Power in Every Pulse

The engine is the heart of your performance sedan. Behind the wheel of the Acura TLX or the Lexus ES, performance comes alive with purpose. Each sedan is built for drivers who thrive on momentum. If the 2.0L turbocharged engine of the TLX channels the heart of a fighter—focused, fast, and relentless—the ES plays it safe with its smaller, more poised configuration.

Even with its sport-tuned configuration, the Lexus can’t compete with the potency of the TLX. At its max, the Lexus ES delivers 302 HP and 267 lb-ft of torque. While that may be enough for some, only the 3.0L turbocharged engine of the TLX will satisfy your needs. When optionally equipped, this configuration delivers 355 HP and 354 lb-ft of torque.

On paper and on the road, there’s no comparison between the TLX’s and the ES’s performance capabilities.

The Art of Controlled Fury

Power demands control. The Acura TLX delivers sharp, responsive handling with its optional Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system. This drivetrain is designed to deliver sharper high-performance cornering—an essential when tackling tight turns at higher speeds. When enhanced with the available Adaptive Damper System, SH-AWD® delivers sharper connections and a near-instant response.

The Lexus ES attempts to compete with its Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive. This system operates by monitoring and responding to road conditions to improve traction. While this may enhance stability and control, especially during inclement conditions, it doesn't provide the same precision or agility as SH-AWD®.

With its superior torque-vectoring capabilities, SH-AWD® ensures each maneuver is precise and provides a fluid experience. Without comparable responsiveness, the ES may feel heavier and slower, leading to a more cautious and less engaging drive.

Materials That Speak for Themselves

A quick off-campus lunch is the perfect excuse to steal a midday escape from the office. Beyond its turbocharged thrills, the Acura TLX features tactile buttons that provide a physical interaction with your sedan.

Visually, the TLX is a reward. It features premium available materials, like Ultrasuede® upholstery and geometric patterned brushed aluminum trim, that mirror its performance capabilities.

The ES leans more on traditional design. It features digital interfaces and luxurious touches, such as available wood accent trim and semi-aniline leather upholstery. While these elements have their place in the automotive world, they don’t quite reflect your affinity for excitement.

Designed for the Driven

With much time spent behind the wheel, the Acura TLX and the Lexus ES ensure you’re always in control. Designed with you in mind, these sedans maximize the driving experience with their driver-focused amenities. Comfort is a top priority, but a quick comparison shows the TLX and the ES deliver it in very different ways.

The Acura TLX features the Iconic Drive™ Ambient LED Cabin Lighting system, which includes 27 ambient themes. Each mode is inspired by a famous performance driving destination, like the dynamic Suzuka Circuit or the casual Pacific Coast.

Only select ES trims include ambient lighting, which merely accentuates the dashboard's wood trim.

Get Familiar With Double Takes

With chiseled profiles and vibrant colors, it’s best if you get familiar with double takes—you’ll receive a lot of them when you drive the Acura TLX or the Lexus ES. Simply said, the TLX embodies excitement. It features a wide, lower profile that’s similar to a Pitbull’s stance.

Five premium paint finishes are offered with the TLX: Performance Red, Majestic Black, Platinum White, Urban Gray, and Apex Blue. Each adds a pearlescent finish that gives rich depth to the shade. The way the sunlight dances across the TLX’s surface gives this sedan a sense of constant motion, even when stationary.

Aside from its mesh-style grille, the ES favors subtlety. It has fewer sharp contours and distinguishing marks that set it apart from the masses. Even its color palette is traditional, with more than half of its options falling in grayscale colors.

Your Commute, Your Way

While its design evokes envy from onlookers, the Acura TLX's and the Lexus ES's selectable drive modes create a driving experience that excites and engages. Each mode modifies how the vehicle performs and handles, adapting aspects such as throttle response and steering wheel feel to ensure you feel every moment behind the wheel.

Some of the standard and available modes included with the TLX are:

• COMFORT: Designed for longer trips with its engine-blocking technology and enhanced suspension to deliver a smoother ride.
• INDIVIDUAL: Lets you adjust five vehicle settings to create your own driving sensation.
• SPORT +: Sharpens exhaust notes and holds gears longer for a more responsive ride.

The ES includes many of these drive modes, but its individual mode is limited to the 350 F Sport trim, whereas the TLX includes it as standard across all trims.