Let's put this in numerical terms. The blind poll format will also allow those who like (or don't like) the design to say so without being flamed.

The design is certainly polarizing.

 

A plurality says they'll have to see it in person. Seems a reasonable response, and I chose this as well.

A solid minority says they like it. This is not as bad as I was expecting.

Keep the votes coming!

 

The exterior and interior are turning me off. Hate the MDX like dash with navi hump, even the TSX and Accord have sleeker lines on their dash. The fat Civic like rear with huge reflectors turns me off and of course that damn ugle grill.

 

There are good designs, there are controversial and polarizing designs, and then there are just plain bad designs. Unfortunately, this is just plain bad design - look at the grille! It looks so out of place, as if someone wrapped a big piece of aluminum foil around the real front grille.

Why would anyone now consider the TL with SH-AWD, rather than the G35X?

 

Wow, how only four hours changes things. The plurality has dramatically changed to solidly "no".

 

You gotta just wonder what goes on at a car company. Acura has had issues sticking out and distinguishung it so that it's cars get recognized so they gather their smartest brains and come up with the standardish shield/grill! WOW! Sure everyone will know the Acura Sedans now, here they come those butt faced ugly cars' TSX, RL and TL!! Acura really needs to look at the cometitors closers, is family resimblence that makes you recognize a BMW or Infiniti, the similar styling lines and styling cues. Acura does not do that, there is no family resemblence between any of their vehicles hell even a LS460 and Camry look like they were styled by the same company, but not any of the Acura's except for that grill. They must have gotten a great deal ordering virtually 250K+ grills almost the same this year!!

Nissan/Infiniti evolved their models, Acura is using the Honda (and why not) where each generation is basically a new car, sure the 2G TSX is somewhat evolved, but the TL and RL are not. I love my 3G TL, so much that I owned 5 of them, and 2 were TL-S 08, I love to flip my cars, but the 09 TL will either convince me to hang on to my 08 Type-S for a while or switch to G35/G37 Sedan. And yeah I know they will sell plenty of these and some that hate it will change their minds as it grows on them, but I can assure you now I will not be one of them.

 

I didn't like the Gen 3 at first, but took a second look one morning on my way to work and my wife and I fell in love with it. This is our second gen 3.

It will be 2011 before we will consider another car or longer. I think we will hold on to what we have and rent a car as needed.

 

I'd like to see it in person...

 

Sorry but I have to disagree with your opinion. There is a strong design language that runs through all new Acuras. This includes the strong character line that runs from the front bumper to the rear deck. TSX, MDX and the new TL share this theme. The fender blisters are also shared with the new designs as is the strong center break. The taillight theme is also shared with the TSX, RDX and MDX (a attempt was made to restyle the '09 RL as well). Oh and yeah there is the grill too.

On a side note, you also manage to contradict yourself a bit by saying on one hand there is no family resemblance (ie LS and Corolla) and then in another post you state that the TL's rear is "Civic like"

Edit: I have no fight to pick, your opinion is your opinion and you're entitled to it. I just think some of the assertions are not quite right. - Aloha

 

The design language that runs through Acuras is very confused. Used to be the trapezoid grille is what was supposed to be the Acura 'signature' look. BMW has their kidney shaped grilles. For some reason, Acura planners decided that this was too subtle and decided to go overboard. The MDX was redesigned to be more aggressive to appeal to more men. I think Acura took this 'daddy driver' look too far. This 'Power Plenum' look seems like a poor man's attempt to be bold and make a statement. The Japanese are often accused of being derivative so I think they just decided to prove that Acura will not fit into this category however it seems like a childish, amateurish attempt to 'make a statement.' It's too bad because the 3G TL seemed to strike a good balance. I wish I knew what the guy who approved this beak on the TSX, RL, and TL was thinking.

I guess with Acura's shrinking sales they felt they had to make a bold move. Unfortunately, it was a bold move with little maturity behind it. I predict they will lose sales until they redesign this car. Too bad because mechanically and electronically I bet it'll be better than any other car on the road for its price or even $10,000.00 more.

I find it interesting that Honda in Japan has still played it conservative, even with the TSX and RL. Guess that says they felt they needed to kick something in the pants in the US.

 

So far from all spy pictures,

I HATE IT. And MUST BE REDESIGNED AGAIN!

