I had the 2021 Acura TLX for a week and it was without a doubt one of the best press cars that I have driven. It’s sporty in all the right ways with its sharp steering, taut suspension, and responsive engine. Additionally, the front seats have good bolstering and overall, the interior is comfortable. However, after a week of driving this sporty mid-size sedan, I realized that while it works for me, it might not work for you.

The Acura TLX will make you think of what you need

To get things straight, I’m a 5-feet, 8-inches tall and don’t have any kids to tote around. The reason I bring this up is that I fit in the 2021 Acura TLX perfectly in every seat and I don’t even need to make use of all of the seats on a daily basis, so the car works well for me. However, if you’re taller than I am — say over 6-feet, 2-inches – and you have a couple of kids to put in the backseat, then I would throw a word of caution that the TLX might be a little tight for you.

The guys at Everyday Driver said it best, the Acura TLX is a “styling exercise” more than it is a practical family hauler. From the outside, you might be taken by the TLX’s beautiful curves, bulging hood, and sharp “jewel-eye” headlights. But once you spend some time sitting inside of it, you’ll start to notice the low roofline and the fact that you’re sitting back farther than you would in most other sedans.

Comparing the TLX to the current Honda Accord, it’s shorter by two inches in almost every direction when it comes to front-seat interior space, and the rear seat space is even smaller. So if a practical family cruiser is what you need, then you might want to consider that if the Acura TLX is on your shortlist. Or perhaps just buy an Accord.

The Acura TLX weighs heavily on what you want

But if power, style, and all-wheel-drive prowess is what you want, then the Acura TLX has you covered. During the week that I spent with it, I couldn’t believe the surge of power that came online every time I buried the accelerator. Sure, it’s easy to scoff at 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque on paper, especially when the forthcoming TLX Type-S is looming in the near future. But trust me, it’s enough to power for you to do your daily errands and tear up some canyon roads on the weekend.

Also, if you’re an audiophile, then I highly suggest getting the A-Spec or Advance trim for the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system alone. It has 17 speakers and pumps out all of the highs and lows that you would want to hear in any kind of music you like to listen to. Although, I personally wish it had more bass.

That being said, the Acura TLX is an awesome car

To sum up the Acura TLX, it’s an awesome car if sportiness is what you seek. Acura hit the nail on the head when it came dialing in the car’s responsiveness both under the hood and behind the wheels (suspension). I just wish they cut a little more space out of the trunk to give it a bigger backseat but, then again, it can’t be perfect in every category.