The Germans continue to have a stranglehold over the sports sedan segment, but there is a new player in the segment in the form of the 2021 Acura TLX.
To see if the Acura is up to the task, the guys over at Throttle House put it to the test at their test track and were quite impressed with what they found.
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Standard TLX models feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the same powertrain as the current RDX. This engine pumps out 272 hp at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The example tested by Throttle House came with the optional SH-AWD system complete with torque vectoring that can send up to 70 per cent of torque to the rear axle with 100 per cent of that torque continuously distributed between the left and right rear wheels.
While this engine provides decent horsepower and torque, the YouTubers say that it feels very turbocharged and is lacking the more immediate throttle response you can find in the engines of rivals.
There are some big positives, though. For example, the turn-in is great and the front end provides a lot of grip. The steering also gives a good feel and feedback. One drawback of the driving dynamics is the fact that you cannot completely disable the traction control system and actually have to remove the traction control fuse if you’re looking to kick the tail out through corners – which, admittedly, is not very convenient…