2021 Acura TLX Type S
- After a 13-year hiatus, 2021 marks the return of Acura’s storied performance nameplate.
- TLX Type S to arrive at dealers late May; prices starting in the low $50,000s.
Acura today announced the on-sale timing for the highly anticipated 2021 TLX Type S, which returns the Type S performance brand to Acura showrooms for the first time in more than a decade. Building on the award-winning second-generation Acura TLX, which went on sale in September, the TLX Type S debuts a brand-exclusive turbocharged V6 engine, sport-tuned chassis with double wishbone front suspension and powerful Brembo® brakes to become the quickest and best-handling Type S in Acura history.
When it arrives at showrooms in late May, the well-equipped 2021 Acura TLX Type S will carry a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting in the low $50,000s.
Powering the 2021 TLX Type S is an all-new 3.0-liter Type S Turbo V6 that builds upon decades of performance engine development experience and motorsports prowess to produce 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque – making it the most powerful Type S yet. A double-wishbone front suspension and Type S-exclusive Sport+ driving mode also have been specially engineered to provide additional performance and driver enjoyment and, for the first time in a Type S model, power is distributed through Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system with true torque vectoring.
The 2021 TLX Type S is available in one of six exterior colors paired with three interior options, including an all-new Tiger Eye Pearl paint and Orchid leather interior – both exclusive to Type S. Numerous exterior signatures distinguish the TLX performance variant, including an open-surface diamond pentagon grille for increased airflow, large-quad exhaust outlets and two-wheel options including an NSX-inspired lightweight wheel wrapped in a 255-series Pirelli P-Zero summer tire.
Inside, Type S drivers are treated to Ultrasuede® trimmed 16-way power seats with adjustable side bolstering and Type S embossing on the headrests. Type S comes exceptionally well-equipped with several premium and sophisticated features from the TLX Advance Package, including the critically acclaimed and award-winning ELS STUDIO 3D® 17-speaker premium audio system. Detailed information about the 2021 TLX Type S will be available closer to its on-sale date this May.
Since its introduction, the second-generation Acura TLX has garnered numerous accolades for its style, driver-focused performance and technology. Following its launch last fall, TLX has been named a MotorWeek “Driver’s Choice”, is one of AutoTrader’s “Best New Cars for 2021”, and the ELS STUDIO 3D® premium audio system earned “Best Sound System” in the 2021 Esquire Car Awards. Additionally, the next-generation passenger-front airbag earned a Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award, and TLX has also received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest possible safety rating from the Institute.
Key Specs and Features
| | 2021 TLX 2.0T | 2021 TLX Type S |
| Starting MSRP | $37,500 | “Low $50,000s” |
| Engine | 2.0-liter Turbo 4 Cyl. | 3.0-liter Turbo V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed AT | Sport Tuned 10-speed AT |
| 4th Gen Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ | Available | Standard |
| Horsepower | 272 | 355 |
| Torque | 280 | 354 |
| Suspension | Front: Double Wishbone Rear: Multi-Link | Front: Double Wishbone Rear: Multi-Link |
| Adaptive Damper System | Available | Standard |
| Electric Power Steering System | Belt-driven EPS, Variable ratio | Belt-driven EPS, Variable ratio |
| Braking System | Electro Servo | Electro Servo Brembo® 4-Piston Front Brakes |
| Wheels | 18 x 8.0 Multi-Spoke | 20 x 9.0 Shark Gray Multi-Spoke Avail. 20 x 9.0 Lightweight Y-Spoke |
| Tires | 235/50 R18 97V Bridgestone Turanza All-Seasons | 255/35 R20 97Y Pirelli All-Season Avail. Pirelli P Zero Summer |
- After a 13-year hiatus, 2021 marks the return of Acura’s storied performance nameplate
- TLX Type S to arrive at dealers late May; prices starting in the low $50,000s
Acura today announced the on-sale timing for the highly anticipated 2021 TLX Type S, which returns the Type S performance brand to Acura showrooms for the first time in more than a decade. Building on the award-winning second-generation Acura TLX, which went on sale in September, the TLX Type S debuts a brand-exclusive turbocharged V6 engine, sport-tuned chassis with double wishbone front suspension and powerful Brembo® brakes to become the quickest and best-handling Type S in Acura history.
