It’s that exciting time of year when next’s year’s lineup is heading up for sale pretty soon, and we can’t get enough of all the sneak peeks. In the luxury sports car arena, we have the 2021 Acura TLX hitting the market at the end of September.

The Acura TLX is getting a redesign for 2021, and fans of the brand couldn’t be more excited — until they saw the price tag, that is. The new TLX is getting a decent sized price jump from last year, and if you’re wondering if it’s worth the higher price, let’s take a look.

Features of the 2021 Acura TLX

The 2021 Acura TLX starts with a sleeker, more updated exterior, with an all-new grille design. The cabin is positioned further back than last year’s model, making the car look more like a luxury sports car than it originally did. The interior design screams “sports car” as well, with sporty front seats capable of adjusting at 16 different points and many flashy details.

The 2021 TLX is equipped with a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment control panel. The driver can utilize this with Acura’s True Touchpad interface, making it safe to use while driving. A Studio 3D premium audio system is also available, as is a 10.5-inch head-up display, both new for 2021.

In the safety department, the 2021 TLX will be equipped with the new AcuraWatch Safety suite, including driver assist technology like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and standard lane-keeping assist.

What’s the price?

The 2021 Acura TLX will be available at five different trims levels. The base level will be $38,525. The next level up is the Technology trim, which will cost $42,525. The mid-range trim is the A-Spec, which is $45,275. The penultimate trim option is the Advance, which will cost $47,325. Finally, the top trim level, the Type S, is expected to cost around $52,000 and will be released in Spring 2021, instead of next month with the rest.

Is the 2021 Acura TLX worth the price jump from last year’s model?

The price jumped about $4,000 from when the 2020 TLX released in 2019. Much of that price jump attributes to Acura’s upgrades on the TLX’s powertrain. Last year’s 206-hp 2.4L four-cylinder is gone for the base level, replaced by a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0L. That power is enough to justify much of the price jump for drivers who live for performance above all else.

The 2021 Acura TLX Type S is another beast to reckon with, though. It has a powerful 355-hp turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine exclusive to the Acura; no other Honda vehicle will have it. The Type S will also have Acura’s latest Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, which costs an extra $2,000 to add to other Acura TLX trim levels.

When you see a price jump like there is between the 2021 and the 2020 Acura TLX, it can be hard to guess if it’s worth the extra cash or not, especially before the car is on sale. But based on reviews from critics who got a sneak peek, it’s safe to assume excitement over feeling disappointment. 

The new standard engine gives you enough of a boost to make any performance fan smile, and the comfort and convenience features look like they belong in a 2021 vehicle. While time will tell if Acura continues to increase their prices like this, it’s safe to say that the 2021 redesign for the TLX has everyone excited anyway.