I did buy a 2010 TL SH-AWD; I just didn't turn out to be a fan. It's a larger life that still has room for more sites than just the current car.

I don't spend much time on message boards, but this is a pretty entertaining one, due mostly to the passions here. It's a bit like visiting a board for conspiracy theorists; there are some sane minds and some people who are convinced the rest of the world is nuts or, alternatively, that the rest of the world agrees with them and the governments are silencing them. Audi boards, in contrast, have a lot less drama. Everyone agrees, e.g., that the restyle 9 years ago or so sucked, and that Audi's handling of the water pumps was dreadful, and that the interiors are world-class, and that BMW is different-but-mostly-equal, etc. Where as here there are few topics (other than reliability) that don't have some forums members shouting down others as heretics.

I'll have to start bringing popcorn!

Please don't feed the trolls! It just makes their day and makes a mess on here.

They have these both but its like a Black Wood.... looks really good.

They do look really nice, but not all the TL's come with the interior center surface that has the wood-pattern trim, right? So those would be the only surfaces this steering wheel and gear shift would match. I'm planning on buying a 12 TL SH-AWD soon and I definitely want that center surface so I can upgrade with the wood-trim steering wheel and shift knob.

The wood center and cup holder cover only comes with the base non-tech model

Any idea how much it would cost to install the wood center?

^ +1

Nice review. Probably one of the only reviews that acknowledges the convenience of voice commands rather complaining about the abundance of buttons.

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD
We appreciate the new 6-speed automatic more than the tiny styling tweaks.

We tend to like Acuras. They usually offer decent handling (the company’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system only helps), a high level of technology, and good value relative to the German luxury brands. Since the current-generation TL was introduced in 2008, though, we’ve been unable to get over a couple of significant shortcomings: an automatic transmission that missed the 6-speed boat—making do with only 5 forward ratios—and that awful beak. For 2012, Acura has attempted to address these complaints.

Now That We Have That Out of the Way

F1st, the styling. That you should defend your products to the death is PR 101, but even Acura folks admit that, if there was 1 deal breaker that potential customers cited when choosing other cars over Acuras, it was the TL’s, um, controversial styling. The 2012 update should help. The stylistic changes might not have much effect in pictures, but seeing the 2011 and 2012 models side by side proves that the numerous small alterations did help.

Changes for 2012 start, of course, with toning down the TL’s divisive grille. Yes, the badge blade and the intake aperture remain roughly the same as before, but the clunky silver surround is gone, replaced by a thin chrome frame and a new body-color trim piece between the grille and hood. The headlight innards are now painted black instead of silver, and the bevels in the front and rear bumpers have been raised. The supplemental air intakes in the front fascia feature new detailing. In back, the taillight lenses have been revised, and the license-plate mount has been raised. In the process of making all these tiny tweaks, Acura trimmed an inch from the front overhang and half an inch from the rear.

6-Speeds across the Board

Whereas the slightly downplayed styling is a subjective fix—and it might help keep Lexus intenders in the Acura showroom for more than a cursory glance—the fitment of a 6 -speed automatic in place of the old 5-speed yields considerable fuel-economy benefits. The TL’s 2 engines—a 3.5-liter V-6 with 280 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque for front-wheel-drive models and a 3.7-liter V-6 with 305 hp and 273 lb-ft for all-wheel-drivers—carry over unchanged save for some friction-reducing measures in the smaller mill. But the extra cog makes it that much easier to access the sweet part of either engine’s power band, which is from 4000 to 6000 rpm. Shifts are quick and crisp, and we love the way the transmission holds paddle-selected gears in sport mode, refusing to upshift at redline. Shifts in drive, however, seem somewhat harsh for commuting. Acura boasts that it has programmed the throttle to blip on downshifts, but it’s pretty disappointing in actual use.

Naturally, we still prefer Acura’s wonderfully organic-feeling 6-speed manual to the automatic. But it’s only available with all-wheel drive, a fun configuration but one that takes its toll on fuel economy. A manual TL SH-AWD is rated at 17 mpg city/25 highway versus 18/26 for automatic all-wheel-drivers; front-drive models get an impressive 20/29. The best the 2011 TL could muster was 18/26.

