DecodedCars2025 Acura TLX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan, Type S 4dr Sedan
- 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
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 194.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,999–4,215 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 13% below the 2025 compact car average of 28.6 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 35 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 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 3,999 lb (4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 13% worse than the 2025 compact car average of 28.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 TLX — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 TLX →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Marysville, Ohio
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2025 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 | 194.5 in | 75.2 in | 56.3 in | 113 in | 64.2 / 64.6 in | 3,999 lb | 57/43 |
| Type S 4dr Sedan | 194.5 in | 75.2 in | 56.3 in | 113 in | 64.2 / 64.6 in | 4,215 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 | -13% | $3,300 | 352 |
| TLX AWD A-SPEC | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | -16% | $3,400 | 371 |
| TLX Type-S | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | -27% | $3,900 | 420 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acura TLX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9% |
| 2025 Acura TLX 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9% |
Similar 2025 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acura TLX (this car) | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2025 BMW 3 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 BMW 5 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Lexus IS | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Audi A4 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
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.
Not every 2025 Acura TLX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Acura TLX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 2 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Acura TLX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other TLX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 TLX | 25 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 5 |
| 2023 TLX | 25 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 19 |
| 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 →