2024 Acura TLX Up Close: Styling Tweaks and New Screens

Like most automakers these days, Acura’s bestselling vehicles are SUVs, but the brand hasn’t abandoned conventional passenger cars. An all-new Integra compact hatchback launched for the 2023 model year, and for 2024, the mid-size TLX sedan — which was redesigned from the ground up for 2021 — gets a subtle refresh that brings mild styling updates, new in-car technology features and a higher level of standard equipment. I got an up-close look at the A-Spec and Type S variants in advance of the 2024 TLX’s projected arrival in Acura dealerships late this November.

Related: 2024 Acura Integra Type S Review: S Is for Snazzy, Snarky and Spendy

Interior Upgrades

The 2024 TLX’s most noteworthy updates are on its dashboard: A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with two selectable gauge layouts and an extensive selection of displays replaces the 2023 model’s analog-dial gauges, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display screen replaces the previous 10.2-inch screen. Notice that’s “screen” and not “touchscreen;” Acura is sticking with its True Touchpad interface, which uses a console-mounted touchpad instead of a touchscreen to control infotainment functions.

Cars.com editors are not particularly fond of this arrangement, as we’d rather have a close-mounted touchscreen without the extra layer of separation that a remote touchpad brings. But Acura’s is one of the better touchpad systems, and it does place the screen closer to the driver’s normal line of sight on the road.

I didn’t have a lot of time to sample all the modes of the new virtual gauge cluster, but its graphics look crisp and easy to read. The upsized infotainment screen grows mainly in width, not height, which is fine by me, as the extra screen real estate doesn’t interfere with the view out the windshield.

Among other updates, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is now wireless; a rear seatbelt reminder feature has been added; and the AcuraWatch suite of safety features has been enhanced via updated blind spot warning radar and new front sensors with a wider field of view. Acura has also made the contents of the Technology Package standard, so all TLXs now come with 19-inch wheels (base TLXs previously had 18s), Milano leather upholstery, an ELS Studio premium audio system and ambient interior lighting.

Exterior Nips and Tucks

The 2024 TLX’s styling updates are subtle enough that you’d probably have to park the new car next to last year’s model to spot them. Acura’s signature diamond pentagon grille remains, but it’s now a “frameless” design with no pronounced chrome or blacked-out border. The grille-mesh patterns are also new and distinct between the A-Spec (the TLX’s sporty-look variant) and Type S (the flagship performance-focused trim). Other updates include a couple new paint colors and new wheel designs and finishes. The Type S I examined wore the new Urban Gray Pearl (a hue exclusive to the A-Spec and Type S) color, which gave it a no-nonsense, almost military look — just the ticket if the Type S’ signature Tiger Eye Pearl yellow/orange/gold color is too ostentatious for you.

As before, the TLX’s long hood and short deck proportions belie the fact that it is a front-wheel-drive based car. Engine choices stay the same: a 272-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the base engine, and the performance-oriented Type S exclusively gets a 355-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6.

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A-Spec Specs

The A-Spec continues to come with standard all-wheel drive, along with A-Spec badges and blacked-out trim that gives it a racier look. Acura says the A-Spec is notably quieter than before thanks to the addition of thicker carpet, acoustic glass in the front doors, an enhanced Active Sound Control system and other noise-mitigation measures. New features specific to the A-Spec include a split-spoke 19-inch wheel design with a Shark Gray finish, a gloss-black rear spoiler and large round exhaust tips in place of the previous rectangular outlets.

Maybe You’re the Type S Type?

The TLX Type S launched mid-way through the 2021 model year as the lineup’s top-dog performance and luxury trim. Like the A-Spec, it gets a few trim-specific updates for 2024, all of which are aimed at enhancing its “executive hot rod” mission. New dual-spoke 20-inch wheels finished in Berlina Black are standard, but lightweight 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with a copper finish are available, as are high-performance summer tires. Acura says it’s retuned the Type S’ Sport+ drive mode for a quicker throttle pedal response; selecting Sport+ also brings up a mode-specific digital gauge cluster display that includes turbocharger-boost pounds-per-square-inch readouts.

The bright red upholstery in the Type S I sat in gave it an especially racy look, and a 360-degree camera system, traffic sign recognition and a 10.5-inch color head-up display are now Type S-exclusive standard features. These items used to be offered on non-Type S TLXs in an Advance Package, but that package has been discontinued for 2024. It’s a bit disappointing that buyers now have to step all the way up to the priciest model in the lineup — and spring for a higher-performance engine that they may or may not want — to get them.

Speaking of pricing, Acura hasn’t released the 2024 TLX’s suggested retail prices yet, but it will almost certainly be more expensive than the 2023 model, which ranged from $41,245 for the base trim to $57,745 for a Type S with the Performance Wheel and Tire Package (prices include destination). We’ll find out exactly where the new TLX lands pricing-wise closer to its on-sale date in late November, so stay tuned.

Editor’s note: This story was updated Jan. 13, 2024, to reflect the nature of the Sport+ digital gauge cluster display and previous model years’ packages.

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