Since the manual powertrain in the all-wheel-drive TL carries over—and we previously tested 1—we hooked our test gear to the AWD-equipped automatic. Although not as fast as the row-your-own, which took only 5.2 seconds to hit 60 mph, the new auto did the dash in 6.2 seconds and needed 14.7 seconds to clear the quarter-mile at 98 mph. Compared with the 5-speed auto, those are improvements of 0.3 second to 60 mph and 0.4 second and 3 mph in the quarter. During our time with the car, we split the EPA ratings almost perfectly, averaging 21 mpg.

Without the high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 rubber fitted to our previous test car, we saw a significant drop in skidpad grip and, more important, braking distance. The 2012 TL SH-AWD, with its standard Goodyear Eagle RS-As, only managed 0.86 g on the skidpad and needed 178 feet to stop from 70 mph compared with 0.92 g and an impressive 158 feet on the optional rubber. That’s an easy refresher about the importance of what’s between you and the road.

Other Refinements

The interior gets few changes. Like every Acura, the 2012 TL’s dashboard still suffers from severe overbuttonitis, but some new brightwork around the knobs and between the radio buttons helps things aesthetically if not ergonomically. Ventilated front seats are a part of the new Advance package at the top of the TL range, which also comes with upsized wheels (18 inches on front-drive TLs, 19s on all-wheel-drive models) and a blind-spot warning system. The 440-watt ELS surround-sound audio system is spectacular even with MP3s, let alone higher-quality CD and DVD audio tracks.

The 2012 TL is already on sale, starting at $36,465 for a base front-drive model and $40,015 for the TL SH-AWD. Add $3730 for the Tech package, which includes navigation and surround-sound audio. The Advance package adds the aforementioned equipment to the Tech package goodies and costs another $2200. (It is not, however, available on cars equipped with a manual transmission.) Those prices still represent strong value, and now that Acura has mostly fixed its most glaring shortcomings, the TL is a stronger entry than ever.

Top Competitors
Audi A4 sedan
BMW 3-series sedan
Cadillac CTS sedan
Infiniti G25 / G37 sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-class

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $45,945 (base price: $40,015)

ENGINE TYPE: SOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 223 cu in, 3664 cc
Power (SAE net): 305 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 273 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.3 in Length: 194.0 in
Width: 74.0 in Height: 57.2 in
Curb weight: 3994 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.4 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.7 sec @ 98 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 178 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/26 mpg
C/D observed: 21 mpg

Yes, a lot of drama for sure.. I have a 2010 SH-AWD, color is PM.. Yesterday, as I arrived at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and was parking the TL, a new Ford Torus pulled in on the left side and a new Buick on the right. The people in the Buick and Ford were traveling together. They could not see the front only the rear of the car... As we were unloading the cars and getting ready to go in I politely said, What a perfect day to do this (75 Deg and Sunny). The Ford driver said yes it is and then he said, oh is that the new Acura... I said yes it was. He then said, I have never seen one before and I read they did some re-designing of the car and it sure does look nice! I love the way they did the exhaust. I wish they did that on my Torus, it does look nice as does the entire car.... Funny how my 2010 just became a nice looking 2012!

"Db @ Idle: 41.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 77.6
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 62.4"

Yea, it's this quiet when the roads are perfectly flat. Too bad the TL isn't as quiet as other cars when it goes over bumps. Fix the bump absorption acura! Not all of us want to feel every bump!

I didnt think someone would be testing the 6MT so soon being the 6AT is the big improvement.

The acceleration numbers are pretty much the same although I did expect slightly quicker times being the 6MT has smaller diameter tires on now. I assume traction may have been a issue being it isnt tested with the PS2's anymore.

The handling isnt really surprising compared to the previous test, again considering the difference in tires.

Overall it shows how well the 4G is still a good performer.

Is anybody going to rush out to buy a TL because it's suddenly a good looking car? It's still an odd design that won't appeal to the mass market imo. Certainly Beemerines, Audiphiles, and Benzites won't go there based on its design...I don't think.

