Welcome to another car review blog by the Dal Motors Editorial Team. Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at one of the most exciting luxury sedans on the market—the 2025 Acura TLX Type S. With its blend of sharp design, thrilling performance, and advanced technology, this car is a serious contender in the performance sedan category. Let’s break it down, from its striking exterior to its heart-pounding powertrain.
2025 Acura TLX Type S specifications:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L Turbocharged V6 |
| Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 354 lb-ft @ 1,400-5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters |
| Drivetrain | Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) |
| 0-60 mph | Approximately 4.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Fuel Economy (mpg) | 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined |
| Wheels | 20-inch alloy wheels |
| Tires | P255/35 R20 performance tires |
| Brakes | Brembo® front 4-piston brakes |
| Headlights | Jewel Eye® LED |
| Moonroof | Power tilt and sliding |
| Seats | 16-way power adjustable, heated, and ventilated |
| Infotainment | 12.3-inch HD display, ELS Studio 3D® with 17 speakers |
| Climate Control | Dual-zone automatic |
| Driver Assistance | Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring |
| Airbags | Front knee airbags, side curtain airbags |
| Curb Weight | 4,214 lbs (1,912 kg) |
| Length | 194.7 inches (4,942 mm) |
| Width | 75.0 inches (1,909 mm) |
| Height | 56.4 inches (1,432 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 113.0 inches (2,870 mm) |
2025 Acura TLX Type S: Bold Exterior Design
The 2025 Acura TLX Type S features a design that stands out in today’s crowded luxury sedan market. Acura’s decision to put this concept into production paid off, as the final result is nothing short of stunning.
The Urban Gray Pearl paint combined with bronze 20-inch wheels and red Brembo brakes offers a visual treat that screams both luxury and performance.
Front-End Details
At the front, Acura has updated the TLX Type S with a frameless grille, which enhances the clean, futuristic look. The car’s LED headlights and signature daytime running lights ensure it maintains the bold identity Acura is known for.
One notable design choice is the unique hood creases, deviating from the typical A-pillar continuation found in most cars, adding to its distinct aesthetic.
Side and Rear Styling
The side profile features a long hood and wide 255mm tires, offering the perfect mix of elegance and aggression. However, the rear of the car is where the TLX Type S truly comes to life. The quad exhaust pipes and gloss black spoiler are standout features, with the option to upgrade to carbon fiber for an extra touch of luxury. Acura has taken its time refining the rear design, giving it a bold, aggressive stance that perfectly complements the rest of the car.
2025 Acura TLX Type S: Engine & Performance
The heart of the 2025 Acura TLX Type S is a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine, pushing out 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain offers smooth shifting and an exhilarating driving experience. Officially, the car can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, but real-world tests suggest a faster 4.8-second sprint.
With a top speed of 155 mph, the TLX Type S doesn’t just look the part—it delivers the performance to match. Fuel efficiency stands at 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, impressive for a car of this power and capability.
Sport Plus Mode: Unleashing the Beast
What sets this Acura apart is the Sport Plus mode. With the press of a button, the TLX Type S transforms into a performance machine. The exhaust valves open up, providing a deeper, more aggressive sound, and the car holds gears longer, delivering sharper throttle response.
The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system intelligently distributes power, giving you maximum grip and confidence, especially through tight corners.
2025 Acura TLX Type S Interior
Step inside the 2025 TLX Type S, and you’re greeted by an interior that blends luxury with sportiness. The red leather seats with matching stitching not only look great but are both heated and ventilated for maximum comfort.
The design team has also carried over the high-quality materials throughout, with the red stitching extending to the door panels and dash, ensuring the interior feels as premium as the exterior looks.
Infotainment System and Controls
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster provides a customizable and futuristic interface, while the trackpad-controlled infotainment system is where things get a little unconventional. While it’s not a touchscreen, the trackpad works well enough once you get used to it. The car supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are essential for seamless connectivity on the go.
One highlight of the interior is the drive mode selector, which allows you to switch between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus modes.
Each mode significantly alters the car’s driving dynamics, ensuring that you can switch from a comfortable cruiser to a performance monster in seconds.
Driving Experience: A True Performance Sedan
We’ve spent some time behind the wheel of the 2025 TLX Type S, and we can confidently say that this car is a driver’s dream. The 3.0L V6 provides plenty of power, and the all-wheel-drive system keeps the car planted through corners, giving you the confidence to push it hard. The Sport Plus mode is where the car truly shines—its aggressive stance, roaring exhaust, and sharp handling make every drive exhilarating.
Despite the sporty demeanor, the TLX Type S remains comfortable for daily driving, especially in Comfort mode, where the suspension softens, and the car becomes a smooth, quiet cruiser. It’s this balance between performance and everyday usability that makes the TLX Type S stand out from its competitors.
0-60 Time
The 2025 Acura TLX Type S boasts impressive performance with its 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and achieving a 0-60 mph time of approximately 4.8 to 5.0 seconds, depending on various test conditions. This marks a slight improvement compared to previous TLX Type S models.
For instance, the 2024 Acura TLX Type S was clocked at 5.0 to 5.1 seconds, with similar engine specifications but minor refinements in handling and performance contributing to the slight improvement for 2025. The 2021 model, which reintroduced the Type S after a hiatus, had a comparable 0-60 time in the 5-second range, showing how Acura has maintained consistent performance while gradually enhancing the model.
