2015 Acura TLX

2015 Acura TLX

Episode 3401
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Out with the old, in with the new… and so goes it in the automotive world. And one of the latest to do so is Acura with the 2015 TLX.

Partially an exercise in consolidation, the TLX enters the Acura lineup as both the TL and TSX depart. Wheelbase measures the same as the TL-just over 109 inches—though the chassis is different with four-wheel steering on most models.

While the bodywork is still conservative, there are cues that lend aggression: short front and rear overhangs, sweeping profile with a teardrop like greenhouse, and optional larger wheels. Acura’s jeweled LED headlights make an appearance here, as well.

But to us it is the interior that really shines. The TLX rivals some of the best for comfort, with great seats and materials. Technology is always an Acura focus and there is quite a lot of it inside. The dual screen center stack is an evolution of the Honda trademark setup. Again true to Acura form, the overall looks is certainly premium but not over the top.

Power is by way of a 206 horsepower 2.4 liter inline 4 with an in house designed 8-speed dual clutch automatic, or a 290 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 with a 9-speed ZF box that includes push button gear selection. Front wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive an option for the V6.

Neither engine felt particularly sporty, but the IDS drive mode selector can spice things up.

So with plenty that’s new for Acura this year, the TLX is on sale now, starting at around $32,000.

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.4 liter/ 3.5 liter
  • Horsepower: 206/ 290
  • Price: starting around $32,000
2024 Lincoln Nautilus

2024 Lincoln Nautilus

Episode 4330
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Our second First Drive took us to Palm Springs, California, to check out the new Lincoln Nautilus. This two-row luxury mid-size utility brings a lot to the table at a decent price point.

Any luxury buyer will be, first and foremost, concerned about the in-car experience. The Nautilus’s cabin is defined by a standard 48-inch panoramic display, controlled by an 11.1-inch center screen. Described by our man on the scene as a “spa on wheels,” the Nautilus’s digital scent feature can deploy three aromas into the cabin; and a coming over-the-air update will debut a “Rejuvenate” mode, letting occupants lay back for a few minutes with scents and a massage.

And you can relax knowing the on-road experience is, as expected, equally calming. Cabin aside, that’s also thanks to the powertrains: a standard 2.0-liter turbo-four and an eight-speed automatic, rated at 250 horsepower; and a hybrid 2.0-liter turbo mated to an eCVT, rated at 310 horsepower.

STEVEN TRUANT: “So, it’s easy to get caught up in all of these screens and you might even forget even to think ‘oh, it’s a car; how does it drive?’ It’s a Lincoln. It’s smooth, it’s quiet, it’s comfortable, it offers every single amenity that’s needed. And not only that, at the starting price point, it’s extremely competitive.”

And what are those prices? The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus starts just over $50,000, working up to the mid-70s for a top-trim Black Label. Considering the cost of high-end European luxury machines, Lincoln is certainly hitting the mark.

We’ll dive into more of the details on an upcoming Road Test, and have plenty more Quick Spins… soon!