We check out how the TLX’s offerings differ from a range of competitors, from the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 3-series to the Kia Stinger.
One main reason to consider the 2022 Acura TLX is that it hits a sweet spot between performance and price. With a starting price of $39,545 and an all-in price of around $55,000, there’s lots of fun to be had in the TLX.
There’s no question there’s also lots to love about this competitor: the BMW 3-series, which starts at $42,445. Looking at the punchy M340i (pictured here), it starts at almost $4000 more than the TLX. Meanwhile, there’s an $800 Performance package for the TLX with unique 20-inch wheels wearing summer tires to improve cornering grip and stopping power. Other competitors, including the Genesis G70 ($38,870) and the Kia Stinger ($37,365), have starting prices even lower than the Acura’s.
The regular TLX comes with a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 280 pound-feet of torque while the higher-performance Type S comes with a 355-hp turbo 3.0-liter V-6, all-wheel drive, and a sportier suspension setup.
Comparing the TLX’s powertrain options with the 3-series again, the 330i uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. of torque, while the M340i gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 385 hp and 369 lb-ft. The BMW sedan lineup includes the 330e (pictured) with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, something missing from the list of TLX powertrain options.
Front-wheel drive is standard in the TLX, but SH-AWD, Acura’s all-wheel-drive system, is an option if you want to send power to all four wheels and enjoy better agility and traction. SH-AWD is a feature of the performance-oriented Type S (pictured).
AWD is standard on the Audi S4 (pictured), and the Genesis G70, Kia Stinger, and BMW 3-series can be moved by either AWD or rear-wheel drive.
Like other, similar performance sedans, the base TLX comes with standard 18-inch wheels, in this case Glitter Silver Multi-Spoke wheels.
These 19-inch Glint Black alloy wheels are an available option (prices for this upgrade range from $1877 to $2413, depending on trim). Acura also offers a collection of 19- and 20-inch wheels as standard on higher trim levels.
The Kia Stinger comes with 19- and 20-inch wheel choices. Pictured are 19-inch black wheels on the 2022 Stinger Scorpion special-edition model.
Luxury brands know you can never have too many trims, and Acura doesn’t disappoint here. There are a total of nine basic options, with three trims available with the FWD, 2.0-liter powertrain—Base, Technology, and A-Spec (pictured); four with the AWD, 2.0-liter, which adds the Advance trim; and two trims for the high-end AWD, 3.0-liter engine: Type S and Type S Performance.
To compare, the 2022 Audi A5 Sportback and the 2022 Kia Stinger (pictured) both offer six general options, three distinct trims times two powertrain options.
Infotainment features in the 2022 TLX are controlled from a 10.2-inch center screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 10-speaker system. Higher-end features like built-in navigation, a 17-speaker premium audio system, and a wireless smart device charging pad are available on higher trims.
The Acura’s screen is smaller than the 17-inch vertical screen in the Tesla Model S and almost identical to the 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen in the Audi A5 Sportback (pictured). The Kia Stinger has a standard 8.0-inch screen, with a 10.3-inch screen optional, while the Genesis G70’s has a standard 10.3-inch screen.
Fuel economy figures for the 2022 Acura TLX are clustered in the low 20s, with the worst fuel efficiency coming from the Type S (pictured) and Type S Performance trims, both of which offer 21 combined miles per gallon.
Other TLX trims offer either 24 or 25 mpg combined, which is in line with the Genesis G70 (pictured), which ranges from 20 to 24 mpg, but lower than the Audi A5, which offers 26 to 29 mpg. The Kia Stinger’s combined numbers are 20 to 25 mpg. The BMW 330i posts the best combined numbers: 28 to 30 mpg, with the M340i achieving 26 mpg combined.
Keyword: How the 2022 Acura TLX Stacks Up to Its Competition