The tires were icing on the cake but the car is an excellent performer nontheless especially for what it is. The braking and skidpad usually suffer the most, those tests are usually all about the tire.

C&D's 2010 6MT test was actually with the 18's and basic all seasons. I figured you might want to have a look.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

i like the more aggressive look on the 09-11 model

Funny I was thinking the opposite. The design changes they've made to the front and back really make it look much more generic and Accord-like in styling. I think this will get conservative styling buyers (who wanted the car but couldn't get past the styling) to jump.

Personally, the new look appeals to my 50 year old eyes. But my 20 year old daughter (who I bought the 2010 TL for) likes the original style better. Can't please everyone but I think in balance this new style will help sell more TL's, not less.

Lastly, I saw one in person the other day at my dealer. I was pleased to see that not only was the shield shrunk, but they added a bright Chrome trim piece around the outside and also brightened up the color of the painted shield center piece. The center shield is still not "chrome" look paint but it is a few shades brighter than the 09-11 silver paint. I think that's a plus. The silver paint for these pieces looked too cheap, especially on a white TL.

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance
An AutoWeek Driver's Log Car Review

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: Now that the NSX is long in the Acura rearview, the 2012 TL SH-AWD is my favorite up-level Honda. This V6 is a real charmer, especially as the revs climb. It certainly won't wow you with any sort of head-snapping torque off the line, but push the throttle down and as the revs climb, the fun really begins. The shift paddles are OK to manage the gears yourself, but the computer does a fine job as well. And while the whole "TL SH-AWD Advance" is a mouthful to spit out, the AWD system on this car is terrific, even in the dry. The way the torque vectoring works, this thing will corner at speeds that will drain the blood from your head. It's cliché to say it corners like it's on rails, but that's really an apt description. You can take corners at amazing speeds with no drama.

I like the Acura interiors, even with the buttons for pretty much everything with the big "ENTER" knob right there in the center. The navigation system remains one of the best, most intuitive units from any OEM. If I were shopping for a new daily driver, this would be high on my list.

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: I never got the chance to try Acura's torque-vectoring SH-AWD in the dry, as I never actually experienced any dry weather. But in a nasty deluge this car was a nice commuting partner. The black/silver/orange interior styling was a pleasant diversion from the more-typical shades of grey, and the fat steering wheel and deeply bolstered (for a sedan) seats immediately gave the impression of a sports sedan even if the specs weren't exactly BMW M3 territory.

On that same note, the suspension was firmer than I expected from an Acura--not sure why, considering I haven't been in an Acura for 15 years. But I guess I expected a softer, less focused driving experience. It wasn't; the car responded crisply and felt 500 pounds lighter than it is.

Likewise, the engine and the powertrain offered a nearly seamless delivery of power, though I found the trans upshifted a little too rapidly, sending the revs down to a point just north of lugging.

Acura has fallen off a lot of radar screens over the past decade with its questionable styling and invisible marketing. That's unfortunate, because the TL is a fine car at a competitive price point.

ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: I had this 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD for the weekend, and it seemed like every time I turned on the TV, I saw an ad announcing the redesign of this car. The update gives this car a fresh, modern look. In a profile view, it looks sleek and is menacing from the front.

On the inside, it has a sporty, luxury feel with the quality materials. There are heated and cooled seats and enough technology features to please gadget freaks. While some might disagree, I like the fact that Acura interiors use lots of hard buttons for climate and entertainment controls. That way, learning how to operate things is much easier.

The ride is really smooth, and this car would be an ideal commuter. It's great on the expressway and handles itself rather well on twisty bits of road. As Hart said, this car isn't going to snap your neck, but it's quick and feels light, which makes it an overall fun car to drive.

INTERACTIVE ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I racked up almost 300 miles on my stint in the 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD, and almost every 1 of them was enjoyable.

The weather was perfect at the start of the weekend for a windows-down, sunroof-open cruise before Saturday's heat kicked in. The girlfriend and I headed downtown for some live jazz at a local club. The shiny TL held it's own against some of the more upscale rides on an unusually busy night in the city.

