Acura TLX Type S Sedan

The 2022 Acura TLX Type S is a single standalone top-end trim offered in two variants. Both models are powered by the same turbocharged 3.0 L V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base Type S model is a fully specced-up version of the TLX with all the luxurious bells and whistles. The higher-end Type S comes equipped with a Performance Wheel and Tire package that adds 20-in Shark Gray Lightweight Y-spoke wheels along with 255/35 R20 High-Performance Pirelli P-Zero summer tires. The following tables show the detailed list of features in the 2022 Acura TLX Type S models- 

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The TLX Type S is a standalone trim available in two variants. Both Type S models come with the same powertrain and underpinnings but the higher-spec model gets lightweight wheels and performance tires. You could choose one according to your needs and preference and can opt for the performance wheels if you need extra grip and performance. Otherwise, the Type S is a fully specced up machine offered with a great number of standard features and immense luxury.

2022 Acura TLX Type S Release Date

We haven’t received any official confirmation about the release date of the 2022 Acura TLX Type S, but we expect it to debut in early 2022.

The powertrain under the hood of the 2022 Acura TLX Type S is a dual-scroll turbocharged V6 engine, exclusively developed for Type S. The turbo V6 engine is mated to a sport-tuned 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters sending the power to all four wheels via the proprietary Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) drivetrain system. The engine outputs 355-HP and 354 lb-ft of maximum power and torque. This makes the TLX Type S the most powerful Acura sedan ever. This one comes with an Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) with Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual and Sport+ mode which is exclusive to the Type S.

The Type S also comes with exclusive high-performance chassis bracing for better handling along with a sport-tuned adaptive damper system that enhances the overall stability and driving dynamics of the Type S while improving ride quality and comfort. There are also stronger Brembo brakes installed in the Type S for better braking performance. However, the higher weight of the TLX keeps it from effectively utilizing the punchy power output from the engine and other performance-enhancing components. The Type S takes 4.9 seconds to reach a speed of 60mph and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 13.6 seconds which is good, but not as quick as some rivals in the segment. 

The AMG C43 is the most powerful option here while the 2022 BMW M340i xDrive is the quickest car here and also flaunts the highest top speed. The Mercedes AMG C43 follows the BMW at second place in the speed game. The Acura and Cadillac are on similar turf in terms of speed, yet the Caddy dominates when it comes to quarter-mile times. The Acura could have been the value for money option, but the CT5 V which is much cheaper than the Type S offers more power while also being faster. That makes the Type S the weakest car among these magnificent machines.

The 2022 Acura TLX Type S puts out the fuel efficiency of 19 mpg in the city, 24 on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg. These figures are on par with other high-performance competition. The Type S has a fuel capacity of 15.9 gallons which means it could reach up to 302 miles in the city, 382 miles on the highway, and 334 miles in the combined road and driving conditions without a refill. Overall, for a high-performance sports sedan, the Acura TLX Type S is a pretty much efficient car. 

The BMW M340i is the most efficient machine here offering a mind-boggling 25 mpg of combined fuel economy which is a surprising figure considering that it’s coming from a high-performance sedan. Nothing matches the efficiency of the BMW and all others including the Acura is in the similar territory in terms of fuel efficiency. The Mercedes has the highest fuel economy closely followed by the Caddy while the BMW with the lowest fuel capacity still maintains to provide the most range in all driving and road conditions. The M340i also being the fastest one makes the BMW the queen/king among these machines both in terms of performance as well as efficiency. 

The Acura TLX Type S features a luxurious and feature-packed interior. As standard, the interior is Ebony-themed while it could be upgraded to a red-themed interior as an optional choice. The interior quality of the TLX Type is impressive and has improved a step higher from Acura cars of previous years although compared to the 2021 model there are no changes inside. The dashboard is neatly laid out and all the switches and controls are easy to reach and of good quality. However, this is true for everything except for the touchpad controller for the infotainment unit which is distracting and could make the driver take her/his eyes off the road.

