[OBI_agent]

Anyway, I still wanted to share it with you guys because I use to love the old TL. The one before this damn thing.

For 2009, Acura made drastic changes inside and out to its fourth-generation TL. With edgy, albeit polarizing exterior styling and a sporty, tech-laden interior, the new TL shows no signs of getting lost in the entry-luxury crowd. Long Acura's best-selling model, the TL is now available in either front- or all-wheel-drive configuration, with the former offering a 3.5-liter, 280-horse V-6, the latter a bigger 3.7-liter rated at 305 ponies. Both are backed with a five-speed automatic; a slick six-speed manual will be available with the 3.7 for the 2010 model year.

Per Acura's usual approach, the TL comes in base trim or with a $3730 Technology Package that adds a 440-watt ELS audio system, navigation with traffic rerouting and Zagat restaurant reviews, Bluetooth, and a decklid spoiler with backup camera. For another grand, the all-wheel-drive TL, dubbed SH-AWD for its "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive," can be had with high-performance summer tireson 19-inch alloys (versus 18s).

For our long-term tester, we opted for the SH-AWD with the Tech Pack and high-performance rubber, which brought the car in at just under $44,000. Thus far, the most discussed water-cooler topic has been our TL's exterior styling. Some staffers have called it shockingly ugly while others have found it, well, not that bad.

Looks aside, most have found the bevy of other changes quite welcome. While a few consider the TL's dash a sea of buttons, others have deemed it more agreeable than the button-sea in our long-term Accord as the Acura's layout is better organized and more intuitive than the Honda's. Interior room is more than ample for four passengers, but that fifth makes for a snug fit. Seats are wrapped in soft, high-quality leather and offer good support and comfort.

When we had the TL SH-AWD during our 2009 Car of the Year event, it advanced to the second round, earning the title "finalist." Still, editors' opinions were split on the dynamics. Half said the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system turned the TL into a BMW-fighter. The rest saw it as a BMW wannabe-great up to 7/10ths but not beyond.

Acura claims the TL SH-AWD, with its sport-tuned chassis, was designed to enhance handling dramatically and thus is built exclusively for the enthusiast driver. Does it live up to the hype? Over the next year, we plan to answer that question.

Our Vehicle
Base Price $39,265
Price as tested $43,995
Vehicle layout Front engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
Engine 3.7L/305-hp/275-lb-ft SOHC 24-valve V-6
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Curb weight (dist f/r) 3955 (59/41)
Wheelbase 109.3 in
Length x width x height 195.3 x 74.0 x 57.2 in
0-60 mph 6.5 sec
Quarter mile 14.8 sec @ 96.9 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 103 ft
Lateral acceleration 0.91 g (avg)
MT figure eight 26.0 sec @ 0.73 g (avg)
EPA city/hwy econ 17/25 mpg
CO2 emmissions 1.02 lb/mile
Total mileage 4663 mi
Average fuel economy 19.0 mpg

Article

[Bimmer Nerd]

Originally Posted by OBI_agent

Anyway, I still wanted to share it with you guys because I use to love the old TL. The one before this damn thing.


















Article

i think there is a typo in the post, 305 HP, AWD and 0-60 6.5 sec??? am i missing something or even 325 is faster than that.

[Blake]

every time i see a new TL, it bring nausea on. one of the uglier cars on the road today...

[Kensta335]

Interior looks nice. Thats about it.

[OBI_agent]

Originally Posted by godora

i think there is a typo in the post, 305 HP, AWD and 0-60 6.5 sec??? am i missing something or even 325 is faster than that.

No typo....I was surprised too when I saw those stats. It's slower then the previous Tl...Way to go Acura....make the upcoming models even slower...

Originally Posted by Kensta335

Interior looks nice. Thats about it.

+1....that's what I noticed too....that's why I provided the interior pic too.

[ejazbmw]

I usually don't say this but that thing beyond ugly, I'll even admit the last generation was so much nicer

[GTM]

I actually like the car.

[Lucky1]

Acura seems to be slowly adding SH-AWD to all the cars in their lineup. Too bad they're still quickly becoming home of one of the more boring luxury car lineups. With the possible exception of the RDX things started going downhill beginning with the retiring of the RSX-S and the previous gen TSX. Can't stand the abomination that followed the latter. Just too big and ugly.

[Bimmer007]

i don't mind the styling, looks sharp

[ptack]

Saw em in person, they look both boring and ugly. It's like Acura is fumbling big time here. Watch them change that grille for 2010.

[ska///235i]

the interior is real nice..but the outside...forget about it!

[Garduna]

Originally Posted by Blake

every time i see a new TL, it bring nausea on. one of the uglier cars on the road today...

the barf emoticon isn't enough to show the pain I feel when I see that thing

[Ender514]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

the interior is real nice..but the outside...forget about it!

+1. i hate the front grille.

[Ender514]

Originally Posted by godora

i think there is a typo in the post, 305 HP, AWD and 0-60 6.5 sec??? am i missing something or even 325 is faster than that.

its a 5-speed auto only until 2010. c&d got it to 60 in 6 secs.

[FStop7]

Is this the start a company, sell it, and start another one type of luxury car?

[cougfan335]

I can't believe Acura has done this. Wow that is one fugly car. My Dad got a 2001 CL Type S when they first came out and it was faster than this. I got to drive it in high school and it was one of the hottest cars there, no one would care about this new 4 door only TL with its slab sided, designed by a robot exterior. My Dad still drives the CL everyday in Germany and loves it, no one will be so attached to this hideous TL.

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

That car is like Sarah Jessica Parker. Looks horrible in just about every possible angle. But theres 1 angle that looks meh

[mJ335]

Everytime I see one of them on the street, I frown.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by OBI_agent

No typo....I was surprised too when I saw those stats. It's slower then the previous Tl...Way to go Acura....make the upcoming models even slower...

My 3G TL A-Spec 6MT did it in about 5.7 seconds. There is something about SH-AWD that saps engine power, it also feels really weird because you don't notice the torque vectoring unless you are pushing the thing really hard (Hard because the RL's steering gives you no indication of it's limits )

The system needs the NSX and its rumored V10 to really shine.

[OBI_agent]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

My 3G TL A-Spec 6MT did it in about 5.7 seconds. There is something about SH-AWD that saps engine power, it also feels really weird because you don't notice the torque vectoring unless you are pushing the thing really hard (Hard because the RL's steering gives you no indication of it's limits )

The system needs the NSX and its rumored V10 to really shine.

NSX is dead.....they aint going to make it.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by OBI_agent

NSX is dead.....they aint going to make it.

I prefer "Delayed", i don't want to keep hearing about the silly GT-R anymore.

[MJC///M3]

grotesque