Anyone who knows me knows that I have a strong aversion to car shows. For one, its like walking through a strip club, and being told not to touch the merchandise — no matter how tempting it may be. Additionally, while I enjoy talking shop, the depth of knowledge possessed by these dedicated enthusiasts exceeds my own understanding. Take the National Acura Legend Meet, for instance; this is a group that takes it to another level, with members capable of identifying the exact color code of someone’s paint job. So, what keeps me coming back? 

My journey began in 2015 when I had the opportunity to assist a collegue, Tyson Hugie, by driving one of his 1994 Acura Legend sedans to Houston, Texas. During that trip, I encountered some truly remarkable individuals, formed lasting friendships, and discovered a unique bond among enthusiasts. What struck me most was the shared passion and genuine compassion for a car that many might overlook. The way these individuals tirelessly work to keep the Legend alive is nothing short of extraordinary — a testament to the community’s dedication and camaraderie. 

Now, I don’t always report on the National Acura Legend Meet, as the events alternate between the East Coast and West Coast each year. Last year, for instance, it was held in Lexington, Kentucky, which on a whim, I made a spontaneous decision to fly out at the last minute to join in on the final evening festivities. The year prior, it was held in Wichita, Kansas, which really pushed the boundary on our media milage as I drove out in a 2023 Acura Integra A-SPEC and put over 2,300 miles on the odometer. This year, however, the event took place much closer to home, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I knew exactly what I needed to do. So, I reached out to Acura to explore how they could show their support, and they graciously agreed to loan me a 2025 Acura TLX Type S. 

The journey from Phoenix, Arizona, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, spans just over 700 miles, showcasing a stunning variety of terrain treated with a breathtaking transition from the arid desert landscape to the picturesque mountain ranges, complete with iconic Wild West scenery. The route encompasses three major interstates, beginning with Interstate 17, which winds north through the hills before merging into Interstate 40. This stretch requires heading east for about 300 miles before finally transitioning northeast onto Interstate 25. It’s an exhilarating stretch of asphalt, perfect for putting the TLX Type S through its paces. 

THE CAR 

It has been a few years since the TLX Type S made its debut, and the last time we had the opportunity to get behind the wheel was in business-class style of the TLX Advance, which featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The TLX Type S, however, presents a compelling evolution. It boasts an impressive 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, seamlessly integrating with its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. 

LIKES: Athletic performance, fantastic all-wheel-drive system, just eats up the miles.

The TLX Type S is quite the handsome sedan, boasting a muscular physique that could even make Henry Cavill swoon with its long nose and perfect bubble butt, complete with quad-tipped exhausts – careful, you might get spotted biting your bottom lip. As mid-size sports sedans like the Infiniti M and Lexus GS fade into the rearview mirror, the TLX Type S emerges as a refreshing addition to this dwindling segment. 

Now, if you’re thinking of comparing the Type S to anything German, that would be like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight. The German trio starts at over $70,000 for their equally spirited models, while the Acura TLX Type S enters the fray at a much more approachable $57,000. Our example, however, opted for quite the stylish 20-inch Copper wheels wrapped in summer rubber that added an extra $3,418 to our price tag.  

THE INTERIOR 

Inside, the TLX may not exude the cutting-edge crispness of the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes C-Class, but it certainly holds its own against the Cadillac CT5. The interior offers a comforting ambiance, that feels like home. Every touchable surface features soft-touch materials and smooth plastics, creating a premium feel, while the seats provide snug support during spirited driving. 

For 2024, Acura has upgraded to digital gauges, marking a shift into the digital era. While I appreciate this modern feature, there’s something about analog instruments that feels inherently right. If I had to nitpick, my primary complaint—which seems to be a common theme across many Acura models—would be the touchpad used to control the center infotainment display. It can be somewhat distracting and less user-friendly. However, as I learned from the wives attending this event, those who own Acura MDX’s and RDX’s noted that its something you adapt quickly and come to appreciate the system.  

THE DRIVE 

My departure from Phoenix was quite an adventure in itself. I initially planned to leave on a Thursday afternoon, after work, but a last-minute meeting request threw a wrench into my schedule. Fortunately, that Thursday night, the meeting got canceled, so I decided to hit the road bright and early instead. I set off just after 1:00 AM for my eight-hour drive. The early start had its perks: the roads were blissfully empty, and even the truckers were fast asleep. This made navigating the mountain roads of Interstate 17 much more entertaining — like a solo performance in a late-night driving concert listening to the six-cylinder sing! 

Less entertaining was the quality of the ride on the aging, bumpy pavement. I quickly switched to Comfort mode, as the adaptive dampers in Normal mode felt a bit too aggressive, sending me bouncing around like a pinball. I found myself wishing I had worn a sports bra to keep everything in check. Regardless, whether the road is a straight shot or a twisty thrill ride, the Acura’s steering is impressively well-weighted and communicative—especially in Sport mode. Cornering feels as sharp as a chef’s knife, thanks to those optional summer tires. And even when the weather turned soggy on our drive home, the Brembo brake system provides outstanding feel and control, proving that you can still stop on a dime.  

DISLIKES: Hefty summer rubber price, touchpad infotainment quirks, small fuel tank. 

The turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivers heart thumping performance, seamlessly paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While the default Normal mode was perfect for my laid-back highway cruising, switching to Sport mode enhanced the throttle response and prompted the transmission to downshift more eagerly while producing a delightful soft gurgle from the exhaust. For 2024 however, Acura has revamped the Sport+ mode, providing an even fiercer throttle response that propels the Type S from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds — and re-tuned the exhaust making it sound like a true track influenced sports sedan.  

THE EVENT 

The National Acura Legend Meet typically spans four days, with the final two days dedicated to the main events. Unfortunately, due to my departure time, I missed the group drive and festivities that took place on Friday. Acura will probably thank the fact that I didn’t put an additional 600 miles on their car. However, I was able to reconnect with the group that evening and showcase the TLX Type S.  

The following day is designated as Dealer Day, graciously hosted by Montano Acura of Albuquerque. Interestingly, this dealership is the only Acura dealership in the entire state of New Mexico. This event provides an excellent opportunity for attendees and dealership employees to evaluate and appreciate the various restorations and modification. The judging process often leads to some clever insights as they assess not just the aesthetics but the finer details. For instance, they’ll scrutinize things like sagging headliners and cracks in air vents, which might seem minor but can reveal a lot about the overall care and craftsmanship that goes into each vehicle. This thorough evaluation fosters a sense of camaraderie among the participants, as they share stories about their projects and the challenges they faced along the way. And while it will always be about winning an award; it’s also about celebrating the passion and dedication that goes into maintaining and enhancing these special vehicles. 

THE DRIVE HOME 

Because of my departure, the trip turned into a short one having really only been there for a day and a half before starting the trek home. Getting home had its bumps as we encountered some heavy rains but once we passed the Arizona/New Mexico state line, we decided to take the back roads, its a longer route but contains a more scenic and dynamic road that provided us with an even more enjoyable experience with the TLX Type S.  

After an impressive 1,377 miles in the 2025 Acura TLX Type S, averaging 25.2 mpg and spending $225.41 on premium fuel, we were left thoroughly impressed. Acura continues to deliver an engaging sports sedan that offers exceptional value. While the Legend name may have faded from the lineup, the passion for performance and quality remains very much alive.