TL Just Wants To Be Driven: Acura TL More Than Just A Luxury Sports Sedan
01-15-2009, 11:36 PM
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TL Just Wants To Be Driven: Acura TL More Than Just A Luxury Sports Sedan
Posted By JOE DUARTE
SUN MEDIA
The Acura TL has for some time been widely regarded as perhaps the best front-wheel drive sports sedan, which may not sound like much of a boast until you consider some of its few competitors.
Perhaps the most prominent of its competitors is the Audi A4 (which steered away from front wheel drive for a couple years, but returns to it in 2009), Nissan Maxima (which has been at the forefront of the sport sedan genre for over two decades) and the Saab 9-3 (whose predecessors invented the front-wheel drive sport sedan market). And then there are good Johnny-come-latelys such as the Lexus ES, Lincoln MKZ and Mazdaspeed6.
And perhaps the feature that has helped the TL attain this lofty mantle is that it doesn't feel like a front-wheel drive car.
Sure, it doesn't have the tail-wagging capabilities that have for a long time been a hallmark of sport sedans, but in this day and age of traction-enhancing devices, not many sports cars do.
What you get from the TL is predictable handling manners and a steady ride. Doors close with a quality-designating "thunk", the interior stays relatively serene during everyday drives, and the exhaust produces a throaty growl under power.
If you were to close your eyes and just experience what it does, it could very well belong in a Cadillac, BMW, Infiniti or Mercedes stable.
For 2009, there are two variations on the TL theme -a front wheel drive version powered by a 280-hp 3.5 V6 and an all-wheel drive powered by a 305-hp 3.7 V6.
Our tester was the entry level version (both can be tarted up with a $3,500 Nav package that adds navigation and voice-activated controls for everything).
The new engine choices are featured in a brand new exterior look that takes the car to some future dimension - there are literally no cars elsewhere out there (outside of concepts) that look anything like the new TL or its Acura siblings.
Some find the look attractive, others find it hideous and you're never really quite sure if the stares it is getting are because passers-by are so captivated by the TL's appearance or repulsed by it.
Still, they are looking at it.
From under the hood comes enough oomph to sensibly and efficiently power the car around the neighbourhood or between cities.
Acceleration from a standstill is brisk and progressive, thanks to a five-speed sequentially shifted automatic with grade-logic control (that means you don't get that see-saw action on slight grades, as the transmission gears down then up, then down again, etc., in order to maintain car speed). A manual gearbox would be a welcome addition, but one isn't available with either engine (maybe when a Type-S A Spec comes along ...).
The ride is firm and borders on jostly on today's potholed roads. On the highway, you're instantly aware of every bridge joist you cross and jolted awake by the rumble-strips marking the edge of the shoulder, should you stray too far over.
More than one passenger com- plained about the thumpiness of the ride, but they didn't get a chance to experience the car's handling capabilities.
Flat and poised, the TL takes corners at high speed with the skill of a touring championship car.
The steering is quick and direct, letting you make easy corrections regardless of the speed the car is carrying, without having to counter the corrective action. Although we didn't get a chance to experience it in the heat of battle, we get the feeling that emergency manoeuvres are easily taken without any but the initial drama.
In the middle of a high-speed on-ramp, you get the feeling that a slide is only a tire slip away, yet there is no audible sign that they are anywhere close to letting go. This is a car whose limits far exceed all but the most fearless of racers.
Yet unlike those race-bred stallions that basically cater to the needs of one person, the TL accommodates up to five occupants in style. You could say it almost coddles them, but there's nothing overly indulgent about it.
The interior puts forth an air of luxury mostly through the presentation of controls but it doesn't have all those luxury trappings.
For example, it has power heated seats up front but not in the rear, and they aren't ventilated (as is the case in an increasing number of luxury cars) nor do any of them massage anything.
The centre stack in our test car had an easy to understand display, but it wasn't one of those controlled-by-one-knob units, or even a touch unit. And though it's chock full of technology, it doesn't park itself or even offer a rearview during parking exercises, let alone an overhead view.
And that perhaps adds to the sense that the Acura TL is more than just a
luxury sports sedan. It's a car that is happiest when it's being used by someone who can take care of the business of driving without needing the car jump in to correct every little potential mistake.
- - -
FACT FILE
2009 ACURA TL
As tested (before taxes): CA$39,990
Options: none
Freight: CA$1,825
MSRP range: CA$39,990-CA$47,990
Configuration: front engine/front wheel drive
Engine/Transmission: 3.5L V6/5-spd auto with sequential shift
Power/Torque: 280 hp/254 lb.-ft.
Fuel (capacity): Premium (70L)
EnerGuide fuel economy ratings: 11.6 L/100km city; 7.5 L/100km hwy
Observed fuel economy: 10.3 L/100 km combined over 524 km
Warranties: 4 years/80,000 km (basic); 5 years/100,000 km (powertrain)
Competitors: Audi A4; Lexus ES 350; Lincoln MKZ; Nissan Maxima; Saab 9- 3; Volvo S60
Report Card:
Economy: 5 -outstanding for a reasonably powerful V6
Value for $: 5 -decent price for an upscale sports sedan
Styling: 4 -take it or leave it, but no denying it is distinctive
Comfort: 4 -comfortable and roomy seats all around for four; ok for five
Performance: 4 -feels as solid and powerful as any traditional RWD sports sedan
Overall: 5 -simply the best front-wheel drive sports sedan on the market
© 2009 , Sun Media
Source: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/Art...aspx?e=1377848
SUN MEDIA
The Acura TL has for some time been widely regarded as perhaps the best front-wheel drive sports sedan, which may not sound like much of a boast until you consider some of its few competitors.
