Picture Gallery: 2009 Acura TL | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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My TL tester is a front wheel drive version, the most “basic” model TL available, with a price of $39,990. Also available are the TL-Tech at $43,490, the TL SH-AWD ($44,490) and of course the TL SH-AWD Tech for $47,990; all prices are plus freight of $1,825.
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Like most other Hondas and Acuras, the TL has grown from generation to generation. For some this could be a good thing, but the TL was plenty large before so I’m not sure it needed to be much larger; this is a big car.
This model is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, while the SH-AWD model trumps it with a 3.7-litre engine. These engines produce 280hp and 305hp respectively; that is a lot of power in a mid-sized sedan, as evidenced by the black streaks on the pavement where I picked up the vehicle, attempted to leave in a rush and nearly fried the front tires off.
I was a big fan of the previous generation TL although I did find it a little on the firm side suspension-wise. It certainly was one fine automobile, so we’ll see how this new car stacks up. And one note about styling — I did like the previous generation’s looks more…
2009 Acura TL
MSRP as tested (including destination): $41,815
For more information on Acura and the TL visit Acura Canada
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The inside of a vehicle is where you spend all of your time, so really that is where you want to be most comfortable. The TL does provide a modern interior that is also clean and sophisticated. Although some may find the multitudes of buttons a slight turn-off, all the buttons are intuitive, easy to use and large enough to not be a distraction.
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The seats are firm and you sit fairly low in the TL, which gives you a sense of sportiness. The front seats bulge in quite a few places, though, which could be a problem for some. The mid-upper back seems to have an odd contour that I was able to fix with the adjustable lumbar, but the passenger does not have such an adjustment.
The rear seats are also fairly comfortable and I was surprised at the amount of space behind my driver’s seat. This is most definitely a large car with space for four or five with no issues. Despite this being a front wheel drive model the rear seat still has a central tunnel intrusion, which I assume is there to facilitate the all-wheel drive option.
Acura does pile on the features in a $40,000 car and as mentioned, it is large, which may be appealing. Many will compare the TL to a 3 Series based on price or a Lexus IS, but the TL is larger and for some, that is an important factor.
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They went soft, large and cushy — not sporty, agile and fun-to-drive like the previous generation. Does it handle well? Sure, it handles just fine for most people, but if you were looking at the TL for a sporty driving experience, look elsewhere. If you were interested in the TL for a comfortable ride with a touch of uniqueness, then the TL may work for you.
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The driver’s seating position and controls are laid out well for sporty driving, and the steering wheel is weighted well and feels great in the hands; I’d liken it to that of the Nissan Maxima. The Maxima and TL are very good competition for each other; both large, V6-powered, front-wheel drive sedans with some sporty intentions.
The TL provides good feedback on the road and is fun to toss around despite its size. Where the size does become an issue though is where you would expect it to… in parking lots. Visibility is poor as the rear deck is very high. One side mirror does dip down when the car is placed in reverse, which helps some. It is getting to a point now with so many vehicles having very high rear decks that a back-up camera is almost essential to ensure we don’t run over youngsters in parking lots.
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I wish I could have asked him what kind of real-world fuel economy he was achieving, as over the week I wasn’t overly impressed by 10.6L/100km I was managing. Looks like the Nissan Maxima did better in this regard with virtually the same numbers in terms of power and weight. The Maxima has a CVT, which helps it achieve better economy compared to the five-speed auto in the TL.
Overall though, 10.6L/100km is not bad for a mid-sized sedan with a powerful V6 engine. This new 2009 TL seems to lack the character of the previous generation and although it is a very well done car in all respects, it does not have any “it” factor that draws me to it. Hopefully for Acura I’m in the minority.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Acura TL
MSRP as tested (including destination): $41,815
For more information on Acura and the TL visit Acura Canada
June 04, 2009, 03:35:17 pm For room the tl would have the g37 beat and again that is a factor that some of the "99%" non serious buyers look for.
Jaeger you are right G37 is the best performance sedan deal though. (Genesis the best Lux Sedan Deal) I do not know why the G37 does not sell better in North America.
I think the new maxima is the closest competitor to the tl. The new maxima is stealing some sales of the tl as it was designed to do. The 09 max cannot compare with a tl with SHAWD but it can with the base model TL.
June 04, 2009, 03:54:59 pm Well then... why do you jump on a guy that says his new TL is just as good, if not better, than his previous 5-series?
I "jumped" on no one.
Are you the internet police?? Since when are opinions not allowed?
June 04, 2009, 04:09:32 pm I love this car. It is as bold as brass, no if's or buts about it. oh yes sir, yes sir indeed.
June 04, 2009, 08:57:49 pm I found and bought a few DVD-Audio's on eBay. Tubular Bells is stunning on this.
June 04, 2009, 11:18:28 pm You're right...the base TL is more of a Lexus ES in its comfort level, although, most likely sportier. I would never, however, compare it with a Nissan maxima. The SH-AWD model is the sporty, athletic one. SO, don't say to "look elsewhere" for a sporty drive. Yes, it's controversial, but it has started to grow on me. I much prefer the size and price of the TSX, but I am starting to like the new TL....well, I'm starting not to HATE it as much. I love Acura, so I guess I just feel guilty for not loving it. But it IS growing on me.
June 05, 2009, 02:47:57 am Wing,
You need to drive the AWD model it seems. From all the reviews I've read, it handles exceptionally well, even if the "feel" is a bit lacking. Will you get a chance to test one??
