2012 Acura TL review
#1
2012 Acura TL review
My 09 shawd tl was in the shop and was given a regular 2012 tl. The experience is quite disappointing as the tl and shawd driving experience is vastly different.
The regular tl had a ton of torque steer when I floored it. The shawd had virtually none. In corners the tl felt alot less stable, I was definately scared to do turns that I normally wouldn't be scared to do in the shawd. The back also spun out various times.
It may be just me but the steering wheel was thinner. And it most definately felt lighter and uninspiring. The engine is good, but less willing to move than the 3.7. And the exhuast in the shawd is much more throatier..
It does have nice interior still and better gas mileage, not by much. Averaged 28 MPG highway vs shawd 23-24 MPG hw. The ride was definately softer but that's not always a bad thing. The 2012 also muffled the interior engine sound but the 3.5 may also have attributed to that
All in all, the regular tl shouldn't be called a sports sedan. Im glad i got the shawd version. The shawd definstely does deserve to be called a sports sedan and is another story.
Do most of you guys have similar experience?
The regular tl had a ton of torque steer when I floored it. The shawd had virtually none. In corners the tl felt alot less stable, I was definately scared to do turns that I normally wouldn't be scared to do in the shawd. The back also spun out various times.
It may be just me but the steering wheel was thinner. And it most definately felt lighter and uninspiring. The engine is good, but less willing to move than the 3.7. And the exhuast in the shawd is much more throatier..
It does have nice interior still and better gas mileage, not by much. Averaged 28 MPG highway vs shawd 23-24 MPG hw. The ride was definately softer but that's not always a bad thing. The 2012 also muffled the interior engine sound but the 3.5 may also have attributed to that
All in all, the regular tl shouldn't be called a sports sedan. Im glad i got the shawd version. The shawd definstely does deserve to be called a sports sedan and is another story.
Do most of you guys have similar experience?
Last edited by yantastic; 06-16-2012 at 09:36 PM.
#3
#5
agreed. i find it hard to nitpick the AWD. it handles amazingly well and unbelievably stable in turns, high speeds, or high speed turns . i wish the AWD had additional power while maintaining same MPG.
#8
My last car was a Honda civic Si with the Honda factory performance sport suspension, progress rear sway bar and uhp tires. I now have a fwd tech w the crap moon rover mxm4 17"
Where I could take an on ramp at 55 and feel very stable I'd need to take it at 40 now. The cars steering is responsive. It amply handles the tasks of a DD, I wouldn't call it a sports sedan. It's more a blend of power comfort and performance. I would rate comfort as its highest attribute. The SH-AWD takes a knock in comfort for a bump in performance and power.
My Si had the full aftermarket intake/exhaust and was professionally tuned. Fun little peppy car to drive but awful in traffic and awful on the imperfect northeastern roads I drive on. This influenced my choice to err on the side of comfort. To each their own
Where I could take an on ramp at 55 and feel very stable I'd need to take it at 40 now. The cars steering is responsive. It amply handles the tasks of a DD, I wouldn't call it a sports sedan. It's more a blend of power comfort and performance. I would rate comfort as its highest attribute. The SH-AWD takes a knock in comfort for a bump in performance and power.
My Si had the full aftermarket intake/exhaust and was professionally tuned. Fun little peppy car to drive but awful in traffic and awful on the imperfect northeastern roads I drive on. This influenced my choice to err on the side of comfort. To each their own
#9
My last car was a Honda civic Si with the Honda factory performance sport suspension, progress rear sway bar and uhp tires. I now have a fwd tech w the crap moon rover mxm4 17"
Where I could take an on ramp at 55 and feel very stable I'd need to take it at 40 now. The cars steering is responsive. It amply handles the tasks of a DD, I wouldn't call it a sports sedan. It's more a blend of power comfort and performance. I would rate comfort as its highest attribute. The SH-AWD takes a knock in comfort for a bump in performance and power.
My Si had the full aftermarket intake/exhaust and was professionally tuned. Fun little peppy car to drive but awful in traffic and awful on the imperfect northeastern roads I drive on. This influenced my choice to err on the side of comfort. To each their own
Where I could take an on ramp at 55 and feel very stable I'd need to take it at 40 now. The cars steering is responsive. It amply handles the tasks of a DD, I wouldn't call it a sports sedan. It's more a blend of power comfort and performance. I would rate comfort as its highest attribute. The SH-AWD takes a knock in comfort for a bump in performance and power.
My Si had the full aftermarket intake/exhaust and was professionally tuned. Fun little peppy car to drive but awful in traffic and awful on the imperfect northeastern roads I drive on. This influenced my choice to err on the side of comfort. To each their own
#11
my question still remains, are there cars (>200hp) that have minimal or no torque steer despite being FWD? i read somewhere that the GTI has almost no torque steer or something like that. not sure if i believe that
#13
I think thats why VW has yet to push the torque levels very far above 200. GM has a system called "HiPer Strut" that is supposed to ward off torque steer that I have heard performs pretty well on the Regal GS, and that car has 295ft lbs TQ. That torque steer is an additional reason I opted for the SW-AWD also.
