Consumer Guide gives Best Buy Awards to Acura TLX and MDX

Acura makes "Best Premium Midsize Car" and "Best Premium Midsize Crossover"

Recently we told you about Acura's ultra-popular RDX earning Consumer Guide's Automotive Best Buy Award as the "Best Premium Compact Crossover," and now we report that both the MDX and TLX have done likewise as the "Best Premium Midsize Crossover" and "Best Premium Midsize Car" respectively.

Consumer Guide Automotive's editorial team placed all three Acura models highest against their many competitors when factoring in performance, features, accommodations, fuel efficiency, resale value and price.

MDX earns Best Premium Midsize Crossover eight years in a row

While the 2018 RDX marked six consecutive years of awards in its compact luxury SUV segment, the MDX has now earned the Consumer Guide award eight years in a row. Consumer Guide cites standard AcuraWatch advanced driver assistance systems along with the new MDX' redesigned user interface featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity as being key factors in this year's choice.

The MDX is Canada's most popular dedicated three-row luxury SUV, resulting in 5,838 sales last year for a 7.6-percent increase over 2016. For just $54,090 plus freight and fees, the 2018 Acura MDX includes a standard 290 horsepower 3.5-litre V6 with exclusive Variable Cylinder Management that shuts down one bank of cylinders under light loads to reduce fuel consumption, plus a highly-efficient nine-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and steering wheel paddle shifters, torque-vectoring Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), Agile Handling Assist, Amplitude Reactive Dampers, 18-inch alloy wheels, a fully-independent front strut and rear multi-link suspension, acoustic glass and Active Noise Control to improve NVH levels, a convenient capless refueling system, and impressive standard fuel economy rated at 12.6 L/100km in the city, 9.0 on the highway and 11.0 combined.

2018 MDX delivers an impressive assortment of standard features

Additional 2018 MDX features include Acura's trademark Jewel Eye LED headlamps, LED taillights, heatable powered side mirrors with driver recognition, reverse tilt-down and integrated turn signals, remote engine start, proximity keyless access with pushbutton ignition, an electromechanical parking brake, two-position memory for the driver's seat, the steering column, side mirrors and the climate control system, as well as a 10-way powered driver's seat with power lumbar support, an eight-way powered front passenger seat, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a heatable and powered tilt and telescopic steering column, a colour TFT meter display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a powered moonroof, a Homelink garage door opener, tri-zone front and rear automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, text message and email reading and response capability, 432-watt audio with eight speakers including a subwoofer, a CD player, satellite radio, four USB charging ports, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, a powered liftgate, and much more.

Of course, plenty of reasonably priced options are available including engine idle stop-start to further reduce emissions and fuel economy to a claimed 12.2 L/100km city, 9.0 highway and 10.7 combined, larger 20-inch alloys to enhance styling and performance, auto-leveling headlamps, LED fog lights, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors with integrated perimeter/approach puddle lights, keyless access for the rear doors, rain-sensing wipers, blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, navigation with voice recognition, upgraded 501-watt 10-speaker, 529-watt 11-speaker and 546-watt 12-speaker ELS audio systems, AcuraLink connectivity, a 115-volt household-style AC power outlet, DVD rear entertainment systems with the option of 9.0- or 16.2-inch ultra-wide displays, two additional USB charging ports, front passenger two-way powered lumbar support, ventilated front seats, second-row captain's chairs with centre console storage, heatable second-row outboard seats, rear side sunshades, perforated premium Milano leather upholstery, seat accent piping and contrast stitching, genuine Black Limba or Olive Ash Burl hardwood inlays, and more. 

2018 Acura TLX remains a value-packed sales leader

The TLX, which has been highest on Consumer Guide's list every year since it was introduced in 2015, had its 2018 profile raised due to a dramatic refresh, plus standard AcuraWatch technologies and a new A-Spec trim that enhances styling while improving performance.

The TLX is the best-selling non-German sport-luxury sedan in the compact luxury D-segment, thanks in part to its very affordable $35,990 entry price point and impressive load of standard features, which include a 206-horsepower direct-injection 2.4-litre four-cylinder, an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission with paddle shifters, a fully-independent front strut and rear multi-link suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars, Agile Handling Assist, Amplitude Reactive Dampers, a Precision All-Wheel Steer system, 17-inch alloy wheels, an electromechanical parking brake, an acoustic windshield, Active Noise Cancellation, a capless refueling system, and competitive standard fuel economy rated at 10.0 L/100km city, 7.1 highway and 8.7 combined.

TLX standard features make its value proposition hard to beat

Additional 2018 TLX standard features include Jewel Eye LED headlamps, heated power-adjustable side mirrors with driver recognition, reverse tilt-down and integrated LED turn signals, remote engine start, proximity keyless access with pushbutton ignition, a colour TFT multi-information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Homelink garage door opener, automatic climate control, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, a powered moonroof, two-position memory for the driver's seat, steering column, side mirrors and climate control, a 10-way powered driver's seat with power lumbar support, a four-way powered front passenger seat, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, premium audio with seven speakers including a subwoofer, a CD player, satellite radio, and more.

The new TLX also features a wide array of available options including a 290-horsepower direct-injection 3.5-litre V6, a nine-speed automatic, engine idle stop-start, SH-AWD, 18- and 19-inch alloys, LED fog lamps, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors with integrated perimeter/approach puddle lights, rain-sensing wipers, a heatable steering wheel, blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, navigation with voice recognition, upgraded 10-speaker ELS audio, AcuraLink connectivity, wireless device charging, powered front thigh extensions, an eight-way powered front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heatable second-row outboard seats, perforated premium Milano leather upholstery, seat accent piping and contrast stitching, plus more.

Standard AcuraWatch sets the MDX and TLX apart

The aforementioned AcuraWatch suite of advanced driver assist systems that comes standard with the TLX, MDX, and other Acura models includes automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control with Low-Speed Follow, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Departure Warning (the TLX featuring steering wheel haptic feedback), Lane Keeping Assist, and Road Departure Mitigation, while additional standard features include Hill Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring with location and pressure indicators as well as tire fill assist, while all the expected active and passive safety features are also standard including a driver's knee airbag, plus more.

For more information about the 2018 Acura TLX or MDX, or to book a test drive, contact Burrard Acura at 888-237-4935 or drop by the showroom at 730 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver.

Story credits: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

Photo credits: Acura

Copyright: Canadian Auto Press Inc.