2021 Acura TLX FWD A-Spec
All photo credits
- Photo: 2022 Acura TLX A-Spec in Platinum White Pearl, front left, 2025-05-17 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2023 Acura TLX SH-AWD with A-Spec package, front left, 08-24-2024 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Acura TLX - 01 by Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2022 Acura TLX A-Spec in Platinum White Pearl, rear left, 2025-05-17 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec Interior by 1779Days, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2021 Acura TLX FWD A-Spec is a 272-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 sedan with a 10-speed automatic. It starts at $44,250 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.
It makes 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).
The TLX measures 194.6 inches long on a 113.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,784 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $44,250 |
| MSRP with Destination | $45,295 |
| Destination Charge | $1,045 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged Gas I4 |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic |
| 1st Gear | 5.25 |
| 2nd Gear | 3.27 |
| 3rd Gear | 2.19 |
| 4th Gear | 1.6 |
| 5th Gear | 1.3 |
| 6th Gear | 1 |
| 7th Gear | 0.78 |
| 8th Gear | 0.65 |
| Reverse | 3.97 |
| Final Drive | 3.59 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 22 MPG |
| Highway | 30 MPG |
| Combined | 25 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 15.9 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Turning Diameter | 40.2 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 13 in |
| Rear Brake Disc | 13 in |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 19 x 8.5 in |
| Wheels Rear | 19 x 8.5 in |
| Tires Front | P255/40WR19 |
| Tires Rear | P255/40WR19 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 194.6 in |
| Width | 75.2 in |
| Height | 56.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 113 in |
| Front Track | 64 in |
| Rear Track | 64.6 in |
| Cargo Volume | 13.5 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,784 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.2 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36.3 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.4 in |
| Legroom Rear | 34.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 54.6 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2021 Acura TLX FWD A-Spec with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (9.0 % risk) |
Other tested variants (1)
- 2021 Acura TLX 4 DR AWD: 5 ★ overall
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Acura TLX. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 21, 2026 · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V332000
Jun 12, 2025 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
NHTSA campaign 25V391000
Dec 19, 2024 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Acura (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2023 TLX vehicles. The fuel filler neck and fuel tank may have been improperly welded, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is JKX.
NHTSA campaign 24V950000
Feb 1, 2024 · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
NHTSA campaign 24V064000
72 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2021 Acura TLX
Owner Complaints
72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Acura TLX (4 mention a crash, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Power Train | 28 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2021 ACURA TLX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.