red-over-silver gauge cluster in the old one was a throwback to previous type S models. The RSX-S had that too.
And my 2001 Acura CL Type S. I loved that car so much. Those seats were amazing and that Vtec 3.2L V6 engine
I miss my RSX-S although I did a Gauge cluster swap to an S2000 one (one of the best mods ever. Just looks and felt like it belonged in the car from factory)
I bought a brand new 2012 TL SHAWD when they came out. This review reflects my sentiment about that similar great car.
Thank you for redoing a review and coming to effectively the same conclusion. Don't know why people were upset, but I'll bet they're no happier now ;).
Performance aside, this is the best looking car in its class
No it’s not 😂
@@Domepeezywhat looks better?
The intro is so funny actually 😂👍
Acura has lost the narrative. Used to be, the "luxury" variant of a Japanese brand was simple. A Lexus is "take the best Toyota and go from there." If you bought the cheapest Lexus it would still be better than the most expensive Toyota. Acura has decided to be the "slightly better Honda." This is what has almost killed Infiniti. That brand has become "an overpriced Nissan." Dear Acura: Don't be a slightly better Honda. Be a luxury brand.
... almost killed Infiniti ?? I think this brand is pretty dead by now.... sadly !!
It's likely the most reliable and cheapest to maintain. That's some good reason to purchase as well.
When Thomas walked away in the beginning was funny as hell 😂. I love these intros ❤
That sorry part though ☠️
Where I live we call the 4-way stop deal a "Finlander Standoff"
At least they’re better than the uncontrolled intersection which works as a sort of 4-way yield.
I always felt this car and the IS350 were direct competitors. Both sporty sedans…but not sports sedans.
Idk, I'd take the Lexus, purely for RWD.
@@benwelter8890rwd doesn’t always mean better. The IS500 has the worst handling of this class. That 5.0 is sweet though.
@@benwelter8890yeah but that only has 311HP and it’s too slow
The shade at VW for physical buttons makes my heart warm
I have been an Acura fanboy since I bought a 1995 Acura Legend 3.2L VTEC V6 back in 2000 when I graduated high school.
I just bought a 2024 Acura TLX type S and this car for what you pay is absolutely incredible.
My wife drives an Acura MDX and what makes the Acura brand so great is you get the Honda reliability but you get that Acura sporty luxury for a price that’s unmatched.
If you are on the fence I would highly recommend not only the TLX but an MDX as well.
both are worse than all of the competitors. acura is for longtime honda fans that like average, that’s it.
@@67keyakaren68 Really? That comment is pretty silly and you know it. Acura is no different than Lexus to Toyota, Infiniti to Nissan, Lincoln to Ford, and Cadillac to GM....just a fancier version of what they already make.
@@SuperSnakePlissken acura isn’t sold globally it’s made in usa for usa. Nothing like Lexus or Cadillac. Even infiniti tried europe
07-08 TL type S is best type S🎉🎉
I still want one
I bought mine because I know it'll last since it's a Honda/Acura. I'm willing to compromise on not having the absolute best sports car so that it'll last and the repairs won't be outrageously expensive.
honestly I still love the way a v6 feels! let a lone a V6 TURBO! I have a 2016 RDX and the V6 there is peppy!!! very very responsive! and surprises me to this day! I hope ACURA does not abandon their V6 cars! truly still great reliable engines
I'm terribly sorry to hear you actually drive an RDX
@@chrxx4327Why? It's a decent car. Or are you one of those people that thinks that all cars should be super cars and if they're not they suck?
@@Aki_Lesbrinco I pitty anyone that drives a crossover
Get the TLX for reliability/price. If you want to be thrilled, excited, butterflies in your stomach, there are better options.
Is a 340i that much less reliable?
As a tlx owner I really love my tlx. She’s getting alittle older now but I am not getting another car until I find one I like with 4 wheel steering like my tlx. Such a game changer
The TLX Type-S has such a conservative tune from factory and a tune turns the car into a different beast!
Because its hamstrung by its (typically Honda) weak drivetrain (ie: transfer case and transmission). There's a very good reason the car was limited to 355HP when they knew that every single car they were competing with made more (the S4 is underrated and everyone knows it ... because German).
The fact that, besides being the slowest, it's also the heaviest, least practical and least fuel efficient car in its segment just shows how far Acura has lost the plot.
Doesn't matter if a tune adds more hp, it's still 4300 pounds which is extremely heavy.
same with the q50 3.0t and the kia stinger a tune and FBO and they are all pretty quick
...and a tune on any of it's competitors puts it even further behind.
Into a different beast? I don’t think a tune even makes it as fast as a stock m340i…
Sooo, what I got from this video is that Tomas was right in the 1st video, and there was no need for this one..
Got it.
