Here is a review I found in the Sydney Morning Herald from 11/24/06. I did a search on sydney morning herald and came up with zip, so I hope it is not a duplicate.

They have a very poor view of the car, a throw back from the 90's? But he has an interesting viewpoint on doing things simply


http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-closer-...871598085.html

And here is another review from not too distant (relatively speaking) New Zealand Automobile Association

http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/Section...&Story_id=3607

 

Here's a quote from that review:

"There are five separate driver-system interfaces for the air-conditioning, for example. It's also linked to the satellite navigation, which identifies the car's location anywhere in the world, works out the angle of the sun (taking account of the season) relative to the driver and passenger, then adjusts the temperature and airflow on either side of the car to compensate for their different exposure to its rays. It sounds impressive but we're not sure it's any better than good old blue for cool and red for hot."

Does our car really do that (take into account the angle of the sun and adjust temperature and airflow on each side of the car to compensate)??? I had no idea, but like the idea if it actually works. I have only had my car since late November so haven't had a chance to try it out in the summer sun. Maybe this will actually solve the "I'm too hot and she's too cold" issue my wife and I seem to have in the car, especially if I'm on the sunny side.

 

Yes. The 2G and 3G TL models with navi also do the same. The tech's been around for a while in Acuras.

 

2nd genTLs (I had an '01) had a solar sensor that simply increased fan speed if the sun hit it. It did not independantly adjust cabin temps for driver and passenger based on the angle of the sun. That technology came out with the 3rd gen TLs first.

 

The answer is yes, it does it. Maybe the Australians don't take kindly to technology? Also, remember that car reviewers world wide care more for driving dynamics than techno-goodies. Hell, they might not even understand the technology.

 

The 1st gen TL, RL and Legend had the solar sensor too.

In my '97 the A/C will compensate with more cool air if its sunny.

 

The SMH review seems a bit harsh. As a latecomer in their luxury car market, it might not be surprising that the Legend gets the short end of the review stick (especially with just the Honda nameplate). The car always seems to shine when driven in comparison tests (and the glow of the other cars fades).

At the end of the article the competitors cited are a Holden, Toyota, and Passat (2 of which we don't have here), and all of which appear to be beneath this car's target market. Yet in the article, the author mentions Lexus and BMW (all quite more expensive, I'd guess).

Credibility is somewhat suspect when he says that the Nav/Radio interface makes iDrive look easy! It also seems like the author is somehow bothered by the passive technology (ANC, A/C, SH-AWD, paddles). Overall, the assessment is somewhat harsh, IMO, but I can understand it.

Rob144

 

The RL is not a car for hard-core enthusiasts. It is a car for technophiles who also like to drive. That's why tech publications like C|NET and PC Magazine rave over the car while some driving magazines are incredulous.

 

Really? I didn't know that my 2000 TL that I had for 6 years had that feature. I guess I never used the Auto mode...

 

Thanks for the clarification on what I wrote, guys.

I love this place!

 

Yep. It was most noticeable on partly cloudy/warm days. Assuming you had it in AUTO mode, the fan would hum along. As soon as there was a break in the clouds, the fan would increase slightly and the climate control would push out colder air. The 2nd gen TL had a great auto climate control system. Did a wonderful job maintaining temps.

I guess I don't understand the people who use manual mode. In my experience Acura makes some of the best climate control systems in the market. Set the temp and you never have to touch it again to adjust for sun or warming temps.

Peope say they do max cold in the summer or max hot in the winter to moderate the cabin temps quicker. Well in AUTO mode doesn't it do that anyway?

That's the beauty of a fully automated system.