The Acura TLX is a compact car built from 2015 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 100% of those on record. Between 2015 and 2026 it grew 11 cm longer and gained 97 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the TLX is
The Acura TLX is a compact car that Acura built from 2015 to 2026 — 12 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2021. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Acura range: TSX, Legend, ILX.
Where the TLX is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 842 TLXs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 19U | 2015-2025 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Acura VIN decide which of these 2 lines your TLX belongs to. What every character in a TLX VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Acura TLX adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
TLX generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the TLX's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the TLX that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-2020 | 483 cm | 278 cm | 1635 kg | - | - |
| 2021-2026 | 494 cm | 287 cm | 1732 kg | +11 cm | +97 kg |
Between 2015 and 2026 the TLX gained 11 cm in length (+2.3%) and 97 kg in weight (+5.9%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the TLX that is 97 kg against 11 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Acura TLX tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment TLX owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Acura TLX have? Power & range
The Acura TLX is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Acura TLX, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S10) | AWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S10) | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The TLX by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Acura TLX. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | TLX | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 41 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 878 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,917/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 559 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Acura TLX?
The TLX is a compact car, built from 2015 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6.
Where is the Acura TLX made?
Across 842 cars in our records the split is: the United States (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the TLX have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2021. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the TLX grew 11 cm longer and gained 97 kg.
What is the Acura TLX warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 6 years / 70,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the TLX reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific TLX?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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