#15
After tuning and everything i was making just shy of 220 wheel HP and 160 TQ.
You could enduce Tq steer by drag racing it with the pedal slammed to the floor, but its really only specific conditions you would ever encounter it..
Maybe I am missing the boat in thinking that people don't buy a 3700 lb full size car like a TL to drag race and pretend racecar.
Its a luxury touring vehicle.
Last edited by Booya4139; 06-18-2012 at 12:11 PM.
#17
Good catch...
Like I've said elsewhere, go buy a G37xS if you want to mash the go pedal and play racecar...
With that said, I wish they had incorporated the previous gen's TL-S LSD, but understand the difference in handling between that and the SH-AWD wouldn't have enough differentiation...
Having the progress RSB on my Si, i might be the guinea pig to slap one on the FWD TL and see how it plants the rear end.. on the Si the stability difference was very noticeable.
Like I've said elsewhere, go buy a G37xS if you want to mash the go pedal and play racecar...
With that said, I wish they had incorporated the previous gen's TL-S LSD, but understand the difference in handling between that and the SH-AWD wouldn't have enough differentiation...
Having the progress RSB on my Si, i might be the guinea pig to slap one on the FWD TL and see how it plants the rear end.. on the Si the stability difference was very noticeable.
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justnspace (06-18-2012)
#20
I think it's inevitable that they had to switch drivetrains when approaching 300 hp+. Love SH-AWD, but still have to lean towards the TL-S when I want a fun and tight ride. Hate the torque steer on the TL-S, but as a "sports" car, I'm not a fan of the girthy steering wheel and fluffy suspension on the 4G SH-AWD. Just my
#21
i wouldn't drag race in a car that does 0-60 in 6.3-6.5 seconds. hence, i don't. unless highway merging counts. LOLOLIPOPS
i was thinking about the G37x but the suspension is too stiff for me. shawd seemed to be sweet spot for me in terms of comfort/handling.
Good catch...
Like I've said elsewhere, go buy a G37xS if you want to mash the go pedal and play racecar...
With that said, I wish they had incorporated the previous gen's TL-S LSD, but understand the difference in handling between that and the SH-AWD wouldn't have enough differentiation...
Having the progress RSB on my Si, i might be the guinea pig to slap one on the FWD TL and see how it plants the rear end.. on the Si the stability difference was very noticeable.
Like I've said elsewhere, go buy a G37xS if you want to mash the go pedal and play racecar...
With that said, I wish they had incorporated the previous gen's TL-S LSD, but understand the difference in handling between that and the SH-AWD wouldn't have enough differentiation...
Having the progress RSB on my Si, i might be the guinea pig to slap one on the FWD TL and see how it plants the rear end.. on the Si the stability difference was very noticeable.
#24
When I was that age, I modded the hell out of my 2-door Integra :
cold-air intake, enlarged throttle body, header, exhaust, computer chip, adjustable shocks, lowering springs, sway bars, light-weight wheels, super-sticky tires, short-throw shifter, momo steering wheel, .....
It's really a pity that the 4G TL has a very limited list of aftermarket performance parts.
cold-air intake, enlarged throttle body, header, exhaust, computer chip, adjustable shocks, lowering springs, sway bars, light-weight wheels, super-sticky tires, short-throw shifter, momo steering wheel, .....
It's really a pity that the 4G TL has a very limited list of aftermarket performance parts.
#25
My 3G Type-S is as quick if not quicker than my stock 09 SH-AWD. Much lighter on its feet than the 4G too - but it's a smaller and lighter car.
Nothing wrong with the 4G TL FWD. It's a high power FWD car - and if anything, just as quick on a straight run as the SH-AWD.
Nothing wrong with the 4G TL FWD. It's a high power FWD car - and if anything, just as quick on a straight run as the SH-AWD.
#26
hell, i'm not even out of that stage yet.
I drag race teh hell out of my 3G 6MT.
#27
I think thats why VW has yet to push the torque levels very far above 200. GM has a system called "HiPer Strut" that is supposed to ward off torque steer that I have heard performs pretty well on the Regal GS, and that car has 295ft lbs TQ. That torque steer is an additional reason I opted for the SW-AWD also.
#29
#32
The SH AT's don't brake torque so even though it may have enough power to weight to essentially mimic the type of acceleration performance a similar sub 6 sec car has, with traps also in line, it won't be represented in 0-60 times.
It simply lacks the ability to "cheat" those few tenths of a sec off the line or get as effective a rolling start. However, I don't believe the use of any kind of launch is cheating, just using the word to better describe it.
I'm not sure what any TL is ultimately capable of doing and depending on a multitude of factors but the 5AT has tested 0-60 in 5.9 in a R&T comparo with the VW CC. I would imagine that a 6AT SH added to that comparo instead with the same exact conditions, factors, and variables would be good for a little better (and still keeping in mind both with no effective launch).
