A Week With: 2025 Acura TLX Type S

Long, low, sleek and swoopy, the 2025 Acura TLX Type S is everything I like about a sports sedan. It’s handsome, yet understated and entertaining without being over the top. In other words, the Acura TLX Type S has just enough of everything to be great. Plus, the Acura cruises beneath the radar — unlike its Audi, BMW and Mercedes rivals.

The current iteration of the mid-sized Acura sedan was introduced in 2021. The 2024 version got a midcycle refresh of which the revised front end was the most visible distinction. There were some interior detail changes as well.

The digital instrumentation and infotainment screens were new. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility were made wireless and a 10.5-inch head up display was made standard as well. With all of those changes for ’24, the angular four-door goes into 2025 unchanged.

Powertrain/Fuel Economy

Power is sourced from Honda’s 3.0-liter J30A twin-scroll turbocharged V6 with a drive by wire throttle system. The turbo is lag-free, making the V6 feel like a much larger displacement engine. Quoted output is 355 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 354 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 up to 5,000 rpm.

Offering peak torque so low in the rev range gives the engine outstanding tractability, which makes the Acura pull like it’s more powerful than it actually is. The transmission is a 10-speed automatic with a sequential sport shift function, which gives you the option of managing power delivery on your own terms, via a pair of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

According to the Feds at the EPA, the TLX Type S can be expected to return 19 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway and 21 overall. “My” TLX was fresh off the truck, with no break-in miles. Out of sympathy for the new powertrain, I drove the Acura gently for the most part, which helped it return the expected 21-mpg combined rating.

Interior design and appointments

The sharply angular exterior styling theme carries over to the interior — for better or worse. I tend to prefer a more organic look — one reliant upon curves — rather than an amalgamation of straight lines running in parallel and stacked atop one another. Moreover, the positioning of the 12.3-inch touchscreen makes it look like an afterthought, as opposed to an integrated aspect of the design.

Still though, the treatment does work, even if it is somewhat busy for my tastes. While I’m on the subject of things I found less than enthralling, that Infuriatingly inaccurate center console mounted touchpad infotainment interface has got to go. BMW nailed it with the dial and pointer interface way back when. Every subsequent attempt to improve upon it has demonstrated just how right it was.

That said, one cannot fault the Acura’s build quality or materials choices. I do wonder how long the “Orchid” (basically white) leather upholstery will maintain its fresh appearance over time, but it is quite attractive.

Customizable ambient lighting, a surround-view camera system, ultra suede inserts for the seats and one of the best audio systems I’ve ever heard in a car are among the interior’s highlights. Others include open pore wood trim, genuine aluminum accents and intuitive ergonomics.

While front seat passengers enjoy great leg-, shoulder- and hip room, I was surprised to see how little legroom the Acura offered rear seat passengers. This is particularly true in light of the sedan’s exterior dimensions. On the other hand, the TLX Type S has outstanding outward visibility all around.

Driving impressions

Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), offered since 2005, remains just as effective 20 years later. The system is capable of shifting as much as 70% of propulsion to the rear wheels, which disguises the fact that 60% of the Acura’s weight sits over the front wheels.

Turn-in is delightfully sharp, so much so I slightly overcooked the first corner I took. However, steering the TLX Type S became nearly telepathic once I knew what to expect. Even better, the TLX Type S delivered grip in mega doses. Fitted with a set of four-piston Brembo brakes, the Acura also provided mighty stopping power. Even more impressive, all this was accomplished on a set of all-season tires. Stickier summer tires can be had as an option.

Ride quality was firm, but not harsh. The saving grace in this regard was the Acura’s adjustable drive modes. These allow you to tune the firmness of the suspension system to your particular tastes and the situation at hand. You can also adjust steering and transmission response to your preferences.

Driven in the pre-configured Sport and Sport+ modes, body roll all but disappeared, but impacts became more readily apparent. The good news is directional stability wasn’t challenged, so you can trust the TLX Type S to go along with all but the most ridiculous of hijinks.

In Conclusion

To say I enjoyed driving the 2025 Acura TLX Type S would be an extreme understatement. The car is more than fast enough, offers outstanding handling and is well equipped. What’s more, the Acura is crafted nicely, with high-end materials and a distinctive style.

Long story short, this is a driver’s car you’ll enjoy without the ostentation associated with its competitors from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — with all of the equipment and verve those models provide.