It was late. I was staring at a Tiger Eye Pearl paint job under fluorescent gas station lights, and I realized something: Acura finally stopped apologizing. For a decade, they built "sensible" cars that felt like high-end Hondas with better leather. Then came the 2022 TLX Type S. It didn't arrive with a whisper; it arrived with a 355-horsepower punch to the gut of the German establishment. Honestly, it’s one of those cars that feels better the harder you push it, which is a rare trait in an era of numb, electric steering and simulated engine noises.
If you’re looking for a spec-sheet champion, go buy an Audi S4. If you want a car that makes you take the long way home because the torque vectoring feels like magic? That’s where this Acura shines.
The engine isn't just a tuned V6
Most manufacturers just slap a bigger turbo on an existing block and call it a day. Acura didn't do that. The 3.0-liter V6 in the 2022 TLX Type S was a clean-sheet design. They gave it a single twin-scroll turbocharger, which sounds like a downgrade from the "twin-turbo" hype you see elsewhere, but the execution is what matters.
The throttle response is immediate. You’re sitting at 2,000 RPM, you dip your toe, and the car just moves. No waiting for the computer to consult a committee. No "searching" for power. It’s right there. 354 lb-ft of torque might not sound like "supercar" numbers, but the way Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) puts that power to the pavement is what makes the difference.
It’s heavy. Let’s be real. At roughly 4,200 pounds, it’s a chunky sedan. You feel that weight when you’re trying to park or when you’re really pushing the limits of the Brembo brakes on a downhill canyon run. But Acura’s engineers are sorcerers with suspension tuning. They used a double-wishbone front suspension—something usually reserved for high-end exotics or dedicated track cars—to keep the front tires glued to the asphalt. It hides its mass remarkably well until you’re really on the limit.
SH-AWD is the secret sauce
You’ve probably heard car journalists rave about SH-AWD for years. It’s not just marketing fluff. While most AWD systems are designed to keep you from slipping in the snow, the system in the 2022 TLX Type S is designed to make you turn faster.
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In a corner, it can send up to 70% of the power to the rear wheels. From there, it can send 100% of that power to the outside rear wheel. It literally pushes the car into the apex. It’s a strange sensation the first time you feel it. You expect the car to understeer—to push wide—but instead, the rear end rotates and you’re suddenly pointed exactly where you want to go. It makes you feel like a much better driver than you actually are.
What it’s like to live with every day
Performance is great, but nobody buys a TLX just to track it. You’re going to be sitting in traffic on the 405 or commuting into a city.
The seats are incredible. They’re 16-way power-adjustable with Milano leather and Ultrasuede inserts. They hold you tight enough that you don't slide around during spirited driving, but they don't pinch your hips during a three-hour road trip. Honestly, they’re some of the best seats in the segment, rivaling Volvo’s legendary ergonomics.
The infotainment is... polarizing. Acura uses a True Touchpad Interface. It’s not a touchscreen. You move your finger on a pad, and where you touch corresponds to the screen. It’s meant to keep your eyes on the road. Does it work? Sorta. It takes about a week to build the muscle memory. Once you have it, it’s fine. But the first two days? You’ll probably want to throw the remote out the window. Stick with it, though. The ELS Studio 3D audio system is the consolation prize. It has 17 speakers and was tuned by Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy-winning producer. It makes Spotify sound like a private concert.
Fuel economy and the "Type S tax"
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: gas. If you care about MPG, stop reading and go look at an Integra. The 2022 TLX Type S is thirsty. You’ll be lucky to see 19 miles per gallon in the city. On the highway, you might hit 24 if you’re being careful and keeping it in "Normal" mode. But who buys a Type S to be careful?
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The 10-speed automatic transmission is snappy in Sport+ mode, but in "Comfort," it’s almost too eager to get to the highest gear to save fuel. This creates a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde personality. One minute it’s a quiet, refined luxury cruiser. The next, it’s a growling, gear-dropping beast.
