Acura takes the wraps off its 2018 Acura TLX sedan. Acura debuts its all-new A-Spec. Offers more value over the competition.
Acura’s Precision Concept design language has officially trickled down to it’s core sedan. Earlier today (Apr. 11,2018) Acura unveiled its 2018 Acura TLX sedan at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. Acura was keen to point out the improvement on all three variants of the TLX; the base-four cylinder, V6, and A-spec trim levels. Standard on all TLX’s are Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and AcuraWatch amongst a host of premium features. Check out a couple of press photos showcasing this all-new front end design below.
Some critics are divided whether or not they love Acura’s new Pentagon Diamond grill that first made its appearance on Acura’s MDX but it’s befitting of the Acura name and an improvement over the beak grille from the 2017 Acura TLX. All models benefit from a new bumper, a more sculpted hood, fenders, and a redesigned Jewel Eye headlight design. 17-inch alloy wheels and tire’s come standard.
Step up to the V6 TLX and outback you get a new rear fascia, dual exhaust tips, rear diffuser and one inch bigger wheels. The Technology package adds a chrome side garnish and new seats with more bolstering. The Advance package adds LED foglights, surround view camera system, wireless charging, white ambient LED lighting, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Completing the look is a color matched spoiler and folding mirrors. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system moves down one package notch and is standard on all V6 models.
The most exciting trim level is Acura’s A-Spec available on four-cylinder and V6 models. You can pick out the A-spec trim from the front thanks to a tweaked front end and round fog lights. A-Spec includes more aggressive side skirts, a different rear diffuser, and round exhaust tips out back. The decklid spoiler is black and not color matched.
Performance-wise, A-spec gets 19-inch wheels paired with wider 245-series tires and a sport-tuned suspension.
Technology has always been a selling point for Acura and Acura is making sure that safety is a priority with an alphabet soup slew of features standard.
With its unique AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies, the 2018 Acura TLX is the only vehicle in its class with standard crash avoidance and active driving-assistive features. AcuraWatch™ includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM).
We’d be remiss to say we weren’t a little disappointed that performance under the hood hasn’t increased but we do recognize all the value added to even the base model TLX. The new look should bode well for TLX and should “break a few necks” on the street. We’re curious to see what Acura will do with ILX which is basically still running under the old Civic chassis.
