2025 Acura TLX

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Acura TLX 4-door

The Acura TLX was redesigned for the 2021 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

Although intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, forces on the dummy's right lower leg were high enough to indicate a significant risk of injury.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2008
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Footrest (cm)	2
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2008
Head
HIC-15	98
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.67
Right	1.18
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.3
Right	3.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	75

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Acura TLX Advance 4-door

The Acura TLX was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Acura TLX conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2018
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Footrest (cm)	3
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2018
Head
HIC-15	75
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	24
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	17
Femur (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	1.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.64
Right	0.49
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.2
Right	2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	49
Right	71

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2018
Head
HIC-15	85
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	18
Maximum Nij	0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.30
Right	0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	29
Right	44

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Acura TLX Advance 4-door 4wd

The Acura TLX was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Acura TLX conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2015
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	6
Center (cm)	8
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2015
Head
HIC-15	165
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.5
Femur force - right (kN)	1.6
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.39
Maximum tibia index - right	0.80
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.8
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	3.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	53
Right	117

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Acura TLX Tech 4-door 4wd

The Acura TLX was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Acura TLX conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS2016
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-18.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2016
Head HIC-15	412
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	37
Lateral force (kN)	1.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.41
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.8
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.7
Combined force (kN)	2.5
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	27
A-P moment (Nm)	105

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2016
Head HIC-15	63
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	24
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	21
Average deflection (mm)	18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.53
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.20
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.5
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.3
L-M moment (Nm)	27
A-P moment (Nm)	66

About the original side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	88.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	51.2 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	81.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	43.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	69.4 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	47.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	150.5 m
Straightaway left edge	152.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	87.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	74.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	68.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	56.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-25 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 31 mph. A warning was issued 2.2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	80
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	77
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	52 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	74 dB
Difference between background and signal	22.1 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	55 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	74 dB
Difference between background and signal	19.3 dB
Dominant audio frequency	800 Hz