The radio held its own, too. Lots of money is spent on wild, powerful stereos, but the TL has no need. It gets a 10-speaker system with a subwoofer and separate equalizer controls for each. I didn't get a chance to use the DVD capability, but the system worked with three different kinds of iPods.

The entertainment system only took a few minutes to get comfortable with. Before long, I was shuffling through albums like a pro. The best part, or at least one of my favorite parts, was when you set it to shuffle and it reorders the song list and displays it. That means you can preview what's coming up in your shuffle order, skipping or going back as necessary. It may not seem like much, but when you only listen to MP3 players, it's a nice feature.

The rest of the interior is extremely well done. The baseball-mitt brown leather had me thinking of old Porsche interiors or something wrapped in British Racing Green. It has a unique smell, too. A friend commented that "nothing smells like brown leather," and I realized he's right. Adding dyes and treatments to the hide takes out the natural scent. And it looks good, matching well with the Mayan bronze metallic paint.

It looks like Acura toned down the exterior a bit for 2012. The widely panned beak has shrunk in the front, which gets a more restrained look. The rear is still a bit wild, but the overall shape is strong. It has a muscular profile next to the curb.

This TL has the super-handling all-wheel-drive powertrain, which meant 3.7-liters and 305 hp. Sure, it's not neck-snapping off the line, but it's plenty quick for a sports sedan. It's aggressively tuned, too. Even in normal drive mode, push the pedal down a third of the way and you'll be passing speed limits in no time. S mode is even better.

The brakes are strong, which became evident on Sunday cruising down Jefferson where every light is timed opposite of the last. Sunday's weather, like Friday's, was perfect for cruising.

The paddle shifters are a cool option, but as Roger said, the computer does a pretty good job by itself, especially in sport mode. If you use them in drive, they work, but if you don't touch them for a while it reverts back to fully automatic. In S mode the car will stay in the gear you choose, except for first, unless you double tap it at a stoplight.

The TL is awesome going into the corners and even better coming out. Any sort of spirited driving is rewarded with lots of exit grip and lovely hint of oversteer. I never was able to really wring it out, but I wish I could have. The V6 has a nice metallic sound that's half roar, half wail, all enjoyable.

The price, at $45,945, seems about right for the sedan. I would have guessed more. The Advance package includes the extra stuff such as blind-spot indicators and vented front seats, along with navigation and other options from the Tech package.

The topped-out BMW 335xi has a base price of $44,050. The small-engined 5-series cars start at about the same, but without all-wheel drive. Throw more options on either of those, and the price goes considerably higher. Anyone looking at a German sedan in this price range would be wise to check out the TL.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: I was quite impressed with the 2012 Acura TL after a relaxing night in this Japanese luxury cruiser. The interior is top-shelf and handsome in nearly every way, which struck me the most after a commuting lap. The burnt orange seats are comfortable, supportive and offer an excellent driving position. Even the plastics look sharp and could almost pass for carbon fiber at a glance.

So, yes, I liked the cabin. And the powertrain is also stellar. The 6-speed automatic smoothly channels the revs, which are strong and come on in silky fashion. Launches are energetic, and passing is no problem. Acura has eschewed V8s, but this 305-pony V6 is a pocket rocket.

I like the looks, with the slightly toned-down front end and subtle-yet-elegant wheel arches. With this shade of maroonish brown, the sheetmetal drapes stylishly on this Acura. The chassis is compliant yet not overly cushy, and for a good-size sedan, it handles well.

My main quibble comes inside, where the center console seems to have too many buttons. I also wouldn't mind some more bling on the headlights and fascia. But this is a step forward for Honda's luxury brand.

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance

Base Price: $45,945

As-Tested Price: $45,945

Drivetrain: 3.7-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 305 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 273 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,889 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 21/21.1 mpg

Options: None

I'm a 3G guy who loves the 4G. I like the 09-11 4G TL (beak and all). The revised 2012 TL doesn't look good in photos (too boring), but looks great in person. Still like the 09-11 TL better.

0-60 in 5.3 seconds... sweet!

And that's with the all season Michelin tires, imagine with proper rubber to hook up more quickly, Skidpad is great for all-season rubber too 0.90 g!

