It’s that time of year again, folks. You compile your information and file your taxes. It’s all part of your annual obligations, love it or hate it. You more than likely hate it, but there’s always the chance that Uncle Sam will repay your efforts with a tax return. And you can use that return to offset the cost of a spirit-buoying set of wheels, like a used luxury car. Better yet, you can get your hands on one for under $20,000 if you know where to look.
Take the 2018 Acura TLX, for instance. For the 2018 model year, Acura refreshed the TLX’s looks, giving the front fascia a bit of a polish. Factor in an upscale, usable interior, athletic chassis, and a gutsy V6, and the TLX starts to look like a really good use of your tax return.
The First-Gen Acura TLX Pairs Value With Luxury
No, the facelifted first-generation Acura TLX isn’t going to show its taillights to more modern sports sedans like the 2025 Audi S4 or the 2026 BMW 340i xDrive in a sprint to 60 mph or the quarter mile. What it will do, however, is marry a handsomely-appointed interior, a sporty ride, and optional all-wheel drive. For the 2018 model year, the TLX takes an understated approach to luxury. But that’s not a bad thing. Even without the addition of a garishly luxe cabin, the TLX is comfortable, featuring well-bolstered leather seats, premium materials, and copious soft-touch surfaces.
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That said, the layout is a bit dated compared to more modern luxury cars. An eight-inch screen rides atop a second seven-inch screen, which can be a tinge distracting. Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are features of the dual-screen setup, a welcome inclusion in a budget-friendly used luxury car. At the mention of budget-friendliness, an eight-year-old TLX is an excellent value proposition. On average, you’re spending well under $20,000 on a 2018 Acura TLX with typical mileage and a clean title.
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A Facelift In 2018 Brought Out Upmarket Styling
Acura rolled out the first-generation “UB1-4” Acura TLX back in 2015 to take on the luxury sports sedan market. Years later, Acura facelifted the TLX as part of the 2018 model year. That meant a revised front end with a newer, more stylish grille. If the new maw wasn’t enough, Acura gave the TLX a diamond mesh look for the new grille, completing the 2018 TLX’s expensive-seeming dental work.
It’s a marked improvement over the arguably awkward look of the pre-facelift model’s front end. The 2018 model’s refresh included a reimagined rear end, hood, fenders, and side sills. On the inside, the TLX got an upgraded suite of tech and safety features. Acura’s then-newly redesigned infotainment system is part of the equation, as is automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control– all as standard equipment.
Average First-Gen Acura TLX Pricing
When the first-generation Acura TLX first rolled out, the sedan undercut some of its segment competition. Now, after depreciation has worked its magic, a post-facelift first-gen TLX is a solid bang-for-your-buck buy. Take the first year of the TLX’s first-generation facelift, for example. According to Kelley Blue Book, a 2018 Acura TLX with a 3.5-liter V6 heart has a typical listing price of $17,100 and a fair market range of $15,800 to $17,700.
In short, you can find a six-cylinder TLX from that model year for around $17,000, depending on factors like mileage, trim level, location, title status, and condition. Not too shabby, especially considering that a 2018 Acura TLX started at $33,995 and stretched to $45,795 for the range-topping TLX 3.5L SH-AWD A-Spec when the luxury sedan was brand new.
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V6 Power At A Price You Can Live With
Back in 2018, you could get the Acura TLX with a choice of two free-breathing, naturally aspirated mills. Not one turbocharger in the bunch. The smaller of the two engines is a 2.4-liter inline four. At peak output, the four-pot produced 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque, though, depending on factors like maintenance, a few ponies may have snuck away over the years.
That said, we’d opt for the bigger of the two, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. The V6 is good for a much more muscular 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of twist. We’d also pair it with the brand’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
2018 Acura TLX 3.5L SH-AWD A-Spec Specifications
|
Engine |
Naturally Aspirated 3.5-Liter V6 |
|
Transmission |
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
290 HP @ RPM, 267 LB-FT @ RPM |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.7 Seconds |
|
Quarter Mile |
14.2 Seconds At 100 MPH |
AWD Grip For Added All-Weather Capability
Adding Acura’s unfortunately named SH-AWD to the equation sends power to all four wheels rather than sticking with the standard, front-wheel drive setup. Those who want to stick with the four-cylinder engine in a 2018 model don’t have the option of all-wheel drive– it’s the V6 or nothing. Although the standard front-drive system incorporates rear-wheel steering, the SH-AWD identifies where the power is needed and deploys the V6’s might accordingly. It’s a helpful feature for inclement weather, like rain or snow. But it also allows the all-wheel-drive TLX to launch harder and corner tighter than its front-wheel-drive sibling.
Quicker Than An Alfa Romeo
In testing, the 2018 Acura TLX managed to hit 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. Mind you, that vehicle was a 3.5-liter example with SH-AWD. It also featured Acura’s A-Spec package, which firms everything up with a retuned electric power steering system, different damper settings, and Michelin Primacy 245/40R19 tires. That 5.7-second sprint to 60 mph matched a rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo Giulia of the same period. Stretch the race out to a quarter mile, and the TLX beats the Alfa by 0.1 seconds, crossing the line in 14.2 seconds at 100 mph.
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So, Should You Buy One?
The big question, then, is whether you should consider a 2018 Acura TLX a worthy use of your tax refund this year. It’s sporty, luxurious, and boasts a handsome styling update. It could also be something of a dependable luxury car option compared to some of its rivals. J.D. Power assigned the 2018 Acura TLX an 80 out of 100 for overall reliability based on data like recalls and consumer complaints. Of course, the reliability of an eight-year-old luxury sedan will boil down to factors like maintenance and title status. In earnest, you could do a lot worse with your tax return than to offset the cost of a luxurious, athletic sedan like the 2018 Acura TLX.
Sources: Acura, Edmunds, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book