Refinement: The 2024 Acura TLX Type S

There are very few parts of car-building that aren't hard. Among the hardest is improving a car that doesn't need much improving. Go back three years and read my review of the 2021 Acura TLX Type S and you'll see what I mean.

Of course, just leaving well enough alone is a great way to find yourself out-gunned over time, so Acura dove in to its mid-cycle refresh of the TLX for 2024---and found some things to do.

The '24 TLX gets a new front end, two new paint colors, Liquid Carbon Metallic and the Urban Gray Pearl you see here, there's a new, configurable 12.3-inch information display and a 12.3-inch center screen---20% larger than before. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless, Amazon Alexa is built-in, the rear seat gets two USB-C charging ports and thicker carpet has been laid down for improved noise reduction.

Type S models get improved throttle response in Sport+ mode, a 10.5-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera, as well as new 20-inch split spoke wheels in Berlina Black.

Unchanged is the 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, making 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, zero to sixty happens in 4.6 seconds, making the TLX Type S Acura's quickest sedan ever. The EPA estimates 21 mpg combined city/highway fuel economy.

With SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), the TLX Type S is a handling champ, as well. I found some of the twistiest roads in El Dorado County, California and worked my way through the selectable drive modes as they got more and more challenging. The TLX Type S just begged for more.

Trunk space is 13.5 cubic inches, which is in the ballpark for this class of car. And you can fold down the rear seats for more.

The rear seat offers 34.9 inches of legroom. Clearly, that depends on who's sitting up front. In this shot, the driver's seat is adjusted for my 5'11" frame. The front passenger seat is all the way back.

Base price of the 2024 Acura TLX Type S is $58,195 including destination. In addition to what we've already mentioned, standard at that price are paddle shifters, electric power steering, front Brembo brake calipers, an immobilizer theft-deterrent system, vehicle stability assist, anti-lock brakes, agile handling assist, electronic brake distribution, electric parking brake, tire pressure monitoring, LED daytime running lights, driver recognition memory system, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, HD Radio, a wi-fi hotspot, customizable ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control with air filtration, pushbutton ignition, pushbutton shifter, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power moonroof, LED headlights, LED taillights, heated power door mirrors with turn indicators, keyless access with smart entry, remote engine start, a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system, navigation with voice recognition, leather-trimmed sport seats with UltraSuede inserts, 16-way power driver and front passenger seats, a sport steering wheel, ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, and a comprehensive suite of active safety features.

Something Acura chose to keep is its maddening trackpad control for the center screen (top of picture). Not only is it imprecise, but moving the cursor and choosing a function requires your finger to stay firmly on the trackpad---great fun when the car's been parked in the sun on a hot day.

There was only one extra-cost option on our tester---the Urban Gray Pearl paint ($600), so the bottom line on the window sticker reads $58,795.

I've seen some hot takes online suggesting that the TLX Type S is redundant---that you should just buy the Integra Type S. It's a fine car, but a completely different one, with a completely different mission and feel. The Acura TLX Type S is for drivers who appreciate the virtues of a high-performance mid-size sport sedan. And it has plenty to appreciate.