For decades, when you thought about luxury sports sedans, German marques likely dominated your mental landscape. Brands from Germany have long set the gold standard in this competitive segment. However, in the 1990s and early 2000s, Acura, alongside Lexus, emerged as serious contenders, shaking up the status quo with compelling vehicles like the Legend and LS400. Acura even ventured into performance-oriented versions of their luxury offerings. Then, for nearly fifteen years, that performance spirit seemed to fade from Acura’s lineup. But 2022 marked a significant resurgence. The 2022 Tlx Type S arrived as Acura’s bold declaration: “Precision Crafted Performance” is back.
While the A-Spec trim offers a stylish appearance package on the standard TLX, the Type S is a fundamentally re-engineered sports sedan, purpose-built to challenge the best that Germany – and others – have to offer. Let’s state it upfront: the 2022 TLX Type S is a genuinely impressive sports sedan. It possesses only a few shortcomings that prevent it from claiming the top spot in its class. So, what exactly elevates the Type S above the base TLX? The answer is: a substantial amount.
The Heart of the Beast: The Bespoke 3.0L Turbo V6 Engine
The most significant upgrade in the TLX Type S is its exclusive engine, crafted specifically by Acura. The J30AC 3.0L Turbo V6 engine makes its debut in this model. This powerhouse delivers 355 horsepower at 5500rpm and a robust 354 lb-ft of torque, available across a broad range from 1400 to 5000rpm. Many aspects of this engine’s design suggest it’s capable of producing even greater power. It’s likely Acura prioritized long-term reliability, evidenced by features like forged connecting rods and crankshaft, along with a 6-bolt main bottom end. These robust components underscore the engineering team’s commitment to durability.
To enhance fuel efficiency during relaxed highway cruising, the engine incorporates a cylinder deactivation system. While the 60-degree engine configuration naturally minimizes harmonic distortion, the 3-cylinder operation mode necessitated the inclusion of active engine mounts. These mounts effectively counteract Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH), preventing it from intruding into the cabin. The twin-scroll turbocharger spools up rapidly, contributing to the engine’s broad torque curve, a characteristic highly appreciated during everyday driving. Although this engine may not possess the high-revving nature of Honda’s beloved VTEC K series or even the V6 J-series engines of the past, this turbocharged powerplant provides ample torque precisely where you need it most – in the usable rev range for daily driving. We’ll delve deeper into the driving experience shortly.
Chassis Reinforcement and Performance-Oriented Upgrades
While brakes are crucial, a car’s chassis is fundamentally irreplaceable. Acura significantly enhanced the TLX’s chassis to achieve a 13% increase in overall torsional rigidity compared to the already solid standard TLX. This improvement is attributed to additional stiffeners and chassis braces strategically placed throughout the engine bay and an A-brace behind the rear seats. This remarkably rigid structure contributes to a cohesive and solid driving feel. “Solid” is indeed an understatement.
Acura’s enhancements extend beyond a stiffer chassis and a more powerful engine. The suspension, steering, and transmission have also been meticulously refined to earn the coveted Type S badge. Engineers fine-tuned the front double wishbone and rear multilink suspension with 40% stiffer spring rates and upgraded sway bars, now 9% stiffer at the front and a substantial 31% stiffer at the rear. The transmission is an evolved version of the 10-speed automatic found in the base TLX and Honda Accord 2.0T. However, this iteration delivers gear changes that are 30-40% quicker, depending on the selected drive mode. The steering system features a faster ratio, resulting in noticeably sharper and more responsive handling.
Practical Engineering and Thoughtful Design
The engine packaging in the TLX Type S is surprisingly well-executed and demonstrates thoughtful engineering. As mentioned earlier, the engine is robustly built and likely underrated, suggesting long-term reliability. The turbocharger is positioned high and centrally in the engine bay, with the catalytic converter located directly behind it. Considering the surge in catalytic converter thefts in recent years, this placement provides a degree of security. Thieves targeting “cats” from street-parked vehicles is a growing concern, but the TLX Type S design makes it significantly more difficult. This small engineering detail offers owners valuable peace of mind. Furthermore, the engine bay layout appears conducive to servicing, and the overall engine design suggests durability, setting the TLX apart from its German rivals. While some German luxury cars can become maintenance-intensive after a lease period, the TLX Type S projects the kind of longevity that encourages long-term ownership, potentially for 15 years or more.
