First Drive: 2021 Acura TLX Type S

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Much has changed on the automotive scene since Acura first debuted a higher-performance (260-horsepower) Type S version of its mid-sized TL sedan back in 2002 — the second-generation front-wheel-drive TL a very popular model, as well as being one of my favourite affordable sport(y) four-doors during the initial years of the new century. Since 2014, the replacement TLX has carried the mid-sized sport sedan torch for Honda’s upscale brand and, at least with the A-Spec package, has demonstrated enough verve with its 272-hp turbo 2.0L four so as not to be an embarrassment.

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For the 2021 model year, though, Acura has resurrected the Type S name after more than a decade, slapping it on the TLX and dragging a bunch of performance parts out of the warehouse to make sure it lives up to the rep. No less than “the best-performing sedan in Acura history” — proclaims the brand —  the TLX Type S is powered by an exclusive 355-horsepower turbocharged 3.0L V6. Furthermore, the car gets a specially tuned double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, Brembo front brakes, and a new Sport+ driving mode for the Integrated Dynamics System.

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For those desiring a spirited ride in a more practical four-door format, yet don’t want an SUV, this is the real deal — solid power, impressive handling, strong brakes, all-wheel-drive, and with enough tweaks and upgrades to the car inside and out for the TLX to say, “I’m big, I’m bad, I’m back, and I got a new attitude.”

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Oh, there will be the motorheads who think 355 hp (at 5,500 rpm) is merely “adequate” for a mid-sized sedan. Keep in mind that the 4.94-metre-long Type S is all-in at $60,000, so it’s not the heavy-hitter, double-the-price M5 or AMG E 63 S that the Acura has as its main competition, but the middleweights such as the Infiniti Q60 3.0t Red Sport or Cadillac CT5-V. Want to throw a European sedan into the mix? You’re likely going to have to go down a size to the compact segment and take the hit in cabin space.

Acura says the TLX Type S is about 25 percent quicker to 100 km/h than the standard TLX, with a zero-to-100-km/h time around five seconds and a top end bumped up to 250 km/h (electronically limited). Given a serious prod of the gas pedal, the car hooks up immediately and leaps off the line, the sound of the V6 turning to a higher-pitched howl as it nears redline. An active exhaust system, adopted from the NSX sports car, opens a butterfly valve in each muffler to enhance the sound of the engine. In Sport mode, the valves are fully open at idle and at launch, but closed during cruising, and in Sport+ the valves are open at all times.

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Working in concert is a sport-tuned, quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, strengthened to handle the increased horsepower and torque (a generous 354 pound-feet from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm) of the V6. Upshifts, whether automatic or when working the paddle, are instantaneous and fluid. When using the paddles, the transmission uses Type S-exclusive programming for 40-per-cent quicker downshifts. In Sport+ mode, the transmission also upshifts 30 per cent faster by using a brief fuel cut during the gear change.

The TLX Type S weighs a solid 1,928 kilograms, which is felt during higher-speed cornering. That said, there’s a ton of grip available thanks to Acura’s highly regarded Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), a first for any Type S model. The system progressively distributes torque between the front and rear axles, and also between the left and right rear wheels. When cornering, SH-AWD distributes more torque to the outside rear wheel, creating a yaw moment to help turn the car, reducing understeer. Naturally, Sport and Sport+ modes have more aggressive SH-AWD programming that elevates handling performance. Throw in P255/35R20 Pirelli P Zero performance rubber, and the Type S excels in the fast sweepers. The car’s belt-driven electric power steering uses a unique variable gear ratio for a more responsive feel than the regular TLX, giving the sport sedan a more agile feel at low- to mid-range speeds.

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Braking performance is elevated with the addition of larger, more powerful Brembo front brakes, four-piston calipers gripping 14.3-inch rotors. Stopping distances from 100 km/h, says Acura, are improved by 13 per cent, though the brakes can be a bit grabby at lower speeds.

Looks-wise, the Type S tester proved a visual standout thanks to its Tiger Eye Pearl paint job, a rich coppery hue. In general, the sedan distinguishes itself from the lesser TLXs with its “diamond pentagon” grille, quad exhaust outlets, a front splitter, and rear diffuser.

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Inside, what is clearly a driver-focused interior features an NSX-like flat-bottom steering wheel with the Type S logo, 16-way adjustable Milano leather seats with adjustable bolsters, and Type S-embossed headrests. Contrast French stitching and piping on the dash top and door armrests, and aluminum trim on the doors and dash, are welcomed touches. On the infotainment front, a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system takes care of the tunes. There’s a 10.2-inch screen above the centre stack, with a console-mounted touchpad handling a number of functions.

Surprisingly, considering the TLX’s length, is that rear-seat passenger accommodation is average at best, particularly legroom, which will be at a premium for those with longer dimensions.

Overall, though, with many automakers giving up on mid-sized sedans, it’s good to see Acura not only finds value in the segment, but also finds value once again in offering genuine performance. The Type S has the bona fides to be an unapologetic sport sedan, one that’s a truly entertaining ride without a truly frightening price tag.