So what’s the point of getting the Type-S if it doesn’t deliver performance? If you’re going to cruise around in comfort just get the much cheaper A-SPEC. That 2.0T from the older Accord has plenty of daily commute power, plus it’s much more efficient than the V6.
the A-Spec is a 7 second car and hard on gas for a 4 cyl. The Type S is a 5 second car, smooth af, and doesn't sound like a hair dryer....or dare I say, a Honda Accord. No idea why anyone buys the 4 cyl for that money to be honest.
This car is just as fast as everything else in the real world. It’s only about 0.7 slower than the m340i. People are dailying these as they are everything else in this class. It’s much more reliable than the Germans.
4 cylinder is a lot slower and sounds like crap.
So all of you guys are saying that Thomas is just a TLX hater and doesn’t know what he’s talking about? The TLX is truly a performance car and worth the extra 12k over the 4 Cylinder?
@@jr1885 the sh-awd a spec costs $50k usd, the type S is $57k. at that point just get the type S lol
The subtle (sometimes not so subtle) sarcasm is my favorite thing about this show!
I currently have a BMW 340. I used to have a manual V6 Accord Coupe and I *loved* that car. In that context, I wouldn’t replace my 340 with a TLX, but I wish that I would. In other words, I *WISH* Honda gave it some more sauce; real performance… I wish they offered actual competition and didn’t make the point just to be cheaper. Honda can dooooo performance when they want to… I wish they wanted to.
Absolutely brilliant and clever review! 👍👊
TH does great reviews!
Based on the review, is the A-Spec the better choice then? It's ~10K cheaper in Canada, has the 272 HP turbo four that's no longer available in the Accord and SH-AWD. And, it still offers all the pluses you outlined. Probably less understeer with less weight on the nose too. Not as quick, but quickness isn't this car's strength anyway.
That's what I was thinking. I saw a blue A-Spec one the other day and at first glance I thought it was a Type-S. If the Type S isn't all that sporty and the A-Spec is 95% there in terms of looks, then getting the A-Spec and saving around $10k sounds like a no-brainer to me.
He was just so ecstatic the whole time to be reviewing this car again, really convinced me here.
Great video although my only critique is that the TLX Type S has a closer competitor compared to the ones mentioned in the video. The Genesis G70 is cheaper and faster than the TLX and has better driving dynamics (imo) + non crappy infotainment system.
Great intro, Great review!
Loved the "Hammer above the nail" analogy. It can't actually hit the nail, but it looks like it's ready to and it's heavy enough to feel like it should be able to. Thank you for the honest reviews and not kissing the _ss of the manufacturers. I still recall your comments on the recent BMW M2 (or was it M4) coupe exterior styling.
G70 3.3T waaay more fun to drive, fully loaded low-mid 50's
I came here to say the same thing. I love my G70 3.3 and it's in the same price bracket.
But it's basically a Hyundai 🤢 at least the TLX is built by Honda so you have the reliability.
@@ninolucania3350Genesis is significantly more reliable than Hyundai/Kia because they don’t use the same transmissions.
@@ninolucania3350you haven’t been paying attention for the last 7 years. Kia/hyundai are churning out reliable vehicles and even back it up with a 10yr/100k warranty off the lot unlike Honda and its 4yr/60k
G70's are fun to drive but feel a little small to compare to this class
I just bought a TLX Tech this afternoon. It’s never going to be better than my 3 series but to get kids to practice and back and for longer rides than my wife’s Model X can do without hours of super charging I think it’s a win. The way it sips gas is great and I just enjoy a more refined interior. When the kids don’t need to be shuttled around from one practice to another I’ll get rid of it and grab me a rear wheel drive two seat convertible manual Porsche from the early 2000s. May not be the quickest or fastest but I’ll probably have a lot more fun driving it.
Sport mode tightens the steering, it has adjustable dampers which stiffen up, and adjusts throttle response....then you also have to put the over complicated shifter in S mode too to make it even more responsive. But for Thomas to say Sport+ only throttle response is wrong. He is 100% correct about the looks, add the side skirts which this car needs and its even better, and he is 150% correct about the infotainment garbage. But, Mr. Bmw doesnt like fwd biased cars...ever.
A Honda engine with a 6k rev limit in a sporty car is a bit baffling.
Out of this and it's competitors, I wonder which one will just work the best without breaking down.
The IS500 is the undisputed king of reliability in this segment.
I love how he doesn't mention reliability. That honda will out last ANY German car mentioned.
THIS is the most important point and is why I own a Type-S vs any of those other models. Price is a minimal consideration.
Maybe because his testing it for a couple of days only and based on limited time he can't definitely say that the car will be reliable for years. Doing so would be a lie, since he really doesn't know. I've read posts from actual owners having some reliability issues, so just because it's a Honda product doesn't mean it will be reliable.
@@Aki_Lesbrinco they’ve shit on German, British and Italian reliability many times.
