Acura has managed to establish a name for itself as a luxury brand that favors performance at more affordable prices than its competitors. Reliability and competence of manufacturing are the key facets of any Acura.
And the 2019 lineup is no exception.
2019 Acura TLX
The 2019 Acura TLX is one of Acura’s most popular midsize sedans. There’s a certain opulence to this vehicle, but it doesn’t quite make the jump between a luxury sedan and a truly luxurious vehicle.
Trims
- 2.4L: $33,000
- 3.5L: $36,200
Both of these available trims are lent deeper customization options with the offering of a trio of packages. The Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages lend a wealth of extra options for markedly higher prices.
Performance & Fuel Economy
While the Acura TLX is a well-balanced vehicle with lower pricing than similar luxury sedans, it doesn’t quite exceed the standards set by other members of the class. The 206-horsepower 2.4-liter four-stroke powertrain does an effective job of moving the vehicle around for daily commutes, but you’ll want to upgrade to the 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 if you’ve got a need for speed.
In keeping with their generally affordable style, the TLX has better fuel efficiency than many competitors. The base engine manages 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the V6 cuts a few miles off each calculation.
Features
Safety and infotainment features include AcuraWatch, a suite of high-end features, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Furthermore, a standardized seven-inch touchscreen adds ease of use and convenience to the driver cabin.
2019 Acura ILX
The ILX maintains Acura’s standard style with an affordable but luxurious compact sedan. Unfortunately, the wide variety of standardized features don’t quite meet the expectations that Acura enthusiasts set for the 2019 model year.
Trims
- Base: $25,900
- Premium: $27,650
- Technology: $29,550
- Premium/A-Spec: $29,650
- Technology/A-Spec: $31,550
Performance & Fuel Economy
Unchanged from the 2018 model year, the ILX comes equipped with a 2.4-liter engine that reaches 201 horsepower. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the ILX is more than capable of navigating both city streets and highways without struggling.
Like the TLX, this small sedan gets formidable gas mileage for its size. With 24 mpg and 34 on the highway, the ILX sits at the upper side of the class, but a lack of dynamism hinders its overall ride.
Features
Safety and infotainment features include AcuraWatch, forward collision warnings, and road departure prevention systems. While the standard five-inch display is a little small and clunky for most drivers, the available 7-inch touchscreen is more responsive and suitable for most users.
2019 Acura RLX
The RLX is the most expensive of Acura’s luxury sedans — and it shows. Offered in only a single trim with the benefit of two packages, the RLX clearly took years of research and work to perfect.
Trims
- Technology: $54,900
- Advanced: $61,900
Performance & Fuel Economy
The RLX comes equipped with a standard 310-horsepower V6. This engine is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission that cycles smoothly and performs adequately both in the city and on the highway. Those who desire extra power should upgrade to the hybrid engine, producing 377-horsepower with the aid of three electric motors and a V6 engine.
Although the RLX’s standard engine produces an average fuel efficiency — boasting 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway — the hybrid engine boosts that city rating to 28 mpg.
Features
Thanks to features like blind spot monitoring and parking sensors, the 2019 RLX scored perfect scores on every crash test it was subjected to. In fact, it aced both the NHTSA’s evaluations and those administered by the IIHS. In addition to its highly rated safety features, the RLX comes with a myriad of standard infotainment features, which include a two-screen display and an in-built navigation system.
2019 Acura MDX
As we transition into the SUV category, we turn our focus towards the 2019 Acura MDX. This luxury midsize SUV has received some small alterations for the 2019 model year, centering mostly around upgrades to the transmission and engine options.
Trims
- Standard: $44,300
- Technology: $49,300
- Technology/Entertainment: $51,300
- A-Spec: $54,800
- Advanced: $56,050
- Advanced/Entertainment: $58,050
Performance & Fuel Economy
A 3.5-liter 290-horsepower V6 provides satisfactory engine power. Sadly, it doesn’t quite reach the energetic level that some competitors in its class manage. Despite this engine’s failings, the fuel economy more than makes up for it.
For an SUV, the 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway that the MDX boasts is impressive. The low price of this engine is only reinforced by this low mileage, which provides better economy overall for this midsize SUV.
Features
Although the MDX isn’t billed as coming with AcuraWatch, the standard safety features are much the same. On the other hand, standardized infotainment focuses mostly on ease of use with a dual-screen touchscreen system and an eight-speaker audio suite.
2019 Acura RDX
Fully redesigned for the 2019 year, the Acura RDX is a stand-out of the year’s lineup. A wide variety of available infotainment features and competent handling makes this one of Acura’s most notable vehicles in 2019.
Trims
- Base: $37,400
- Technology: $40,600
- A-Spec: $43,600
- Advanced: $45,500
Performance & Fuel Economy
Equipped with a powerful 272-horsepower turbo-four and paired with a tight suspension that makes handling a breeze, the RDX is a truly remarkable midsize SUV. Plus, spacious interiors and seating enough for five makes it a must-have for business professionals and families in need of a proper commuter car.
Sitting at 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, the RDX gets reasonable mileage. These numbers are satisfactory for a vehicle of this size, but not truly impressive.
Features
AcuraWatch returns with the RDX, as does a rearview camera used for parking and maneuvering on cramped streets. A 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen is used to sync the vehicle’s wide variety of features, including nine speakers. Also, a mobile hot spot to make sure you’ll always have Internet access.