Road Test: 2015 Acura TLX is comfortable, competent, quiet

Honda may build some of the most popular and competitive cars in the country, but that doesn't mean its Acura formalwear division has the same mojo.

Acura's petite ILX and its full-size RLX are forgettable sedans that trail their competitors in nearly every metric that matters. If it weren't for the stout success of its excellent crossovers, Acura's sales -- and reputation -- would be downright depressing. Especially in light of the fine cars Acura produced early in its history.

So it's no surprise Acura took seriously the chance to make a course correction with its 2015 TLX, a compact sedan that combines two outgoing models: the crisp TSX and the ungainly TL.

The combination simplifies Acura's sedan lineup and eliminates the redundancy of selling a pair of midlevel luxury cars. Acura knows the stakes are high in this segment, which is why, in August, it kicked off the largest advertising campaign in its 28-year history to promote the TLX debut.

The car falls short of the slick, performance-oriented advertising. But the TLX is nonetheless a pleasing, competent alternative to a heady mix of European rivals including the BMW 3- and 4-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

The TLX is a comfortable, quiet and probably reliable sedan that will meet the needs of nearly anyone with $31,890 to $45,595 to spend.

The base model offers a new four-cylinder engine, good for 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to an also-new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This drivetrain is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

The pairing is excellent. The gearbox delivers quick and seamless shifts. The engine is smooth, quiet and eager from a stop. It should offer more power on the highway, but a majority of TLX buyers won't mind.

Drivers seeking performance will be tempted to spring for the V-6 model. It starts at $36,115 and comes with a direct-injected 3.5-liter engine, making 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque.

Regardless of what's propelling the TLX, Acura deserves credit for making it feel hearty and comfortable over rough roads. It rides as well as anything with a German badge on it. The interior is similarly well-executed, with fine leather covering deeply scalloped seats, and soft materials stretching into every corner.

For straightforward luxury, it's nice to see Acura rediscover some of its mojo.