We currently have an 2004 and 2005 Acura TL. Last month we had our first child and realized that when the carseat is installed, the front passenger seat must be moved up very far. My wife is 5'8, so it's a bit cramped for her.

I am thinking of selling my 04 and purchasing a 2011 or 2012. Here are my two questions:

-Front Seat: Will the 4th generation TL provide more room than the 3rd?

-Cabin noise: Once we hit 60mph+, the cabin noise on our 3rd gen is very loud. Has this been improved on the 4th gen?

An Acura dealer stated that the 4th gen is much roomier (go figure), but Consumerreports.org shows the front and backseat comfort dimensions:

Thanks!

 

I've had a rear facing and currently have a forward facing car seat in the back passenger seat in my TL and have no issues with space. My daughter is now two years old and has to stretch her legs all the way out to even touch the back passenger seat in its current position. My wife is 5' 7" and she fits in the passenger seat comfortably.

 

The 4G TL sacrifices trunk space for more rear-passenger-compartment space.

 

How would you compare it to the 3rd gen? If they are very similar, I don't see a need to buy a newer one. Also, how's the cabin noise when your 60mph+?

 

I did not think the new gen TL is any significantly larger when viewing it w my GF {who has older TL}. I suggested a Venza {very roomy front and back}. Now the new gen RDX appears to be Venza look a like.

 

Venza look a like? Wow, I don't see it. And it amazes me how Toyota/Lexus get a pass on styling where Honda/Acura doesn't.

 

I definitely see the Venza/RDX similarities. That combined with an interior that looks to be made of materials that are more Honda than Acura is dissapointing.

I do however agree with you that Toyota/Lexus get a pass where Honda/Acura doesn't. I have not seen nearly the backlash for the new Lexus GS's front end that I seen when the 2009 Acura TL came out.

 

What kind of tires do you have on your 04 or 05 TL's? I wonder if the road noise could be reduced by going to a grand touring tire or something. Having owned my '04, I agree it gets noisy after 60 mph, but then I'm running on z-rated pilot all season tires. Compared to the 4G loaners I've had, the 4G's were a lot quieter, but I never checked what kind of tires they were running.