Driving Dynamics: Fantastic and Engaging
Having examined the technical aspects, let’s explore the driving experience of the 2022 TLX Type S. In short: it’s fantastic. This is an engaging and enjoyable car that rewards spirited driving. The stiff chassis and finely tuned suspension provide a ride that is both compliant and firm. It’s controlled and composed without being harsh over imperfect road surfaces. While the steering might be described as slightly vague in terms of outright feedback, its quick ratio inspires confidence and makes it effortless to place the car precisely where you intend. The slightly numb steering feel is arguably in line with the character of a luxury car. This isn’t a track-focused GT3 Cup car; therefore, ultra-communicative steering isn’t necessarily desirable for a daily driver.
One of the TLX Type S’s standout features is its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This FWD-based AWD system can direct up to 70% of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels. Even more impressively, it can then distribute all of that rear-wheel torque to the outside rear wheel during cornering. The result? Enhanced rotation and agility. It’s an unusual sensation initially, but applying more throttle mid-corner at the apex encourages the car to rotate further, enabling earlier power application. Typical FWD-based AWD systems often exhibit understeer, but the TLX Type S effectively mitigates this if driven correctly. On winding roads, the car navigated curves with poise and maintained an impressive pace, defying expectations for a vehicle likely destined for highways and city streets. While not a dedicated race car, it certainly won’t hold up traffic on canyon roads. It’s genuinely fun to pilot a luxury car with this level of dynamic capability through twisty roads.
Minor Drawbacks: Brakes and Highway Prowess
One minor critique concerns the electro-servo brakes. This brake-by-wire system effectively stops the car. The 14.3-inch front Brembo rotors paired with 4-piston calipers capably manage the 4200 lbs vehicle’s weight. However, the issue lies in the brake feel. The lack of pedal feedback initially eroded confidence until acclimation and trust developed with extended driving. There’s a slight concern that track sessions might make it challenging to discern brake fade, but it’s unlikely many owners will track this car extensively.
On the open highway, the TLX Type S truly excels. It’s an exceptional long-distance cruiser. A primary objective of a luxury sports sedan is to transport occupants comfortably and swiftly. The powertrain delivers buttery-smooth power with seemingly ubiquitous torque. Highway merges and overtaking maneuvers are effortless. While the engine might lack the auditory character of high-revving naturally aspirated motors, it compensates with real-world driving competence. Power does taper off before the redline, but the intelligent transmission proactively upshifts before this point. While this might not be perceived as overtly engaging, for daily driving scenarios, it’s perfectly adequate. This powertrain prioritizes pragmatic performance over outright track theatrics. The chassis, however, caters to the enthusiast’s desire for engaging handling. Miles melt away in supreme luxury. It’s advisable to monitor your speed, as the car’s refined nature can mask its velocity.
Interior Comfort and Infotainment Quirks
The overall driving experience is engaging, enjoyable, and highly competent. “Competent” and “confident” are recurring descriptors for the TLX Type S’s driving characteristics. But what about the interior? It’s a mixed bag and reveals the most significant drawback: the infotainment system. Before addressing that, it’s crucial to emphasize the interior’s overall excellence. Fit and finish are superb throughout, conveying a sense of solidity and quality. No rattles or squeaks were detected. The seats are exceptionally adjustable and comfortable – among the best encountered. A three-hour road trip concluded with greater relaxation than upon departure. Seat heating and cooling are potent and effective, unlike some less impressive cooled seat systems. The steering wheel is remarkably comfortable and ergonomically designed. The button layout is intuitive. The seating position, steering wheel, and seats collectively represent a masterclass in ergonomics. The sound system is truly exceptional, rivaling systems in far more expensive vehicles – delivering a Vegas nightclub-caliber audio experience. Rear seat space is slightly less generous than some competitors, but adequate for occupants under six feet tall for shorter journeys. Cars are arguably becoming excessively large anyway, and realistically, most owners won’t regularly transport rear passengers. However, the omission of rear passenger power outlets is a curious oversight.
Despite the interior’s numerous strengths, the infotainment system presents notable frustrations, primarily due to the touchpad interface and its integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead of a touchscreen, Acura employs the True Touchpad Interface, a touchpad designed to mimic touchscreen inputs. Touching the lower right corner of the touchpad corresponds to activating the button in the lower right corner of the screen. Theoretically, this helps maintain driver focus by allowing for a higher screen placement closer to the driver’s line of sight. This system functions reasonably well with Acura’s native navigation and satellite radio applications. However, this intuitive functionality largely vanishes when using Apple CarPlay. Suddenly, the touchpad reverts to a conventional touchpad, and simple tasks that would typically require a quick tap on a touchscreen now involve cumbersome swiping and imprecise selections. The touchpad becomes borderline unusable while driving. Switching between Waze and Spotify, a normally seamless task, required over six seconds of fumbling with the touchpad to access the home button and select the desired app – a potentially unsafe distraction. Unless the screen-mimicking capabilities of True Touch can be extended to CarPlay, replacing the touchpad with a touchscreen and positioning it 6-7 inches closer to the driver would be a significant improvement.
