2025 Acura TLX Type S: Test Drive Review

Our favorite Arizona desert back road tests the 2025 Acura TLX Type S to see how it handles and performs. Full review of styling inside and out, driving character and what it's like to live with.

#AcuraTLX #TypeS

[hhcook]

I have a 2023 MDX and the 2024 TLX Type S both with the trackpad. After you become proficient I prefer the trackpad to the touchscreen. I no longer need to look at it to use it which keeps my eyes where they should be instead of constantly scanning and reaching for the screen. It does take some time and effort to become proficient but I personally feel it’s well worth the effort.

[hhcook]

The Acura TLX Type S is an amazing car. It’s a drivers car that has a superb drive train with plenty of power. The Super Handling All Wheel Drive is a remarkable achievement, coupled with a finely tuned 10 speed transmission this car on a back country road is actually a thrilling machine.

[cordero]

I had same feeling with the mdx track pad but after using it I don’t really miss having a touch screen

[alchemiadesigns]

Had a 2023 Type S. While I loved it, the compromised backseat capacity despite physical dimensions and unintuitive infotainment center broke the experience for me and I ended up trading it in. Doesn’t seem like any notable difference between a 2024 and 2025, unfortunately. Nice review of the vehicle.

[MugatuJag]

Look, I love Acura’s, I’ve had a few. I think this generation looks fantastic, however, I guarantee this will be the last generation. Acura sells these in such low numbers that it’s just not feasible for them to make a successor. I think that Acura should have introduced the non-type S model with a performance hybrid, even if it was a 2 L turbo. Let’s say mid five second range. They should have made it with a panoramic sunroof. And available all-wheel-drive, with a larger rear seat. Price competitively let’s say 52-53k loaded. Sure the RLX sport hybrid did not succeed either, but it was near 80 K.

It would be looked at as a luxurious Accord hybrid, I guarantee people would have paid $10-$12, 000 more for that than a accord hybrid touring and they could have tons of R&D money for the type S…
Thanks for the great review Sam.🎉

[revnation_auto]

Always thought this was a great looking sedan. I do wish it had the same legroom in the backseat as the Kia Stinger.

[MasterMcCubbin]

I might try and get one when it’s 4-5 years old and can get it around 30-35k

[MrPTR]

Sam, Acura REFUSES to make this car any bigger so that it competes with the Lexus ES. They're not getting it, man. No real legroom in the backseat. They would sell more cars if they did! Thanks for posting, bro.

[stvkrenim]

A good-looking sedan. I really wish Honda would further separate Acura from Honda in terms of design and drivetrain layout, such as a whole new design language that isn't so "Honda" and a layout that is perhaps RWD instead of FWD. Keep the option of AWD, of course.

[Stefin]

They need to bring back the tiger eye pearl paint one more time, this looks better without that silly shield shaped radar

[cultofmodernism]

You hit the nail on the head with this one. The whole build quality dynamic seems to be lost on e-spec-sheet warriors. When you drive this car, you can feel the build quality and refinement. It was something missing in my Cadillac CT4V, and I couldn't stand it. I didn't care about how fast the CT4V was in a straight-line. It felt like garbage. That's obviously not the case with this Acura.

That said, this car is expensive to own because of insurance. Particularly in the North East, this is the most stolen car in the region. I'm paying more than $400/month in insurance. For that reason, and that reason alone, I'm thinking about getting rid of it.

[paultruesdale]

Sam always says it the way that it is!
355hp is great, but it should be 400 easy!
The Infiniti Q50 Redsport is 400hp and AWD.
Everyone rags on the dash layout and the dual screens, the map stays active while you mess about with other functions, half the time I switch it all off anyway and just enjoy the drive.
The track pad belongs on a laptop, they should have kept the big knob from the RL or just touch screen.
Nice package overall and great review.

[llwellyn]

Your honest opinion on relative construction quality enhances the value of your channel!
Did you try manipulating the navigation/radio features via the voice command button on the steering wheel? I've test driven the new TLX but did not know about this feature until days later. The pad was a deal breaker for me too, but I might go back for another review. FYI, I believe SH-AWD can distribute up to 70% of power to the rear wheels and divide 100% of that total rear allotment as the torque vectoring system deems necessary. That 30F/70R capability you mentioned is not the constant, only the potential. Cheers!

[Christasto]

Great video, please upgrade the quality to 4K. 1080 is rough.

[svk-filw]

I hope Acura does not move the screen closer to the driver so people actually can touch it. It is quite smarter than the rest. The driver should not try to extend to reach even if the screen was touch screen because it's losing driving position. The screen is designed to be in distance for safety and comfort. My car has touch screen but I see The Acura screen a smarter design

[MrAsh-cwcq]

I love this car
I really wanna buy this

[keithjackson]

"Red hat wearing, beer gutted bubbas." Lol 😂😂😂😂😂 Dude, stop it.😂😂😂😂😂

[jdfenix]

What was the road noise db rating? Your videos usually have a popup with it. You said it’s below avg but curious what the level was. Love the vid and the car! Curious what you think about this car vs a ct4 blackwing.

[chrissheppard]

I own the 2022 TLX Type S I don’t see any real big changes other than the dash and the screen as well as a few tweaks on the outside. I love the car, but they could’ve done a little bit more when they updated it.

[chrissutherland]

Okay, so what are the biggest differences between this and the 20204 version 🤔