All photos by Acrua
09/22/2011
Cars Home / Stuff to Buy Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
I’m a sucker for luxury sport sedans, so I was excited to drive the updated Acura TL and came away very impressed with the vehicle. This isn’t a stodgy sedan that floats along the road. The TL has real quickness and power with a tight suspension and it will put a smile on your face as soon as you get behind the wheel. Acura has made changes to the previous version of this vehicle that should excite consumers.
Exterior
The exterior design of the 2012 TL has been refined from the previous version and represents a huge leap forward for the overall look of the vehicle. The aggressive front grille has been toned down considerably, giving the vehicle a more elegant look with far less chrome. That said, the new TL also has a more aerodynamic and modern look that’s worthy of this sport sedan. It’s also a little sportier that some of the other vehicles in this space, and I liked the look of the car from all angles. The TL truly deserves a fresh look from consumers with these improvements.
Interior
The interior of the TL is also elegant and sporty, with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a luxury sedan in this segment. The styling is luxurious with just enough styling to give it a more youthful feel. All of the controls were obvious and easy to use, and I was instantly comfortable in the vehicle. The leather sports seats were extremely comfortable and easy to adjust to your preferences with 10-way controls. I also loved the leather steering wheel and the overall feel of the cockpit.
Performance
The responsiveness of this vehicle will grab your attention right away. It’s extremely quick and nimble for a luxury sedan and you feel like it can do anything you ask of it on the road. There are plenty of sedans out there with solid horsepower, but sometimes you’ll get a short delay before the engine kicks in after you press the pedal. Here, there’s no delay at all. The suspension will also impress driving enthusiasts as this car takes corners with authority. The sound of the engine also caught my attention and adds to the driving experience. In short, I loved driving this car.
The 2012 TL sports a new six-speed automatic transmission, paired with Acura's 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine and its 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine. You can also get a manual 6-speed with the 3.7 liter version. The model I drove featured the automatic 3.7 liter V-6, and for a while, I wondered if it had a V-8. The estimated gas mileage is 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway – not bad for the performance this car delivers.
Overview
Anyone looking for a luxury sport sedan has to take a look at the 2012 Acura TL and give it a test drive. It has everything you would want with memorable performance. I suspect that young professionals will love this car, along with guys with families who want a car that’s still fun as hell to drive. The list price for the 2012 TL SH-AWD Advance that I tested is $45,970, which is a steal for this vehicle. You’ll be able to show off this sedan and the price you paid for it.
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