The Acura TLX hasn't been a direct, apples-to-apples competitor to brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW for a while—except when they want to be on price.
The TLX isn't as lush inside as say, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but for the price it looks very good next to a BMW 3-Series.
Audi's A4 is a natural competitor with all-wheel drive, although opinions are mixed on the all-new 2017 version.
We think the TLX is more exciting than a Lexus ES, although those cars are polished to a high-gloss finish.
Lincoln's new MKZ is interesting, and could unseat the TLX in the near-luxury field, but we haven't driven an MKZ yet, so we'll report back when we do.
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 2017 Acura TLXBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Audi A4Browse Used Listings |  2017 BMW 3-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Lexus ESBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Lincoln MKZBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA ClassBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2017 Acura TLX is a near-luxury competitor in a luxury field crowded with very good (and very pricey) cars with European badges on them. |
The 2017 Audi A4 advances its sport-sedan credentials in lots of incremental ways, but the virtual cockpit drops the digital mic. |
The 2017 BMW M3 is a track-ready sports sedan with an unblemished pedigree that announces to the world: "Ask me what DTM means." |
If it's cosseting luxury and a roomy interior you're after, the Lexus ES may be the car for you. |
With available 400-hp, all-wheel-drive performance, plus a new face and more features, the 2017 MKZ could be an advance team for a different sort of Lincoln. |
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a sharp-looking sedan that washes its hands of back-seat space, and stuns us in CLA45 AMG trim. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $32,000 | $34,900 | $33,450 | $38,900 | $35,170 | $32,400 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 21 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Gas/Electric I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| FWD | 2.0 TFSI Automatic ultra Premium Plus FWD | 320i Sedan | ES 350 FWD | Hybrid Premiere FWD | CLA 250 Coupe |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2017 Acura TLX vs. 2017 Audi A4 | 2017 Acura TLX vs. 2017 BMW 3-Series | 2017 Acura TLX vs. 2017 Lexus ES | 2017 Acura TLX vs. 2017 Lincoln MKZ | 2017 Acura TLX vs. 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class | |
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