I went to Acura of Peabody in MA yesterday to drive the new TL. I'm coming from a 2003 Accord LX 4-cyl. My car before that was a 97 BMW 540i 6 speed.

I drove home from my test realizing a few things about myself as a driver. First, I kind of like the feel of my Accord, I like the over-assisted steering, a very nimble feeeling, etc. Honda makes a really good car, and I gravitate towards them becauuse they make cars that I like to drive. Drivers have styles, and mine likes Honda driving. Maybe I'm just not a "hard core" enthusiast.

With that said, I drove an Anthracite Ebony Auto, non-Navi (this was their demo car).

Inside

I really liked the feel of the cockpit, very functional and informative, and there was SIGNIFICANTLY more legroom than my accord, something I really need at about 6, 1. It did feel more cramped because of all the controls and stuff around me. I was not as happy with the blue interior gauges as I thought I would. I like the Red or Orange of the BMWs or Audis better. The leather felt good, but the overall feel was not quite as top end as Audi, but really close, and probably better than BMW in a lot of ways. It didn't have the same "solid" feel however, it felt more like what you'd expect from a Japanse manufactuer.

Styling

Subjective, but I REALLY liked it. I know this sounds like a broken record, but most pictures make it look like a rice car, and in person it is much better.

Driving

Driving the car was very nice, but a little odd too. The steering was not as assisted as people made it sound, much less than my accord, but more than my BMW. It drove more like a faster luxury car, and it drives more like a 5 series than an accord in most ways. Oddly enough though, it almost captures the worst qualities of each. My Bimmer felt like it was driving in mud until you were going 70 mph, one reason i like the extra power assist. The TL wasn't as bad, but not as nice as I would prefer in some ways. This detracts from the "nimble" feeling you get with the accord.

Power was good, but the "270" HP was no where near the 282 of the 540i. Some caveats: BMW was very broken in and a 6 speed manual. The TL was new (900 miles), auto, and was a test drive unit. When you punched it, it hesitated a little, then started to run up. I guess I'm not used to having to get to such high RPMs for power. The salesman did tell me to "kick it in the shorts", so I drove the hell out of it. I squealed it 3 times, 2 from stops going straight, once coming out of the gas station full thottle turning. It never felt out of control or unconfortable, differentiating intself from cheaper cars like my Accord.

The BMW was the kind of car you TRIED to slide around a corner, pedal to the floor, and a smile runs to your face as it "carves" it. The Accord would probably squeal because of stress on the tires and scare me. The Acura was right in the middle. It was capable, but not breathtaking. You do feel the torque steer when gunning it around a hard corner, but when the front wheels start squeal loose from the forward torque, that problem lessens a lot. I doubt I'd be doing a lot of those though.

Overall I think they did a good job, but the FWD does take away from the experience some. Bottom line to me: the 540i was a 60k car new, so how can I reasonably expect this car to be the same. In many ways it is superior, but in a few critical ones it isn't. The features and ergonomics are excellent, and I don't know if I could get as many goodies for the money. I don't really want RWD in winter, and I can't afford a new 5 series BMW with similar equipment (at least 10k more).

I drove my friends A4 shortly after, and liked the TL much better in every way except for the AWD feel you get when stepping on it in the Audi. Other than that, TL wins hands down. Driving her A4 is what sold me on the TL, because I was holding it to 540i standards until I got to compare apples to apples. For the money, the TL is it I think, despite flaws. if they made an AWD It would be worth the $2k, and fix most, if not all the problems I experienced.

For what you get, compared to other cars at the same price, you'd be hard pressed to find another vehicle that offers you as much.

I love my Accord, but it just isn't enough, I need the "extra" the TL offers. I haven't fully decided, but I'll probably order one up soon.

Ryan

 

A review from someone who has actually driven a 5 series is a good thing. Good review! We all know that this car is NO 5-series, but is competent in its own right.

 

Great review and comparison

I too would love awd for weather. What do u guys think, after the RL release can we expect to see it in the TL in maybe 2 years? Would be a bit late for me.