Compare the2024 Acura TLXVS 2023 Tesla Model 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The TLX Type S has a standard Surround View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the TLX’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The TLX has standard AcuraLink, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the TLX and the Model 3 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

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 Tesla Model 3:

	TLX	Model 3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	20%	22%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/267 lbs.	333/455 lbs.

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 Tesla Model 3:

	TLX	Model 3
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	181	206
Hip Force	539 lbs.	556 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	557 lbs.

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

Warranty

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. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are over 77 percent more Acura dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the TLX’s warranty.

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 23 points higher than the Model 3.

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 Tesla vehicles. With 50 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Tesla.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Tesla is ranked 14th.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TLX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

	TLX	TLX Type S	Model 3	Model 3 Performance
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.3 inches	12.6 inches	14 inches

The TLX stops much shorter than the Model 3:

	TLX	Model 3
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the Model 3 (255/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

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 Model 3’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3.

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 Model 3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The TLX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the TLX flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Model 3.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the Model 3 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Model 3 (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .69 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 Model 3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TLX has 2.4 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The Model 3’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

Servicing Ease

A Maintenance Minder is standard on the TLX to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush, brake pad replacement, and transmission fluid replacement, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

Ergonomics

The TLX Type S has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The TLX’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the TLX A-Spec/Type S keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Recommendations

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 Model 3 isn’t in the top three.

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