Horsepower sells cars. Flashy sheetmetal sells cars. G-forces sell cars. Sex appeal and snobbery sell cars. Balance? Maybe not. Still, that’s what Acura offers us here, and anyone who regards driving as more than transportation should pay attention. “Balance” is the harmonious equation of driving dynamics: Horsepower plus cornering plus ergonomics plus feedback, all in proportion, equals happiness.

Proportion, that’s important too. The 3.0-litre V-6 turbo is rated for 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque—not earth-quaking power, but way more than enough and, to the point, perfectly calibrated to this sport-tuned suspension, brakes, steering, the 10-speed automatic transmission, even the free-breathing exhaust system and level of insulation against road noise. Or is that those elements are perfectly calibrated to the engine power?

That’s it, the sweet spot: Everything meshes organically and beautifully. Another 150 horsepower or torques would require beefier running gear, which would make the car heavier, less responsive, noisier, thirstier, more expensive, etcetera, etcetera. Five or six hundred horsepower is gobsmacking on paper; in the real world, it’s largely wasted and wasteful.

In steady-state cruising, this paragon of deft performance is powered—pulled, we should say—by its front wheels, but on acceleration up to 70% of the torque is automatically sent to the rear axle (and this in the absence of any slippage; some AWD systems send power aft only when there’s slip at the front, as on snowy roads). This is SH-AWD—Honda’s mechanical torque-vectoring Super Handling-All Wheel Drive—at work, transparently distributing power where it’s needed for best performance and keeping the Type S securely on its line. SH-AWD also “overdrives” the outside rear wheel in hard cornering to help push the car around the curve.

The TLX, based on the Honda Accord, is Acura’s premium sedan; the Type S sporting variant made its debut three years ago. Then, in August 2021, we quoted a friend at Honda/Acura who said, “Type S means we’ve elevated, Stop, Go, Turn significantly, with no sacrifice in day-to-day comfort, features, etc.” All true. This is a luxury car, bristling with sensors as well as safety, comfort, connectivity and convenience systems, but rather than list everything, let’s focus on what’s changed since 2021.

This year the TLX has been refreshed rather than re-engineered, with new features such as the 12.3-inch “Precision Cockpit” configurable digital instrument cluster with a larger center display and a faster processor, a 17-speaker ELS audio system, USB-C ports and ambient LED lighting. To go with its sharper throttle response in Sport+ mode, the Type S now has a Surround View backup camera, a large, crisp and adjustable head-up display and new wheels. Honda says that, thanks to things like thicker carpets and new fender liners, it’s also quieter than before. Only Honda would brag about fender liners.

Maybe I’m becoming accustomed to the new prices of everything, but such a quick, responsive, purposeful, poised, comfortable and attractive no-BS sedan for $58,195 out the door, before any discounts (as if), feels dangerously like a bargain. And a TLX with the Technology Package but without the Type S enhancements lists for $46,195.

Next week: BMW X2 xDrive 28i