Acura TLX discontinued

[wemay]

Acura TLX Ends Production, Marking the Death of Yet Another Sedan https://share.google/X5sFLBCZ5L6RCv977

We are definitely in the minority here at BITOG. By all accounts, the TLX was fine vehicle.

 

[dnewton3]

Sedans are going the way of the station wagon. I lament the loss, but there's nothing that can be done about it. The market responds to what is favored.

IMO, the TLX had some pluses and minuses. I looked at a TLX Type S before I got my ES350. The TLX was much "sportier", but honestly the back seat was smaller, the fuel mileage was not nearly as good, and the weight was much higher. And I couldn't find myself wanting to deal with the wonky way the PRNDL buttons work.

 

[97prizm]

Acura TLX Ends Production, Marking the Death of Yet Another Sedan https://share.google/X5sFLBCZ5L6RCv977

We are definitely in the minority here at BITOG. By all accounts, the TLX was fine vehicle.

I think it would have been awesome with a 6-speed manual transmission and sh-awd. I know we're the minority.

 

[wemay]

I think it would have been awesome with a 6-speed manual transmission and sh-awd. I know we're the minority.

 

[AKhan87]

Sedans are going the way of the station wagon. I lament the loss, but there's nothing that can be done about it. The market responds to what is favored.

IMO, the TLX had some pluses and minuses. I looked at a TLX Type S before I got my ES350. The TLX was much "sportier", but honestly the back seat was smaller, the fuel mileage was not nearly as good, and the weight was much higher. And I couldn't find myself wanting to deal with the wonky way the PRNDL buttons work.

I am actually considering find one in the next year or so, I miss the double wish bone setup that Honda used to have and in the 21-25 TLX, they reintroduced the double wishbone suspension, they way I drive in the hills, and twisty roads, it is my type of car I think.

but then again, I prefer the ES350 in every other aspect.

 

[BISCUT]

Seems to me Acura couldn't compete at the right price point with Lexus. Agree with the previous posters on the PRND arrangement. Does not inspire me for sure.

 

[JHZR2]

Sedans are going the way of the station wagon. I lament the loss, but there's nothing that can be done about it. The market responds to what is favored.

Problem is that nobody makes a non-sedan type vehicle that isn’t a pig. This was orchestrated to force (typically sedan) EVs to fill the gaps not closed by CAFE payouts associated with unacheivable mpg values.

I find most suvs low on utility, poor on fuel, and it just sucks.

 

[JHZR2]

Seems to me Acura couldn't compete at the right price point with Lexus. Agree with the previous posters on the PRND arrangement. Does not inspire me for sure.

I’ve never really understood either’s offerings. Just high priced fancy versions of otherwise pedestrian cars like accords, civics, Camry, maybe slightly modified. So what? Just a scheme to overcharge for stuff, like when we get parts for my brother’s LX, and they get a special up charge at Lexus for the same exact thing you can get at Toyota.

The other cars like the GS have been interesting, but also in the process of being killed off, no?

 

[JavierH19]

Can't say I blame Acura for making the decision. I can't say when the last time was when I saw a new Acura tlx as most new Accuras I see are always suv's but even then it's very rarely as Acuras aren't popular. 45k for a fancy accord is hard for most to stomach on its own and even more so in tough times were most don't have a lot to spend and are just hoping not to get laid off soon.

 

[BISCUT]

I’ve never really understood either’s offerings. Just high priced fancy versions of otherwise pedestrian cars like accords, civics, Camry, maybe slightly modified. So what? Just a scheme to overcharge for stuff, like when we get parts for my brother’s LX, and they get a special up charge at Lexus for the same exact thing you can get at Toyota.

The other cars like the GS have been interesting, but also in the process of being killed off, no?

There's a lot to what you're saying. It seems like many of the non-lux base vehicles that the lux cars were based off have really stepped up offerings and compete rather well against the lux big brother. IMO, Toyota especially. Highlander is a solid example. A well appointed Highlander offers a lot of lux but also has a lux price point. A lot of highly competitive vehicles out there....the Acura TLX wasn't competitive enough at the price point so it went byebye. Just my lens.

 

[fantastic]

Crossover SUV's have largely replaced sedans. Hybrid power trains solve efficiency. Always liked Luxury sedans and coupes and for many of us on the board growing up with cars largely on the road is slightly weird these types are going bye bye now but I love my midsize SUV XC90 7 seater!

 

[edyvw]

The Japanese and their adventure into sedans is always a halfhearted business. "Sporty" sedan that is based on an appliance vehicle. Nothing else. Transverse engine, heavy, FWD based, heavy in front (really heavy), no marketing behind it.
These cars (especially Lexus IS) could do so much better, but it is like: OK, how to lower the average age of customers from 114 to 109? When I see Lexis IS and a battery under the hood, I get a rash on the liver.

 

[goblin]

The Japanese and their adventure into sedans is always a halfhearted business. "Sporty" sedan that is based on an appliance vehicle. Nothing else. Transverse engine, heavy, FWD based, heavy in front (really heavy), no marketing behind it.
These cars (especially Lexus IS) could do so much better, but it is like: OK, how to lower the average age of customers from 114 to 109? When I see Lexis IS and a battery under the hood, I get a rash on the liver.

A bit of a mix here...

The TLX might be FWD based, but most are AWD which is second to none. Its guilty of not being a TL, is all.
A TL in manual with AWD is also second to none. It's an amazing car that gets RWD at will and drifts.

An IS is RWD, has always been, and the only reason I drive a 2010 E61 and not an IS / SportCross is that I can't find an IS for $900.

The Lexus ES is indeed FWD, and it has sold like hot cakes forever. Different market.