There is an ample amount of space on the inside of the cabin and the cargo capacity is also sufficient for carrying enough luggage. However, considering the exterior dimensions of the Acura which are larger than other performance sedans in the segment, the second-row space is not as expected, but it is still enough to accommodate adults. The seats are heated and ventilated, covered in luxurious leather, and offer plenty of adjustments. Overall the 2022 Acura TLX Type S has a beautiful-looking interior that is made up of quality materials. 

The Mercedes AMG C43 undoubtedly has the most beautifully crafted interior with the highest quality materials and elements. Even while being the last updated sedan, the Mercedes still has the best-feeling and eye-catching interior. It also features a new 12.3-inch infotainment unit which is also the best and most intuitive one in the segment. The BMW however has the most modern-looking interior while the Cadillac has the most spacious interior whereas the Acura provides the most cargo capacity. However, the Cadillac’s interior quality is not as great as others while the Type has the third-best interior after the Mercedes and BMW. The following are the Acura’s prominent interior features-

• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with Humidity Control and Air Filtration
• Perforated Milano Premium Leather-Trim with Contrast Stitching
• Iconic Drive Ambient LED Cabin Lighting (27 Color Themes)
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
• Leather-Wrapped Flat-Bottom Sport Steering Wheel
• Front 16-Way Power Seats with Power Lumbar Support, Thigh Extension, and Side Bolsters
• Exclusive Type S Logo in Headrest
• Exclusive Orchid Interior Color Option

How intuitive is the 2022 Acura TLX Type S’s infotainment unit?

The 2022 Acura TLX Type S comes with a 10.5-inch Head-Up Display which has crisp graphics and is easy to read while the center-mounted touchpad controller used to control the screen is unintuitive and the response from it is laggy. A touchscreen could have been a much better option compared to this setup which is distracting and unresponsive. 

The audio system is an ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio with 17 Speakers including 4 Highline overhead Speakers and this one is one of the best in the segment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are also standard features along with much another connectivity tech. The following are the prominent infotainment features of the 2022 Acura TLX Type S- 

• ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio with 17 Speakers including 4 Highline Overhead Speakers
• Acura Navigation System with 3D view
• AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Street and Freeway Conditions
• Traffic Rerouting
• 7-Inch Color Multi-Information Display (MID) with Turn-by-Turn Guidance
• AcuraLink Connected Services
• HD Radio
• USB Charge Ports for Rear Seat
• GPS-linked Climate Control
• 10.5-Inch Head-Up Display (HUD)

The Type S is a good-looking vehicle with a slight design extravaganza going around. The Type S features a Sport Appearance exterior package which makes it looks aggressive and it just screams that it is not just any luxury sedan or even a slightly performance boosted one, but an aggressively powerful sports sedan. The exterior of the Type S just makes it look more aggressive and sporty than it actually is. The Acura TLX Type S is offered in a single standard color option which is Modern Steel Metallic while the available color choices include Platinum White Pearl, Majestic Black Pearl, Performance Red Pearl, Apex Blue Pearl, and Tiger Eye Pearl.

The Type S comes with quad exhaust outlets in the rear and the overall rear end also looks pleasant, sporty, and beautiful. The wheels are 20-in Shark Gray Multi-Spoke ones in the standard variant while the higher-end model features 20-in Shark Gray lightweight Y-Spoke wheels wrapped around with performance summer tires that offer better grip and traction. Overall the TLX Type S is an impressive-looking vehicle that has all the elements to turn heads wherever you drive it around. However, some might find it a bit overwhelming as the design language is a bit too aggressive and might seem a bit too flashy. The weight and exterior dimensions of the Type are also a bit on the higher side. 

The 2022 Cadillac CT5 V is the sportiest, most aggressive-looking car here followed by the Type S while the Mercedes and BMW have a more subtle and classy beauty. The Acura has the best-looking wheels in the segment and if opted for the performance wheels and tires, they look even better. The Cadillac however has a futuristic look that is pleasing to look at from all angles while the Acura might seem a bit bizarre for some people due to its sharper lines and cuts. 

