2018 Acura TLX
Just 3 years ago, Acura pared down their sedan lineup by replacing both the TL and TSX with the single TLX. Reviews certainly weren’t bad, as its luxurious blend of technology and performance fit right in with flagship RLX. However, most would say it was not as exciting as it could be, and even Acura agreed with that. So let’s see if a revised 2018 TLX is the right answer.
Adding a new dose of excitement to the 2018 Acura TLX starts with an updated look. Front fascia, fenders, and hood are all new; and the Jewel Eye headlights are re-designed. But, best of all, Acura has replaced the awkward “shield-like” grille with the much more attractive “diamond pentagon” first seen on their Precision concept.
V6 models take it a smaller step further with freshened rear fascia and new exhaust tips.
All in all, it makes for a more dynamic take on what was already there.
No radical changes to the inside either, other than updated software for the twin-screen infotainment system, which we were happy to see. We’re still not fans of the overall design, but it’s much more responsive than before. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now in play, but we found it odd that the apps show up in the upper screen which uses a central controller, not the lower touchscreen.
A carryover 206-horsepower 2.4-liter I4 engine is still standard; with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Upgrade to the 3.5-liter V6; and in addition to 290-horsepower, 267 lb-ft. of torque, and a revised 9-speed automatic transmission, you can get mechanical Super Handling all-wheel-drive. Those without all-wheel-drive come with Acura’s rear-toe adjusting Precision All-Wheel Steer.
Our early drive time came in the rolling hills around Louisville, Kentucky; the majority spent with the V6. The 9-speed transmission is very smooth, and with both drive systems, ride quality is equally compliant.
Putting the Integrated Dynamics System in Sport+ increases steering feel and throttle response, adds some engine noise, initiates more aggressive programming for the transmission and SH-AWD, and even cuts the HVAC system out temporarily when at full throttle.
It certainly wakes things up a bit, but not to full-alert status. So, where’s the real excitement coming from?
Well, that’s what the new TLX A-Spec is for. Available with V6 only, the A-Spec gets retuned electric power steering; and when combined with SH-AWD, adds stiffer springs as well as a rear stabilizer bar that keeps things much flatter and confidence inspiring in corners.
SH-AWD worked as great as always, torque vectoring us around corners even in the rain. And while we still don’t think the best handlers in the luxury sport sedan category have anything to worry about, the TLX has certainly moved up the list, and more importantly without losing any of Acura’s luxury feel.
And speaking of feel, we love the thicker steering wheel that comes with the A-Spec. Other interior highlights are more heavily-bolstered seats, red trim for the gauges, and brushed aluminum trim.
A-Spec exteriors are also set apart with their own unique blacked-out front fascia, round fog lamps, pronounced sill extensions, 19-inch wheels with high performance Michelin Primacy tires, rear diffuser with round exhaust outlets, as well as gloss black rear spoiler and trim.
A host of AcuraWatch safety systems are available, but Collision Mitigation Braking is standard on all models.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings range from the 2.4-liter’s 23-City, 33-Highway, and 27-Combined; to the 3.5-liter SH-AWD A-Spec’s 20-City, 29-Highway, and 23-Combined.
Some shuffling of prices and more standard features, results in a slight increase in base price, now at $33,950. Stepping up to all-wheel-drive or A-Spec will have you around $40,000, though you no longer have to opt for Technology or Advance packages to get SH-AWD.
They say competition brings out the best in people, and surely that sentiment applies to the automotive world. The 2018 Acura TLX is certainly the best it’s ever been, but also still unique in that it’s not trying to be a BMW; rather a whole lot more exciting TLX. And that’s good news to Acura fans, and us!
Specifications
- Engine: 3.5 liter
- Horsepower: 290
- Torque: 267 lb-ft.
