2018 Acura TLX Revealed: Bye Bye Beaky

Three years ago, Acura dropped its overlapping mid-size sedan entries, the TSX and the TL, and replaced them with the TLX, which became the brand’s standard bearer in the segment. With sedan sales everywhere falling off, including the TLX’s, a mid-cycle update arrives for the 2018 model year to help renew interest.

A new grille is a mid-cycle must, and that’s the most obvious change to the new TLX. The larger, five-sided grille mimics that on the MDX crossover and erases the last vestiges of the much derided chrome beak that plagued Acuras for years. The restyled bumper, hood, and front fenders complete the front-end makeover. V-6 versions also have a reshaped rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and dual rectangular exhaust finishers.

An A-Spec package—available with either the 206-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder or the 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6—replaces the current GT package. It includes dark-finish 19-inch wheels, a gloss-black rear spoiler, a more aggressive front fascia, round fog lights and exhaust outlets, and gloss-black trim. The A-Spec interior can be finished in red leather or black leather and microsuede and features more aggressively bolstered seats, a sport steering wheel, brushed “aluminum look” trim, red ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, and a wireless charging pad. Choosing the A-Spec package also brings a firmer suspension setup with stiffer springs and a retuned rear anti-roll bar.

Aside from the A-Spec, there are no other mechanical changes to the 2018 TLX. The two engine offerings are carryover. The four-cylinder is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the V-6 is paired with a nine-speed conventional autobox. Front-drive TLX models employ four-wheel steering for enhanced agility. Torque-vectoring all-wheel drive is available only with the V-6 engine and no longer requires the extra-cost Technology or Advanced packages.

Buyers who opt for those packages, however, do get a bit more content. For 2018, the Technology package features new seats with contrasting-color accents and a power bottom-cushion extension. The Advance package adds a 360-degree-view camera, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a wireless charging pad, white ambient lighting, power-folding mirrors, a decklid spoiler, and trapezoidal LED fog lamps. All TLX models get a redesigned infotainment system; it still uses two screens, but Acura claims it has quicker response times and a more logical menu structure, and it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The TSX also comes standard with forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a low-speed-follow feature during which the car offers a measure of autonomous steering.

Pricing for the new TSX has not been released, but it shouldn’t stray far from the 2017 version, which starts at $32,950. The 2018 models arrive in showrooms in June.