2021 Acura TLX SH-AWD Advance

Acura isn’t the first automaker to come to mind when you’re considering midsize luxury vehicles. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll come across the TLX, all new for 2021. It may not have the cachet of German rivals, but there’s no denying that it’s a rewarding sports sedan. In the looks department, this longer, wider TLX’s sleek styling will definitely turn heads. The upgrades continue inside, with a handsomely designed cabin replete with upscale materials. The highly supportive sport seats are very comfortable, but rear passengers may find their quarters a bit tight. There’s an abundance of technology, too, but using the console-mounted trackpad to access the features on the center-mounted display requires a steep learning curve. Propulsion comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (272 hp) which, in the case of our test car, fed power to all 4 wheels via the automaker’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive setup. Acceleration is brisk, but the engine noise and vibration doesn’t befit a luxury car, and the car’s considerable weight restricts performance and reduces fuel economy. However, the sport-tuned suspension delivers a good balance between crisp handling and ride comfort