In a move that many auto industry watchers saw coming, Acura has officially announced the end of the TLX sedan. After nearly 30 years of evolution—from the iconic TL to the more recent TLX—the brand is shifting gears as consumer preferences continue to move firmly in favor of SUVs and crossovers. Production of the TLX will end this month, marking the end of an era for Acura’s once-flagship midsize luxury sedan.

Another Sedan Bows Out in the SUV Age

The demise of the TLX is not an isolated incident. Over the past several years, automakers across the board have been steadily eliminating sedans from their lineups, reacting to a clear trend: buyers are prioritizing larger, more versatile vehicles like SUVs. For Acura, this changing tide has had a direct impact on TLX sales, which have steadily declined despite multiple redesigns and performance upgrades.

The TLX’s fate, according to Acura, was sealed by a lack of demand. Simply put, shoppers are far more interested in Acura’s popular SUV offerings, such as the RDX and MDX, than in its four-door sedans. That shift in consumer focus has turned once-strong sedan sellers into niche products.

Tracing the TLX’s Roots: From TL to TLX

Before the TLX, there was the TL. Acura’s TL debuted back in 1995 as a larger, more premium option above the Honda Accord. It offered front-wheel-drive performance wrapped in a luxury sedan package that appealed to professionals and car enthusiasts alike.

Over four generations, the TL earned a strong reputation. Its second generation, in particular, stood out for its sporty design and the introduction of the TL Type S performance variant. Later, the third generation added European flair, often drawing comparisons to Italian design houses with its sleek and stylish exterior.

The fourth-generation TL, though more divisive with its angular styling, brought real performance chops. It was the first to include Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which significantly improved handling and control. There was even a version that came with a six-speed manual transmission—an increasingly rare treat for driving purists.

In 2015, Acura decided to retire the TL nameplate and replace it with the TLX. This new model blended styling elements from previous TL generations and offered both SH-AWD and a four-cylinder variant equipped with P-AWS (Precision All-Wheel Steer), a rear-wheel steering system that made cornering sharper and more engaging.

A Strong Start, Then a Slow Decline

When it launched, the TLX generated excitement, and initial sales were promising. However, it didn’t take long for interest to taper off. The first-generation TLX lasted from 2015 to 2020. Then came the second generation in 2021, which leaned further into performance territory. It introduced a bolder design, better chassis tuning, and brought back the Type S badge—this time featuring a 355-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with SH-AWD.

But even with improved performance and sharper aesthetics, the TLX struggled to gain ground. According to Acura, TL sales peaked way back in 2005 at over 78,000 units. TLX sales hit their highest point in 2015, just one year after launch, and steadily declined afterward. By 2024, sales had dropped to just 7,478 units, hardly enough to justify keeping it in production.

TLX Says Goodbye, but Acura Isn’t Done with Cars

While saying goodbye to the TLX may sting for loyal fans of Acura sedans, the company isn’t walking away from cars altogether. The compact Acura Integra has found solid footing in today’s market, now accounting for about 40 percent of all sales in the entry-level luxury segment. This modern Integra features sporty styling, a standard six-speed manual transmission, and even a high-performance Type S version based on the Honda Civic Type R—elements that keep the spirit of Acura’s enthusiast-friendly past alive.

Acura has also hinted at the possibility of a return for its NSX supercar, which ended production recently. While there’s no official confirmation of a new NSX just yet, enthusiasts can still hold out hope for another halo performance car in the future.

A Long Legacy Comes to a Quiet End

In total, Acura has sold more than 1.2 million TL and TLX sedans over the past three decades—a remarkable figure by any standard. From its early days as a well-balanced, luxury-oriented family sedan to its later years as a performance-driven alternative to the German big names, the TLX has always tried to carve out a space of its own.

Unfortunately, that space has shrunk considerably in the SUV-dominated landscape of today. As Acura puts its focus on models that align more closely with consumer demand, the TLX quietly exits stage left.

Check Originl photo from here

While the TLX may no longer be part of Acura’s future, its legacy as a reliable, sporty, and innovative midsize sedan will continue to resonate with longtime fans. For now, Acura is putting its energy into models that offer what today’s buyers want—technology, utility, and performance in SUV form. Still, for those who remember the TLX in its prime, this is a moment to reflect on what made it special.

Final Thoughts

The Acura TLX may be gone after 2024, but its spirit—embodied in vehicles like the Integra Type S—still lives on. Whether Acura ever reintroduces another midsize sedan remains to be seen, but for now, the brand is firmly driving toward an SUV-forward future.
For fans of Acura’s sedan legacy, now might be the last chance to grab a TLX off the lot before it disappears for good.

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