2012 ACURA TL: Sound and sporty

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2012 (5059 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Acura’s midsize sedan, the TL, received some styling updates this past year, making it even more appealing than it already was.

But probably more significant for consumers is the addition of a six-speed automatic transmission, which helped boost the car’s highway fuel economy.

Transport Canada ratings are now 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.8 L/100km on the highway for the TL with the base 3.5-litre V-6 engine. No changes are planned for the 2013 version, which goes on sale this fall.

For the 2012 model, prices range from $39,490 to $48,990.

That lower price tag buys the entry-level, front-wheel-drive TL with the base V-6 engine. At the almost $50-K figure you’ll get everything that’s available in a TL, including all-wheel drive, a more-powerful 3.7-litre V-6 and both the Advance and Technology packages.

We tested the top-of-the-line SH-AWD model, which even had such extras as a power trunk lid, blind-spot monitoring and one of the best audio systems around.

The base model’s 3.5-litre engine, rated at 280 horsepower, was given some friction-reduction technologies to help boost fuel efficiency, Acura says. That engine and the optional 305-horsepower 3.7-litre V-6 also were given larger air inlets to provide cooler air for more efficient combustion.

Fuel economy drops a bit with the bigger engine and all-wheel drive. Our tester, with the automatic transmission, had ratings of 11.4 L/100 km city/7.6 highway.

The six-speed automatic has Acura’s Sequential SportShift feature, which allows for manual shifting without having to use a clutch. It has a double-kick-down feature that allows for going down two gears at once — say, from fifth to third gear — for sportier driving.

The transmission co-ordinates with the electronic throttle system to match gear speeds to engine r.p.m. while downshifting, also adding to efficiency.

Design tweaks for 2012 included a new front bumper with improved aerodynamics, a new grille, revised headlights and turn signals, new fog lights and a shorter front overhang.

At the rear, there’s a new bumper and the licence-plate opening has been moved. There are smaller rear reflectors, new LED tail lights and a thinner trunk-edge trim.

The changes were a “freshening” of the TL rather than a complete makeover. The fourth-generation model arrived for 2009 and several new features were added then, including the optional 3.7-litre engine, the most powerful in Acura’s history.

That engine is available only on the top model and only with the Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. All other models have the 3.5-litre.

For the sportiest driving experience, the six-speed manual gearbox is available with the bigger engine and all-wheel drive, with all the Technology package features, for $46,990. Exclusive to the all-wheel-drive models are four exhaust tips and a special SH-AWD badge.

This is a fun car to drive, especially with the all-wheel drive, which mostly eliminates the torque-steer problem that a lot of front-drive sport sedans have.

The engine gives this vehicle more power than you’ll ever need, and enough to get you in trouble if you’re not paying attention to the speedometer. The car really likes to run.

The Technology package brings sports front bucket seats with perforated leather trim, keyless entry and start with push-button ignition, GPS-linked dual-zone automatic climate control, an in-dash navigation system with voice recognition, AcuraLink real-time traffic and weather information, a 60-gigabyte hard drive and the truly amazing 410-watt Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system. A new, brighter-colour dash screen is shared by the audio and navigation systems.

Direct connections are provided for iPod/iPhone, which makes the music available through the audio system, with playlists and song lists showing up on the dash screen — and a feature that uses voice commands to play the music. Just tell it what song, playlist or artist you want to hear, and it’s done.

Standard TL features include heated front seats, a power moon roof, dual-zone adaptive climate control, 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat, universal garage opener and an eight-way adjustable power front passenger seat. The tester also had fog lights, front brake-cooling vents, a self-dimming rear-view mirror and a security system.

The standard audio system has 276 watts, eight speakers, a six-disc CD changer, AM/FM/XM radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, a USB port and an auxiliary jack for an iPod or other device.

Front-drive models have 17-inch, seven-spoke aluminum wheels with P245/50R17 all-season tires. The all-wheel-drive model has new 18-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels with low-profile P245/45R18 tires for sportier handling.

TL competitors include the Lexus ES 350, Lexus GS 350, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Infiniti M37, Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKS, and the BMW 3-series. But it also goes up against such non-premium brands as the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Genesis and Buick LaCrosse.

While the TL seats up to five, the middle position in the back seat is best left to kids. Legroom is decent for the rear outboard passengers.

Trunk space is limited to 13.1 cubic feet, which is less than most midsize sedans offer. The power-operated trunk lid is an unusual but welcome feature on an entry premium sedan. It’s usually found only on SUVs and crossovers or higher-priced sedans.

For safety’s sake, all TL models have Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) front body structure, which is designed to match the bumpers of other vehicles on the road.

Other safety features include electronic stability control with traction control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, a tire-pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints, front-seat-mounted side airbags, roof-mounted side-curtain airbags for both rows, child-seat anchors and tethers, front fog lights, breakaway rear-view mirror, emergency trunk interior release and high-intensity-discharge automatic headlights.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram

THE SPECS

Type of vehicle: FWD or AWD midsize sport sedan

Engine (TL): 3.5L SOHC V-6

Engine (SH-AWD): 3.7L SOHC V-6

Power (TL): 280 hp @ 6,200 r.p.m.; 273 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 r.p.m.

Power (SH-AWD): 305 hp @ 6,300 r.p.m.; 273 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 r.p.m.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Transport Canada fuel economy (L/100 km): 10.4 city, 6.8 hwy. (TL) / 11.4 city, 7.6 hwy. (SH-AWD)

Price: $39,490 (base TL)/ $48,990 (TL SH-AWD Elite)

Transport, PDI: $1,945