Acura TL History
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The Acura TL is a midsize, front-wheel drive luxury sedan and one of Acura’s key models. On sale in the U.S. since 1996, the Marysville, Ohio-built Acura TL competes against the BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G Sedan, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus ES range of cars.
Originally designed as a replacement to the Acura Vigor, the Acura TL has grown and added features over the years to become a technology leader and Acura’s best-selling vehicle. Early models were powered by small yet powerful four- and five-cylinders or compact V-6s. The four-cylinder models were discontinued after the first generation, and the five-cylinder unit was dropped after the second generation ended in 2003.
Four generations of the car have been built, with the first run lasting just two years. The second-gen car offered a choice of 2.5- or 3.2-liter engines, automatic transmissions only, and a Type S variant that boosted horsepower of the 3.2-liter V-6 to 260 horsepower. The third generation car is perhaps the most beloved, its attractive lines still turning heads today. It grew slightly in size, but its engines dropped the 2.5-liter option, adding a 286-horsepwoer 3.5-liter V-6 above the now-standard 258-horsepower 3.2-liter engine. The fourth generation started in 2008 as a 2009 year-model as a completely fresh design. Its controversial styling have won it fans and foes alike, but its competence on the road, particularly in SH-AWD form, which features a 3.7-liter, 305-horsepower engine and all-wheel drive, has proven the new TL is a solid package.
The fourth-generation Acura TL has grown significantly in size over its predecessors, now tipping the scales between 3,700 and 3,950 pounds. It is available in base and SH-AWD trims, with the base car powered by a 280-horsepower V-6 engine driving the front wheels. Key features of the current Acura TL include Acura’s standard navigation system, automatic climate control, a five-speed sequential SportShift automatic transmission (six-speed manual available on the SH-AWD) and more high-tech communications, audio and safety gadgetry than you can shake a stick at. Optional upgrades include a rear-view backup camera, GPS-linked temperature control, and a voice-recognition system.
Acura isn’t planning any major revisions for the 2011 Acura TL, as the car is just coming up on two model years old at this point. Drivers interested in refined and high-tech luxury will find the base Acura TL satisfying, but for those that yearn for more sport--but don’t want to go with a German marque--will find a mostly willing partner in the TL SH-AWD.