 

This biggest issue is that before the 3G TL came out, ppl did not HATE it this much as they do with the 4G. There was nothing that was "overly" ugly (of course there will be naysayers), but with the 4G, it seems that people have to be "convinced" of liking it by hoping it'll look better in person...

 

There is nothing I like about the new TL. It's got the ugliest "beak" since Pontiac made that ugly nose on the '70's Bonneville. I still hate that car when I see one....which thankfully isn't too often anymore.

What was Acura thinking when they designed this ugly pig. If they think sales are down now, wait until this ugly betty comes out. The TL used to be their best seller....now it's going to be their worse. I wouldn't drive one if someone gave it to me...I'd sell it.

 

I'll have to agree and say that the rump is pretty ugly. The front is okay. The profile looks pretty good.

 

Stats remain about the same as yesterday. Plurality doesn't like it but many are willing to give it a chance.

 

Rear looks good. Front is fugly. I saw one in beige - it doesn't help, it is just as ugly in person......

 

^^umm the rear is madd fat and ugly. You have got to be kidding me!

 

4G TL is a really bad design. the front is okay but the rear look hell ugly. I'm gona stay with my 3G until the 5G coming out.

 

It's called an opinion. His (or hers- I don't know) is no more correct than yours.

 

Acura seems to be closing in too close to the GS.. and CTS too much... that too me.. looks like they made a mistake!!!... but regardless.. im sure a lot of us will eventually jump on this car and give us something to drool about....

 

Same here. But from the pics, the rear is too severe! Has the look of the current Maxima.

 

Do you like the exterior design of the 2009 TL?


NO !!! HATE IT

 

disappointed to say the least.

 

I'll wait till I see it in person, I thougth the TSX was ugly as fuck until I got one as a rental.

 

I will have to wait and see it in person. I thought the TSX didn't look too good until I saw one at the dealer. I still think Acura could have done much better especially if these cars were designed in the California design studio for American tastes.

 

Hmmm...tell us how you REALLY feel...

 

Yes, except the grille, which I think I could get used to.

 

Me no likey.

The problem is it doesn't look different enough from the 3G. I have been driving the 3G for 4 years now and ready for something different.

 

Mod the grill and the front looks awesome. Don't know what to do with that rear lights though...

 

Its like the complete opposite of the 3G....

 

4G TL = Epic Fail

 

I mean to say it there is nothing compelling enough in the design to want to "upgrade" to a new one. If anything I still like the 3G angular lines better. From the pictures it looks like a Maxima, a complete departure from what made me like the TL in the first place. It was so unique. WTF?

 

The design is hideous. I've been very loyal to Acura, but I don't think I'll buy another Acura anytime soon - especially considering the direction that they are going with the TL and the TSX. I hate the exterior and I'm not all that stoked about the performance specs on the car either. I hope Acura gets their act together and offer consumers something to really be excited about.

 

TAKING SOME STYLING CUES from other Marques doesn't make it's style cutting edge! sound's like HONDA is being alot more like Hyundai from taking bit's and peices of different car makes and putting them together!!!......SAD!....ADVANCE ? how about FAILURE!....if I wanted a car that look's like a TOYO/LEXUS etc.. I'd buy one!

 

YOUR RIGHT!

 

I am on my third TL. I won't be getting this - I'll be moving onto something other than Acura. UGH - ugly and plain at the same time.

 

I didn't thrill over the latest Type-S when it's pictures were released. But after I saw it in person...............I purchased it and didn't look back. Because of this I think wait, maybe it's not that bad.

 

iono i still dont like it but i guess you have to see it in person to determine that

 

I hate the new 2009 TL ! The point of us loving the old TL is the fact that they look like a sport car ! The new one is more for old folks... HATE IT HATE IT !

 

So far I'm not liking the styling of the 4GEN TL too much. Looking at my wife's '07 CR-V and even the '08 Accord, I can see where they're going with similar styling cues on each vehicle. However, while they seemed to come up with a nice look on the CR-V, Civic and even MDX. I think they missed the ball on the TSX and TL. The thing about the 1GEN TSX and 3GEN TL is that I think they both were close to perfection in terms of styling and I didn't see how they could be bettered. I was actually a bit worried and once the TSX hit the streets my worries were justified. I think they're OK looking, but not nearly as nice looking as the outgoing models.

Makes me treasure my 3GEN more than ever.