The refreshed 2018 Acura TLX performance luxury sedan launches with a more sporty and alluring look reflecting the brand’s new design direction, along with an all-new TLX A-Spec variant for V6 powered models, and new premium features. The 2018 TLX offers AcuraWatch™ as standard equipment on all grades, leading all luxury midsize sedans in the application of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies.
The 2018 TLX also is the first Acura to feature a redesigned dual-screen user interface (ODMD 2.0) with more intuitive menus and command structures complemented by a new 7-inch capacitive touchscreen (previously resistive type) with a 30-percent faster response time and Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ compatibility.
The 2018 TLX is the second model in the Acura lineup (following the 2017 MDX) to take design cues from the Acura Precision Concept and boasts an alluring new style, highlighted by the Acura diamond pentagon grille and amplified by its more sharply sculpted hood and front fenders, paired with strong dynamic characteristics including more aggressive and sporty front and rear fascia, side sills, and available dual rear exhaust finishers and rear diffuser. Acura’s signature 5-lamp Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and new alloy wheel designs complete the distinctive, athletic and aggressive character of the 2018 TLX.
New Features for TLX V6 Models
TLX V6 models feature a new rear diffuser with exposed dual-exhaust while the Technology Package adds a chrome side sill garnish, new leather seats with high-contrast stitching and piping, and power-operated driver’s seat thigh extension.
The TLX V6 Advance Package gains new, premium features including trapezoidal fog lights and rear exhaust ports, a Surround View camera system, built-in wireless charging, white LED ambient interior light piping, a heated steering wheel and heated rear (outboard) seats, power-folding side mirrors, and a new body-colored decklid spoiler.
All-New TLX V6 A-Spec
Reflecting Acura’s Precision Crafted Performance DNA, the all-new 2018 TLX A-Spec, available on both front-wheel drive and SH-AWD™ variants of the V6-powered TLX, amps up the sporty character of TLX and features exclusive design elements inside and out, along with key enhancements to chassis tuning and wheel/tire specification.
The TLX A-Spec’s unique styling begins in front with a matte-black diamond pentagon grille with dark chrome surround, an aggressive lower front fascia with broad center air opening flanked by round LED fog lights, and a dark appearance for the Jewel Eye LED headlights. A-Spec exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels finished in Shark Gray paint are shod with 245-series tires and combine with aggressively flared side sills for a more athletic and planted stance. The A-Spec exterior upgrades continue at the rear with a gloss-black decklid spoiler, “smoked” LED taillights, and an exclusive fascia featuring a lower diffuser accented by 4-inch round dual exhaust finishers. A matte-black side window surround and A-Spec badging on the front fenders and rear decklid completes the look.
Inside, the TLX V6 A-Spec features more aggressively bolstered front seats, an A-Spec-badged thick-rimmed steering wheel, red driver’s meter highlights, black headliner and pillar treatment, brushed aluminum-look interior trim, stainless steel driver’s footrest, and front and rear door sill trim.
In addition to the improved lateral grip and responsiveness offered by Michelin Primacy 245/40R19 tires (compared to 225/50R18 on other V6 models), the TLX V6 A-Spec benefits from a retuned electric power steering system and damper settings. Models with SH-AWD also get a quicker steering ratio for increased response and a stiffer spring rate and rear stabilizer bar for improved body control.
The TLX V6 A-Spec is available in five exterior colors, including a trim-exclusive Still Night Blue Pearl, and one of two unique interior color schemes, Black with Alcantara™ seat and door inserts or Full Red which features a bold red leather throughout. A-Spec models have the same feature set as the TLX V6 with Technology Package as well ventilated front seats, wireless charging pad and LED ambient light piping found in the Advance Package.
Powertrain and Chassis
The 2018 Acura TLX continues to be offered with two advanced powertrains: a 2.4-liter, 206-horsepower i-VTEC inline-4 mated to an 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (8DCT) with torque converter; and a 3.5-liter, 290-horsepower i-VTEC V6 mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, which for 2018 has been retuned for a more refined feel.
Two-wheel drive variants of the 2018 TLX, with either the 2.4-liter or 3.5-liter engines, come equipped with Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS™), with independent left and right rear-wheel toe angle control to enhance overall handling precision, low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability.
Acura Super-Handling All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®), the most sophisticated torque-vectoring AWD system in the industry, is available for the first time on all V6-powered variants (previously available with Technology or Advance Package only). SH-AWD elevates the TLX driving experience to a new level, enhancing cornering grip, power delivery and all-weather handling and control through dynamic distribution of engine torque to all four wheels and independent control of torque delivery to the left and right rear wheels.
TLX 2.4-liter models can be upgraded with the Technology Package, and 3.5-liter models can be upgraded with either Technology, A-Spec or Advance Packages. Significant new or upgraded features and technologies for the 2018 Acura TLX:
2.4-liter TLX:
- Newly styled front bumper, hood and front fenders
- Restyled Jewel Eye™ LED headlights with auto on/off and auto high beam
- LED daytime running lights and turn signals
- Dark Burl/Acoustic wood interior appliques
- Sirius XM 2.0
- ODMD 2.0 user interface with capacitive touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Full-color TFT driver’s meter
- Newly styled 17″ 10-spoke alloy wheels
- Acura Watch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies (now standard)
2.4-liter with Technology Package (adds to base TLX):
- Navigation
- HD Radio with Digital Traffic
3.5-liter V6 (adds to 2.4-liter TLX):
- New rear bumper design with chrome accents
- Exposed dual exhausts outlets
- Rear diffuser
3.5-liter V6 TLX with Technology Package (adds to TLX V6):
- Navigation
- HD Radio with Digital Traffic
- New seat styling with high-contrast stitching and piping
- Driver’s seat power-operated thigh extender
- Chrome side sill garnish
NEW: 3.5-liter V6 TLX A-Spec (adds to TLX V6 with Technology Package):
- A-Spec exclusive exterior styling and trim
- A-Spec exclusive interior styling and trim
- Round LED Fog Lights
- New 19″ split 5-spoke alloy wheels
- Flush-mounted front and rear parking sensors (+2 front sensors)
- Gloss black rear decklid spoiler
- Increased front seat bolstering
- Red LED ambient light piping – 10 locations
- Red driver’s meter highlights
- Wireless charging pad
- Ventilated front seats
3.5-liter V6 TLX with Advance package (adds to Technology package):
- Surround View Camera System
- Trapezoidal LED fog lights
- Flush-mounted front and rear parking sensors (+2 front sensors)
- Body-colored decklid spoiler
- Newly designed 18″ 15-spoke alloy wheels
- Power folding side mirrors
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Heated windshield
- White LED ambient light piping – 10 locations
- Wireless charging pad
- Ventilated front seats