Hi I currently have a 2g TL and V6 TSX. I am happy with the power from the TSX but handling is not up to par, my 2g TL handles better with the aftermarket suspension. I am thinking of a 4g AWD, but never driven one, had 4g loaner but it was a fwd and I didnt think it was anything special.
Is there a huge improvement in handling on the AWD?

 

well, yes because its AWD. lol

get in the drivers seat and drive one, as we are not YOU.
no matter how elegantly or convincing we are, nothing beats a good ole fashioned test drive

 

I have had them both and the awd handles way better than the fwd, then the fwd suspension is a little more forgiving on bumpy roads. Like justnspace said drive them both them make your decision.

 

I bet you will have alot of fun doing the test drive!!

 

I currently live in WV (just for another year!!!) and the one dealership here in the state had 2 SHAWDs that just sold. They said more are coming in so ill have too wait. We bought all our Acuras from Jenkins Acura in FL, and when I go back home I got a better chance of driving one then.

Kinda excited to drive one now

 

How about upgrading the V6 TSX with aftermarket suspension too ?

The handling of the souped-up V6 TSX will guarantee to be much better than that of the souped-up but 10-years-old-design 2G TL-S.

 

^I always enjoy your input, Edward!

obviously, thats the cheaper route! upgrading the suspension on the VeeSix TSX.

 

Thanks for your input Edward

That has crossed my mind, but soon planning for kids the extra space would be nice too. Wife is pushing towards a MDX but I am not much of a SUV person (unless its a Rover).

 

Big difference on awd! When I frost drove the 4g it was a fwd I wasn't sold at all. Until I stepped in the awd. As soon. As I pulled off to test drive I was sold.

 

Ok, now if you have more or less narrowed down to the 4G AWD TL, I have more experience to tell you.

My previous car was a 2002 TL-S modded with :

Tokico Illumina adjustable shocks (tuned to overall neutral handling),
H&R lowering springs,
Suspension Technique sway bars,
Rotora slotted rotors (front & rear),
EBC greenstuff brake pads,
18" light-weight rims,
225/45/18 BridgeStone RE-010R extreme-performance summer tires.

I didn't dare to upgrade anything related to the powertrain for fear of the crappy tranny to crap out even sooner. You have a 2G, and you should fully understand what I meant.

My modded 2G TL-S was one awesome handling car. But let me tell you. The 2012 AWD TL will outperform the modded 2G in handling and of course in speed, even in stock form (245/40/19 RS-A all-season tires).

The suspension design on the 4G AWD TL is 2 generations more advanced than that on the 2G. The OEM brake rotors on the 4G AWD are of almost the biggest size currently being used in Acura. The OEM tire width on the 4G is much wider at 245mm. Most importantly, the availability of the torque-vectoring SH-AWD. All these help the AWD TL to become a superior handling car.

Needless to say, I dumped the crappy RS-A when spring came, and I'm now riding on the 245/40/19 Pilot Super Sport summer tires. This has helped lifting the handling performance of the AWD car to an even higher level.

 

Did the OP get into a test drive yet!?

I'm waiting for his lovely experience!

 

^^^^ Yes how was your test drive?..........

I hope you were doing this.................

 

Nope not yet I will do this when I go back to Florida, I hate going to the Acura Dealership here in West Virginia. That and they don't have any AWD the last time I checked.

 

When your entering a curved highway ramp floor the pedal on the AWD and you can feel the torque vectoring...The handling is amazing for such a big and heavy car..

 

I am giddy like a 10 year-old with ice cream thinking about the test drive.

I found some used 2009 through 2011 used AWD, everything is still the same with the drive-train right. If so I am going to go drive one of these.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-photograph-gallery-296/new-4g-owner-sh-awd-tech-887607/

Just wanted to update the thread, I settled for the SHAWD with Tech.