My wife and I are looking to replace our 2008 Acura TL and 2009 Acura TSX. Both are perfectly fine right now, but they are getting on in age and we have to adjust for occasionally taking one or two grandkids here and there. I think we are going to first replace the TSX, which I like more, but my wife doesn’t like the six-speed manual. We like to invest in nice autos that last.
We want a fuel-efficient utility vehicle for the city and a nice highway vehicle for trips to the mountains. I’ve driven two-wheel-drive cars in central Alberta my whole life so I’m not sure about the need for four-wheel drive but accept it can be better in the winter. – Al, Calgary
Petrina Gentile: Wow – I’m surprised Al has driven two-wheel-drive vehicles in Alberta all his life. You know my feeling. I prefer all-wheel-drive over two-wheel-drive vehicles any day. It adds extra safety and security on rain-slicked or snow-covered roads.
Mark Richardson: It also adds complexity, cost and weight for something that many people don’t need. All-wheel drive is at its best pushing through deeper snow or over ice, but most two-wheel-drive cars have traction-control systems that cope just fine on slippery roads.
Gentile: Since Al has driven two-wheel-drive vehicles his entire life in Calgary we can stick with two-wheel-drive options for him, which will give him better fuel economy, too.
Richardson: Both the 2008 TL and 2009 TSX are smallish-to-midsize sedans, so let’s assume Al is looking for something similar. The quirk is that 15 years ago, Acura was promoting itself as Honda’s luxury brand, but these days it’s working hard to be seen as Honda’s performance brand, which is going back to its roots in the late-1980s and through the ‘90s. Do you think Al should look at Acura again?
Gentile: Yes, absolutely he should look at Acura again. He’s clearly happy with the brand and even though the vehicles are more performance-focused, they’re still luxurious, which Al will appreciate.
Richardson: If he likes his Acura dealer – and Al probably does – then that means a lot for any ongoing relationship. In replacing the TSX, he should certainly look at the current TLX sedan, which starts around $56,000. I don’t think he should worry about the more powerful TLX Type S, which has a larger engine and costs $10,000 more.
Gentile: I disagree. I don’t think he should look at the TLX sedan – it’s too small, especially since grandkids will be riding in the back seats occasionally. He should check out the Acura RDX SUV instead.
Richardson: Nonsense. Those kids are only in the car occasionally, and fuel efficiency and ease of driving are priorities that are always present. The TLX is big enough, and he doesn’t need the extra size with its extra consumption. My only reservation is the awful display monitor that’s controlled with a finicky touchpad. Both the TLX and the RDX – even the refreshed 2025 RDX – still have it, while the new Acura MDX will get rid of it. Lexus used to have a similar touchpad in its vehicles for selecting controls but many drivers criticized it as fiddly to use, so the company replaced them in all its more recent models with touchscreens.
Gentile: I agree with you about the touchpad – it’s so frustrating and distracting to use. But Al will appreciate getting the grandkids out of the rear car seat with the extra space and the higher ride height of an SUV.
Richardson: What would you suggest as an alternative to the new TLX, for those drives to the mountains?
Gentile: How about an Audi A5? It’s stylish and refined and has excellent driving dynamics – it’ll be perfect on sweeping mountain roads.
Richardson: That’s a good-looking car, and it’s just been thoroughly updated for an all-new model generation. The similar A4 is still being sold as a sedan, though it’s being phased out, and I’d recommend that as a more practical car with more head room in the rear seats. Al might want to wait a bit to find out more about the new A5.
Gentile: The A5 is based on the A4 sedan but more spacious. And even though Al doesn’t necessarily want all-wheel-drive, the A5 comes with it.
Richardson: He says he’s looking for two vehicles: a fuel-efficient SUV for the city and something else for the highway. Presumably, he and his spouse each have their own cars, so I’d still suggest the Acura TLX for the highway. The 272 horsepower of the base model will be fine in the mountains. What about that SUV or crossover in the city?
Gentile: I think the Acura RDX is a great option for either use – it’s luxurious, but not as expensive as some luxury European brands. The cabin and cargo area are roomy. The handling is smooth and the steering sharp. It’s also very quiet in the cabin, whether driving in the city or on the highway.
Richardson: Al should probably look at it, but with cars, I don’t like having all my eggs in one basket. I usually recommend that a two-vehicle family has two different brands, just to mix things up a bit. And for Al, I think he should consider the Lexus NX as the SUV.
Gentile: I don’t think that’s necessary – if you’re happy with a brand there’s nothing wrong with a two-vehicle family buying from the same brand. But I’ll entertain your suggestion. The Lexus NX is definitely worth a look. It’s a solid vehicle with an upscale interior and loads of safety technology.
Richardson: The NX is a luxurious version of the Toyota RAV4, and like the RAV, it’s available with a gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Gentile: And another bonus: the NX is made in Canada. It rolls off the line at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Cambridge, Ont.
Richardson: Al can put those two in his back pocket, but these days, I think a two-vehicle family should consider a gas-powered car and an all-electric car. The gas car – maybe a TLX – can go the distance when needed, while the fuel-efficient SUV for the city can be an EV. Perhaps the new Honda Prologue? It’ll be comfortable for the grandchildren, easy to drive and range shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a bit spartan inside, though.
Gentile: I disagree. Al hasn’t mentioned anything about an electric vehicle. We don’t know his charging situation at home and he lives in Calgary where cold weather drains the battery faster. I think gas is the way to go.
Richardson: Again, nonsense. He hasn’t said he doesn’t want or cannot charge an electric vehicle – as many of our readers still tell us – and Calgary is not the Arctic. If he wants an easy-to-drive, spacious vehicle for the city, where he probably won’t cover more than 100 kilometres in an average day, then he should absolutely be considering something electric, at least as a second vehicle.
Gentile: You can’t convince me. Stick with a gas vehicle like a Genesis GV70 SUV. It’s stylish, has nice road manners and room for grandkids in the backseat. It’s a way better option than an electric Prologue.
Richardson: I’ll leave it to Al to let us know in another letter if he’s interested in something electric. But I’ll grant you that the GV70 is a lovely car. Genesis is fairly new as a company, but it’s really making an impression with its high-quality vehicles that are more affordable than the German competition.
Gentile: And it handles nicer than some of them, too. I also like the fixed pricing model with no haggling and the regular oil changes covered. They’ll even pick up your car from home, office or the gym so you don’t have to waste time waiting for maintenance work.
Richardson: They will if you live within 50 kilometres of a Genesis dealership – farther than that and there’s a cost to it, as there is with competitive brands.
Gentile: There’s a Genesis dealership in north Calgary and one in south Edmonton so Al should be fine.
Richardson: So for now, I’d suggest Al should look at the new Acura TLX to replace his TSX, but I think he should consider an electric vehicle to replace the TL as a city car. If he likes his dealership, the Honda Prologue will fit the bill. If he wants the Acura equivalent, the ZDX is coming on sale now, though I’ve not driven it to be able to recommend it.
Gentile: Al, go for the Acura RDX. It has everything you need – the space, comfort and luxury. And get the TLX sedan as your second car for the city.
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