Another peculiar software choice is the persistent split-screen display. The 10-inch center infotainment screen is divided, dedicating two-thirds to the primary function and one-third to a fixed side panel displaying a clock, navigation prompts, or media information. This side panel cannot be dismissed and doesn’t integrate with CarPlay. It remains perpetually present. If full-screen CarPlay or navigation is desired, it’s simply not possible. A dedicated button controls this side panel, and Acura could enhance usability by adding software functionality to allow users to hide this panel and utilize the entire display area.
The driver’s instrument cluster represents another area for improvement. It features traditional analog gauges for the speedometer and tachometer. These silver gauges with orange lettering appear initially stylish but become challenging to read in daylight or varying lighting conditions. The central digital display between the gauges can present a digital speed readout, but this then precludes displaying other trip or efficiency data. This issue would be mitigated by a head-up display. Oddly, Acura offers a head-up display on the Advance trim of the base TLX, but it’s not even an option on the more expensive Type S. Given that both the MDX and Integra now feature fully digital instrument clusters, it’s likely the TLX will eventually follow suit.
Minor Issues, Major Value
The positive aspect of these criticisms is that they are readily addressable in a mid-cycle refresh or through trim package adjustments for future model years. These relatively minor issues could be resolved using components already within Acura’s parts inventory. Addressing these tech shortcomings would elevate the TLX Type S from a very good sports sedan to a near-flawless class leader. Even if these upgrades added $1500 to the price, it would still represent a significant value proposition compared to the competition. Speaking of value, the TLX Type S is indeed a bargain. Priced around $55,000, comparably equipped versions of its BMW M340i, Mercedes C43, or Audi S4 rivals command roughly $13,000 more.
Are there any other minor complaints? Two minor points. The trunk capacity is 13.5 cubic feet, which is adequate, but fitting two full-sized check-in bags requires careful arrangement. The A-brace in the trunk, while enhancing chassis rigidity and aesthetics, hinders the pass-through functionality with the rear seats folded, making it challenging to accommodate longer items. However, for buyers in this segment, trunk space is likely not a primary concern, and the available space is sufficient for most everyday needs. The final minor point is the weight. The TLX Type S weighs 4200 lbs, exceeding its competitors by 200-300 lbs. This weight contributes to slightly lower fuel economy, with observed highway figures around 27-29 mpg. While not exceptional, it’s also not particularly poor. Dimensionally, the TLX Type S falls between a BMW 3-Series and 5-Series in length and width. It’s a larger car than most of its direct competitors, although this size advantage doesn’t translate into significantly greater trunk or rear seat room. This slight size increase is a minor trade-off for the car’s striking aesthetics.
Verdict: A Compelling and Unique Luxury Sports Sedan
Overall, the 2022 TLX Type S is an exceptionally impressive car at any price point, but at $55,000, it’s an absolute steal. On paper, its performance figures might suggest it’s less potent than some rivals, but numbers don’t fully convey the driving experience. The SH-AWD system and chassis tuning empower drivers of all skill levels to feel confident and extract maximum performance in diverse conditions. While German rivals may boast slightly superior performance figures in certain metrics, the TLX Type S counters with character and real-world usability. It’s engaging, fun to drive, and remarkably competent. The hushed cabin houses a top-tier sound system and excellent ride damping, making highway journeys comfortable and confident. If a cross-country cannonball run were on the agenda, the TLX Type S would be an ideal candidate. For buyers who prioritize spec sheets, the TLX Type S might not initially appear as compelling. However, a test drive is highly recommended. The 2022 TLX Type S is simply one of the best ways to navigate daily life. Its ability to execute the core mission of a luxury sports sedan at a significantly lower price than its rivals makes it a remarkably compelling purchase. Finally, it’s exclusive. Only approximately 1,700 TLX Type S models have been sold in the US to date – comparable to the production run of the iconic Ferrari F40. If you seek a beautiful, unique, and engaging sedan while also saving money, the 2022 TLX Type S is an excellent choice. It’s a truly great sedan, and a mid-cycle refresh addressing the minor tech issues would solidify its position as a near-perfect sports sedan.