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech

Back in my young and foolish days, I considered swapping a manual transmission into my first car, a front-wheel-drive Pontiac Grand Prix. Thankfully, I didn't go through with it (the cost of parts alone would have exceeded the car's value), but I remain a huge believer in the transformative power of a stick shift.

That faith is vindicated with the Acura TL. I've driven several versions of the car with the old 5-speed automatic (Acura has since gone to a 6-speed auto) and found it a perfectly competent yet completely unremarkable sports sedan -- good at everything, great at nothing. The 6-speed manual changes that. Thanks to 1 of Honda's legendary gearboxes, the Acura TL can claim a superlative: Best Shifting Sport Sedan. It's better than the slightly rubbery gear change in the BMW 3-series and better than the somewhat notchy action in the Audi A4/S4. Whereas I couldn't really remember anything defining about the slushbox TL, I will be blathering for weeks about the precise perfection that is the TL's manual transmission.

Just as important, the 3-pedal setup acts as a magic ingredient, enhancing the flavor of several other already good parts. The 3.7-liter V-6, freed of the muffling effect of a torque converter and bolted to the front subframe via stiffer bushings, now growls angrily as it charges through the gears, chirping the tires on 1-2 upshifts. The "Super Handling" all-wheel drive system now seems more aggressive, mostly because the TL is now always in the right gear (or at least what I believe to be the right gear) when the I pin the throttle to shoot out of corners. The only fly in the ointment is steering that's a bit too light and numb, though it firms up reassuringly at higher speeds.

The new front fascia -- the biggest change for this model year -- has less of a transformative effect but is still a definite improvement. In the design studio that big ol' silver beak probably seemed like the perfect way to announce Acura's bold new styling language. In the real world, it became the only thing people noticed when the car pulled up. The toned-down grille lets the rest of the exterior design take the spotlight. Lo and behold, it's not a bad design at all -- still not on par with style leaders like the Cadillac CTS and Audi A4 but handsome nonetheless.

David Zenlea, Assistant Editor

The Acura TL is a fine sporty package for someone who wants a strong-performing car that's not flashy. In this all-wheel-drive, stick-shift form, the TL is quite the sleeper. It looks much like any other sharp-edged but somehow understated recent Acura product (although its appearance has been streamlined and softened for the 2012 model year). From the driver's seat, though, you realize that this TL is one fine-driving machine. Like all Honda manuals, this gearbox has short throws and positive action. The engine sings a smooth V-6 tune. My only complaint is that the car is geared such that the 2-3 upshift comes at 64 mph, a speed that is well over the speed limit on the back roads of my typical commute.

The TL's cabin features lovely leather and spacious back seats with good side bolstering. The steering, however, offers little feel. I'd rather own an Audi S4 because of the steering, the styling, and the simpler cabin layout -- although if I actually had a pen poised over a sales agreement, I might be swayed by Acura's far superior reputation for reliability.

Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor

Driving in the rain today I noticed something small but interesting. While driving I had the wipers on intermittent while commuting in stop and go traffic. In a stopped position, once I removed my foot from the brake, the wipers would clear the windshield no matter where it was at in its timed sequence. It would then resume the normal frequency. Interesting.

Kelly Murphy, Creative Director

Even in our constantly changing test fleet here at Automobile Magazine, manual transmissions are becoming less and less common, so I was somewhat shocked when I got into the Acura TL and found 3 pedals and a stick shift. It may seem an unlikely pairing--a Japanese luxury sedan with a manual gearbox--but it feels quite natural. In fact, a manual gives the TL exactly what it needs: an injection of personality and fun. It helps that the TL is so good to start with and, even more so, that this six-speed is excellent. It has smooth action, is perfectly weighted and, as is typical of Honda manuals, is immensely rewarding and enjoyable to use.

As far as the facelift goes, I hardly noticed the softer schnoz. Upon further inspection, it does seem to be less conspicuous and to mesh better with the overall design of the car.

