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2023 Acura TLX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.

Class: Compact Cars
Body styles: 4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan FWD
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 272–355 hp
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Premium Gasoline
MPG (best): 25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length: 194.5 in
Curb weight: 3,708–3,926 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2023 Acura TLX is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,926 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 9% worse than the 2023 compact car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2023

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2022 TLX — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 TLX →

Trims, performance & features

Engine355 hp3.0L turbo 6-cyl

Engine272 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl

Transmission10-speed automatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SH-AWD TYPE STECHNOLOGYSH-AWD A-SPECType S

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringSome trims

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Lane centeringStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Marysville, Ohio

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2023 TLX configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr Sedan AWD	194.5 in	75.2 in	56.3 in	113 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	3,926 lb	57/43
4dr Sedan FWD	194.5 in	75.2 in	56.3 in	113 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	3,708 lb	58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
TLX FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	22 / 31 / 25	-9%	$3,300	352
TLX FWD A-SPEC	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	22 / 30 / 25	-9%	$3,300	357
TLX AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 29 / 24	-13%	$3,400	369
TLX AWD A-SPEC	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 29 / 24	-13%	$3,400	371
TLX Type-S	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	19 / 25 / 21	-24%	$3,900	420
TLX Type-S Perf Tire	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	19 / 24 / 21	-24%	$3,900	421

5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

5/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $4,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.6 MPG2023 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2023 Acura TLX 4 DR AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	9%
2023 Acura TLX 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	9%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2023 Acura TLX 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2023 Acura TLX 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2023 compact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2023 Acura TLX (this car)	25 MPG	★★★★★	4
2023 BMW 3 Series	29 MPG	Not rated	1
2023 BMW 5 Series	28 MPG	Not rated	1
2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class	26 MPG	★★★★★	0
2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT	21 MPG	Not rated	6
2023 Lexus IS	25 MPG	Not rated	0
2023 Audi A4	28 MPG	Not rated	1

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Jun 12, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V391000 · 259,033 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.

Electrical System › Software · Jan 23, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V031000 · 294,612 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Dec 19, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V950000 · 167 vehicles

Problem: Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2023 Acura TLX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

19Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

Power Train9

Unknown Or Other6

Electrical System2

Service Brakes2

Suspension1

Seat Belts1

Wheels1

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2023 Acura TLX buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Power Train — 9 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Acura TLX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other TLX years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2025 TLX	25	194.5 in	★★★★★	2	4
2024 TLX	25	194.5 in	★★★★★	2	5
2022 TLX	25	194.5 in	★★★★★	4	34
2021 TLX	25	194.5 in	★★★★★	5	104
2020 TLX	27	190.6 in	★★★★★	5	63
2019 TLX	27	190.6 in	★★★★★	6	93
2018 TLX	27	190.6 in	★★★★★	4	96
2017 TLX	28	190.2 in	Not rated	3	71
2016 TLX	28	190.2 in	Not rated	3	111
2015 TLX	28	190.2 in	Not rated	6	336

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →