The rebirth of Acura’s iconic Type S nameplate is nothing short of a big deal, sparking a renewed interest in a brand that was integral to North American car culture throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The Integra Type S may be the talk of the town, especially among those who came of age in the new millennium, but it was the TLX sedan that kicked off this Type S rebirth in 2021. Two years later, and with the Integra Type S stealing all the headlines these days, does the 2023 Acura TLX Type S have what it takes to stay relevant?
The TLX Type S is a triumph for Acura’s designers. The sculpted body, reminiscent of the striking Type S prototype that debuted in 2019, coupled with the TLX’s fastback design imparts a captivating, coupe-like silhouette unseen in its predecessors. Acura elevates the aesthetics by mixing in a generous amount of metallic flakes in the TLX Type S’ only no-cost paint option, Modern Steel Metallic, and further complementing it with 20-inch wheels inspired by the NSX. Among its sport-sedan competitors, the TLX Type S stands out as one of the most attention-grabbing options.
The TLX Type S boasts a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, generating a robust 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive, this powertrain shines under the right conditions. The default drive modes feel a bit sluggish, but switching to Sport or Sport Plus, and activating the transmission’s sport mode transform the TLX. Power delivery feels much more responsive, the active exhaust resonates more, and Acura’s clever AWD system helps the TLX maintain composure, wet or dry. Surprisingly nimble and grippy at the limit, even despite its weight and limited steering feedback, the TLX Type S’ performance is impressive.
The standard TLX’s chassis is fairly well-tuned, but the Type S receives additional bracing, a mid-floor crossmember, and stiffer wheel arches, all of which boost chassis rigidity by 13 per cent. The double-wishbone suspension setup up front and adaptive dampers limit body roll well, but ride quality is on the stiff side. The Brembo brakes provide solid pedal feel, and finished in red, they even look great.
Fuel efficiency is rated at 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.8 on the highway; we observed 12.2 L/100 km in city-heavy commuting conditions. The TLX Type S can get by with regular-grade gas, but to get the best driving performance, it’s happiest with 91-octane gas in its 60-litre fuel tank.
The interior layout mirrors the standard TLX, but the Type S features a flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum trim, and a number of Type S logos throughout. Most switchgear is well-marked and easy to read, the 16-way power-adjustable front seats can be made as grippy as you please, the back seats are roomy, and cargo volume measures in at 396 litres.
Infotainment is delivered through Acura’s True Touchpad Interface on a 10.2-inch centre display. The system feels clunky initially, but the customizable shortcuts ease the sting, and it can be overridden by connecting Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, anyway. Plus, the TLX’s 17-speaker ELS Studio sound system is excellent. One note is that when CarPlay is running, the touchpad logic is entirely different than the stock programming. It was a small but challenging annoyance to deal with.
The TLX Type S includes a comprehensive suite of driver assists, such as adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and much more. Oddly enough, a heads-up display is missing from the Type S, despite being available on the standard TLX.
Priced at $61,500 as-tested, the TLX completes directly with the Genesis G70. For nearly the same money, the G70 also gives you a twin-turbo V6, similar performance, and is perhaps more engaging, but the TLX is a touch roomier and arguably more attractive. But both cars represent excellent value compared to its German competitors, which can cost up to $15,000 more when similarly equipped. It’s refreshing to see so few options on a new car; aside from an extra $500 for a colour that isn’t grey, the TLX Type S is well-equipped from the get-go.
Everyone may be talking about the Integra Type S these days, but it’s the TLX that brought back the Type S badge two short years ago. It may not be the uncompromising sport sedan some may have anticipated, the 2023 Acura TLX Type S strikes a good balance between luxury and usable performance wrapped in a good-looking package — and it won’t break the bank.
