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Legend in the making?

When Acura set up operations in Canada back in 1986 its models certainly showed its Honda lineage but driving dynamics, interior and exterior styling execution was something else altogether. Since then the early models have become legendary.
??? – Acura is getting back to fielding new cars that are going to be more driver-oriented. The first of these is the 2015 Acura TLX.
Acura is getting back to fielding new cars that are going to be more driver-oriented. The first of these is the 2015 Acura TLX.

When Acura set up operations in Canada back in 1986 its models certainly showed its Honda lineage but driving dynamics, interior and exterior styling execution was something else altogether. Since then the early models have become legendary.

In the 1990s, the NSX sports car (which will be returning soon) and the Type R – based on the Integra – allowed Acura to showcase performance in two different veins and those cars became cult classics. Like the other Japanese auto manufacturers, Acura slid into a funk in the early 2000s but introduced some mildly interesting models. Now Acura is getting back to fielding new cars that are going to be more driver-oriented. The first of these is the 2015 Acura TLX. The TLX, which replaces both the wide-body Accord derivative TL and the narrow-body Accord TLX derivative, perhaps should have been called the Legend. Which in itself was a highly regarded Acura model back in the early 1990s. My TLX is a V6 Elite with P - AWS (Precision All Wheel Steer) it’s priced at $45,290 with freight and delivery of $1,995 added. The price point may not seem right for an entry-level luxury sedan but there are lesser TLX models for less money. The V6 Elite is clearly the driver’s car and very good-looking in my opinion with no overdone creases or curves – just smooth, rounded features. The overall look with those stylish wheels is contemporary, but on a subdued level. The new multi-lamp headlights make the TLX stand out in traffic and provide excellent illumination at night.

Inside, an overall good layout for instruments and controls but some features such as HVAC, heated and cooled seats are made too complicated to use. The navigation screen is separate from the lower screen with the other controls. Switches on the steering wheel are not intuitive and a little awkward to use until you get accustomed to them. The heater does its job in a hushed manner even when the fan is cranked up to max. Nice bit of refinement there. The stereo system deserves praise for its quality sound.

There are two deficiencies inside this fine sedan. My six-foot frame I would have expected should be able to sit upright with a clear view in all directions. While the seats offer superb comfort, it seems their low position and the lack of being able to raise the seat vertically to my liking, made me feel cocooned.

The windows didn’t help either as their smallish size hurts visibility. Shoulder checking is an absolute must but had me looking into the shoulder belt on the B pillar. Perhaps I'm just too accustomed to cars in our family (with the exception of the Mustang) where sitting erect means being more alert and having good view out of all the glass. The issue with the TLX is partly window design and partly the mounting of the seats. I think this could make a shorter person walk away from buying the TLX rather than someone who's taller.

Anyway, I did come up with a seating position that worked. My other gripe, albeit a minor one, is the size of the trunk. I expected bigger. It should do for a couple of adults. The rear seat back does fold down for extra care capacity.

Now what did put a smile on my face was the powerful six cylinder multi-valve engine, the buttery smooth seven-speed automatic transmission and a suspension engineered for not only taut handling through tight curves, but smooth highways. Certainly credit goes to the All-Wheel-Steering. Using the shift paddles didn’t seem to bring out what I expected to enhance spirited performance. Better to let the transmission do its own thing. If you do put your foot into the gas, this sedate sedan will show another personality. Drive like a normal person and you should achieve 11.8L/100km (24.9 mpg) around the city and with some highway driving. Cold temperatures hindered fuel consumption, as did snow-covered roads and occasional heavy snowfall. Most drivers will do better during our warmer seasons if they’re gentle on the gas pedal.

My nitpicking aside, the Acura TLX is a fine luxury sports sedan. You'll get your money's worth with fine materials inside and workmanship you'd expect from an Acura. If you've spent a few years in a German luxury sedan of similar size, the Acura will present a somewhat familiar atmosphere.

Garry Melnyk is a St. Albert resident and lifelong car buff who has written about new cars and trucks for radio and print publications since the ’70s.

 
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