One quiet tragedy that’s happening in the performance sedan world has to do with buyers overlooking some of the most complete and thoughtfully engineered cars in the world, while flocking en masse to the familiar badges of Germany and some Asian companies. As a result, some of these overlooked vehicles are disappearing. This is what the Acura TLX Type S is currently suffering. Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, the Acura TLX Type S produces 355 horsepower, running on Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and a chassis tuned with real intent. This elevates it from a half-hearted sports trim to one of the most serious driver's cars Acura has built in years. Still, many shoppers would rather go for the BMW M340i or Genesis G70 without giving it a second glance. Due to this and the company's pivot toward producing EVs and focusing on its SUV lineup, the 2025 Acura TLX Type S will end production in 2025. Now, let’s try to understand what makes this vehicle special, how it stacks up, and whether this is the right time to buy before it quietly vanishes. From the TL Type S To Today — The Legacy Behind The Badge AcuraAcura introduced the Type S badge to the Acura lineup in the early 2000s, with the 2001 Acura 3.2CL, to give its vehicles a sharper edge. It was Acura’s high-performance model, offering more power, tighter handling, and a subtle aggression that made it stand out in a segment dominated by European brands. What followed was the 2002 Acura 3.2TL Type S and the RSX Type S of the same year. By 2007, Acura added the TL Type S and the CSX Type S to the lineup, with a stronger engine and Brembo brakes. Something changed in 2015 when the TLX replaced both the TSX and the TL. The performance edge dulled with the absence of the Type S variant, making the car just a competent and refined offering. Enthusiasts noticed.The Type S still didn’t show up until the second-generation TLX arrived in 2021. It was built on a more rigid platform, making it lower and wider, and it felt like Acura was rediscovering its identity. When the Acura TLX Type S returned, it was more of a reset than just a badge revival. Its new engine produced 69 more horsepower than the previous Type S engine. The Type S represents the sharpest vehicles within Acura’s lineup, and that goes beyond them being faster to being more focused and more intentional. Until the model was discontinued in 2025, the modern TLX Type S finally lived up to that promise, carrying forward a legacy that had been dormant for too long. What a 355-Horsepower Turbo V6 And SH-AWD Actually Feel Like To Drive AcuraUnder the hood of the Acura TLX Type S is a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that churns out 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Acura paired this engine with the company’s SH-AWD system, which is arguably the car’s defining feature, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. With sequential sport-shift paddle shifters, the 10-speed automatic is 40% quicker during downshifts and 30% quicker during upshifts than the standard TLX. The SH-AWD sends up to 70% of torque to the rear axle, and it can send 100% of that to either rear wheel. The SH-AWD can effectively rotate the car into a turn by overdriving the outside rear wheel in a corner.On paper, the Acura TLX Type S can hit 0–60 mph in approximately 4.8 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Behind the wheel, it feels quicker than this. The chassis combines a wider track, adaptive dampers, and upgraded brakes to give the TLX Type S real composure under pressure. In absolute terms, the Acura Type S may not be the sharpest tool, with its steering feeling slightly muted, and the transmission feeling like it hesitates outside aggressive modes, but with the mid-cycle refresh in 2024, it proved itself a competent performance vehicle. How the TLX Type S Stacks Up Against the BMW, Genesis, And Audi Photo: Justin KaehlerWhenever the conversation about the TLX Type S comes up, the comparison with the BMW M340i and the Genesis G70 is always inevitable. In the segment, the BMW remains the benchmark. Apart from carrying undeniable brand prestige, its B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine produces 386 horsepower and delivers razor-sharp dynamics as well as a more immediate and engaging feel. The feedback from the steering is stronger, while the powertrain feels much more responsive. The Acura's comeback is in quieter ways: the TLX Type S offers a more substantial cabin with more interior space and a level of standard equipment that often costs extra in the BMW. For the money, it feels like a more complete package.The Genesis G70 is a different side of the comparison. The G70 is a more playful, lighter vehicle, and in some configurations, it even offers a manual transmission, which is increasingly rare. For enthusiasts, it leans into driving purity. By contrast, the TLX feels more mature. The interior offers higher perceived interior quality, more room for rear passengers, and a more planted, composed driving character, making it easier to live with daily. In a way, it's safe to see the TLX Type S as the "adult" choice since it doesn't shout the loudest while still delivering in those areas where it matters long-term. When compared to the Audi S4, the Acura produces more linear power and a more vocal exhaust note, but both vehicles are very comparable in performance capacity. However, the S4 has a more space-efficient rear passenger area. Trims, Features, And How To Build The Right TLX Type S Photo: Justin Kaehler The 2024 Acura TLX Type S’s mid-cycle refresh aimed at keeping things refreshingly simple. It essentially came in the standard Type S and the Type S with the Advance Package. The Advance Package feels like a fully realized vehicle. Other features of the Advance Package include the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a head-up display system, a surround-view camera system, and semi-aniline leather upholstery. For most buyers, these features are enough to elevate the car from “sport sedan” to the realm of a genuine luxury performance sedan.The Acura Type S is not built as a car with endless configurations, which is part of its appeal. It’s built to reduce overcomplication, unlike many of its competitors. It also offers subtle color and specification choices that improve the premium finishes and help it hold its value better over time, especially as the discontinuation will make the car rarer in the used market. Should You Buy One Now? Pricing, What To Look For, And The Discontinued Elephant In The Room Photo: Justin KaehlerWith discontinuation confirmed in July 2025, new inventory is finite. The remaining 2024 and 2025 Acura TLX Type S models would typically cost approximately $62,000, depending on spec and dealer pricing, with an MSRP of $58,050 for the Type S. On the used market, the Acura TLX Type S tends to hold its value well. A 2021 Acura TLX Type S could cost anywhere between $41,998 and $47,998. Higher-mileage units with between 30,000 and 40,000 miles tend to lean toward the lower end, while low-mileage examples under 20,000 miles command a premium. A 2022 Acura TLX Type S typically costs between $45,000 and $49,000. The 2023 models could cost between $49,998 and $51,998, especially for vehicles under 25,000 miles, while the 2024 models are typically priced not far from new models.If you're considering a used Type S, the 2022–2024 models are the sweet spot. It's always best to avoid the launch model year of any production vehicle, as you would likely be testing early production issues that subsequent model years would address. 2021 cars had minor early-production quirks that were later refined. When inspecting a unit, test SH-AWD across all drive modes, while paying attention to the transmission’s behavior in Sport and Sport+ modes. Also, confirm that software updates have been applied. Be very diligent when reviewing service history, especially for proper turbo engine care. Looking at it from an investment perspective, the outlook is quietly promising, especially since discontinued performance sedans with real engineering behind them tend to age well.Source: Acura, EdmundsFAQQ: How much horsepower does the TLX Type S have?The Acura TLX Type S produces 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0L turbocharged V6.Q: Is the Acura TLX Type S being discontinued?Yes. The TLX Type S is being phased out, with the 2025 model year representing the final opportunity to buy new.Q: How much does the TLX Type S cost?The 2025 Acura TLX Type S has an MSRP of $58,050. Expect to get it from dealers starting at $62,000 with taxes and fees added. For used options, it could cost anywhere from $42,000 for a 2021 option to $57,000 for a low-mileage 2024 option.Q: Is the TLX Type S faster than the BMW M340i?The BMW M340i has a slight edge in acceleration, but real-world performance differences are small.Q: What engine does the TLX Type S have?It uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, distinct from the standard TLX’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
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