The sports sedan is, much to the disappointment of car enthusiasts all over the world, a dying category. In decades past, a performance-oriented sedan appealed to the ordinary driver who wanted an everyday car with a bit of sportiness. Today, that type of driver is more likely to be setting their sights on something like a sporty crossover or SUV. As a result of this shift in consumer preferences, many sports sedans have been discontinued over the past decade.One of these models is the Acura TLX, the brand's last sports sedan. This model was on the market for ten years before making its exit from the market in 2025. There are now only a handful of new examples of the TLX in stock at dealerships across the US, so if you’re looking to buy one without turning to the used market, you will have to move quickly.We are taking a closer look at the second-gen TLX’s design and performance, and what you can expect if you decide to buy a used one. The TLX Is Still Available, For Now Acura If you’re looking to buy a new TLX, your choices are quite limited, and you may have to travel a long way to get your dream car. As the model has now been discontinued, all that remains is dealer stock, so you might not be able to get your preferred trim level or option combination.There are three trim levels in the 2025 TLX’s lineup: the entry-level Technology Package, the A-Spec Package, and the Type S. The Technology Package trim has a starting price of $45,400 and comes with a front-wheel-drive drivetrain. It is the entry-level option, but still has plenty of features as standard. These include wireless charging, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and the AcuraWatch safety technology suite.Acura The next level up is the A-Spec Package, which starts at $50,400 and includes all-wheel drive. This trim also adds features such as heated and ventilated sport seats with leather upholstery, an upgraded 17-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, and LED fog lights.At the top of the range is the Type S, which delivers higher power thanks to its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. This version is considerably more expensive, with a starting price of $58,050. It does, however, offer a few extra features aside from the upgraded engine. These include Brembo brakes, a gloss black front splitter, front 16-way power seats with lumbar support, a head-up display, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Second-Generation Acura TLX: An Overview AcuraThe second generation of the TLX was first introduced in concept form at the 2019 Monterey Car Week. It then went on sale for the 2021 model year. As the RLX had recently been discontinued, the TLX became Acura’s flagship sedan for the remainder of its lifespan. The model underwent a design update with the arrival of its new generation. The grille was now diamond-shaped, while the headlights were given a slightly sharper edge.Acura Most second-gen TLX models were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produced 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. There was a performance-oriented Type S model in the lineup as well, using a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that produced 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. In both cases, the engine was paired with a single choice of transmission, a 10-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.The TLX was discontinued after the 2025 model year, marking the end of a decade-long production run. A sporty sedan had been part of the Acura brand for decades, including the TLX's predecessor, the TL. The TLX's retirement left the automaker without a four-door sedan, except for the smaller Integra, which has a liftback rear panel. Why The TLX Was Discontinued Acura The TLX’s discontinuation came about for similar reasons as the gradual disappearance of the sports sedan and the sedan in general. Acura recently introduced a new crossover to its lineup, the ADX. The brand is focusing its efforts on the new model in response to a changing market that prioritizes crossovers and SUVs over sedans.While sedans performed well for Acura for years, the market for them has changed considerably. At one point, the TLX was the brand's worst-selling vehicle at the time it was killed off, making up just 5% of the marque's sales.In 2023, sales dipped to 16,731 units. The following year, things got even worse, with the figure falling below 10,000 examples, with just 7,378 TLXs sold. Things weren't much better in 2025, with 8,030 units sold. After the model was killed off, the remaining stock was gradually cleared out: 938 new TLXs were sold in 2026, and only a few remain on dealers’ lots today.Acura The TLX did not just struggle to carve out a place in an automotive world dominated by crossovers; it also faced competition from another Acura model. The fifth-generation Integra, a sporty liftback introduced for the 2023 model year, offered a similar character. In Case You Don't Want To Hunt Down The Last Few New Cars: Buying A Used TLX Acura Maybe none of the few brand new TLXs out there are quite the right fit as your next car purchase, but you don’t want to give up on buying a TLX. In that case, the used market has plenty of options for you. The second-gen TLX was on sale for five years before being discontinued, and several examples are available today at affordable prices.The bottom of the used second-gen TLX price range sits around $18,000. Here, you can find older examples, cars with higher mileage, and units with poorer or unknown maintenance records. However, thanks to Acura’s strong reputation for reliability, you still have a decent chance of getting a good ownership experience without major roadblocks, even if you buy a car that’s not quite in top shape. However, if you’re looking for a more recent car, or one with a better service record and fewer miles on the clock, you can look towards the upper end of the price range, which goes up to around $65,000.The second-generation TLX has a fairly good reputation when it comes to reliability, with relatively few complaints and recalls listed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score for the models in this generation suggests that reliability has improved over the years. The 2021 TLX scored 73/100, rising to 79 in 2023 and 81 in 2025, the model’s last year on the market. The 2022 and 2024 model years did not receive a J.D. Power rating.Acura In terms of complaints, this generation started with its most problematic model year: the 2021 model had 72 complaints, according to CarComplaints. This number declined sharply in subsequent years: 2022 had 17 complaints, 2023 had 6, and 2024 had just 1. No data was available for 2025. Most complaints are related to drivetrain, electrical, or braking issues.The model has been the subject of four recalls, though some affect only specific model years. The recalls are related to issues with the brake pedal, fuel tank, airbags, and tires. The 2021 and 2022 model years had the most safety campaigns.The data on complaints and recalls is consistent with the steadily increasing J.D. Power score, suggesting that Acura mitigated some of the model’s issues and improved its overall reliability over its five-year lifespan.Whether you choose to buy a used TLX or pick up one of the increasingly rare new ones, this model has plenty to offer in terms of style, comfort, and performance. The sports sedan may be an endangered species, but with a TLX in your garage, you can keep it alive a little while longer.Sources: Acura, J.D. Power, CarComplaints, NHTSA
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