Driven: 2016 Acura TLX SH-AWD

There’s a delightful split-personality to the Acura TLX that becomes apparent, depending on how drivers drive it.

Driven gently, and the TLX glides along unbothered. The tester’s 3.5 litre V6 dispenses 290 horsepower, and with light throttle inputs, the big output, generous low-end torque, and nine available forward gears see Acura’s latest sedan ooze through traffic with barely a peep, the tachometer needle flitting around under 2,000 RPM.

The steering is lightly locked on to the road beneath, and key attributes for a relaxing drive are flaunted.

Or, click the IDS selector into the SPORT position, and the TLX gets riled up, responding to steering and throttle inputs with added urgency. Most notably, when called upon, the big V6 hustles the TLX along in a real hurry, complete with a tasteful howl from the engine bay.

Naturally aspirated, this engine offers something increasingly rare in a segment rapidly switching to turbocharged engines: a power curve with a shape to it, and a peaky, exciting surge of thrust that wells up as the tachometer needle closes in on the redline.

Don’t miss the step-up of thrust and snarl as the VTEC system kicks in, enhancing breathing through altered valve timing as the revs climb. Driven thusly, it goes like the wind.

You’d hardly know the TLX had this potent side to it, given its quiet styling, discreet character, and lack of shouty visuals.

Here’s a comfortable, under-the-radar luxury sedan with a potent performance punch that lives as a little secret between the car and its driver, ready to be employed as needed.

Shoppers can also opt for a four-cylinder, front-drive TLX variant that features a high-revving 2.4 litre, 205 horsepower VTEC engine and four-wheel steering that sharpens up the handling.

The four-cylinder model is lighter on its feet and feels more frisky and responsive in the handling department (thank the reduced weight over the front axle, partly), and the dual-clutch transmission included with four-cylinder models shifts gears via its paddle-shifters at blink-of-an-eye speeds, with perfect rev-matching. The V6-powered model get a lazier nine-speed automatic.

You’ve got choice, here. And though TLX can only be fitted with AWD when the V6 engine is specified, the four-cylinder, front-drive TLX is an equally entertaining performer, if for different reasons.

In any case, drivers take it in from a cabin that’s balanced between formal and high-tech. Brown leather seats, plenty of wood trim, and graceful, swooping lines carved into the dash and doors for an elegant look that’s full of depth.

A pair of display screens are stacked, one over the other in the TLX’s centre stack, the lower one featuring a touch-screen, the top controlled via a central command knob.

The dual-screen interface is a bit clumsy at first, and the visuals fall far behind numerous competitors for use of colour, animation and a clean and tidy look — though the system puts hundreds of functions at the driver’s fingertips, once learned.

Front seat space is above-adequate in all dimensions, and rear seats are comfortable with room to spare for two average sized adults — though headroom will tighten up quickly for those of above-average height. The trunk is deep and wide, fitted with a clever bin at each outer corner for keeping smaller items from rolling around, and at-hand storage facilities within reach of front-seat passengers are generous, too. No issues keeping organized and tidy on the move with your smaller items, here.

Highway cruising is well set up for long-haul driving. The suspension and steering calibrations strike what many will find an ideal balance between sporty and comfortable — with a ride moderately taut but soft around the edges, and steering that heavies up nicely at speed to help lock the TLX into position within its lane. Shoppers after comfortable hours-long drives, as well as confident browsing of sequential corners at speed, should find the setup largely ideal.

Should driving conditions deteriorate into slipperiness, Acura’s famous Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) sets to work letting drivers know it’s got their back. Driven gently and with absolute caution, the system maximizes grip invisibly, rarely ever slipping a tire or putting up a fuss. Simply, the TLX moves gracefully through and over any slippery surface passing beneath.

Drive a little harder, and there’s a great sense of the system accurately processing the road surfaces beneath — with fast and smart decisions to shift engine power between the wheels, and minimal feedback through the cabin.

Forget axle lash, scraping, clunking or squirming as power is shuffled around — SH-AWD works with incredible effectiveness and near invisibility in virtually all conditions.

Mileage on my watch landed at a thirstier-than-expected 12L/100km. Partly to blame are the extreme cold and the frequent remote starting. Notably, on numerous mornings at 32 below, the tester achieved ignition quickly, and without drama, without being plugged in.

Gripes? In most drive modes the throttle and transmission feel lazy, and a hearty throttle-smash is needed to get the TLX charging ahead at full steam. A bigger complaint relates to the navigation interface: the TLX is a rolling showcase of the most modern technologies on the road, though the graphical output of the navigation system calls the main map in Mario 3 to mind from my early-’90s video game years.

Ultimately, where discreetly potent performance, great overall comfort, slick AWD technology and a generous list of must-have features are a priority, the TLX should be considered for a test-drive.

Pricing with four-cylinder power and front-wheel drive starts at $35,290, with a fully-loaded model, like the tester, coming in at $47,790.