In a world with the BMW 3 Series, Genesis G70, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Kia Stinger, you might overlook the Acura TLX; but you shouldn’t.

Can the Acura sports sedan actually compete with these highly-respected names? It absolutely can. The TLX brings exceptional style and impressive driving performance, and the sporty Type S, which turns up the heat to make driving more fun. The refined athleticism and understated aggression make the TLX an excellent sports sedan that you should consider when you’re thinking about driving any of these other models. Let’s see what this Acura brings to the table.

Acura didn’t make many changes for 2023

When you’re wondering what’s new for the TLX, you’ll find a maintenance program that covers the first two years or 24,000 miles, a free three-year subscription to AcuraLink, and the new PMC Edition. The new Type S PMC Edition is the top performer in the group, offering three exclusive colors, carbon fiber aerodynamic features, special interior elements, and a set of lightweight alloy wheels. This model is a limited-edition car that’s being built at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, which is the same plant that built the NSX hybrid supercar.

Is it luxury or is it sporty?

Some look at the Acura TLX as a purely luxurious sedan with a sporty feeling while others see it as a sports sedan that brings some luxury appeal. Thankfully, this Acura sedan can be both. You’ll admire the agility on the road, the poise through the corners, and the engaging drivetrain that makes this car a lot of fun. When you’re stuck in traffic during your commute, the comfort of the seats and smooth ride provide the luxurious feeling you want in the car that you love to drive.

The TLX has the right look

As soon as you see this Acura sedan, you’ll want to take it for a drive. The TLX has an angular front that shows the aggressive lines and style that you want in your sports car. Run along the smooth sides to the rear, where you’ll see large, rectangular exhaust ports that give this car the final sporty finish. The silhouette of this gorgeous car hint at it being a four-door coupe rather than a sedan, which adds a little more credence to the sportiness of the TLX. From the outside, it’s easy to see why many look at this Acura as a sporty sedan and not as much as a luxury model.

How many Type S PMC Edition models will be made?

Acura limits the production run of the TLX Type S PMC Edition to 300 units. With three paint colors, these models are divided equally among the colors to offer 100 of each. This special edition model uses the same engine as the Type S but adds improved handling with a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and a specially tuned suspension. You’ll also find sporty side sills, gloss black badging, and a set of 20-inch lightweight wheels with a new copper finish to them.

This Acura sports sedan provides plenty of power for the drive

The 2023 Acura TLX brings a pair of powertrains to the mix. Both engines mate to a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth, quick shifting to make the drive feel more energetic.

The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that delivers 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain returns decent fuel mileage at 22 city/31 hwy mpg for FWD models and 21 city/29 hwy mpg for AWD versions.

Move up to the Type S model, and you’ll find a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that brings 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This model is only offered with AWD, and it gives you 19 city/25 hwy mpg.

There’s a lot going on in the cabin of the TLX

Looking at the interior of this sports luxury sedan, you’ll see a tired dashboard with tons of lines, curves, buttons, dials, and screens. Unlike some luxury cars that lean toward simplicity and minimalistic style, the TLX offers a busy dashboard with all the controls you need. You can have a set of gorgeous Milano leather seats to give you the look and feel you want during your drive.

What features will you admire in the Acura TLX?

Head-Up Display

Select the Advance package, and you’ve got a head-up display showing the driver information on the windshield. This feature allows you to keep your eyes on the road ahead and avoid looking down or around the cabin for the desired information.

SH-AWD

The SH stands for Super Handling, which gives you an idea of just how confident Acura is in this AWD system. This system does more than simply provide more confidence when the conditions turn south. It makes this car more fun to drive and improves your handling when you’re pushing the TLX hard.

Brembo Brakes

Choose the Type S model of the TLX, and you’ve got brakes typically found in high-performance supercars. The Brembo brakes provide high-performance braking to make sure you stop and slow exactly the way you want.

ELS Audio

If you love to hear beautiful sounds from your audio system, you’ll be glad to have the ELS Audio system found in the Acura TLX. This system has been developed with the assistance of Elliott Scheiner, a Grammy-winning recording engineer who has worked with Sting, Fleetwood Mac, and the Foo Fighters, to name a few.

Wireless Charging

Check the box for the Technology package, and you’ll have a pad in the center console to charge your phone without your charging cord. This feature is part of this package but also standard on higher trims to give you an easy way to charge in nearly every model of the TLX.

GPS-Linked Climate Control

This system helps maintain a consistent cabin temperature by using navigation information and a solar sensor. Instead of the cabin getting hotter just because it’s warm outside, this system will work harder to keep the Acura TLX cabin comfortable for you.

Could the Acura TLX be the right luxury sports sedan for you to drive? Don’t overlook this model when you’re looking for fun and luxury in one great package. The TLX has what you’re after.