Plastic surgery complete, is it still a good car underneath?
The
TL has always been a well-rounded alternative to the Accord for those who like
their buttered bread lightly toasted. It shares the same platform with the
Accord but unlike it, has offered a more luxurious feel and a dash of sporting
flavor starting in 2002 with the Type-S trim that has vanished and resurfaced with
the tides. This current TL first showed its face in late 2008 as an ’09 model
and that face was immediately and widely criticized. The matte chrome ‘power
plenum’ grille dominated the front end, spilling over onto the leading edges of
the hood. The rear suffered from the same exaggerated genetics, sporting an
enormous bumper resplendent with large reflectors and an edgy trunk lid flanked
by tiny taillights. Some claimed the car looked like a pouting Transformer from
the rear but viewed from the side, one could see handsome lines trying to be
heard over the shouting extremities. Regardless of whether you were a fan or
not, Acura heard the criticism loud and clear and tamed the edginess for the
car’s mid-cycle refresh.
No
longer dominated by extravagant additions, the TL has been simplified and honed
into a handsome package without managing to look like the smaller TSX. Acura
hopes that this draws in those originally turned off by outward appearances to
see what a fine car it really is. A TL with the Technology Package was mine for
the evening so I took it out to see what it had to offer for its $40,330 asking
price.
Initial
impressions were quite promising. Unlike many cars of today, the window line is
actually very low and provides excellent sideways visibility. The windshield is
similarly shaped and only the rear window suffers from the gun-slit syndrome.
To assist in reversing maneuvers with that high decklid, a rear view camera is
standard on all models with the Technology Package and above. The front seats
are very comfortable and offer a wide range of power adjustments for both driver
and passenger. Front seat heating is standard on Tech models while springing
for the Advance Package will also give you ventilation for those hot summer
days. Storage space also abounds with a large center console, a small cubby at
the base of the console and a glove box is which is cavernous enough to be
useful even with the owner’s manual booklet in there. Fit and finish is also
spectacular with nice stitching touches on the leather wrapped around the
steering wheel, shift knob and emergency brake handle. The navigation screen is
a high-definition work of art, the nifty sliding power point cover is just
plain cool and the gauges with their floating needles were very easy to read at
a glance, even if they were a bit on the plain side. With almost 6,000 miles on
the odometer, all the leather surfaces inside looked brand new, nothing rattled
or squeaked and panel gap consistency was excellent, just what we’ve come to
expect in an Acura.
Gripes
with the driving environment were few but present nevertheless. With the
Technology Package, the reason why other manufacturers ball lots of functions
into the navigation screen is made vividly clear. The TL reserves the
navigation screen for essentially just that and as a result, the center stack
alone is home to a whopping forty-five buttons not including the hazard lights
and starter button. There are then another sixteen buttons on the steering
wheel, only four being for the cruise control and many of which lack tactile
identification, making them tough to operate without taking your eyes off the road. Although they are easy to get used to, having to learn all these buttons
may be daunting prospect for some. Also, controls for the heated seats are
placed directly in front of the cup holder so it’s only a matter of time before
something fizzy and sugary is spilled on them. Despite these niggles, the TL’s
interior is a wonderful place to spend time and may easily find itself the preferred family vacation cruiser.
The
TL’s bulk is propelled by Acura’s excellent 3.5 liter V6 producing 280 horsepower
and 254 pound feet of torque in front wheel drive spec. Models equipped with
the physics-defying Super Handling AWD (SH-AWD) receive a 3.7 liter version of
the same V6 that bumps output to 305 horsepower and 273 pound feet of torque.
Off-the-line acceleration is brisk and smooth with the expected torque steer
very well tamed, something not likely to be said about the previous generation
TL. The six-speed automatic has paddles on the steering wheel should you prefer
to shift yourself but either way, it provides silky and seamless performance,
even under heavy throttle applications. Stopping nearly two tons isn’t an easy
task but the brakes fitted to the TL are superb and at full power, can quickly
find a new place for anything in the interior that isn’t fastened down.
Anti-lock control is excellent and pedal feedback is very good.
The
ride is very comfortable and controlled without being too hard and firm or soft
and floaty. Pockmarked streets of downtown Portland weren’t able to faze the TL
and it soaked up highway miles without complaint but upon heading into the
hills, I found myself disappointed. Despite everything else that it has going
for it, the TL’s steering is disparagingly and unforgivably numb. On-center
feel is non-existent so don’t even bother looking for it and even driving briskly
into a corner gives one reason for pause as the complete lack of feedback
through the wheel provides the sensation that you’re losing grip even if that’s
not the case. Even the larger RL offers superior steering response at speed but
still suffers from the Novocain on-center sensation. Without an SH-AWD model to
compare it with, I’d have to say that the steering in the TL is the only thing
letting down an otherwise perfect car.
There
is a TL to fit every taste including, by the grace of the automotive gods, a
six-speed manual version, an option virtually extinct in this class outside the
BMW 3-Series. Prices for the TL start at just under $36,000 and with the AWD
Advance Package, can get awfully close to $46,000. A BMW 335i xDrive starts at
$44,800 and while that may sound appealing, it quickly passes the $50K mark
without adding many options that the TL includes as standard fare. A
fully-loaded example will easily get close to sixty grand, a tough pill to
swallow.
Although
this was a quick drive, the TL left a very favorable impression in my mouth and
if Acura only corrected the steering feel, this car would be about as good as
those costing a third more.
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What's Hot:
Good visibility, luxury without the price, comfortable seats, compliant ride,
excellent acceleration and brakes, butter-smooth power delivery, top-notch
materials and fit and finish.
What's Not:
Steering needs help with communication skills, button-loaded dashboard may
prove confusing for some.
The Verdict: A handsome and proficient all-rounder let down by a single
character flaw.
This car was graciously loaned to
me courtesy of Martin Parr at Ron Tonkin Acura in Beaverton, Oregon.
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