Is Acura TL discontinued?
Yes. The Acura TL was discontinued after the 2014 model year and is no longer in production; its modern successor is the TLX, which has carried Acura's mid-size sedan lineup since 2015. This article examines the timeline, the reasoning behind the shift, and what this means for buyers and fans today.
Background: The TL’s journey from debut to discontinuation
The TL enjoyed a two-decade run across four generations, anchoring Acura’s mid-size sedan strategy for much of the 1990s and 2000s. In the mid-2010s, Acura introduced the TLX as a unified, more modern successor intended to replace both the TL and the TSX in a single, streamlined lineup. Since then, the TLX has been the brand’s primary mid-size sedan, while the original TL remains a memory in the used-car market and in enthusiasts’ histories.
Generational overview
Below are the rough generational spans that chart the TL’s lifecycle from its debut to its final years, illustrating why Acura pivoted to a new naming and design direction with the TLX.
- First generation TL: 1995–1998
- Second generation TL: 1999–2003
- Third generation TL: 2004–2008
- Fourth generation TL: 2009–2014
These milestones show a long-running model that ultimately gave way to a refreshed, modern approach under the TLX banner beginning in 2015.
TLX: The replacement and its ongoing evolution
The Acura TLX was introduced for the 2015 model year as a combined successor to the TL and TSX, aiming to simplify the lineup and modernize the brand’s mid-size sedan offering. Over the years, the TLX expanded to include sharper styling, advanced safety tech, and performance variants, underscoring Acura’s push toward sportier, tech-forward sedans.
Key points about the TLX:
- It serves as Acura's current mid-size sedan, with regular updates in design and electronics.
- Performance variants, such as the Type S, increased horsepower and handling capabilities beyond the standard TLX.
- No direct production or sales plan for a “TL” model is in place as of 2025.
The TLX effectively encapsulates the brand's modern approach to the midsize sedan, with a focus on technology, safety, and performance.
Where the TL stands in 2025: current status and used-market reality
As of 2025, Acura has not revived the TL as a new model. The TLX remains the main mid-size sedan offering, and the old TL exists only in used-car markets, collections, and historical listings. Buyers seeking a TL experience can look to late-2000s or early-2010s TL models in the used market, though they lack the modern features of the TLX era and will not come with the latest tech and safety systems.
- New vehicle status: No new TL models are produced or sold.
- Used market reality: TLs are available as pre-owned vehicles, typically with older technology and higher mileage depending on age.
- TLX successor: TLX continues to be updated, including high-performance Type S variants.
For fans of Acura’s sedan history, the TL remains a notable milestone in the brand’s design language, even as TLX has taken the baton forward.
TL vs TLX: key differences at a glance
Understanding the distinction between the two models helps frame Acura’s strategic shift from the TL to the TLX while maintaining sporty and premium ambitions.
- Naming and positioning: TLX replaced TL as the newer, modern mid-size sedan offering.
- Architecture and technology: TLX uses updated platforms and tech; TL was built on older chassis generations.
- Performance emphasis: TLX includes modern performance variants such as the Type S.
- Market availability: TL is discontinued; TLX remains in production as of 2025.
In short, the TLX represents Acura’s contemporary approach to the midsize sedan, with the TL’s legacy preserved in used-market examples rather than new cars.
Bottom line
Conclusion: The Acura TL was discontinued after the 2014 model year and is no longer offered as a new vehicle. Acura’s midsize sedan role is now filled by the TLX, which has evolved with modern styling, tech, and performance variants. The TL lives on in the used market and in Acura’s history, but new purchases today point toward the TLX.
Summary
The TL line ended with the 2014 model year, replaced in 2015 by the TLX. Since then, Acura has focused its midsize sedan strategy on the TLX, including sporty Type S versions, while the original TL remains a chapter in history and the used-car market. For prospective buyers, the TLX is the current path for a modern Acura mid-size sedan, while the TL may appeal to collectors or enthusiasts seeking a legacy model from a previous generation.
