If you’re shopping for a new Acura TLX, be sure to check out some of its worthy rivals—like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Kia Stinger—before taking the plunge.

The second-generation TLX enters its second year in 2023 with a new Type S PMC Edition. This new option is definitely exciting, but buyers should take a look at Acura’s numerous competitors before making a final decision.

To make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for in a small luxury sedan,

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison app, has gathered the deets on eight Acura TLX competitors to watch out for.

Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™

Check my rates!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

1. BMW 3 Series

Starting price: $43,295 to $57,845

Selling points: Spacious, great powertrain options, smooth ride

Weak spot: Fewer standard features than some competitors, no manual transmission

It’s difficult to find a better balance between comfort and sport than drivers get with the

BMW

3 Series. What may be even better is that with three available turbocharged powertrains, you get to decide just how far your particular model leans in favor of luxury or sportiness.

Even the base 330i is well-equipped with loads of standard options. Upgrading your trim adds power and suspension upgrades to boot.

Unlike the 3 Series, upgrading your trim on the Acura TLX not only adds power but also adds additional features—a feat that can only be accomplished with expensive options packages with the BMW.

MORE:

The best colors to ever grace a BMW

2. Genesis G70

Starting price: $38,870 to $53,545

Selling points: Spry handling, great value at every trim

Weak spot: Forgettable base engine, less luxurious than other models

The BMW 3 Series may seem well-equipped, but when pitted against the Genesis G70, it seems pretty spartan. Like the TLX, you get more luxe with each trim upgrade.

The

base Genesis G70

, while well-equipped inside, features a comparably weak 2.0-liter turbo four that leaves a bit to be desired. Luckily, even opting for the top-tier trims on the G70 still brings your final cost below what you’d pay for the TLX. Plus, it adds a more powerful turbocharged V6 and piles on luxe options like leather, larger wheels, sport suspension, and access to competitively-priced options packages.

3. Audi A5 Sportback

Starting price: $45,195 to $57,345

Selling points: Practical, luxurious, delightful driving experience

Weak spot: Unremarkable interior design, sportback interferes with rear headroom

Audis are fun, sporty, and luxurious, and that’s certainly the case with the

Audi

A5 Sportback. The turbocharged inline-four offers 201 horsepower for your driving excitement, making it ideal competition for the equally sporty TLX.

Where the Audi really shines, though, is the interior. From standard features like rich leather, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting to options like ventilated front seats and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, the A5 has it all.

MORE:

How to pick an Audi car seat

4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Starting price: $44,600 to $48,550

Selling points: Tech-rich, zesty powertrain

Weak spot: Luddite’s nightmare, stiff ride

Mercedes’ entry-level sport sedan received a full makeover for the 2022 model year. Luckily, designers kept the balance of luxury and sporty performance that has made the C-Class a perennial favorite.

The

Mercedes-Benz

C-Class is powered by a 255-horsepower turbo inline-four on all trims, but unlike previous model years, the manufacturer offers the C-class in three discrete trim levels rather than offering a la carte options.

No matter which trim you choose, the C-Class luxe interior makes it feel like more than just an entry-level luxury sedan. Featuring a large infotainment display, a digital gauge cluster, sunroof, and leather, the C-Class presents serious competition for the Acura TLX.

MORE:

Does Mercedes-Benz have a self-driving car?

5. BMW 4 Series

Starting price: $46,795 to $65,195

Selling points: Fuel efficiency yet exciting powertrains

Weak spot: Fluffy suspension, cramped rear seat

Often, when you’re looking at a sports sedan, you have to be willing to sacrifice ride comfort, but that’s not the case with the BMW 4 Series. Whether you choose the four-cylinder or V6 model, you get many of the same standard features of the 3 Series but with expanded availability of rear- and all-wheel drive.

Also, like the 3 Series, opting up in trims means more engine power and a sportier suspension, but the only way to get added perks like heated front seats, remote start, or upgraded leather is in an options package or as an a la carte add-on. In any case, it still makes a staunch competitor for the TLX.

MORE: BMW car-buying guide

Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™

Check my rates!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

6. Kia Stinger

Starting price: $34,135 to $51,435

Selling points: Unparalleled value, powerful available V6

Weak spot: Lacks brand status, rough handling at high speeds

You may be surprised to see a Kia on a list of luxury sports sedans, but the

Kia Stinger

is not your average car. The Stinger rides on the same platform as the Genesis G70 and offers an interior that’s not only roomy but on par for quality with European luxury staples.

