The all-new fourth-generation Acura TL sedan has a wonderful way of making you think you are going faster than you actually are while delivering outstanding comfort and fine handling.
The Acura TL always offered a lot of comfort for a base price around $34,000, though as a front-wheel-drive sedan it was limited somewhat in handling and performance. I think this newly redesigned TL treatment is a step up in aggressive, sleek cues as well as offering fine performance under the hood. I recently tested the Acura TL SH-AWD, a TL upgrade treatment featuring a 3.7-liter V-6 power plant, Acura's most powerful ever offered in the sedan line. And, as if that was not enough improvement of a good thing, an all-new all-wheeldrive version is available.
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An A for Acura
On the outside, Acura cannot be accused of having gone soft or conservative with the new TL treatment. The front fascia and the rear tail exhibit aggressive angular points that chisel their way across every line in the car's exterior.
Sure, Acura is a relative of Honda, but there's never been a Honda (or an Acura) that had quite this much attitude on the outside. Add to the sharp edges of the sheet metal a nice, five-spoke 18- inch rim and you have sophistication and power combined in one look. I like the new edginess of the TL, but there will be some folks who don't see the change as being for the better. To them I say: Too bad; get with the fun side of life.
Inside the five-passenger TL's cabin you will find ample room in front and back. Power adjustments for the driver make a perfect driving position impossible to miss. Fine Milano leather and excellent fit and finish really keep interior occupants surrounded in luxury.
For the driver, a hefty steering wheel practically holds onto your hands for you and the chiseled dash, featuring cool hooded gauges, gives the cabin a touch of high-tech class. A sliding cover, located on the center console, was my only real complaint with the interior design. It was awkward and never fit in with the otherwise soft-touch materials. Sightlines are excellent and visibility is enhanced by a rearview camera function that shows up on the highresolution, 8-inch navigation screen.
Big, billowy headrests and wonderfully supple side bolsters hold you in place as you shoot along rural roads or run the gauntlet in downtown Chicago. I put in a six-hour hustle Downstate one day and it was a comfortable cruise each way. Controls and buttons are within easy reach and the navigation system is intuitive to operate and easy to read.
The standard engine in the frontwheel- drive TL is a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 254 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Fuel estimates are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Both the 3.5-liter and upgrade 3.7-liter V-6 require 91-octane premium unleaded gasoline. Ouch.
My tester had the 3.7-liter V-6 with a horsepower rating of 305 at 6,300 rpm and 273 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Mate this power plant to the smooth five-speed automatic transmission and you end up with 17 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway.
Overall, handling on my TL SH-AWD was comfortable but not really sporty - or even really aggressive. While I appreciated the power under the hood, TL weighs in at the higher end of the spectrum for this class (suggestion: jettison some of the electronic gizmos to save pounds) and you can feel it when you try to make quick, sharp maneuvers or try to stop on a dime. Braking was good enough, but you can feel the weight adding some distance on hard stops. |