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Acura TL Review
Summary
With all of its standard features and great performance, the TL is the bargain of its class.
High Points
Performance is fantastic. The engine is powerful and responsive. The voice activated navigation system (with Bluetooth) is easy to use and understand.
Low Points
The transmission tends to grab (downshift?) when descending on hills. It is supposed to contain grade logic to help the car slow down, but it feels too abrupt. Some of the interior trim materials feel like they were borrowed from the Civic, others appear to be first quality. The storage compontents in the dash scratch easily, as does the key fob.
Performance and Handling
The car is solid through the turns, and powers swiftly with it's drive by wire drive throttle system.
Gas Mileage
20 MPG city, 29 MPG highway. Requires Premium fuel.
Safety
- Dual stage, dual threshold front airbags
- Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
- Side curtain airbags
- 3-Point height adjustable seatbelts with load limiters and Automatic Tensioning System (front)
- 3-Point Seatbelts (rear)
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child-seat mounting system
- Front seatblelts with pretensioners
- childproof rear door locks
- 4 wheel anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control
- Tire pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with location and pressure indicators
- Theft deterrent system with electronic immobilizer
- Remote entry system with driver recognition
Reliability and Maintenance
It is assembled by Honda in their Marysville, OH plant. All models come with a 4 yr/50,000 mile limited warranty as well as a 6 yr/70,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Interior and Comforts
Leather, XM radio, dula zone climate controls, 5.1 DTS surround sound system, and a Hands fee link telephone system (Bluetooth) are all standard. The parchment and camel interior colors have wood door trim inserts, while the ebony and quartz colrs have carbon-fiber inserts.
Exterior
LED Taillights in the rear, and a large metallic grille in the front are the key design elements. The side character line starts and ends with side markers and engulfs the same line as the front and rear door handles. Xenon headlamps are standard, along with alloy wheels and low profile tires.
Styles and Options
The voice activated navigation system, 6-speed manual transmission, and summer performance tires (with the M/T) are the only options available.
Main Competitors
Lexus ES 350, Infiniti G35, BMW 3-series