Although some competitors like the BMW M340i and Audi S4 offer slightly quicker times (closer to 4.4 seconds), the Acura TLX Type S remains highly competitive, particularly when considering its price point and SH-AWD system, which adds more dynamic handling.
Exterior Dimensions & Cargo Space
2025 Acura TLX Type S measures 194.6 inches in length, 75.2 inches in width, and 56.4 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 113 inches. The trunk offers 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, providing decent storage for a performance sedan.
Fuel Economy (MPG)
The 2025 Acura TLX Type S delivers a respectable fuel economy for its performance capabilities. Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, the TLX Type S achieves 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, with a combined rating of 21 MPG.
This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering a smooth yet responsive driving experience. The Type S prioritizes performance while maintaining decent efficiency for a performance-focused sedan.
5 Things We Love About 2025 Acura TLX Type S
1. Stunning Aesthetic Appeal
There’s no denying it—the 2025 Acura TLX Type S is a stunner. From every angle, this car looks fantastic. Whether you’re admiring the aggressive front grille, the sleek side profile, or the powerful rear with its quad exhaust tips, this car is a head-turner. It has a presence that few cars in its class can match.
2. Lane Centering Without Cruise Control
One of the standout tech features of this car is its lane-centering system, which doesn’t require cruise control to be active. This is a feature typically found in brands like Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis, but Acura has made sure to include it in the TLX Type S as well. While it’s not a dealbreaker if a car doesn’t have this feature, it’s certainly a welcome addition that enhances the driving experience.
3. Packed with Features
The TLX Type S comes loaded with features, including heated and cooled seats, an optional heated steering wheel, a fully digital instrument cluster, a heads-up display, and dual-zone climate control. It doesn’t stop there—there’s also a wireless charger, lane-centering, and more tech than you’d expect. Acura has packed this car with everything you need to stay comfortable and connected on the road.
4. Versatile Performance
The TLX Type S strikes a great balance between aggressive performance and comfortable cruising. In Sport Plus mode, it feels every bit the high-performance sedan, with tight handling and a firm suspension. But switch it into Comfort mode, and the suspension softens up, making the ride smoother and more relaxed. Acura has done an impressive job of tuning the suspension to offer a wide range of driving experiences.
5. Familiar Yet Updated Feel
For those who have driven previous Acura models, the TLX Type S offers a familiar yet updated experience. From the seats to the gear selector, many elements in the car feel reminiscent of Acura’s flagship models, including the 2017 Acura NSX. The two-tone seats, in particular, evoke a sense of nostalgia for those who have owned earlier Acuras, while the modern technology and design keep the car feeling fresh and up-to-date.
5 Things to Improve in 2025 Acura TLX Type S
1. Power Trunk Option
The rear of the 2025 Acura TLX Type S looks fantastic, but the trunk mechanism could use an upgrade. When you press the button, the trunk pops up, but it’s spring-loaded rather than powered.
In many situations, a power trunk would be a welcome addition. For example, if you’re picking up groceries or an order, not having to touch the trunk could help keep the paint pristine. Sure, it might add a little weight, but for a luxury vehicle like this, the convenience would far outweigh any downsides.
2. Limited Exterior and Interior Color Combinations
The Urban Gray exterior of the TLX Type S is undeniably sharp, but there’s a catch when it comes to interior options. If you opt for this beautiful gray exterior, you can’t pair it with the cream or white “Orchard” interior.
This combination would look stunning, but Acura has limited it to certain exterior colors, like blue. Why not unlock all color combinations? The Orchard interior with the Urban Gray exterior would be a dream pairing.
3. Manual Telescopic Steering Wheel
The TLX Type S comes with a manual telescopic steering wheel, but in a car this luxurious, an optional power steering wheel would feel more appropriate. Sure, it might add to the cost and weight slightly, but having the option would be a great addition.
Many drivers would appreciate the added convenience in a car that’s already brimming with premium features.
4. Lack of Touchscreen Functionality
The infotainment screen is large and clear, but here’s the kicker: it’s not a touchscreen. Instead, you have to use a touchpad, which can feel outdated in today’s market. Acura could make a touchscreen an optional feature, or better yet, integrate it as standard, especially for such a tech-heavy vehicle.
Even if the touchscreen worked only when the car is in park, it would make a noticeable difference in usability.
5. No Panoramic Roof Option
Lastly, while the TLX Type S has a sunroof, it’s not a panoramic roof. For a car with such a luxury feel, a panoramic option would enhance the cabin experience, especially for rear-seat passengers. Again, this wouldn’t need to be a standard feature, but offering it as an option would allow buyers to tailor the car more to their preferences.
Competitors of 2025 Acura TLX Type S
When considering competitors for the 2025 Acura TLX Type S, a few key performance sedans stand out, offering similar features and power. One strong contender is the Audi S4. Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine, the Audi S4 generates 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in around 4.4 seconds.
It comes equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel drive system, along with features like adaptive suspension and premium audio options. The starting price for the S4 is approximately $53,800.
Another competitor is the BMW M340i, which delivers higher performance with a 3.0L inline-6 engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. It produces 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to sprint from 0-60 mph in around 4.1 seconds.
The M340i offers features such as adaptive M suspension and xDrive all-wheel drive. The starting price for the BMW M340i is around $57,000.
Lastly, the Genesis G70 3.3T offers a slightly lower price point with robust performance. Its 3.3L twin-turbo V6 delivers 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of approximately 4.5 seconds. The G70 includes rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. It also features an adaptive suspension and luxurious interior, with a starting price of $46,400.