Real-world competition and where it sits
When the 2022 model year hit, it was priced around $53,000 to $55,000. That put it in a weird spot. It was more expensive than a loaded Kia Stinger GT2 but cheaper than a BMW M340i or a Mercedes-AMG C43.
People often compare it to the BMW, which is technically faster. The BMW 0-60 times are consistently in the low 4-second range, while the Acura usually lands around 4.9 or 5.0 seconds. If winning stoplight drag races is your only personality trait, the BMW wins. But the Acura feels more special. It looks more aggressive with those quad exhaust tips—which are massive, by the way—and that diamond pentagon grille.
- Acura TLX Type S: Best for drivers who value mechanical feel and unique styling.
- BMW M340i: Best for raw acceleration and brand prestige.
- Audi S4: Best for interior tech and "under the radar" styling.
- Cadillac CT5-V: Best for raw chassis feedback (non-Blackwing).
The Cadillac is probably the closest rival in terms of "driver's car" feel, but the Acura’s interior feels significantly more premium. Cadillac still uses some plastics that look like they came out of a Chevy Malibu. Acura, meanwhile, uses real aluminum and open-pore wood (in the non-Type S) or patterned metal.
Common misconceptions about the 2022 model
A lot of people think the Type S is just a TLX with a bigger engine. That’s wrong. The chassis was reinforced specifically for this car. They added a heavy-duty battery in the trunk for better weight distribution. They upgraded the cooling system with two additional sub-radiators. They even beefed up the transmission to handle the extra torque. It is a fundamentally different car from the standard 2.0T model.
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Another myth? That the Tiger Eye Pearl paint is the only way to go. It’s the "hero color," sure. But in Apex Blue Pearl or Majestic Black Pearl, the car looks incredibly sophisticated. The gold-ish Tiger Eye is a "love it or hate it" situation. In person, it has a lot of depth, but it definitely screams for attention.
Buying a used 2022 TLX Type S today
If you’re looking at these on the used market now, there are a few things to keep an eye on.
- The Brake Squeal: Some early 2022 models had a known issue with the high-performance Brembo pads squealing at low speeds. It’s mostly a cosmetic/auditory annoyance, but check if the previous owner had the TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) performed.
- Tire Wear: These cars come with Pirelli P Zero Summer tires or optional lightweight "Y-Spoke" wheels with performance rubber. Because of the weight and the AWD system, they eat tires. If you’re buying used, check the tread depth. A new set of 20-inch performance tires isn't cheap.
- Puddle Lights: There have been reports of the "Type S" puddle lights failing or getting blurry. It’s a small fix under warranty, but worth checking at night.
Actually, one of the best things about buying this car is the reliability track record of Acura's J-series engines. While the 3.0T is new, the architecture is based on decades of V6 excellence. You aren't likely to deal with the catastrophic cooling system failures or electrical gremlins that sometimes haunt its German rivals once the warranty expires.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are seriously considering the 2022 TLX Type S, start by narrowing down your wheel choice. The lightweight Y-spoke wheels aren't just for looks; they reduce unsprung weight, which actually improves the steering feel and turn-in response. It's a noticeable difference.
Next, find a dealership that will let you take a test drive on a road with actual curves. Driving this car in a straight line on a highway won't tell you anything. You need to feel the SH-AWD torque vectoring kick in mid-corner to understand why people love it.
Check the build date on the door jamb. Models built later in the 2022 run had fewer of the initial software glitches in the infotainment system. Finally, if you're buying used, insist on a service history that shows oil changes every 5,000 miles. Turbocharged engines are sensitive to oil quality, and "following the car's computer" usually means 7,500 to 10,000-mile intervals, which is pushing it for a high-performance V6.
The TLX Type S isn't the fastest car in the world, and it isn't the most fuel-efficient. But it's a car with a soul, built by people who clearly still care about the act of driving. In 2026, as everything turns into a silent electric pod, this V6 growl feels more precious than ever.