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Acura TLX vs. Fully Loaded Honda Accord

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105K views 26 replies 25 participants last post by  Brandon123  
#1 ·
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The Acura TLX is based upon the Honda Accord. It is a question worth asking, "What more do you get from the Acura TLX when compared to a fully loaded Honda Accord?"

First off let's look at the pricing. The 4-cylinder TLX is priced at $35,920 while the Accord EX-L V6 comes in at $33,090. That is a price difference of about $3,000.

The Honda Accord also gives you more power than the Acura TLX. The Accord runs on a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 278 hp. The TLX on the other hand has a 206 hp four-cylinder engine. That means that you will get 72 more hp from the Accord's engine. That also translates to the Accord going from o-60 mph a full second faster than the TLX.

The TLX does give drivers an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission which is in contrast to the Accord's conventional six-speed transmission. That gives the TLX a more crisp and sporty feel when driving. The TLX also has better handling and braking, and a quieter cabin than the Accord.

The two vehicles do share some features. Both have climate control, backup cameras, driver and passenger leather seats, as well as good infotainment and safety features. It does appear that the Accord's halogen lamps illuminate the road better than the TLX's LEDs, though some may care more about the look of the lights than their effectiveness.

Ultimately you will pay $3,000 more for the TLX and that will get you a few more speakers, one more year of warranty, and a slower engine that feels more sporty.

Did you consider the Honda Accord before you bought the TLX? Do you think the TLX is worth the extra $3,000?
 
#3 ·
Accord is a well designed and capable sedan, no question its value is hard to beat. I was seriously considering Accord Touring V6 when shopping for my car. I did compare TLX to Accord and here are some of the things that I am getting with TLX that I could not with Accord: SH-AWD, 9-speed tranny vs 6-speed, heated steering wheel, integrated remote starter, LCD with force feedback, better quality materials inside the cabin, leather feels softer, seats feel and look more upscale, ELS sound system. Better noise insulation, car feels more solid at high speeds.
TLX is more exlusive then Accord, I don't have to tell you that you see an Accord on every corner! Also I believe lane keep assist, cruise control with low speed follow, and collision mitigation is not available on the Accord.
 
#5 ·
My company has four 2013 - 2015 Accords with one V6 and remainder being L4's along with about ten pre-2013 Accords. The 2013+ V6 EX-L Accord has good power but it doesn't handle as well as prior model V6 Accords. In all of them, the interiors are quite functional I guess, but the materials seem a lower grade than pre 2013 models. The one person in our company that has the '15 V6 EX-L would rather have his 2012 V6 back than his new one. They have more features though like the lane watch camera and better fuel economy with the L4 especially. The cost cutting is really apparent on the 2013+ L4's. For example, the rear fascia has cutouts common to V6 with the dual exhaust reliefs, but has only exhaust on one side. It looks funny having both cutouts but only exhaust tip on one side. The L4 Sport model may have dual exhaust tips but I can't remember.

You can still get exhaust tips on Accord, but not TLX. I used to lament that, but I no longer miss them on TLX.

Likewise, I think TL interior materials like the faux carbon fiber and trim is better than the faux woodgrain and silver plastic in the TLX. TLX trim and materials still outclass the EX-L Accord's by a large margin.

If I were going to buy an Accord, it would come down to the EX-L V6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual while they still make it or the L4 Sport model also with the manual. Honda's CVT is pretty smooth, but not my cup of tea.

In terms of handling, TLX. Also Acura is the only way to get SH-AWD which is a big distinction. Paint quality is better on Acura than Honda too. Maintenance costs for TL SH-AWD was no different, sometimes cheaper than AWD CRV at Honda/Acura dealers which surprised me a little. No experience yet with TLX maintenance costs but I don't expect much difference.

I drove company-provided Accords and CRV's for years and they are good values and never had any troubles. Almost all of the late model Honda and Acura sedans have pretty lame OEM tires. After driving Acura's like the TL I pay the difference in price rather than go with the Honda's. If all you want is reliable transportation then Honda for sure.

When I go on vacation, I actually look forward to driving long distances in the Acura (Especially TL because of the seats). I remember stopping halfway to Florida while driving an Accord to buy some small pillows at a Walmart because the seats were unbearable for a long drive.

