Compare the2024 Acura TLXVS 2024 Audi A4

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The TLX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the TLX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A4.

The TLX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the TLX and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Audi A4:

	TLX	A4
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	164
Neck Injury Risk	20%	26%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	232 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	55 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/267 lbs.	431/395 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	1 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Audi A4:

	TLX	A4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	128	172
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	188 lbs.	219 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	308 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	181	277
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	539 lbs.	777 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	666 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 129 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A4 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the TLX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TLX’s reliability 28 points higher than the A4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

Engine

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 71 more horsepower (272 vs. 201) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 236) than the A4 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The TLX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (272 vs. 261) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the A4 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 94 more horsepower (355 vs. 261) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 273) than the A4 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The A4 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A4 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A4.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TLX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A4:

	TLX	TLX Type S	A4 40 TFSI	A4 45 TFSI
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.3 inches	12.4 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.8 inches	13 inches

The TLX stops shorter than the A4:

	TLX	A4
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the A4 (255/35R20 vs. 225/50R17). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A4 (255/35R20 vs. 245/40R18).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A4’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A4. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A4.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The A4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The TLX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the A4 (113 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the A4.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the A4 Premium pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the A4 Premium (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

Chassis

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TLX has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

Cargo Capacity

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the A4 (13.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 6% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The TLX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the TLX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A4’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the A4 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

Model Availability

The TLX is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $1365 to $7830 less than the A4 over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura TLX and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the TLX second among midsize premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The A4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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