Luxury sedans have changed a lot over the last decade. Bigger screens, softer rides, and more driver-assist tech have become the new standard.
In the process, many of them have gotten less engaging to drive. Comfort now comes first, while sharp steering and real road feel have slowly faded into the background.
That works fine for plenty of buyers, but not everyone wants a rolling living room. For drivers who still care about how a car feels on a back road or daily commute, there are fewer real options left.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Acura and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, Edmunds, MotorTrend, and TopSpeed.
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Why so many modern luxury sedans feel less fun to drive
Comfort and tech have taken priority over driver feel
Luxury sedans have taken a different path over the last decade. Automakers now focus more on comfort, tech, and making daily driving as effortless as possible.
That shift follows what buyers say they want. Industry studies from groups like J.D. Power and McKinsey show many shoppers care more about infotainment, convenience, and driver-assist features than sharp handling or road feel.
You can feel that change in the way these cars are built. Electric steering has become lighter and more filtered, which makes parking easy but often removes the feedback drivers used to enjoy.
Suspensions are tuned more for smooth cruising than sharp responses, and driver-assist features now handle more of the workload. Adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and similar systems are great for convenience, but they also show where the priority has shifted.
Even sedans once known for their sporty edge have moved in the same direction. Newer versions of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are quieter, smoother, and more refined than ever.
That makes them excellent daily drivers, but it can also leave the experience feeling a bit more distant from the road. It’s not just those brands, either — the whole market has been heading this way.
Luxury buyers are getting older on average, and many care more about comfort and tech than sharp handling. At the same time, SUVs have reshaped expectations, pushing even sedans toward a softer, more relaxed personality.
The end result is a segment full of cars that are excellent at keeping the outside world out. What’s become harder to find is one that still makes the driver feel part of the experience.
That’s where a different kind of luxury sedan starts to stand out.
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The 2024 Acura TLX still puts the driver first
Built for connection behind the wheel, not just comfort
The 2024 Acura TLX takes a different approach from many luxury sedans. Instead of chasing total isolation, it leans into a more connected and engaging feel from behind the wheel.
It’s not trying to beat German rivals by adding more fluff or softness. The goal here is to be the car that feels better to drive every day.
That mission is obvious the moment you see it. The TLX sits low and wide, giving it a planted stance that feels more athletic than formal.
More importantly, it drives the way it looks. While some rivals focus almost entirely on softness and refinement, the TLX is tuned to feel sharper, more responsive, and more tied to the road.
It isn’t trying to be the cushiest option in the segment. It’s trying to be one of the most enjoyable to drive.
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Turbo power and SH-AWD help the TLX stand out
Strong power figures back up the TLX’s sporty feel
The 2024 TLX lineup is built around turbocharged power, but the real star is the Type S. It packs a 3.0-liter turbo V-6 with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque.
That engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Together, they give the TLX a much more performance-focused personality than many rivals in this class.
What really sets the TLX apart is the way it puts that power down. Acura’s SH-AWD system can shift torque across the rear axle, helping the car feel more balanced and confident in corners.
It’s not just there for extra grip in bad weather. The system also adds agility, making the TLX feel sharper and more willing to turn than many sedans in this segment.
The end result is a car that feels planted, responsive, and genuinely fun to drive.
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Outside, the TLX looks low, wide, and ready to move
The TLX makes its intentions pretty clear from the outside. The wide stance, long hood, and sharp body lines all give it a more aggressive look than many traditional luxury sedans.
While some rivals go for subtle, understated elegance, the TLX leans into a more performance-driven style. That design choice matches the way it feels on the road—focused, planted, and always ready to move.
A driver-focused cabin that keeps things simple and purposeful
Inside the TLX, the design keeps the driver at the center of everything. The seating position, controls, and overall layout are all set up to feel more engaging than isolating.
Instead of going all-in on screens and buried menus, Acura keeps physical controls for key functions. It makes everyday use simpler and helps the cabin feel more connected to the driving experience rather than disconnected from it.
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How it stacks up against rivals and what you get for the money
Against rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Audi A5, pricing tells an interesting story
The TLX goes up against cars like the Audi A5 and also overlaps with larger sedans such as the 5 Series, both of which lean more heavily into traditional luxury and refinement.
The 5 Series, in particular, has long been seen as a benchmark in the segment. Today’s version offers a wide range of powertrains, from turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines to plug-in hybrid options, all wrapped in a package that prioritizes comfort and technology over driver engagement.
Features like BMW’s latest curved display and advanced driver-assistance tech help the 5 Series stay firmly in the modern luxury lane. It’s packed with the kind of technology buyers now expect from a flagship sedan.
That said, recent generations have leaned more toward comfort than feel. Softer suspension tuning and heavier cabin isolation have made it smoother and quieter, but also a bit more removed from the road than older versions that were more driver-focused.
The Audi A5 takes a slightly different path in this segment, leaning heavily into design, tech, and overall polish. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, it focuses on clean styling, high-quality materials, and a very user-friendly cabin layout.
One of its standout features is Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a fully digital instrument cluster that’s still among the best in the class for clarity and customization. It looks sharp, feels modern, and fits the A5’s tech-forward identity.
That said, the trade-off is driving engagement. Like many modern luxury cars, it prioritizes smoothness and composure over a more involved, driver-focused feel.
This is where the TLX starts to pull away from the pack. Unlike many rivals, it was built with driving feel as a clear priority from the start.
Up front, it uses a double-wishbone suspension setup—a rare choice in this class—that helps sharpen steering and improve front-end grip. It gives the car a more precise, planted feel when you turn in.
Pair that with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which can actively shift torque across the rear axle, and the TLX feels more responsive and connected than most comfort-first competitors.
Reviewers often describe the TLX as composed and deliberate, with quick responses and a chassis that actually encourages driver input. It’s less about straight-line speed and more about how naturally and confidently it changes direction.
That said, there are trade-offs. It doesn’t offer the same rear-seat space or overall roominess as the 5 Series, and it lags behind some German rivals when it comes to cutting-edge tech and seamless digital integration.
It also doesn’t carry the same brand cachet, which still matters a lot in this part of the market. But for buyers who care more about how a car drives than the badge on the hood, that may not be a deal breaker.
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A luxury sedan that still puts driving feel first
But pricing changes the equation
The TLX starts at around $45,000, with the performance-focused Type S coming in at roughly $58,000. That puts it in the middle of the segment, right alongside its key rivals.
The 5 Series starts closer to $57,000, but that number climbs quickly once you add options and higher trims. The A5 is a bit lower at around $41,000, but it also rises significantly as you spec it up.
That puts the TLX in a strong position. It delivers a more engaging drive than many competitors while still holding its own on pricing when you compare similarly equipped models.
For buyers who care more about how a car drives than badge prestige or ultra-luxury finishes, that balance makes the TLX a strong alternative in a segment where real engagement is getting harder to find.
What sets it apart isn’t just the performance numbers—it’s the mindset behind it. While much of the class has shifted toward comfort and isolation, the TLX sticks with a more connected, responsive feel.
It doesn’t try to win on being the most high-tech or the most luxurious. Instead, it leans into being one of the more engaging sedans you can actually drive every day.
Instead, the TLX focuses on making the drive feel more engaging every time you get behind the wheel. That choice does come with some trade-offs.
It isn’t quite as plush or isolated as some rivals, and it doesn’t pack the same level of high-end tech integration as the most advanced German sedans. But for drivers who care more about feel than spec sheets, that’s a fair exchange.
Because in the end, the TLX offers something that’s getting harder to find: a luxury sedan that still feels like it actually wants to be driven.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
