2009 Acura TL Review

PROS  Athletic, Powerful engine, Available all-wheel-drive system

CONS  Cramped rear seat, Smallish trunk, Lots of buttons and knobs

The Acura TL is a midsize luxury sedan that competes with cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Jaguar XK, Lincoln MKZ, Lexus GS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S60. TL comes only as a four-door sedan and seats five on front buckets and a three-place rear bench.

The TL is Acura's best-selling model and it's completely redesigned for 2009. Highlights include fresh styling, a new interior, more-powerful engines, and larger dimensions. The '09 TL rides a 109.3-inch wheelbase that's 1.5 inches longer than the outgoing model. It's also six inches longer and 100 pounds heavier than the car it replaces.

TL is offered with front- or all-wheel drive. The AWD system is dubbed Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which Acura claims can vary power delivery from side to side to enhance handling. Front-drive models come with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. SH-AWD models get a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. Both engines come with a five-speed automatic that features steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual operation of the transmissions forward gears. Traction control is standard.

Safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, front-seat active head restraints, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. A rear-view camera comes with the available navigation system.

The front-drive TL lists for $34,955 and includes air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front eight-way power bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, memory system, center console, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors with tilt-down back-up aid and turn signals, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, sunroof, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and digital-media player connection, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, HID headlights, 245/50R17 tires, and alloy wheels. SH-AWD models list for $38,505 and add to the front-drive TL the larger engine, all-wheel-drive system, uprated brakes, rear spoiler, sport suspension, and 245/45R18 tires.

Acura does not offer factory-installed options on any of its models, but it does offer additional packages. The Technology package is available on front- or all-wheel models. For about $3700, it adds navigation with voice recognition and traffic information, rearview camera, AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD/MP3/DVD Audio changer, hard drive, keyless access and starting, and remote engine start. Available only on SH-AWD models is a Performance Tire package that lists for $1000 and adds 245/40ZR19 tires.

All TL models have a $760 destination charge and are assembled in Marysville, Ohio.

Get Up and Go  Both front-drive and all-wheel-drive TL models get larger and more powerful engines for 2009. The front-drive TL gains 22 horsepower and the SH-AWD model, which effectivly replaced last-year's Type S, gains 19 horsepower. While not overwhelming, those gains are noticeable in hard acceleration. Both models scramble from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds. That's quick for the class and more than fast enough for just about any driver.

The engines work well with the five-speed automatic to provide smooth and drama-free acceleration and passing. The steering-wheel-mounted paddles in the SH-AWD model are very convenient and provide crisp and quick shifts. I'd be remiss if I didn't note that the TL's transmission is down a gear or two to competitor's six- and seven-speed automatics.

The Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive delivers as advertised to help nudge the TL around corners. The system works by slightly increasing the speed of the outside rear wheel. This affects the yaw rate of the vehicle, giving it a small push around the corner. There's a catch though, you have to be accelerating to notice any benefit. So, to really take advantage of SH-AWD, you have to be driving aggressively through the corner, a technique that most drivers do not practice. Otherwise, the AWD system offers all of the benefits of conventional systems to assist traction in the rain and snow.

Fuel economy is a positive, at least compared to rivals. The AH-AWD model is EPA rated at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Comparably powered AWD competitors generally rate 1-2 mpg less in each category. Acura says that both engines require premium-grade gasoline.

Real-world urban driving is likely to yield 18 mpg and highway commutes might pull in 22 mpg. In straight highway driving, it is easy to exceed the EPA estimate of 25 mpg.

On the Road  Acura engineers have tuned the TL to provide a sporty-but-comfortable ride. The suspension does a good job of softening large impacts and muting minor bumps. The SH-AWD models have a firmer ride, but it doesn't grow harsh until you add the Performance Tire Package.

When the road grows twisty, the TL rewards drivers with athletic moves that belie the car's size and weight. Though not as nimble as the smaller and lighter BMW 3-Series, the TL holds corners with confidence and has linear steering and powerful brakes. Regardless of model, body lean is kept to a minimum and the TL is very stable in all conditions.

TL isn't the quietest midsize luxury sedan around. There's too much exhaust noise on SH-AWD models and both models have too much road noise. Even so, TL is quieter than most midsize sedans and the exhaust only intrudes in hard acceleration.

Behind the Wheel  With its cockpit-like design and wide aluminum swaths, the TL's interior has a sporty tone that is much in keeping with the car's overall image. Most materials are on par with other vehicles in the class but a few hard plastics seem out of place.

Drivers face deeply set speedometer and tachometer binnacles flanked by smaller fuel and temperature dials. Both the steering wheel and center stack are overwhelmed by buttons and knobs, especially on models equipped with the Technology Package. Thankfully, most basic controls fall close to hand and are well labeled. However, operating the vertical-mounted jog dial isn't very convenient and the voice controls aren't as simple as Ford's SYNC system.

The front seats are on the firm side but comfortable enough and nicely supportive. Leg room is great but head room only adequate for those over six feet. The driving position is low, almost sports-car-like, but outward visibility is good thanks to thin roof pillars.

Rear-seat leg room is improved by more than two inches compared to the previous generation and that's a welcome gain. Still, rear-seat passengers will be struggling for foot and knee clearance if the front seats are more than half-way back. As in the front-seat, head room is tight. Thankfully, seat comfort is good and there's enough width to seat three children across.

Cargo space increased by about a half a cubic foot in front-drive models. AWD models lose a little space due to the placement rear differential. Either way, cargo capacity isn't impressive, the opening is very narrow, and the trunklid has hinges that intrude. Interior storage is on par with others in the class with a large center-console bin and a few additional open and covered bins throughout.

Bottom Line  The TL is among the sportiest midsize luxury sedans and is loaded with just about every gadget a technophile would desire. It's not the inexpensive entry-level alternative it once was, but it is still a good overall value when compared to European competitors.

TL buyers now have a choice between front- or all-wheel drive and that's good for shoppers looking for more performance than a front-drive model could offer. In addition, Acura was wise to make the Performance Tire package a stand-alone feature because its sporty ride isn't for everyone.

The TL isn't without its faults. The rear-seat is cramped (though this is a malady that affects most in the class), the trunk is tight, and there's too much road noise. Still, it is fun to drive, reasonably priced, and loaded with features.