My TLX SH is a 3 year lease and my TL SH is a '13 due for turn in later this year. I will probably go for an ILX DCT or a TLX DCT to replace it, with some small chance or longshot for the V6 Manual Accord Coupe. If the V6 Manual Coupe had a limited slip differential like the Civic Si, I would be more inclined to get it.
 
#6 ·
EXCEPT for the transmission concerns in the I4 TLX, I am pleased with choosing it over the I4 Accord. Interior color of brown can't be matched, the extra warranty, loaner car while serviced at my Acura dealer and the new body style. I do look at the back end of the TL with envy but when I have to put stuff in the trunk the TSX style of boring square makes life a little easier. The TLX cabin is quieter than the Accord and I doubt I'd do better than an average of 37 MPG on the last three fill ups, some 1500 miles of mostly highway travel so if the transmission wasn't an issue I couldn't love the car more.
 
#9 ·
Ahhhh the halogens in the Accord light the road better than the LEDs in the TLX -yeah I don't think so, there is no comparison. I had projector beam halogens in my Pilot just like the ones in the Accord and they were useless. I converted them to HID - the whole 9 yards with the phillips bulbs, starters and ballasts. They were excellent and a huge improvement over the OEM. The LED headlights in the TLX are even better.
 
#14 ·
Man I totally agree with the new LED headlights being much better than anything else I've owned. With the exception of (2) car: S2000 and LS460. I'd have to say it's neck to neck with those two. I owned an IS250 and the HID headlights were horrible. Ironically, I ended up retrofitting them with TSX projectors. :) BAM! Much better.

Anyway, back on topic. The accord is definitely not as refined as the TLX. The TLX is definitely quieter, maybe a tad sportier (I have a V6) on the road. A tad, but noticeable.
 
#15 ·
I thought about this comparison as well as a few others before I picked up my TLX. Those vehicles were kind of all over the board. An Accord, 300C, 200C, 328 and an RDX to replace my Pilot. I decided after driving everything, to keep the Pilot, and sell my TL and go for the TLX. I think that the comparison between the I4 and V6 Accord is somewhat off base but it would also be off base for the 300C and the 200C since both of those that I considered had a V6 as well.

It's all about sitting behind the wheel. Cranking up some tunes and driving. The Accord I drove was a Sport with an automatic. It was loud. The stereo was barely ok. Road noise, for me, was unacceptable and the interior wasn't as well put together. Expected since it was a lot less expensive. The 200C to me, at least, was a tosser. Nice to look at but without any really good qualities. The driving experience was not a great one. The 300C almost got me. Obviously a lot bigger but super refined. With the equipment I wanted which I think would have been pretty comparably equipped to the TLX was right at 42k. The Infinity sound system was really nice. The BMW equipped the way I would want it make it more expensive than the 300C. Typical of the option prices within the brand.

The overall driving experience, the ELS and the other techno goodies sold me on the TLX along with the expected reliability experience. Oh yeah. Can't forget the gratis car washes and loaners. All of this is just my opinion based on my preferences.
 
#16 ·
Both great cars and excellent values. I have been test driving all of the variations of the TLX as well as the manual versions of the Accord (Sport and V6 Coupe). The Acura is much more refined and much better materials...even when compared to the V6 Coupe EX-L with Navi. My only concern with the TLX is with the transmission issues that some have been having, although only experienced one incident with a V6 TLX SH - AWD Advanced that had a very strange "rubber band" effect and grind when coming to a stop and getting itself back into first.

I guess it comes down to what you want out of your car. Acura provides higher level of refinement for a few bucks more. Accord is a very good alternative if you want to save a few bucks for the fully loaded. If you like manual, you have to try the V6 coupe....that car has a ton of pick up and is fun to run through the gears.
 
#17 ·
Test drove an Accord also. I did like it alot before I drove the TLX. The TLX like everyone has mentioned is much more refined and sportier feeling. The Accord felt bigger and heavier and much more ponderous through the twisties. Also, no AWD in the Accord which might be important to some.

The V6 6mt Accord Coupe was a real nice ride. My wife and I are considering trading our Genesis Couoe in for one. The 2016 is rumoured to be getting the TLX V6 and some similar options.
 
#19 ·
We looked at 2015 Accord V6 EXL / Tourings last weekend and I just didn't love the car. The car parts feel less substantial than an Acura, the door thunk, the carpet quality, the noise level. I drive an Odyssey but other than that we seem to be Acura fanatics. I like the Honda price but will wait for the right pre-owned Acura to fall into my price range.

