Rated at 290 horsepower in the rl, the tl types loses four horsepower in the transition, primarily a result of a more restrictive exhaust system. May 18, 2017 acura has given the tlx a new beak and a new aspec trim. The acura tl is a compact executive entrylevel luxury car that was manufactured by acura. He realized if it were in a car, unlike say a living room, the driver listener is in a. Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the acura tl. Dec 27, 2005 the tl is now into its third generation, but it wasnt until the latest rendition that its german competitors and many u. No matter how aggressively i tried to launch with vsc off, the tl never spun the front tires. The rear seat rating is derived from the side barrier rear passenger rating. Theres something about it that just makes me drool like a teething baby. If ever there was a car meant to look sinister in the images transmitted from a predator drone circling overhead, its the 2009 acura tl. Acura has stubbornly resisted building a rearwheeldrive, v6powered sports sedan. What is it generally speaking, honda isnt known to be too reactive in responding to a cars poor reception, but when sales of the breadandbutter acura tl luxury sedan.
Both are appreciated gains, though a little modest. Get the story and check out photos at car and driver. The tl s steering isnt as direct as some sportier competitors, but acura makes no pretense that the tl is a bmwbeater. It was introduced in 1995 to replace the acura vigor and was badged for the japanesemarket from 1996 to 2000 as the honda inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the honda saber. Acura has given the tlx a new beak and a new aspec trim. The tl is now into its third generation, but it wasnt until the latest rendition that its german competitors and many u. Home luxury compact suv 2019 acura rdx audio road test. The tl features sharphandling, a powerful v6 engine, a fully independent suspension, and the latest active safety electronics to optimize driving dynamics. Not only did acura do a wonderful job in the aesthetics but the inside is also extremely classy.
Acura sells a lot of ilx sedans, and a key reason is value. Acura s ohiobuilt midsize sedan may not be beautiful, but it does bring a lot of luxury and technology for the money. From road trip to race track, the acura nsx is built for it all. But is the tl good enough for acura to bring its past back to the future. Significantly redesigned for 2009, when it received a powerful v6 engine and the availability of allwheel drive, it continues into. Feb 15, 2008 click here to read our latest comparison test involving the acura tl. This weeks road test by request features a new car with a new name, the tl. The view from the driver s seat is wholly consistent with the exterior changes.
Our test car looked and felt like a black stallion ready to respond to our. Aug 04, 2005 the acura tl is a true sports sedan, albeit with frontwheel drive. Winding road media presents automotive and racing products and information to car enthusiasts. However, when equipped with acuras super handling allwheel drive shawd, the tl sedan, and since 2015. With that success, acura engineers started to kick around ideas. The side barrier test simulates an intersection collision between a standing vehicle and moving barrier at 38. However, because its over 15 years old, i hate the cost of repairs because big ticket parts on the car are failing. The acura tl has long been a favorite among entryluxury cars. Acura softened the look of the 2012 car by lowering the hood line and decreasing the overall scale of the shieldlike beak.
From sparkling throttle response to superb steering feel, the acura tl types is a thoroughbred. Driving assistance and safety features associated with acurawatch 85 help drivers better navigate the road, to everyones benefit. Iain shankland the tsx is the entrylevel car in acuras stable in the u. A generous list of driver assistance systems was thoughtfully engineered to back your instincts, so you can truly experience the drive. In the automotive industry, the nvh department of an automobile manufacturer is responsible for making. The tl showed the world that a midsize front driver. What is it generally speaking, honda isnt known to be too reactive in responding to a car s poor reception, but when sales of the bread and butter acura tl luxury sedan. The drive to return the test car was as enjoyable as my first. Get the latest update on the new 2018 acura tlx road test here on 2019acura. Well, it has two chances, for the acura tl is actually a series of two sedans, both more upscale than the departed vigor, the sporty, driver oriented 2. Rather, its a pleasant car to drive that offers more than ample. And with the continued evolution of its versatile tl line of sedans, acura delivers a car that will satisfy a broad range of driver demands. The tls steering isnt as direct as some sportier competitors, but acura makes no pretense that the tl is a bmwbeater. The acura tl is a true sports sedan, albeit with frontwheel drive.
Research, compare and save listings, or contact sellers directly from 20 tl models in columbus. Its engine doles out abundant power, which is complemented by great handling and powerful brakes. A style that is standing the test of time as these cars look great even after years. We found the 2012 acura tl has strong performance and sumptuous. In the automotive industry, the nvh department of an automobile manufacturer is responsible for making sure that a new model is quieter, smoother and gives the feeling of being more solidly put together. Luxury vehicles include all models from dedicated luxury brands. Our test car looked and felt like a black stallion ready to respond to our slightest provocation. Combines the side barrier driver and the side pole star ratings into a front seat rating.
Frontwheel drive is standard, but the acura tl shawd features allweather allwheel drive. Road test of the 2004 acura tl full authoritative test. And if it not for me living up north where there are constantly salt trucks laying down salt due to ice on the roads, causing the bottom to rust, the workings of the car would go on and on and on. Without the highperformance michelin pilot sport ps2 rubber fitted to our previous test. For much of its existence, the fortunes of hondas acura division has rested on the tires of one car, the tl. The side pole barrier test simulates a crash into a fixed object like a tree or utility pole. Read the longterm test verdict of the 2004 acura tl from the experts at motor trend. Iain shankland to me, the present generation acura tl is one of the best looking cars on the road today. Mar 28, 2011 and that bmw comparison is apt, we think, given that the tl remains acuras very best driver s car, and a good one, at that. We found the 2012 acura tl has strong performance and sumptuous creature comforts. Leathercovered seats with perforated inserts are the best chairs fitted to an acura short of the nsx, and theres generous room for splayed knees, tall torsos and wayward elbows, as the new tl is 1.
With the competitionthe infiniti g35, the cadillac cts, the lexus is300, and of course, the bmw 330ioffering rear drive, were surprised the luxury division of honda hasnt ordered the creation of a reardrive tl. But for a while, some of the companys successful products were anything but fun to drive. So were scooting down the seabeck highway, a narrow strip of blacktop that bounds over humpback foothills of the olympic mountains lapping puget sound near seabeck in the state of washington. Car and driver, which has chosen the tsx as one of its 10 best cars in recent years, reports that the 2007 acura tsx delivers a level of light, accurate feel and eager response that sets the. Mar 09, 2011 an established favourite among the intermediate luxury car set, the acura tl was last redesigned for the 2009 model year. The tl showed the world that a midsize front driver could be a benchmark sportluxury sedan, and a technological bargain to boot. Well now the tl is back for an allnew fourth generation, with the most power ever. Finally, an acura sculpted front to back with a single theme in mind, rakish, ominous, one step short of menacing. Whats new for 2008 now in its fifth model year, the tl is due for a major makeover in 2009, so updates for 2008 are minimal. Putting power to the front wheels of our test car is a close. Without the highperformance michelin pilot sport ps2 rubber fitted to our. Focusing almost all of our time and energies toward driving the largerengined shawd version of the tl, we came away with the renewed opinion that car is an enthusiast gem that deserves more of a share of the spotlight. Shop acura tl vehicles for sale in columbus, oh at cars.