2024 Acura TLX Type S Review

Last year I drove a 2023 Acura TLX Type-S and proclaimed it to be one of the most underrated luxury sport sedans on the market today. There were a few drawbacks, like the touchpad interface, vehicle weight, and fuel economy, but I was still quite smitten with the vehicle as a whole. 

For the 2024 model year, Acura has refreshed the TLX inside and out. The updates I am most interested in are those inside the car surrounding the interface technology. To see how the changes work, and if they made an already good car better, I borrowed a 2024 Acura TLX Type-S for a week of driving and evaluating. 

What’s New for 2024:

Although it may be hard to notice at first, the 2024 Acura TLX gets a new frameless Diamond Pentagon grille. Other than new 20-inch wheels available on the Type-S, not much else is changed on the outside. 

Inside the changes are more visible. There’s a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a center display that’s 20% larger. Various trim bits are changed and all TLX models get a quieter cabin.

On the technology front, there is an ELS audio system, ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and more standard safety features. The throttle response has also been improved on the Type-S in the Sport+ drive mode.

Exterior Style:

We won’t get too deep into the exterior as we discussed it in greater detail last year. My 2024 tester came with the Type-S appearance package, optional carbon fiber deck spoiler, and front splitter and rear diffuser. New for 2024 is the Urban Grey Pearl exterior color which my car came finished in. 

With the new paint, appearance package, new grille, new wheels, and those big quad exhaust tips, the TLX to my eyes is still quite pleasing and aggressive. 

Powertrain and Fuel Economy:

An area that is unchanged for the 2024 TLX Type-S model is the drivetrain. Under the hood still resides a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 making 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Last year I stated: “Even though it lacks VTEC, the 3.0-liter revs freely, producing a pleasing soundtrack complete with turbo whooshes.” Unsurprisingly, none of this is lost on the 2024 model, nor is the surprising amount of low-end thrust. Connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels, the 2024 Acura TLX Type-S remains rated at 19 mpg (12.3 L/100 km) city and 25 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) highway.

Handling and Drivability:

The magic that is Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) continues to shine in the 2024 TLX Type-S. The torque vectoring ensures power is gushed towards the wheel(s) that needs it most. The thicker front and rear sway bars have the TLX respond closer to a German sport sedan than the car’s Japanese rivals. 

Weight is still an issue, at 4,221 pound (1,910 kg), but this is a plague affecting the entire segment, so the TLX is not alone in needing a weight-loss program. The large brakes and 255/35R20 tires do their best to hide this mass, and for the most part it works. The TLX rotates through corners, retaining grip, at speeds I did not expect it too. 

Ride Quality and Comfort:

Ride comfort is still a matter of which setting the car’s adjustable suspension is set in. In Sport or Sport+, it’s rather stiff to minimize body roll. It’s still not as stiff as some competitor’s settings, but the Acura’s comfort setting is just that: comfortable. 

The 16-way power seat sport seats feature Milano premium leather with Ultrasuede inserts. There’s nothing offensive about these seats, but they also are not standouts in the segment. With the changes this year just being visual, interior space remains unchanged, with 37.2-inches (946 mm) of headroom up front and 42.5-inches (1,079 mm) of legroom. The rear is less accommodating, with 36.3-inches of headroom and 34.9-inches (886 mm) legroom. But like we said last year, despite those numbers, two regular adults should fit in the rear seats without drama.  

Interior Style and Quality:

Like last year, the TLX interior can come in different colors, with the choices being slightly different in each country. For American customers, there’s the option of a black or red interior on the 2024 Acura TLX Type-S finished in Urban Grey. In Canada, the only interior available at the time of this writing is the red interior. 

The updates to the interior are minimal, with the two larger screens being the most notable change. Our biggest gripe with the 2023 Acura TLX remains, and that’s the touch pad. 

Tech and Safety:

Although I still do not like the touchpad in the least, I will give credit to Acura for vastly improving its response and speed. No longer is it overly sensitive, with inputs being replicated on the screen in near real-time. I still do wish for a touchscreen option, or more conventional controls, but the 2024 interface is no longer frustrating, it’s just not my preference. 

Other tech included in the 2024 Acura TLX includes a surround-view camera, rain-sensing wipers, wiper de-icer, a 10.5-inch head-up display, and a 3D premium audio system with 17 speakers. Also added to my tester is the heated steering wheel (which is standard in Canada). Of course, all the modern active safety systems are available, minus hands-free driving.

Value Dollars and Sense:

Pricing has bumped up this year, with a 2024 Acura TLX starting at $46,195 in the United States (all prices including destination charges) or $56,345 in Canada. That’s a small jump in Canada and a larger one in the United States.

As tested, the increase is smaller, about $1,000 in the United States at $58,795, and $2,000 in Canada at $66,845.

Final Thoughts:

The Acura TLX Type-S continues to be a solid alternative to the usual German, Korean, and Japanese suspects. For the 2024 model year, the increases make it a slightly better car, but more importantly, make it more liveable. With less time and frustration required to operate the infotainment system, drivers can relax and enjoy all the Type-S’ strong performance qualities. 

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