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
• Impact absorption crumple zones (front/rear)
• Side-impact door beams
• LED taillights, brake lights, side marker lights and Center High Mount Stop Light
• 5-MPH bumpers (front and rear)
• Pestestrian Impact Protection
• Rear outboard head restarints
• Phosphorescent emergency trunk opener
• Collapsible steering column
• Breakaway inside rearview mirror
• Safety glass

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