A EULOGY IN ADVANCE: DRIVING THE 2025 ACURA TLX A-SPEC, A SEDAN NEARING ITS END

There’s something uniquely bittersweet about reviewing a car you want to fall in love with, knowing its lineage is about to end. The 2025 Acura TLX A-Spec marked the third time I’d slid behind its wheel, hoping for a spark—the kind of visceral connection that once defined Acura’s sport sedans. That feeling never quite arrived. Now, in February 2026, with Acura's official discontinuation announcement fresh in the rearview, that experience feels like a final, definitive test drive of an era.

Let’s start with the lasting good news: the TLX A-Spec looks fantastic. Acura nailed the proportions. It’s low, wide, and aggressive in all the right ways. From the Jewel Eye LED headlights to the sculpted rear, this sedan is undeniably handsome. But in 2026, styling alone feels like a monument to what could have been.

In Canada, the 2025 TLX was available in three trims: Tech, A-Spec, and the high-performance Type S. The TLX A-Spec, as tested, slotted in the middle with a starting price of $55,130 (MSRP), including SH-AWD and a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 272 hp. It came well-equipped with premium features—20-inch wheels, ELS Studio 3D audio, a flat-bottom steering wheel, ventilated seats, and sport exterior accents.

The TLX A-Spec vs. Its Ghosts

Compared to its spiritual predecessors—the first-generation Acura TSX and the fourth-generation TL—the TLX always felt like it was chasing a different dream. Where those earlier models struck a near-perfect balance of driver engagement and simplicity, the 2025 TLX felt like it was playing catch-up in a crowded field of luxury tech showcases.

The Competition Then and Now

The crowd was tough. The BMW 3 Series continued to set the bar for athleticism. The Genesis G70 brought sharp dynamics and solid value. But perhaps more telling was the philosophical gap. As noted in 2025, even the base Porsche Macan felt more responsive and rewarding. That gap has only widened in 2026, with Porsche's latest updates to the Macan EV and 718 Cayman further cementing their focus on driver engagement—the very thing the TLX lacked.

Interior: A Complex Farewell

The cabin showcased the TLX's conflicted identity. While materials were premium and the ELS Studio 3D system a standout, the touchpad-based infotainment system remained a persistent pain point—a symbol of overcomplication in an era moving toward seamless digital integration.

Performance: Competent, But Not a Climax

On the road, the TLX A-Spec was capable and confident. SH-AWD kept it planted, and the 10-speed automatic did its job. But it never truly came alive. It felt filtered—refined, but not thrilling. It was a capable chapter, but not a climactic one.

Final 2025 Thoughts, in Hindsight

The original conclusion stands: "The 2025 TLX A-Spec is sleek, competent, and filled with features. But if you're chasing that old Acura magic... you might find that it lives more vividly in the memories, and in the competition." Little did we know this wasn't just a yearly critique, but an obituary in advance.

The 2026 Reality: What's Happening Now

The landscape has shifted decisively. Here is the latest status of the Acura TLX program as of this week:

1. Official Discontinuation Confirmed: Acura made it official in Q4 2025: the 2026 model year is the last for the TLX. Production is scheduled to end by Summer 2026. There is no direct successor planned; Acura's sedan future is now fully electric and likely years away.

   
   

2. 2026 Model Year Changes are Final: The updates for this final model year are locked in and now arriving on dealer lots. This includes:

   • Standard Wireless Smartphone Integration: A necessary, if overdue, fix for the infotainment, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless across all trims.

   • "Final Edition" Packages: Limited-run send-off packages for the A-Spec and Type S trims, featuring unique badging, interior accents, and curated exterior colors. These are beginning to arrive at select dealers this month.

     
     

3. Current Market Status - A Value Play: As of February 2026, the TLX has become one of the market's sharper luxury sedan values. With the model's fate sealed, dealers are motivated to clear inventory. Significant discounts are widely available on remaining 2025 models, and aggressive financing is being offered on the final 2026 units. For a buyer seeking a stylish, well-equipped AWD sedan at a transaction price far below its German rivals, the TLX presents a compelling financial case.

   
   

4. The Future is Officially Electric (ZDX & ADX): Acura's showroom energy and marketing are now fully centered on the all-electric 2026 ZDX and the forthcoming ADX compact electric SUV. The philosophical and technological gulf between the TLX and Acura's new direction is now absolute.

   
   

5. Collector Interest Emerging: Enthusiast forums and analyst reports this week note a subtle but growing curiosity around the TLX Type S as a potential future "modern classic," particularly in manual transmission form. Its status as the last of its breed and the most powerful iteration is beginning to draw a second look.

The Final Verdict

Driving the 2025 TLX A-Spec was an experience of longing for a past Acura. In 2026, that past is now formally concluded. This sedan represents the end of a conventional line: handsome, competent, but ultimately unable to redefine itself or recapture the driver-first soul that made its ancestors legends.

Its legacy is one of unfulfilled potential, a beautiful bridge between eras that few are crossing. The magic, as noted over a year ago, remains firmly in the memories—and in the showrooms of brands, including Acura's own electric future, that have decisively moved on.