Perhaps the most prominent of its competitors is the Audi A4 (which steered away from front wheel drive for a couple years, but returns to it in 2009), Nissan Maxima (which has been at the forefront of the sport sedan genre for over two decades) and the Saab 9-3 (whose predecessors invented the front-wheel drive sport sedan market). And then there are good Johnny-come-latelys such as the Lexus ES, Lincoln MKZ and Mazdaspeed6.
And perhaps the feature that has helped the TL attain this lofty mantle is that it doesn't feel like a front-wheel drive car.
Sure, it doesn't have the tail-wagging capabilities that have for a long time been a hallmark of sport sedans, but in this day and age of traction-enhancing devices, not many sports cars do.
What you get from the TL is predictable handling manners and a steady ride. Doors close with a quality-designating "thunk", the interior stays relatively serene during everyday drives, and the exhaust produces a throaty growl under power.
If you were to close your eyes and just experience what it does, it could very well belong in a Cadillac, BMW, Infiniti or Mercedes stable.
For 2009, there are two variations on the TL theme -a front wheel drive version powered by a 280-hp 3.5 V6 and an all-wheel drive powered by a 305-hp 3.7 V6.
Our tester was the entry level version (both can be tarted up with a $3,500 Nav package that adds navigation and voice-activated controls for everything).
The new engine choices are featured in a brand new exterior look that takes the car to some future dimension - there are literally no cars elsewhere out there (outside of concepts) that look anything like the new TL or its Acura siblings.
Some find the look attractive, others find it hideous and you're never really quite sure if the stares it is getting are because passers-by are so captivated by the TL's appearance or repulsed by it.
Still, they are looking at it.
From under the hood comes enough oomph to sensibly and efficiently power the car around the neighbourhood or between cities.
Acceleration from a standstill is brisk and progressive, thanks to a five-speed sequentially shifted automatic with grade-logic control (that means you don't get that see-saw action on slight grades, as the transmission gears down then up, then down again, etc., in order to maintain car speed). A manual gearbox would be a welcome addition, but one isn't available with either engine (maybe when a Type-S A Spec comes along ...).
The ride is firm and borders on jostly on today's potholed roads. On the highway, you're instantly aware of every bridge joist you cross and jolted awake by the rumble-strips marking the edge of the shoulder, should you stray too far over.
More than one passenger com- plained about the thumpiness of the ride, but they didn't get a chance to experience the car's handling capabilities.
Flat and poised, the TL takes corners at high speed with the skill of a touring championship car.
The steering is quick and direct, letting you make easy corrections regardless of the speed the car is carrying, without having to counter the corrective action. Although we didn't get a chance to experience it in the heat of battle, we get the feeling that emergency manoeuvres are easily taken without any but the initial drama.
In the middle of a high-speed on-ramp, you get the feeling that a slide is only a tire slip away, yet there is no audible sign that they are anywhere close to letting go. This is a car whose limits far exceed all but the most fearless of racers.
Yet unlike those race-bred stallions that basically cater to the needs of one person, the TL accommodates up to five occupants in style. You could say it almost coddles them, but there's nothing overly indulgent about it.
The interior puts forth an air of luxury mostly through the presentation of controls but it doesn't have all those luxury trappings.
For example, it has power heated seats up front but not in the rear, and they aren't ventilated (as is the case in an increasing number of luxury cars) nor do any of them massage anything.
The centre stack in our test car had an easy to understand display, but it wasn't one of those controlled-by-one-knob units, or even a touch unit. And though it's chock full of technology, it doesn't park itself or even offer a rearview during parking exercises, let alone an overhead view.
And that perhaps adds to the sense that the Acura TL is more than just a
luxury sports sedan. It's a car that is happiest when it's being used by someone who can take care of the business of driving without needing the car jump in to correct every little potential mistake.
- - -
FACT FILE
2009 ACURA TL
As tested (before taxes): CA$39,990
Options: none
Freight: CA$1,825
MSRP range: CA$39,990-CA$47,990
Configuration: front engine/front wheel drive
Engine/Transmission: 3.5L V6/5-spd auto with sequential shift
Power/Torque: 280 hp/254 lb.-ft.
Fuel (capacity): Premium (70L)
EnerGuide fuel economy ratings: 11.6 L/100km city; 7.5 L/100km hwy
Observed fuel economy: 10.3 L/100 km combined over 524 km
Warranties: 4 years/80,000 km (basic); 5 years/100,000 km (powertrain)
Competitors: Audi A4; Lexus ES 350; Lincoln MKZ; Nissan Maxima; Saab 9- 3; Volvo S60
Report Card:
Economy: 5 -outstanding for a reasonably powerful V6
Value for $: 5 -decent price for an upscale sports sedan
Styling: 4 -take it or leave it, but no denying it is distinctive
Comfort: 4 -comfortable and roomy seats all around for four; ok for five
Performance: 4 -feels as solid and powerful as any traditional RWD sports sedan
Overall: 5 -simply the best front-wheel drive sports sedan on the market
© 2009 , Sun Media
Source: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/Art...aspx?e=1377848
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