The 2021 Acura TLX Type S will go on sale this May and will serve as a direct rival to the Cadillac CT5-V, offering a similar level of performance at a comparable price point.
The Acura TLX Type S is based on the second-generation of Acura’s popular compact executive sedan, which rides on an all-new front-wheel-drive based platform with an aluminum subframe, double-wishbone front suspension and forged aluminum lower control arms. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine, which produces 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque.
A sport-tuned 10-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels via Acura’s torque-vectoring Sport Handling AWD system, enabling the Japanese luxury sedan to hustle from zero to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Other performance-enhancing equipment includes a variable-ratio electric power steering rack, Brembo four-piston front brakes and Acura NSX-inspired 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in available Pirelli P Zero summer tires.
Acura TLX A Spec interior shown
All 2021 Acura TLX Type S models will come standard with 16-way power seats with adjustable side bolstering and a chunky flat-bottom sport steering wheel. The available TLX Advance Package will enable customers to inject a bit more luxury into the vehicle if they so please, adding high-end features like an ELS Studio 3D audio system. Acura says more information on the sport sedan’s standard and available interior features will be released closer to its on-sale date this spring.
Acura has not confirmed pricing for the 2021 TLX Type S, only saying it will start in the low $50,000 range. The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V, for reference, starts at $48,790 including destination.
The CT5-V rides on GM’s rear-wheel-drive based Alpha 2 platform and features the twin-turbocharged 3.0L LGY V6 engine, which makes 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. A GM-speed automatic transmission and RWD come standard, helping the sedan hustle from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. These two sedans have comparable pricing and performance, then, but we’ll have to wait for the TLX Type S to come out to see which of these sedans win over more buyers.
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Comments
FWD = no sale…
type s has standard awd sooooo sale?
So did the RLX, LaCrosse, XTS……..
Don’t recall LaCrosse and XTS having AWD standard.
Don’t matter, it was available and still didn’t stop them from going outta here.
My last Honda was a 76 CR 125. I’d still take that bike over any four wheel Honda. CT5 V in evergreen metallic for me.
OK, I don’t want to read another Poison-Post about Cadillac interiors!.
Yep,
In my opinion, that interior is as bad as the CT4-5 or even worse !
For sure not luxury class !
It seems that Acura interior leaves a lot to be desired.
Styling is not my bag, but it will be interesting to see how it performs.
Rival the CT5-V? Yhea, good luck with that.
I sure don’t claim to be very up to date on the performance side of things, so my comment may be off a lot. But, doesn’t 355 HP and 354 torque seem low for a 3.0L twin turbo V6? I understand that the CT5 doesn’t have a lot more HP, but it sure has a lot more torque. IDK, maybe I’m just off here.
Could be the exhaust system. Like my Supra, a more free flowing exhaust can unlock a bunch of torque. Maybe Acura is leaving a little on the table for the aftermarket.
Yeah I agree. It seems quite low.
I guess the CT5 in this article is only 5 HP more, but a lot more torque. It seems that the Japanese brands have always been low on the torque numbers.
I can’t recall when a Japanese car had more torque unless it was significantly modded. I had the GM first 2.0 Turbo 272HP 295TQ and that was freaky fast for a 4 banger. The Buick cleaned the Audi 2.0T, the Honda 2.0T, the BMW 2.0T, and few v6 cars and v8 trucks… A friend of mine, had a Cadillac that was tuned with HP Tuners, he squeezed 305 HP and 320 TQ …talk about about sleeper. That’s more than the OEM v6…
Not sure if you follow this type of stuff, but an internet car guy called “Cletus”, took a Cadillac ATS-v twin turbo v6 and put HP Tuners engine tune and changed some exhaust parts and intake parts and tested it on a 1/4 mile drag strip, and ran it 3 times for time slips in the mid 11’s… Look it up… A nice grocery getter running mid 11.s. Can’t even imagine the number of fallen people being beaten by this sleeper…
Sorry, what Buick are you referring to? And which Honda with 2.0t will smoke? Didn’t get your comparison.
Regal GS has 6.3 seconds 0-60, Accord 2.0t goes around 5.3-5.5 with 250 hp.
Cadillac ct5 all the way
I would rather have an AWD vehicle like the Caddy and for those of you that want more horsepower and torque you can always chip it, so it is a no brainer for me, the Caddy all the way!
I am generally a GM fan , but this car will outsell the cadillac 2 or 3 to 1. front drive only maybe not . but with all drive it will hands-down… everything Audi sells is based on a VW front drive compact car and they outsell caddy too. with Honda engineering perceived to be better than GM, it will further push cadillac to drop cars from their lineup. wish everything I am saying was wrong but GM can’t save cadillac anymore and their electric craze will finally put the final nail in the coffin…
The CT5 will eat the Acura’s lunch.
Not in sales it won’t, maybe in performance only. Cadillac is a laggard in the market.
I am not impressed with the Acura’s “Pentazoid” grill – but it looks better than some of the previous generations of Acuras. I find the front end style of the Cadillac much more appealing than the Acura. However, the one thing that will hard to beat is the reliability of Honda/Acura products, in general. Both Toyota and Honda have excellent ratings in terms of engineering design and manufacturing. However, styling – for any vehicle – is subject to personal opinions.
I personally classified Acura products more in competition with the previous Buick, not Cadillac. However, Buick is no longer in the passenger car business! Toyota’s Lexus Division (“LS” series) directly targets Cadillac directly. If you like that “Homely” front-end on the Lexus (or you can “live with it”), the car is hard to beat.
In terms of style, I am impressed with what Buick Division has done with SUV market. I think the Enclave saved Buick from the corporate “AX.”
HP drives TQ … combine with RPM, gearing, and weight, determines if it’s a street car or highway car. Ever hear the saying “drive by” it was based on every car can do 100 MPH but it’s how fast you get there… If you get to 100 MPH first, then comes the drive by… My guess, the TLX will be the drive by…
The acura does not have a twin turbo. Single turbo twin scroll on the 3.0 liter v6. I’m excited to see the new SH AWD system to be pushed to its limits on a track. Can’t wait!!!
Jose, you need to re-read the article. I cut and pasted the power plant information for you…
“Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine, which produces 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque.”
It must really hustle, the steering wheel is flat at the bottom.
Thanks for sharing such an amazing information with us.
Under crazy Mary Cadillac sedans have a suspect future. I would have to go with Acura since they have a better chance of survival.