Now I don't kow how reliable that info is or how consistent it can be replicated, I'm just pointing out that this data, or maybe call it evidence, does exist.
It simply lacks the ability to "cheat" those few tenths of a sec off the line or get as effective a rolling start. However, I don't believe the use of any kind of launch is cheating, just using the word to better describe it.
I'm not sure what any TL is ultimately capable of doing and depending on a multitude of factors but the 5AT has tested 0-60 in 5.9 in a R&T comparo with the VW CC. I would imagine that a 6AT SH added to that comparo instead with the same exact conditions, factors, and variables would be good for a little better (and still keeping in mind both with no effective launch).
Now I don't kow how reliable that info is or how consistent it can be replicated, I'm just pointing out that this data, or maybe call it evidence, does exist.
#33
R&T (Oct 2009) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.3 sec.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca..._sh-awd_page_2
Motor Trend (July 2009) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.5 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html
Motor Trend (Jun 2011) : 2012 TL SH-AWD 6MT, 0-60 = 5.3 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
Edmunds (Nov 2008) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.7 sec.
http://www.insideline.com/infiniti/g...7-journey.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca..._sh-awd_page_2
Motor Trend (July 2009) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.5 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html
Motor Trend (Jun 2011) : 2012 TL SH-AWD 6MT, 0-60 = 5.3 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
Edmunds (Nov 2008) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.7 sec.
http://www.insideline.com/infiniti/g...7-journey.html
#34
Nice. Now show me a 6at one.
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R&T (Oct 2009) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.3 sec.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca..._sh-awd_page_2
Motor Trend (July 2009) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.5 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html
Motor Trend (Jun 2011) : 2012 TL SH-AWD 6MT, 0-60 = 5.3 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
Edmunds (Nov 2008) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.7 sec.
http://www.insideline.com/infiniti/g...7-journey.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca..._sh-awd_page_2
Motor Trend (July 2009) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.5 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html
Motor Trend (Jun 2011) : 2012 TL SH-AWD 6MT, 0-60 = 5.3 sec.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
Edmunds (Nov 2008) : 2009 TL SH-AWD 5AT, 0-60 = 6.7 sec.
http://www.insideline.com/infiniti/g...7-journey.html
#35
#36
^ I think that is about the only official 6AT test ever done by a major publication so the sampling is a little limited. And to make matters worse, there was another C&D that got 6.0 seconds flat for an 09 SH.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-awd-road-test
And the R&T 5.9 I mentioned earlier:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...4motion_page_4
Personally, I don't care enough to make it an issue but I also wouldn't take sub 6 seconds (even for the 5AT) off of the table.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-awd-road-test
And the R&T 5.9 I mentioned earlier:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...4motion_page_4
Personally, I don't care enough to make it an issue but I also wouldn't take sub 6 seconds (even for the 5AT) off of the table.
#37
Going back, when Acura released the 2000 TL with the new 5AT, it claimed that it was 0.5sec faster in 0-60 than the 1999 TL with the 4AT. The 1999 and 2000 TL's were basically identical cars, with the tranny being the only exception.
And now with the 2009 (5AT) and 2012 (6AT), I'm really interest in finding out how much faster, if any, the 2012 is against the 2009.
Hardly any major publication has done a full test review on the 2012 TL. In fact, some publications even deliberately left out the 2012 TL in their comparison tests. It seems like the auto market has lost interest in the 4G TL.
And now with the 2009 (5AT) and 2012 (6AT), I'm really interest in finding out how much faster, if any, the 2012 is against the 2009.
Hardly any major publication has done a full test review on the 2012 TL. In fact, some publications even deliberately left out the 2012 TL in their comparison tests. It seems like the auto market has lost interest in the 4G TL.
#38
Going back, when Acura released the 2000 TL with the new 5AT, it claimed that it was 0.5sec faster in 0-60 than the 1999 TL with the 4AT. The 1999 and 2000 TL's were basically identical cars, with the tranny being the only exception.
And now with the 2009 (5AT) and 2012 (6AT), I'm really interest in finding out how much faster, if any, the 2012 is against the 2009.
Hardly any major publication has done a full test review on the 2012 TL. In fact, some publications even deliberately left out the 2012 TL in their comparison tests. It seems like the auto market has lost interest in the 4G TL.
And now with the 2009 (5AT) and 2012 (6AT), I'm really interest in finding out how much faster, if any, the 2012 is against the 2009.
Hardly any major publication has done a full test review on the 2012 TL. In fact, some publications even deliberately left out the 2012 TL in their comparison tests. It seems like the auto market has lost interest in the 4G TL.
#39
I hear you. Cars have attributes, people ave specific desires. A car is ultimately a compilation of its parts if it's not German, Swedish or English. Different strokes for different folks