The BMW is the best blend of sportiness and classiness while the Mercedes is the most elegant and luxurious one to look at. While having larger dimensions, the Acura is also the heaviest machine and the weight difference is so significant that it also affects the performance of the Type S. The following are the standout exterior features of the Acura TLX Type S-

• 20-in Shark Gray Multi-Spoke Wheels
• Open Surface Diamond Pentagon Grille
• Exclusive Type S Quad Exhaust Outlets
• Gloss Black Front Splitter and Rear Diffuser
• Type S Emblems on Front Fenders and Trunk
• Power-Folding Side Mirrors
• LED Puddle Lights
• Rain-Sensing Windshield
• Exclusive Tiger Eye Pearl Exterior Paint Option

The Acura Type S features an upgraded stronger Brembo front 4-piston braking system compared to other TLX models. It also comes with a set of safety and driver assistance techs including a multi-view rear camera with dynamic guidelines, blind spot information system, rear cross-traffic monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and hill start assist along with other features. The 2022 models of the TLX have not been crash-tested yet, but the 2021 version of the TLX got super-impressive crash test scores from NHTSA as well as IIHS. 

The NHTSA awarded the TLX with an overall 5-star rating and the same perfect 5-star ratings under all testing parameters. The safety scores awarded to the TLX by IIHS are also impressively similar. The TLX is one of the Top Safety Pick + cars selected by IIHS in the particular segment and it also got the best crash-test scores under all parameters. All of this means that the carryover 2022 TLX models including the Type S would also be a supremely safe car. The following are some standout driver assistance and safety features incorporated into the 2022 Acura TLX Type S-

• Cruise Control
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) System
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Advanced Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition

2022 Acura TLX Type S vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43

The 2021 Mercedes AMG C43 sedan offers a great package at a higher price compared to the Type S. The AMG C43 is an elegant-looking sedan offering a plush and luxurious interior made up of premium materials and elements. The Merc is also lighter and faster than the Type S while being easier to handle and has better driving dynamics. In fact, it is the lightest offering here, among all of the competitors. It also comes with an intuitive and responsive touchscreen infotainment unit compared to the clunky and unresponsive non-touchscreen unit in the Type S. Overall the Mercedes offers a better package both performance-wise as well as in terms of luxury as it comes with the best interior in the segment.

2022 Acura TLX Type S vs 2021 BMW M340i xDrive 

The M340i is the fastest machine in the segment while also being the most efficient option. These qualities are pretty much enough to choose this one over the Type S. The BMW comes with an extremely responsive engine and a gearbox that offers timely and crisp shifts and steering that is engaging and responds to the driver inputs effectively. The fuel economy offered by the BMW is astonishing and it just makes the BMW the better choice. The M340i also offers a better infotainment unit while the Type S comes with a better audio system. Overall, the BMW would be the perfect choice as we are primarily concentrating on the performance perspective of these sedans. 

2022 Acura TLX Type S vs 2022 Cadillac CT5 V

The 2022 Cadillac CT5 V is a superb choice offered at a significantly lower price compared to the Type S. It is also a more fun-to-drive machine as is more powerful and weighs much less compared to the Type S. These aspects make the Caddy a better choice from a performance viewpoint while the interior of the Acura is more luxurious and is made up of much more premium materials and offers a higher level of luxury and features. But still, considering the higher performance and lower price, the Cadillac CT5 V would be the better choice. 

The new Acura TLX Type S is a great machine offered at a superb price point. It has a potent powertrain under the hood but its performance is limited by its higher weight. The interior is luxurious and of premium quality, while the features offered are also top-notch. There is an ample amount of space on the inside along with a respectable cargo capacity. The exterior is also beautiful and aggressive looking with a slightly overloaded design language. 

However, it is not the best one for the price paid. The cons include the performance deficiency and limitation due to the extra weight and the unintuitive infotainment unit. For a lower price, the Cadillac CT5 V offers more power and better performance in an extremely good-looking package while for some extra price the AMG C 43 and BMW M340i offers better handling and much better performance.