For anyone active or passive in the market for a luxury car, don’t discount models with a few years on them. More specifically, you might want to take a look at the 2020 Acura TLX. Acura is widely considered to be a great option for those who want luxury and performance married in one vehicle experience.

But if you test drive a 2020 Acura TLX, you’ll notice it excels in two critical categories. Based on industry ratings and evaluations, the TLX might just be the luxury car you’re looking for, albeit used.

Awesome scores in safety and reliability

There are two key areas of the 2020 Acura TLX that impressed industry critics the most. Scoring well in both safety and reliability, the TLX proves to be a luxury car that has staying power over a lifetime of ownership.

According to U.S. News, the safety rating was 9.6 out of 10. Every TLX comes with a suite of driver aids under the AcuraWatch bundle of assistance features. These include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and a rearview camera. And the testing team additionally shared J.D. Power’s reliability rating of 81 out of a possible 100, which falls into the category of “great reliability.”

U.S. News goes on to share that the 2020 Acura TLX has only one NHTSA recall or warning, which was issued in 2021. It involves a problem with the fuel pump. But other than that, this car is an incredibly dependable car.

With ample warranty coverage that includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, it’s possible to find a 2020 model right now with the remaining manufacturer’s warranty.

What hurt this car’s overall score

The critic’s review of the 2020 Acura TLX wasn’t all golden. The U.S. News team wasn’t overly impressed with the car’s interior. Calling it “low-rent” cabin treatments, the TLX only earned a 7 out of 10 rating. And there are two engines for this model, including the I-4, 2.4-liter engine or the 3.5-liter V6, neither of which were overly impressive to the evaluation team either. 

The overall score for the Acura TLX was 7.6 out of 10. This rating system is based on the full evaluation of more than 48 data points and research metrics. And the team assembled various sources to contribute to the final review.

This score ranks the TLX 7th among all luxury midsize cars and 27th in used luxury midsize cars, $25,000 and higher. But don’t let a mediocre score deter you from looking at this car. 

Why the 2020 Acura TLX is a great used, luxury contender

The overall scores might not be overwhelmingly impressive, but the 2020 Acura TLX gets it right where it counts most, in safety and reliability. The cost of ownership is low, too, making it an affordable used luxury option. Based on five-year costs for maintenance, repairs, insurance, and gas, you can expect roughly a $6,914 or so average. For this class segment, that’s relatively low. 

Depending on the used model you’re looking to buy, you might have different trim options, including the Technology Package, the A-Spec Package, or the Advance Package. But the standard TLX is chock-full of must-have luxury features, like a dual-screen infotainment system, a seven-speaker stereo, and heated synthetic leather front seats. You’ll enjoy Bluetooth, satellite radio, and both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Knowing all the other perks and endorsements for dependability and safety, it might just be the perfect car for you. You’ll, of course, want to be mindful of the driving history of any used car you consider. But if you’re looking at a clean 2020 Acura TLX, you’ll be more than pleased with the value it brings as a luxury pre-owned car.