That Acura has lost its way is an undisputable fact, but in my mind it's they never got on the right way to begin with, because of their insistence and maniacal obstination to NOT release a V8, ever - even back when it was mandatory to climb the luxury peak. I'd chart it to the general 15 years of design insanity at Honda, where there was an internal yearly championship of bland design.

Lexus is not comparable in this regard. Their stuff sells, and sells well.

 

[edyvw]

A bit of a mix here...

The TLX might be FWD based, but most are AWD which is second to none. Its guilty of not being a TL, is all.
A TL in manual with AWD is also second to none. It's an amazing car that gets RWD at will and drifts.

An IS is RWD, has always been, and the only reason I drive a 2010 E61 and not an IS / SportCross is that I can't find an IS for $900.

The Lexus ES is indeed FWD, and it has sold like hot cakes forever. Different market.

That Acura has lost its way is an undisputable fact, but in my mind it's they never got on the right way to begin with, because of their insistence and maniacal obstination to NOT release a V8, ever - even back when it was mandatory to climb the luxury peak. I'd chart it to the general 15 years of design insanity at Honda, where there was an internal yearly championship of bland design.

Lexus is not comparable in this regard. Their stuff sells, and sells well.

You cannot make an RWD vehicle just by putting AWD and shifting torque. RWD structure is different. Acura has a transverse engine. In that category where Acura wanted to play, a transverse engine is a no-go. Period. You lost the race against weight from the get-go, as well as momentum, as the engine sits in front of the axle. You now need to pin down the front end to limit, to a certain extent, understeer. There is NO fun car with excessive understeer. And bcs. of that, comfort is compromised.

IS is RWD. But it is one that is a mixed bag. After the first generation IS, Lexus decided to abandon chasing the BMW 3 series, and make the vehicle also more attractive to their customers in retirement homes. Yes, it is a better executed vehicle by all means compared to ES, but it is still a vehicle that has balance issues, where they saved money by not shifting things to the back to get better drivability.
IS always had a lot of potential. But, as I mentioned, when I see battery under the hood, I know they were never serious about enthusiasts.

Lexus stuff sells. They have their own customer base. But IS was never an Audi or BMW competitor. There were too many compromises. Hyundai tried with the G70, and they could have gone somewhere if they had stayed committed to it, but they also chickened out.
Acura's first problem, the basic one, always was that it was a glorified Accord. Again, FWD structure is basic, the most fundamental problem when chasing BMW 3 series or 5 series. All these cars started their existence with BMW 3 series as a target. But they wanted to sell you Costco Kirkland Blended Whiskey instead of Glenfiddich 14yrs old single malt.

 

[goblin]

I don't disagree on the FWD part. I still think that what shot Acura was the lack of a V8. Th first gen RL had a longitudinal engine and could have gone far if not for its V6 for which they asked a V8 price.
The Legend was a beautiful car, and they had an excuse for FWD there, as they were new to the business. But the RL was bland, expensive and V6. No excuse.

Lexus I think are doing just fine. I never put them together with Acura. They have their bracket, they have their buyers.

Genesis - I'm not ready for the design yet. But it is clear that if anyone can carry the torch - it's them.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The TSX is one of the best sport sedans ever. Ours has a measly 230K on the clock... I would drive it to NY right now and not even check the oil. It did break down once; a coil failed. This one has had a steady diet of M1 since day 1.

 

[4WD]

The Japanese and their adventure into sedans is always a halfhearted business. "Sporty" sedan that is based on an appliance vehicle. Nothing else. Transverse engine, heavy, FWD based, heavy in front (really heavy), no marketing behind it.
These cars (especially Lexus IS) could do so much better, but it is like: OK, how to lower the average age of customers from 114 to 109? When I see Lexis IS and a battery under the hood, I get a rash on the liver.

So if I move the battery - will that end the turbo lag ?
I think our Tahoe could outrun our IS - it’s nice on the highway but quite boring on power delivery …

 

[edyvw]

So if I move the battery - will that end the turbo lag ?
I think our Tahoe could outrun our IS - it’s nice on the highway but quite boring on power delivery …

Lol.
Moving battery in the trunk is easiest way to address balance. The fact that they left so much unnecessary weight in front, tells me everything I need to know where was focus when engineering vehicle. Yes, it is accessible (and exposed to the heat) but then they are selling “sporty sedan.”

The transmission in IS was never ZF. It is good, but even in F version performance was not strongest suit. I think that affects delivery too.
IMO, IS manual was always missed opportunity. If they had manual, i would definitely consider that considering 3 series now is manual only in M versions. Never understood why they did not keep that option. Car is nice, yeah it likes to understeer but manual would make people get over heavy front end easier.
It is almost like someone in management said: “yeah, let’s just not bother with it.” Even if it didn’t sell as good as auto, it would bring attention to the model and brand.

 

[Danh]

2017 owner. Base 2.4 with 8-speed DCT. Closest thing to a perfect car I’ve owned: absolutely trouble free, very quiet, enormous back seat and trunk, economical, solid structure, great travel car, more than adequate performance, etc. Much more than a glorified Accord imho.

Acura has tried to move it upmarket but that also runs into Acura’s real weakness: its dealer network. Lousy sales force and lousier service departments make it in no way comparable to Lexus. My Honda dealer is better than any of the Acura stores I’ve frequented.

Anyway, too bad but Acura does have the ILX that seems to be getting great reviews (despite being a glorified Civic). Maybe a better sedan choice for them.

 

[JHZR2]

Crossover SUV's have largely replaced sedans. Hybrid power trains solve efficiency. Always liked Luxury sedans and coupes and for many of us on the board growing up with cars largely on the road is slightly weird these types are going bye bye now but I love my midsize SUV XC90 7 seater!

They don’t though. No suv is as efficient. The RAV is a pig compared to the Camry, for example.