2024 Acura TLX Type S Review: Specs, Price, Is It Worth Buying

Few sport sedans have sparked as much debate as the Acura TLX Type S, which packs a turbocharged V6 and all‑wheel drive into a sharp‑looking package but hasn’t changed much since its 2021 debut. MotorWeek (independently tested review program) recorded a 0‑60 time of 5.0 seconds, raising the question: Is this carryover formula still a smart buy against fresher rivals?

Engine: 3.0‑liter turbocharged V6 ·
Horsepower: 355 hp ·
Torque: 354 lb‑ft ·
0‑60 mph (MotorWeek): 5.0 seconds ·
Fuel economy (combined): 23.6 mpg (MotorWeek) ·
Starting price (est.): $57,000

Ten key specs form a clear picture of what this sedan offers — and where it shows its age.

Is the 2024 Acura TLX Type S Worth Buying?

The key trade‑offs

The 2024 TLX Type S carries over the same powertrain and design from the 2021 refresh. It uses a 3.0‑liter turbo V6 producing 355 hp and 354 lb‑ft, paired with a 10‑speed automatic and standard Super Handling All‑Wheel Drive. MotorWeek recorded 0‑60 mph in 5.0 seconds and a quarter‑mile of 13.5 seconds at 104 mph.

Compared to the Car and Driver test numbers (4.6 seconds 0‑60, 13.2 seconds quarter), the gap suggests launch conditions vary, but the car is consistently quick — just not class‑leading. The EPA rates fuel economy at 19 city / 25 highway mpg, which MotorWeek confirmed at 21 combined mpg.

The implication: Buyers must decide whether the Type S’s strengths outweigh its dated interior and transmission.

How Much Does the 2024 Acura TLX Type S Cost?

2024 pricing and trims

The 2024 TLX lineup is simplified to Technology, A‑Spec, and Type S trims, per MotorWeek. The base TLX starts at $46,195, while the Type S carries a base price of $58,195 according to both Car and Driver and MotorWeek. Options can push the price well above $60,000 — Car and Driver’s test car included $3,441 for 20‑inch copper wheels with Pirelli P Zero summer tires, $600 for Urban Gray Pearl paint, and $242 for premium carpeted floor mats, bringing the as‑tested total to $62,478.

Is the Type S a good value? On paper, you get more standard horsepower than the BMW and Audi for a similar price, but the interior and technology package feels a generation behind. The Drive notes that the cabin ergonomics are not as polished as key rivals.

What this means: Buyers who value standard AWD and a thrumming V6 will find decent value. Those who prioritize a modern digital cockpit or efficiency should weigh the extra cost against options from Germany or Korea.

How Much Horsepower Does the 2024 Acura TLX Type S Have?

Engine specifications

• 3.0‑liter turbocharged V6 producing 355 hp at 5,500 rpm and 354 lb‑ft of torque from just 1,400 rpm (Car and Driver spec sheet).
• 10‑speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard Super Handling All‑Wheel Drive (SH‑AWD) (MotorWeek).
• 0‑60 mph in about 5.0 seconds (MotorWeek) or as quick as 4.6 seconds in ideal conditions (Car and Driver).

The torque peak at 1,400 rpm gives the Type S strong low‑end pull, but the transmission’s programming draws criticism. The Drive found the 10‑speed can be hesitant in manual mode, dulling the sporty feel. Still, on a winding road the SH‑AWD system delivers confident cornering, according to MotorWeek.

The pattern: The engine character is strong and the AWD predictable, but the transmission keeps the car from feeling as sharp as its horsepower number suggests.

What Are the 2024 Acura TLX Type S Specs and Features?

Standard features and available options

The table below summarizes the key specifications.

Standard interior features include leather seats, power front seats with memory, dual‑zone automatic climate control, and ambient lighting. Available options add performance wheels, summer tires, advance package with head‑up display, and more. Acura lists the full suite of driver‑assistance technology as standard.

The catch: Cargo space is just 13.5 cubic feet — smaller than the BMW 3 Series (17 cu ft) and Audi A4 (13.7 cu ft). The 10.2‑inch screen uses a touchpad interface that many Car and Driver reviewers find frustrating while driving.

Is the Acura TLX Type S Fast?

Real‑world acceleration and handling

With a 0‑60 mph of 5.0 seconds (or 4.6 seconds per Car and Driver), the TLX Type S is certainly quick, but not blistering by 2024 standards. The BMW M340i does 0‑60 in 4.1 seconds (Car and Driver comparison data).

The Drive notes the car understeers at the limit due to its nose‑heavy weight distribution, and the SH‑AWD system can’t fully mask the 4,210‑lb curb weight. “It’s a heavy car that feels its mass,” they wrote. Meanwhile, MotorWeek praised its composure on pavement, saying “the ride is firm but well‑controlled.”

The implication: This sedan satisfies enthusiasts who prioritize all‑weather traction and engine character over outright lap times.

Pros and Cons of the 2024 Acura TLX Type S

What We Know and What’s Unclear

What the Experts Say

“The Type S is a satisfying performer, blending a muscular V6 with sure‑footed all‑wheel drive. It’s a car that rewards smooth inputs.”
—MotorWeek road test, 2024

“The cabin still feels a generation behind the Germans. The touchpad interface is frustrating on the move, and the rear seat is tight for adults.”
—The Drive, review

“On the right road, the TLX Type S is genuinely entertaining — the engine has character, and the SH‑AWD system pulls you through corners with confidence.”
—Car and Driver, first drive

The 2024 Acura TLX Type S sits in an awkward middle ground: it offers the power and grip that once defined a top‑tier sport sedan, but it has not kept pace with the interior and transmission refinement of its German and Korean rivals. The 355‑hp V6 and SH‑AWD remain compelling for buyers who want a distinct, driver‑focused alternative to the mainstream options. However, the lack of meaningful updates since 2021 and the frustrating touchpad interface will push many shoppers toward newer competitors. For the buyer in the U.S. market who values standard AWD and a throaty engine character over the latest digital cockpit, the Type S still makes sense — but the window is narrowing.

Readers seeking a comprehensive assessment can find our full 2024 TLX Type S review with all the specs and driving impressions.

Frequently asked questions

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