- EPA: 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Nothing Like The Equinox You Used To Know
General Motors may have slowed their EV plans a bit, but they’re still committed to an all-electric future and have many full battery-powered options to choose from across multiple brands, the latest of which is this Chevrolet Equinox EV. Now, it’s nothing at all like the gas-fueled Equinox we’re all familiar with. So, let’s find out if batteries are better.
General Motors has made the biggest EV push out of all the big three American carmakers, coming up with the dedicated Ultium platform that now underpins a host of trucks and SUVs throughout their brands, and even Honda has made use of it. GM’s latest Ultium-based EV uses a familiar name, the Chevrolet Equinox EV. And not to worry, this is not a replacement for the gas-powered Equinox, just a parallel path for those more comfortable joining the EV world with a familiar name.
And like its counterpart, the Equinox EV comes standard with front-wheel drive, rated for as many as 319 miles from its 213-horsepower motor and 85-kWh battery pack. Adding a rear motor for all-wheel drive boosts output to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, but drops range to 285 miles for our ’24 test vehicle, though ‘25s get a bump up to 307 miles.
Though even our ‘24 AWD appears capable of well over 300 miles as we were on pace for 329 miles in our driving loop. 150 kW max charging speed delivers some 77 miles for every 10 minutes on charge. And using 35 kWh of electricity per 100 miles earns the Equinox EV a good efficiency rating.
Much like every other Ultium-based vehicle we’ve been in, Equinox EV’s ride quality is quite pleasant. But where it really stands out is in exterior design. Available in both LT and RS families, the Equinox EV is easily the sportiest-looking Ultium vehicle we’ve seen yet. Its long 116.3-inch wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than the ICE Equinox. As with many EVs, there’s lots of active LED lighting elements; plus, flush door handles and smooth body panels to help aero efficiency.
Very little body roll and quick steering added a playfulness to the process that made the Equinox feel smaller than it is.
Of course, the dedicated EV platform allows for a very spacious feel inside, with plenty of room for five adults and 26.4 cu.-ft. of cargo space in back; folding rear seatbacks leads to max of 57.2 cu.-ft. An AutoSense liftgate is available for hands-free operation.
2RS comes with some very nice cloth heated seats that Chevy calls Evotex; but more impressive is the 17.7-inch widescreen infotainment setup. In addition to looking great, it responds quickly to inputs, is Google-based, and features EV-specific route planning through the MyChevrolet App. There are multiple settings for regen braking, including two for one-pedal driving; plus, there’s a regen-on-demand paddle behind the steering wheel that works like a hand brake.
There was enough torque here in our all-wheel-drive tester to spin up the tires a bit at launch, and when it did hook up, it left the line with a decent amount of thrust. Enough to get to 60 in 6.1 seconds, almost 3 seconds quicker than we got in the ICE Equinox just a few months ago. The power flow stayed consistent the whole way down the track, with no major upticks or drop-offs throughout the 14.9-second quarter-mile, finished at 91 mph.
It felt equally smooth and steady through our handling course, very little body roll and quick steering added a playfulness to the process that made the Equinox feel smaller than it is. Results were very consistent in our 60-0 panic braking test. A short 116-foot average, stops were smooth and straight.
‘24s are still available, with prices starting at $43,295 for a 2LT, but a base 1LT that goes for just $34,995 arrives for ’25; adding all-wheel drive is a pretty steep $3,300 increase.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is an incredibly nice SUV regardless of what’s under the hood. GM has certainly built some impressive EVs recently, but delivering a family friendly EV with this much range for this low of a price is probably their most impressive feat yet. That’s why it earned our recent MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for Best of the Year, and why you should have it on your list if a sensible EV purchase is in your future.
Specifications
As Tested
- Motor Setup: Dual Motor
- Battery Size: 85-kWh
- Horsepower: 288
- Torque: 333 lb-ft
- EPA Range: 285 miles
- Peak Charging Rate: 150 kW
- 0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 14.9 seconds at 91 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 116 feet
- MW Test Loop: ~ 329 miles