When it arrives at showrooms in late May, the well-equipped 2021 Acura TLX Type S will carry a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting in the low $50,000s.
Powering the 2021 TLX Type S is an all-new 3.0-liter Type S Turbo V6 that builds upon decades of performance engine development experience and motorsports prowess to produce 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque – making it the most powerful Type S yet. A double-wishbone front suspension and Type S-exclusive Sport+ driving mode also have been specially engineered to provide additional performance and driver enjoyment and, for the first time in a Type S model, power is distributed through Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system with true torque vectoring.
The 2021 TLX Type S is available in one of six exterior colors paired with three interior options, including an all-new Tiger Eye Pearl paint and Orchid leather interior – both exclusive to Type S. Numerous exterior signatures distinguish the TLX performance variant, including an open-surface diamond pentagon grille for increased airflow, large-quad exhaust outlets and two-wheel options including an NSX-inspired lightweight wheel wrapped in a 255-series Pirelli P-Zero summer tire.
Inside, Type S drivers are treated to Ultrasuede® trimmed 16-way power seats with adjustable side bolstering and Type S embossing on the headrests. Type S comes exceptionally well-equipped with several premium and sophisticated features from the TLX Advance Package, including the critically acclaimed and award-winning ELS STUDIO 3D® 17-speaker premium audio system. Detailed information about the 2021 TLX Type S will be available closer to its on-sale date this May.
Since its introduction, the second-generation Acura TLX has garnered numerous accolades for its style, driver-focused performance and technology. Following its launch last fall, TLX has been named a MotorWeek “Driver’s Choice”, is one of AutoTrader’s “Best New Cars for 2021”, and the ELS STUDIO 3D® premium audio system earned “Best Sound System” in the 2021 Esquire Car Awards. Additionally, the next-generation passenger-front airbag earned a Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award, and TLX has also received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest possible safety rating from the Institute.
Key Specs and Features
| | 2021 TLX 2.0T | 2021 TLX Type S |
| Starting MSRP | $37,500 | “Low $50,000s” |
| Engine | 2.0-liter Turbo 4 Cyl. | 3.0-liter Turbo V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed AT | Sport Tuned 10-speed AT |
| 4th Gen Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ | Available | Standard |
| Horsepower | 272 | 355 |
| Torque | 280 | 354 |
| Suspension | Front: Double Wishbone Rear: Multi-Link | Front: Double Wishbone Rear: Multi-Link |
| Adaptive Damper System | Available | Standard |
| Electric Power Steering System | Belt-driven EPS, Variable ratio | Belt-driven EPS, Variable ratio |
| Braking System | Electro Servo | Electro Servo Brembo® 4-Piston Front Brakes |
| Wheels | 18 x 8.0 Multi-Spoke | 20 x 9.0 Shark Gray Multi-Spoke Avail. 20 x 9.0 Lightweight Y-Spoke |
| Tires | 235/50 R18 97V Bridgestone Turanza All-Seasons | 255/35 R20 97Y Pirelli All-Season Avail. Pirelli P Zero Summer |
| KEY FEATURES | ||
| Full-LED Exterior Lighting | • | • |
| True Touchpad Interface with 10.2-inch HD display | • | • |
| Acura Navigation with 3D View | Available | • |
| CarPlay® / Android Auto™ Integration | • | • |
| Wireless Charging Pad | Available | • |
| ELS Studio 3D® 17 Speaker, 710 watts w/ Twin Telford™ Subs | Available | • |
| Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) | 4 Mode:Comfort / Normal / Sport / Individual | 5 Mode:Comfort / Normal / Sport / Sport + / Individual |
| 16-way Power Front Seats | Available | • |
| Heated & Ventilated Front Seats | Available | • |
| Flat Bottom Sport Steering Wheel | Available | • |
| Genuine Aluminum Trim | Available | • |
| IconicDrive™ Ambient LED Lighting | Available | • |
| Remote Engine Start | Available | • |
| Power Folding Side Mirrors | Available | • |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | Available | • |
| 4G LTE WiFi Hot Spot | • | • |
| AcuraWatch™ | • | • |
| Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) | • | • |
(Acura Press Release)
View the complete gallery
Scroll up this page