The 2022 Stinger replaces the base turbo four with a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder capable of an impressive 300 horsepower. The available twin-turbo V6 churns out up to 368 horses thanks to a variable exhaust system, so you’ll be lacking nothing for speed if you go for the Kia over competitors like the TLX.

7. Audi A4

Starting price: $40,995 to $51,995

Selling points: Standard AWD, punchy available powertrains, responsive handling

Weak spot: A little too conservative, no manual transmission option

While all the competitors for the Acura TLX on our list offer a balance of sportiness and luxury, the

Audi A4

brings a conservative refinement to the table not found in other models. For many, this is a great thing; for others, not so much.

As per Audi’s usual, the A4’s interior offers premium materials, comfort, and understated elegance. The exterior styling, while it may look expensive—because it is—doesn’t necessarily scream (or even whisper) sporty.

Pop the hood, and you have another story, though. All trims are motivated by one of two turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid motors. The 40 lays claim to 201 horses, but the 45 offers up 261 horsepower—enough to make anyone questioning the A4’s appearance eat their own words and see it as a solid competitor for the TLX.

8. Volvo S60

Starting price: $42,345 to $69,095

Selling points: Understated interior, plentiful standard features

Weak spot: More sedan than sport, lackluster base powertrain

Our last Acura TLX competitor is the

Volvo S60

. Like the Audi A4, the S60 tips the scales a bit more toward luxury and refinement than sportiness, but that’s part of what makes both of them stout competitors for the TLX.

The Volvo S60’s functional-yet-sumptuous Scandinavian interior aesthetic pampers both driver and passengers while the available powertrains propel them down the tarmac with anywhere from 247 horsepower with the base engine to 455 horses with the sporty Polestar Engineered trim.

Plus, if having options is something you like, then the S60 is right up your alley. It’s available in a whopping 20 different trims.

MORE: Volvo S60 towing capacity

Acura TLX vs. the competition

Got all that? If not, below is a side-by-side comparison of the 2023 Acura TLX and its fiercest competitors.

Model	Starting price range	Engine options	Maximum seating capacity	Maximum cargo volume	Maximum towing capacity	Fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
2023 Acura TLX	$40,000 to $58,000	4-cylinder or V6	5 seats	14.3 cubic feet	2,000 lbs	22/31/25 mpg
2023 BMW 3 Series	$43,295 to $57,845	V6	5 seats	17 cubic feet	4,400 lbs	26/36/30 mpg
2022 Genesis G70	$38,870 to $53,545	4-cylinder or V6	5 seats	10.5 cubic feet	3,500 lbs	18/27/21 mpg
2023 Audi A5 Sportback	$45,195 to $57,345	4-cylinder	5 seats	21.8 cubic feet	4,400 lbs	19/25/22 mpg
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class	$44,600 to $48,550	4-cylinder	5 seats	12.6 cubic feet	4,000 lbs	23/33/27 mpg
2022 BMW 4 Series	$46,795 to $65,195	4-cylinder or V6	5 seats	45.6 cubic feet	3,750 lbs	18/24/20 mpg
2022 Kia Stinger	$27,425 to $41,000	4-cylinder or V6	5 seats	23.3 cubic feet	3,300 lbs	17/24/20 mpg
2023 Audi A4	$40,995 to $51,995	4-cylinder	5 seats	58.5 cubic feet	2,000 lbs	24/31/27 mpg
2023 Volvo S60	$42,345 to $69,095	4-cylinder	5 seats	11.6 cubic feet	2,000 lbs	25/33/28 mpg

MORE: Acura TLX V6

How to compare car insurance quotes in under a minute

When it comes to small luxury sedans, the options are practically endless. You could spend hours (or even days) researching to figure out which one is best for you.

The same is true for

car insurance

. With dozens of providers to choose from, the search for the perfect coverage can seem endless. Luckily,

Jerry

is here to help.

Cutting down on

Acura car insurance costs

is easy with Jerry. Simply download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will scan customized coverage options from over 55 top providers on your behalf. The whole process takes less than 2 minutes, and average users save over $800 a year on car insurance.

“Insurance companies originally charged me $189 while driving my BMW 300 miles per year. Thanks to
Jerry
, I only pay $56! I’m so happy.” —Ray T.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?

Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month

Check your rate!