Jennifer Misaros, Managing Editor, Digital Platforms

I love the manual transmission in the TL-SHAWD. Like pretty much all Honda manuals, the throws are nice and short, the clutch takeup is just right, and it makes you feel like an accomplished driver. The interior of the car is very inviting. The metal that sweeps along the dash in front of the passenger and also runs along the center divider is a nice touch, and the soft leather of the comfortable seats is stitched using French seams, which gives it a real feeling of quality. I do, however, wonder if it's destined to age prematurely like that in our long-term ZDX. The gauges on the dash are large and easy to read, unlike the convoluted stereo/navigation controls on the infotainment system.

In looking at Acura TL sales, I notice that, compared with a year ago, they're down 7% year-to-date and down 25% for the month of May. Considering the more attractive (or at least, not as offensive) styling of the front end, I find this surprising. The TL really is a car -- at least with this manual transmission -- that is entertaining to drive with a nice dose of luxury at what would seem to be a competitive price.

Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor

The big news for the 2012 TL is the rhinoplasty it received to help tame the pronounced beak the TL has worn since its new-for-2009 redesign. The look is softer and helps to reduce visual length, though from behind the wheel it still feels as though you have a fair bit of real estate in front of you. The TL really is a sleeper and is ready to get up and go at a moment's notice. There is some feeling of the nose-heavy weight, but Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive works its magic really well to counteract that. The car hungrily attacks turns no matter the speed and is planted under heavy acceleration. The slick, tight, and easy-to-drive 6-speed manual adds to the fun factor (so does the neat graphic between the gauges showing how the torque is being vectored between wheels!)

The cockpit of the TL is a wonderful place to be, with high-grade materials everywhere you touch and a surprisingly intuitive and ergonomic center stack. I've always thought it was silly to have a separate, old-school-style radio setup right below the big infotainment screen, but it makes dealing with the simple task of changing the radio station simple, something that can't be said of many other luxury sedans. However, the monochromatic, all-black interior is fairly dour and doesn't seem all that special -- it doesn't have the feeling of being crafted or designed, something the TL's closest rival, the Volvo S60, has in spades.

Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor

As a brand, Acura is treading water. The styling has gone from smart to, um, let's just call it distinct, the curb weights have crept up, and the footprint of the cars has become too large. Inside, there aren't many new ideas and the infotainment system looks dated, not to mention that it can be found in virtually every Honda as well.

Acura does have a few good things going for it, though. A manual transmission is always a good way to pique the attention of enthusiasts and Acura offers 1 of the best manuals in the industry. There's also the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Even better? The manual and SH-AWD can coexist in one vehicle! The downside to this pairing is that in a nearly 4000-lb sedan the 305-hp V-6 delivers an underwhelming 17/25 mpg. The TL doesn't offer enough performance to justify the 1990s-era fuel economy numbers.

With a more technologically advanced cabin (note to product planners: Audi is winning this race, go spend some time in an A7) and better fuel economy, Acura could once again carve out a nice niche for itself. Hopefully, Acura can find a less polarizing design language about the time it perfects the performance/fuel economy balance and sales can flourish. As it stands, the TL is a very comfortable and relatively quick luxury sedan without the pretentious badge.

Phil Floraday, Senior Web Editor

Is the TL more enjoyable with a stick shift? Undoubtedly. But is this the very freshest version of this sedan? Perhaps not. Although Acura's best-selling sedan receives a number of minor upgrades for the 2012 model year, the biggest mechanical revision is the addition of a 6-speed automatic transmission (replacing the previous 5-speed). Apart from a new nose and a few minor interior modifications, 2012 TLs with 3 pedals are largely the same as 2011 models.

The TL is still an enjoyable car to toss around, but as we've long said, it's not isn't quite as sharp as the typical list of its German competitors (BMW 3-Series, Audi S4, et cetera). Larger tires and wheels might help, but sadly, the manual gearbox is no longer offered together with the Advance Package -- which includes 19-inch wheels. Go figure.

