10 Acura TLX Competitors to Consider

2018 Acura TLX ・ Photo by Acura

In its bid to compete in the crowded and challenging small luxury sedan market, the Acura TLX relies on engineering excellence. With all-wheel-steering and all-wheel-drive variants, the TLX puts a great deal of emphasis on handling and grip. But it doesn’t skimp in the horsepower department, either. One engine choice is a 3.5-liter V6 that offers a potent 290 horsepower. Its base engine, a 206-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, isn’t shabby either.

The engines are backed by eight-speed and nine-speed transmissions. One criticism of past Acuras is their perceived lack of luxury, but in recent years Acura has addressed that with much plusher interiors. With pricing starting in the mid-$30,000 range, the Acura TLX is a value among luxury sedans. Let’s look at its competitors.

1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has jumped to the top of the small luxury-car sales chart on the strength of its weighty reputation, attractive style and its array of variants. With a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the C-Class sedan doesn’t offer the horsepower of some of its competitors, but the nine-speed automatic transmission extracts a lot of goodness from the horsepower it has. The C-Class sedan is six inches shorter in overall length than the Acura TLX, but its more compact size isn’t felt. When it comes to value, the C-Class features the historic aura of the three-pointed star and exceptional styling. At the same time, it is more expensive than the V-6-powered Acura TLX.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2. BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series has been regarded as the standard against which all European sports sedans are judged. But in the past half-dozen years, it has found itself challenged by the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. The bread-and-butter 330i is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that winds out 248 horsepower. The six-cylinder-powered 340i produces a potent 320 horsepower. The basic 3 Series platform is rear-drive — responsible for much of the love thrown its way by car testers — but some versions have all-wheel drive. BMW both informed and infuriated the car world with its iDrive control system, but now that system has been tamed and is (nearly) understandable.

Photo by BMW

3. Infiniti Q50

The Infiniti Q50 doesn’t have the history of the 3 Series or C-Class, but it has bulled its way into consideration in this category on the strength of its technical excellence, varied drive systems and sheer firepower. You can buy a Q50 sedan with a turbocharged four cylinder, a hybrid powertrain or a turbocharged V-6. The Q50 Red Sport 400 with a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and rev-matching seven-speed automatic is the absolute hot rod of the class, comparable to Mercedes-Benz AMG and BMW M versions. The Infiniti’s exterior styling doesn’t have the classic looks of the German competitors, but it is contemporary. Inside, the Q50 is both ergonomically sound and stylistically interesting. In terms of interior accommodations, the Infiniti is very similar to the Acura TLX.

Photo by Infiniti

4. Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a well-regarded competitor in the small luxury sedan segment, and its forte is value and style. The closely related S4 carries the banner for Audi in the performance end of the market. The highest-horsepower engine in the A4 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder that overachieves by producing 252 horsepower. To get power to pavement, it employs the vaunted Audi quattro all-wheel-drive system, though front-drive is the standard configuration for most A4s. One of the best things about the A4 is its handsome interior that boasts some of the best ergonomics in the business. It’s hard not to like the Audi virtual cockpit and MMI infotainment interface.

Photo by Audi

5. Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Alfa Romeo Giulia offers a fresh new face in the ever-more-crowded small luxury sedan marketplace. Styling is one big differentiator for the Giulia both inside and out. There is just something about an Italian car’s interior that can’t be matched. Among the many leatherclad niceties is the 8.8-inch display and 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Giulia also has performance to accompany its good looks. Power comes from a hardworking turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine that produces 280 horsepower and a stellar 306 pound-feet of torque. (Leaving us to wonder, how is that even possible?) Variants offered include both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive, and amenities are plentiful including adaptive cruise control.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

6. Jaguar XE

One of the best things about the Jaguar XE sedan is it looks like a Jaguar. That is especially refreshing in an era when a lot of sedans look like a lot of other sedans. The XE also makes the most of its British heritage in its leather-lined interior. In fact, even the fake-leather base version looks good. Accelerative force comes from a 247-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine. But then there’s the 340-horsepower supercharged (turbos are for sissies in Britain) 3.0-liter V6. Rear-drive and all-wheel drive are available, as are a baffling number of trim levels and variants. A turbodiesel version is hiding on the list somewhere waiting for someone to buy it.

Photo by Jaguar

7. Mercedes-Benz CLA

The Mercedes-Benz CLA has the distinction of being the lowest-priced four-door sedan in the line. While most Mercedes-Benz vehicles have stuck stubbornly to rear-drive and all-wheel-drive, the CLA is a front-drive platform. These days, Mercedes-Benz offers it in all-wheel-drive, as well. The engine is a 208-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder, and it applies torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Some have criticized the CLA for not being a “true Mercedes-Benz.” However, the marque has revised the interior so that Mercedes fanatics will feel at home. The CLA is almost 10 inches shorter than the Acura TLX, but its interior offers similar room. Properly equipped, the TLX will outperform it markedly.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

8. Lexus IS

The Lexus IS has been overshadowed in the sales department by the Lexus ES, but it is a more-than-willing challenger to the Acura TLX. From a performance-driving vantage point, one key advantage is its rear-drive architecture. Yes, an all-wheel-drive system also is offered, but the IS handles like a rear-drive car. The engine choices deliver on that promise, too. The 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder offers 241 horsepower, while the hottest of the 3.5-liter V-6s brings 311 horsepower. A plus for the IS from the handling angle is its relatively small size. But that also translates into a small interior and minimal trunk. For sheer driving fun, the Lexus IS is under-appreciated.

Photo by Lexus

9. Volvo S60

Compared with the performance reputation of BMW and Alfa Romeo, the Volvo S60 sedan might seem a bit staid. Truth be told, though, the S60 can stay with this fast company. On top of that, it delivers unprecedented safety and security. The high-volume versions of the S60 are equipped with a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder. It’s a pleasant power plant, but it doesn’t compare to the 362-horsepower turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four cylinder in the T6 Polestar version. If James Brown was the hardest-working man in show business, then that Polestar 2.0-liter is the hardest-working engine in a luxury sedan. Inside, the S60 captures Scandinavian luxury.

Photo by Volvo

10. Lexus ES

The Lexus ES might be regarded as the square peg in this segment. But in terms of pricing, it is right there with the others, and interestingly, it has been transformed from a luxury barge into a rewarding car. No, you wouldn’t choose it to battle the 3 Series on the track, but in real life, it delivers many positives. It features both comfort and quiet that few of the others can match. Under the hood of the ES is a 268-horsepower V-6 driving the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. No, it’s not leading edge, but the car feels properly powerful and the shifts are butter-smooth. Lexus also offers a hybrid version of the ES, and it delivers 40-mpg fuel economy without making itself obtrusive.

Photo by Lexus