2018 Acura TLX Shapes up, Lowers Its Shield

Slowly but surely, the inhabitants of the Acura stable are dropping the toned-down version of the brand’s polarizing “shield” grille in favor of the far more appealing “diamond pentagon” mouth.

That grille debuted on Acura’s Precision concept car before appearing on the redesigned 2017 MDX. Now, it’s the TLX sedan’s turn for plastic surgery. The automaker promises a refreshed and shieldless TLX at the New York International Auto Show on April 11, hoping that a new face might turn the tide on the midsize sedan’s flagging fortunes.

Minus this photo, which clearly reveals the updated model’s new grille, sculpted hood and LED headlights, there’s not much information flowing out of Acura. The automaker claims the 2018 TLX will boast “premium features and technology enhancements” that should place the sedan as one of the most “technologically advanced and well-equipped cars” in its segment. Well, we’ll see about that.

Certainly, Acura needs more eyes on its products, especially its sedans. Overall brand sales in the U.S. sank by nearly 16,000 units last year compared to 2015 — up from recession-era totals but well below its mid-2000s tally. The TLX, which replaced the TL and TSX in the brand’s lineup for the 2015 model year, saw U.S. sales sink by nearly 10,000 units compared to its first full year on the market. This year’s not looking too good so far.

At its peak popularity, the old TL brought in over 70,000 U.S. customers for three consecutive years in the mid-2000s. Last year saw 37,156 TLX sales. Of course, the buying public’s shift towards crossovers and SUVs plays a role in the declining sales of nearly all traditional passenger cars. These days, it’s more a game of holding on to what you already have.

[Image: Honda North America]