2012 Acura TL SH-AWD
Categories: Car Reviews
Written By: admin
As a previous owner of the last-generation Acura TL, I was aghast at what happened in 2008 when it was redesigned with the company’s bold (offensive?) ‘shield’ grill motif. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one: sales never met the company’s expectations, even though the TL range spread out to include an AWD version, featuring the company’s killer Super-handling’ torque distribution system, which insured great handling, regardless of the road’s condition.
Acura has finally seen the handwriting, and in one of the more apropos usages of the term ‘ automotive facelift’, trimmed the TL’s prominent beak. They’ve also tidied up some of the tail end’s more triangular excesses. The result is a less polarizing, more refined look that should attract more buyers to what was—and remains—a great midpriced luxury/sports sedan.
More substantive changes include adopting a six-speed automatic across the lineup (also comprising a front-drive TL with a smaller, less powerful engine). Teemed to the 305hp/273lb-ft engine, which benefits from friction reducing measures), the result is smoother revving, faster accelerating at 0-60 in 6.2 seconds according to Caranddriver [link] and better fuel ecomony: 18/26mpg.
The TL’s interior remains a generally pleasing place to while away the hours, with supportive seats, high-quality materials, a really nice steering wheel, and lots of techy goodies. The only caveat is that it doesn’t look that high-end, what with the button-festooned center stack and graphics for the interface that seem a generation behind competitors.
This Acura continues to be a pleasing steer, too. Its helm feels substantial and directs the well-tuned chassis to high limits without an unduly harsh ride. Brake feel is firm and linear, contributing to an overall sense of precisioned engineering.
The TL competes against some excellent machines from Audi, BMW, and Infiniti. While it doesn’t stand out in any one area, it doesn’t give up any ground either—and it no longer offends shoppers just sitting on the showroom floor.
THE BROKER’S VIEW: Acura’s generally hold their value very well, based on their well-earned reputation for reliability and long-term durability. This generation TL hasn’t come back into the used market in enough volume to draw conclusions on yet, though.
EPA Ratings: 18/26
Price as tested: $45,970
Here’s what Acura has to say.