Evan McCausland, Associate Web Editor

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech

Base price (with destination): $43,745
Price as tested: $43,745

Standard Equipment:
3.7-liter SOHC 24-valve V-6 engine
6-speed manual transmission
SH-AWD system
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Vehicle stability assist
Tire pressure monitoring system
XM satellite radio
MP3/auxiliary audio input jack
USB audio interface
Heated front seats
Bluetooth connectivity
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Power windows/locks/mirrors
Auto-dimming reaview mirror
18-inch wheels
Power moonroof with tilt
Acura navigation system with voice recognition
Rearview camera
Acura/ELS surround sound system
10 speakers and AM/FM/DVD-A
CD, DTS Dolby Digital Pro Logic II
Hard disk drive
Push-button ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control

Options on this vehicle:
None

Key options not on vehicle:
Advanced package -- $2200

Fuel economy:
(city/hwy/combined)
17 / 25 / 20 mpg

Engine:
3.7L SOHC 24-valve V-6
Horsepower: 305 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Drive:
Four-wheel

Transmission:
6-speed manual

Curb weight: 3948 lb

Wheels/tires: 18 x 8.0-inch alloy wheels
245/45R18 all-season tires

Competitors: Lexus IS350, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-class, BMW 3-series, Cadillac CTS

^^^how did my car get in that review?

Thanks to everyone for the valuable input, especially TSX69.

Haven't made a purchase, but here's some additional commentary on the competition. I've driven a 4 cylinder TSX. Too pedestrian. Driven the 2012 TL SH-AWD MT. Very nice, but at the time decided was big (heavy) and expensive, and my commute has a grotesque amount of stop & go traffic. Drove the V6 TSX, liked it a lot, but not many are available, and white exterior is out (my wife to be hates white cars), and seems like all the lux. cars are black, white, or silver, which narrowed the choices to none (yes, I could get over the color thing). Drove a couple of A4s in various trim levels. Competitively priced, and the dealership is just down the rode from the house. BUT, can't get over how pedestrian the styling of the A4, and the dealer only had black, white, & silver, and one premium plus car (not worth money IMHO) in dark grey. If I was more impetuous, would probably be driving a black A4 now, but I'm not. Then made the mistake of walking through a BMW lot. I've heard that in Germany, old guys drive Benz, enthusiasts drive Audis, and wanna-be's drive Beemer. And I didn't want to pay an extra $10K to be a wanna-be.

Having come full circle, I'm back to the late model TL. Just trying to decide which year (yes, some of those are used) and SH-AWD or not.

BTW, Honda's designers seem to have collectively swallowed ugly pills. Honda Motorsports took their beautiful CBR1000RR and hit it with an ugly stick. It needed a design refresh to be competitive as a GP bike, but now it looks like a Yamaha wanna-be. Meanwhile, BMW built a Race-Ready liter class machine, that superficially is a japanese rice-rocket me-too bike, but hit all the styling cues perfectly AND wins amateur races. And if you think the next gen TL is controversial, the 6th gen VFR, both late, and radical, has Honda scooterheads howling.

That makes no sense to me at all. All kinds of people drive Benzes, all kinds of people drive Audis, and all kinds of people drive BMW's. Despite what one has supposedly "heard", you can't categorize people by the car they drive. Actually, I take that back. You can. People who drive Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Ferraris probably have a lot of money. But that's about all you can infer.

Just because someone says that the owner of a certain car is a wanna-be should have nothing to do with the decision whether to get it or not. You drive a car because you like the way it looks, how it operates, its reliability, and several other factors. You do NOT buy or lease it because someone else makes strange and totally unprovable assumptions about people who drive it.

What the heck?? lol...

And the guys shows the manual transmission in the pics as well as the SH-AWD badge....

imho, this car is more of function over form...

its exterior design may not appeal to most driver enthusiast but its performance well exceeds most expectations.

once you get behind the driver seat, its a mind changer.

nice balanced review(s) from automobile mag

here is a video review from motorweek; didnt see it posted; sorry if it's a re-post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHc_x8TgWMI

Nice car and color!

Honestly, I dont know how you could say this. The 2012 is 10x classier. The only people that say the 09-11 is better are owners of the 09-11.

Actually I have an 09 in the driveway and I think the '12 is much better looking also.

However, I never thought the 09 design was a hot mess like many think. But no matter what planet you are from, you had to admit that front shield was too large and out of proportion for the car. Glad that it was resized. The extra creases and tucked rear end are better to me but I can see how that is more subjective.