And I confess. I LIKE the looks.
June 05, 2009, 09:34:03 am Re."They went soft, large and cushy — not sporty, agile and fun-to-drive like the previous generation."
Exactly what I'm talking about.
rrocket - it was the SH-AWD version that finished last in the (ever-Honda-loving) Car and Driver comparison test. And there's last and then there's DEAD LAST. 2 points separated the BMW from second place G-37 in the final rankings. 30 points separated BMW from 4th place Acura.
The TL was rated the "top highway cruiser" (hoo-freakin'-ray), but was described as having "relaxed reflexes" as compared with its competitors. Unsurprisingly, it measured and weighed in as the largest and heaviest of the entries - apparently Acura didn't get the memo pointing out that excess bulk and mass are not exactly virtues in the sports sedan class. It was criticized for having "indifferent" steering. And acceleration, while slightly ahead of the 4-banger Audi, was described as "not within a sniff" of the 6-cylinder BMW and Infiniti. And we're talking the 328 here, not the 335i. About the only area in which it excelled was in braking.
If you step from an ES 300 into a TL, I'm sure the latter feels pretty sporty. But drive the real sports sedan competition and it is quickly exposed as a big fat pretender.
Jaeger
June 05, 2009, 09:36:24 am
You, and pretty much everyone else here on this forum, do not represent the majority of the car buyers...
I agree with Jaeger. If that was the case and 99% of drivers aren't serious drivers, then Acura would be selling TLs like cupcakes. Fact is, if people were shopping using the spec sheet and price for comparison, BMW wouldn't sell a single vehicle. Now we all know that's not the case. So is the Acura comparable to a 5 series? Not for a serious driver. Not even close.
June 05, 2009, 09:55:38 am
Not for a serious driver, sure... good thing for Acura not everyone is a serious driver then.
And besides, I don't think Acura has ever claimed to produce the sportIEST sedan... compared to boats like what Lexus produces, Acura is still pretty sporty.
June 05, 2009, 10:15:54 am
Not for a serious driver, sure... good thing for Acura not everyone is a serious driver then.
And besides, I don't think Acura has ever claimed to produce the sportIEST sedan... compared to boats like what Lexus produces, Acura is still pretty sporty.
Have you SEEN the Acura commercials flogging The. Most. Powerful. Acura. Ever. Built.? "We're slighlty sportier than a luxury limo" is decidedly NOT the message they're sending.
Jaeger
June 05, 2009, 10:23:30 am I often wonder why the strongly opinionated armchair automobile designers out there aren't gainfully employed as such but manufacturers like Acura, because it is patently obvious that these monday-morning quarterbacks would do a better job.
June 05, 2009, 10:43:34 am
If nobody but high-end auto designers participated on internet forums, it sure would be a quiet place here.
You don't have to be an executive at Acura to have an opinion about car design.
June 05, 2009, 11:00:28 am
Yeah automotive designers always hit the mark and their car is love by all the world and sells tons. Look at the Aztec for example.
June 05, 2009, 11:12:36 am
Yeah automotive designers always hit the mark and their car is love by all the world and sells tons. Look at the Aztec for example.
Hey, if the Aztec had come out with a better engine, I would have bought one! I've always liked the look of the vehicle.
June 05, 2009, 11:14:39 am
Jaeger
Hey, it IS the most powerful Acura ever... They're not lying there, are they?
June 05, 2009, 01:06:44 pm It would be helpful to mention that the TL front drive version is tuned for a soft ride while the SH-AWD version is tighter more sporty tuned . It's not fair to quickly dismiss the TL if looking for a sporty driving experience on Day 3.
June 05, 2009, 01:54:02 pm If Acura sends me an SH-AWD version, I will review it, but I can't comment on a car I haven't driven.
June 05, 2009, 02:46:11 pm
Jaeger
Hey, it IS the most powerful Acura ever... They're not lying there, are they?
Who said they were lying? My point is they are marketing it as a sports sedan - and as such, it's not very good. And it may be the most powerful Acura ever built, but it better not roll up on a V6 Camry and start revving its motor.....
Jaeger
June 05, 2009, 05:55:57 pm
And then there’s the front…
June 05, 2009, 06:57:08 pm The styling is growing on me now ( i drive a 2005 TSX). There true new sports sedan from Acura is going to be the the 2010 TSX with the 280 hp V6. It is lighter and more agile , so it will keep up with all the others.
June 05, 2009, 07:10:07 pm
Really? Their "true" sports sedan is going to be FWD with automatic only? Well, I suppose that's one approach.
Jaeger
June 06, 2009, 05:09:30 am It is a shame!
June 06, 2009, 07:43:51 am Here is a Conspiracy Theory: the TL in the psyche of American Car Buyers will become the Pontiac Bonneville of yesterday. In the eastern philosophies Tl is the Yin and Bonneville the Yang.
June 07, 2009, 09:30:29 pm You say that the mileage was "10.6L/100km not bad at all for a mid-sized sedan with a powerful V6"...and so how was the 10L/100KM on the Maxima "better"? I fail to to understand that.
June 07, 2009, 09:52:39 pm
Because the Maxima consumed fewer liters of fuel per 100km traveled. When "mileage" is reported in l/100km, the lower the number, the better the mileage. When it is reported in mpg, the higher the number, the better the mileage.
Jaeger