@@neilgendzwill3260
@Joeromano95
Reliability is only one piece of the puzzle, and if you are actually buying new or low mileage, it shouldn't be an issue. The Germans have gotten a lot better reliability wise in the past 10 years. I'd take any over a Japanese product for overall package. No comparison.
How is a short term review going to test reliability? I like Acura, but that’s a ridiculous point that Japanese fans use when the vehicle is subpar everywhere else.
I never understood the complaint on the trackpad for Acura cars it's literally not that hard to use. Back when I had my RDX it took me only a few days to get use to it and it was smooth sailing from there. Most reviewers are making it out to be that this trackpad is a deal breaker and it's going to a pain everytime to use when its not.
I guess because most of them only have the vehicles for a few hours as opposed to days.
@@drivescene6747 The thing is though some reviewers literally live with the car for a set time though. Yet they still complain about it.
@@saruharu1 those are the ones who just regurgitate what other have said. I realize that’s a trend among these “journalists.”
@@drivescene6747 true
Anyone that actually owns the cars with the track pad all say the same thing, has nobody ever used a mousepad on a laptop?? It’s practically the same thing and nobody says “wHy cAnT i ToUch my mOnItOr?” there.
I bought an RL way back (it was called the legend in Japan). Same sort of deal...it was the most boring car ever. I hated it. Sold it and got a used 911 and never looked back. They are still on the road and many have zillions of miles...they are well made, reliable cars. Just so darn boring. I mean really boring.
That car's interior was super silly busy and annoying. This one is too....they probably need to figure out a whole new interior design process....it is a huge weakness overall. Buddy's new gen NSX is horrid this way too...
Great review.
Came for the car, stayed for the antics.
Best car review channel, period! Sorry, no no sorry period!!
I mean, how many people are actually tracking their vehicles. Thanks for the different perspective.
Forget that. How many people actually drive there car fast? I see BMW barely doing the speed limit all the time.
@@300zxdriver Totally agree, I live in a crowded suburban area where 90% of the time I’m lucky to exceed 40mph😎
@@layne4376 lol ….you must be a BMW driver.
@@layne4376 He didn’t say that. Make up some more crap.
@@layne4376 Best looking car of the bunch. Less money than the rest. Buy what you want.
I have an A4 45 S-Line, and after driving each car, I can confirm that even the A4 feels more sporty, and just about as quick as the Type S. It really doesn’t feel that engaging, and is uncomfortable being pushed in a way that the A4 is not.
lol
I got a 3.3 G70 over this last year and have to say I don’t regret it. More power AND less weight 👍
And less reliability and resale value 👍
@@jay.fromthebay hate all you want homie, even the throttle boys care the least about reliability 😂
@@Noelyanez55 The presenters don't care about reliability because they don't own the cars. These are loaned to them by dealers and manufacturers to promote in their videos. Anyone who will be spending their own money on cars of this caliber ($40K and up) should definitely care about reliability.
@@TangentialShark decent argument, but:
If you regularly watch the channel, you’d know the TH guys own an Alfa, an M2, and, before you argue those are under 40k, have recently ordered a Lotus Emira; all cars that are generally considered unreliable, so to say they solely don’t care about reliability because they don’t own the cars is just wrong. Nice try though
9 minutes in and I still can’t get over the fact J said “bequeath”.
I think it really does look fantastic and if I'm honest, that's one of the bigger reasons why I chose to buy a car. I bought a 2003 Volvo S60 solely for the way it look and I very quickly loved that car for everything else! Now I'm on my 2015 Volvo S60 R and I love that car just as much!
I think this review was spot on. It's a practical car, but there are better "sporty" options out there from Europe, USA and even Korea. Honestly, if I wanted an old school luxury sedan that's sporty, I'd probably go Lexus IS over this. Even more physical buttons, knobs, a touchpad, better seats, LFA-inspired speedo, V6 and V8 options available and last - but not least - a CD player! :)
good luck getting an is500 for msrp
@@ShaiyanHossainGet a 350.
@@karachaWhat makes u say that over the is500
Oh, I would not take it over the 500, it is just a much better comparison to this Acura in terms of price, luxury and performance, that's all. 500 has a 5.0L V8, much better performance, much worse fuel economy and is in a different league in terms of price. Basically, what I'm saying is: I'd take a Lexus IS350 over Acura TLX Type S, and frankly I would not think twice. @marcjones744
@@karacha oh gotcha
I would take an IS500 over this
You're comparing a sports coupe to a sedan. Not a fair comparison
@@chadbrown1756they’re both sports sedan
Roasting one's sister. Lol.
Awaiting for MDX Type S review)
Have been a supplier of Honda and Toyota for years. Honda lost the magic shortly after 2010. Quality went down and became a difficult customer (more American method of manufacturing). Great video as always!