Nothing wrong with the Honda, but we just like the Acuras so much more. (drove a very clean certified, low mileage 2013 TL back to back with the 2015 Accords and preferred the Acura.)
 
#23 ·
Comparing a loaded 4cyl Accord with Honda Watch to TLX 4cyl w/ tech is about as apples to apples as you can get. There's about $5k difference in sticker, and assuming you can negotiate down equivalently, about the same difference in purchase price.

So, what do get for $5k in the TLX? First and foremost, an industry leading transmission that isn't a CVT! A nicer interior with much better materials. A far quieter car at speed. A bump in power. Better ride / handling compromise. P-AWS! Lastly, you get the better dealership treatment during ownership. These combined make the TLX a compelling value.
 
#24 ·
Also a longer warranty!
 
#25 ·
Last weekend I had driven 2016 TLX I4 with tech package. Just to share my views on the ongoing discussion TLX vs Accord i4 or V6.

As per my views there is no comparison in between those 2 cars, they both are of different types of cars may be from price perspective I can understand.

What I have understood about TLX it's a 'Luxry, Sports, Sedan' and Accord is purely a 'Sedan'. There is no comparison at all, the way TLX feels from inside it's amazing the leather quality and interiors looks very premium, front seats feels very sporty the way car drives feel like some how sports sedan. Moreover it has IDS which has different modes and the sport mode is my best bet to go for I4 engine for city driving, gear shifts are very very quick you will definitely notice and appreciate that. It gives the car with different personalities...

My wife had no idea about this car, this is what she said first thing first after few KMS- "This looks like a sports car".

As some one said earlier on this thread man you gotta test drive this car and it will sell by itself....

Accord is a good family sedan.... no offense I had driven Accord 2010 back in days for several thousands KMS, and I can straight away make out the difference in between Accord and TLX.

That said my next car is gona be TLX...
 
#26 · (Edited)
It makes me laugh when I read such articles. I am not sure if the OP wrote it or it was copied from the web. I did not cross shop these two cars, however, I did go to the Honda dealership since my friend was in the market for an Accord and did get one.

There is NO COMPARISON, PERIOD.

The Accord has a very nice looking exterior but the moment I sat in, it felt cheap. Even the new Civic looks like a premium product but not the Accord. The "leather seats" alone look so cheap. You will find hard plastics EVERYWHERE in the car. Just overall a cheap interior.

The cabin is not even remotely as quiet as the TLX's.

My buddy got the 4 cylinder with the CVT and offered me to test drive and I love to test drive all kinds of cars but I just didn't feel like test driving it. That's how bad the CVT felt even riding it, let alone driving.

Yes, the Accord does offer a lot of features at that price but what about build quality? THAT's what you pay for when you get an Acura.

I don't expect all this quality in the Accord because of it's price point but since this thread is about comparing the both, well, there's no comparison :D
 
#27 ·
I have a 2014 exl v6 coupe automatic but the manual would be more fun to drive. I think the automatic is just as fast as the manual I think maybe manual a little faster but not by a whole lot! Anyways back to the tlx and Honda Accord sedan... I drove my dads Acura TL 2012 those are one of the best cars I've ever driven. The interior and exterior are both just good looking. The newer versions of the tlx arent that sexy. Now let's talk
About the Honda Accord sedan like really who the heck wants to get a Honda Accord sedan! Id only get the Honda Accord sedan because there's room for stuff. The newer versions of the Honda Accord sedan aren't as bad as the older versions lol.. The Honda Accord coupe would beat a tlx in a race it be close but Honda Accord coupe would win plus it's sporty and no one really has a Honda Accord coupe.. They are rare to
Get. About my 2014 coupe it is abit boring the exterior of it but that's why I got the Aerokitpackage and tinted windows... Make it less boring but the way it drives there's no doubt about it that it has power... Only problem it's a fwd if it was rwd there wouldn't be any comparison because tlx would get smacked. The thing I LOVE about my coupe the sound coming from the exhaust... It should be a comparison between tlx vs Honda Accord coupe not the sedan.. In that case tlx will win def.. And obv people will go more towards tlx than Honda Accord because it is a tlx forum maybe if you did it on a Honda Accord forum they will think otherwise.