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April 3, 2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/acura_tl_1999

  Bob Plunkett
EditorBob Plunkett

LILLOOET, British Columbia — Acura is Honda's label for performance and luxury. But until recently, its midsize offerings have lacked the panache or value that sets apart the true gems in this class.

But now, Acura’s countered the punch of the BMW 328i with a brand-new 3.2TL that’s swift, stylish, and a great value, too. By switching to a different platform (a loose interpretation of the current V-6 Accord), expanding its track and length while enlarging the five-place passenger compartment to true midsize dimensions, Acura engineers have created a strong contender in the executive-sedan class. And by slotting in a powerful new aluminum V-6 engine and linking it to a four-speed automatic transmission with clutchless manual shift-it-yourself stick, they’ve given the true sports-sedan aficionados something to think about when they start to think German sedans.

All of these new facets of the formerly dowdy TL sound even better when you hear the bottom line. The new 3.2TL lops $5,200 off the former car's sticker, dropping the manufacturer's suggested list price to $27,950 (plus a mandatory delivery fee of $435).

In effect, Acura found a way to build a far better car than the predecessor TL but market it for far fewer bucks. As a result, the new 3.2TL immediately becomes the best value story this year among all 1999 cars.

More car, fewer clams
How can you make a better car for less moola? Acura did it by condensing the TL, which used to be offered with either a five-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, to a single V-6 model. Then it borrowed the Accord platform and moved into the Accord’s assembly digs in central Ohio. Combining efficiencies is a neat trick that Honda does extraordinarily well — and the new TL is probably the best example yet of its talent for tailoring locally popular cars from global platforms.

But don't get the impression that the resultant new TL is simply a reworking of Honda's Accord with an Acura badge applied. While the two sedans remotely resemble each other in overall shape and size, the Acura carves out its own sharper performance personality from a host of fast-minded ideas. Acura's product planners equipped the TL with all sorts of goodies, from double-wishbone independent suspensions to a more precise rack-and-pinion steering unit with speed-sensitive power assistance, even anti-lock brakes and a traction-control system.

How good is this new TL? A series of subjective tests driving snaky Route 99 across the Lillooet Range of Coast Mountains in British Columbia with various 3.2TL prototypes clearly demonstrated that the newest Acura possesses superior driving traits. In terms of engine performance, ride and drive quality, control of noise and vibration, and rider room and comfort, it’s near the top of the compact sports-sedan class, among luminaries like the Lexus ES 300 — if not the superb BMW 328i.

Designers specified a transversely mounted engine for front-drive TL. The new 60-degree V-6, built at the Honda engine plant in Anna, Ohio, displaces 3.2 liters with single overhead camshafts and VTEC controls. It soars to 225 hp and connects to a sophisticated electronic automatic four-speed transmission outfitted with Honda's SportShift override for manual shifts when desired. The transmission also has a unique "grade logic" shift-point governor which selects third- and fourth-gear settings after measuring variables like throttle position, road speed, and rates of acceleration and deceleration.

Crisp style and handling
The exterior form of 3.2TL looks slick. Its wedge shape has crisp edges, curled corners and a windshield raked dramatically rearward. A pentagonal grille ringed in chrome rests between high-intensity-discharge headlamps. Monochromatic bumpers and body cladding underscore the understated elegance.

Behind the classy facade, a rigid unibody structure surrounds engine and passenger compartments. Torsional rigidity of the TL’s platform has improved by 70 percent over the previous version, while bending strength has grown by 80 percent — producing a quieter car that's more controllable.

It’s quiet as well. The TL's chassis uses subframes to isolate front and rear suspension systems. As a result, the fully independent double-wishbone arrangement takes the lumps out of road bumps, muting surface irregularities to deliver smooth ride sensations.

Still, the suspension tuning produces a taut, lively tone. The car remains relatively flat in curves. You can push it hard through twisties like the switchback run over Mount Chief Pascall en route to Seton Lake, British Columbia.

Safety and comfort reign supreme
Safety elements on the TL range from the strong structural system with fore and aft crumple zones and additional bracing for side doors, to dual frontal airbags and three-point safety belts, plus the four-wheel disc brake system tied to computerized anti-lock action and traction control.

Bucket seats in front and a rear bench for three provide generous space and comfort, although five adults will feel closer after a long ride in the back seat of the TL. They’ll be coddled, however, by the soft leather that covers all seats. The front buckets add power controls and heaters for even more comfort.

Standard equipment on all TLs includes power windows, a tilting steering column, remote locking, air filtration for the climate-control system, leather seats, a five-speaker Bose sound system with in-dash CD player, even a power moonroof that tilts and slides. Acura's dash-mounted navigation system, a 6-disc CD changer, and rear-wing spoiler are the only options.

For less than $30,000, the 3.2TL gives Acura its best shot at street credibility in the executive-sedan class. With the zip of its 225-hp engine and the semiautomatic shifter, it rivals the best Japanese competition and edges closer than ever to the paradigm of the class, the BMW 328i.

LILLOOET, British Columbia — Acura is Honda's label for performance and luxury. But until recently, its midsize offerings have lacked the panache or value that sets apart the true gems in this class. But now, Acura’s countered the punch of the BMW 328i with a brand-new 3.2TL that’s swift, stylish, and a great value, too. By switching to a different platform (a loose interpretation of the current V-6 Accord), expanding its track and length while enlarging the five-place passenger compartment to true midsize dimensions, Acura engineers have created a strong contender in the executive-sedan class. And by slotting in a powerful new aluminum V-6 engine and linking it to a four-speed automatic transmission with clutchless manual shift-it-yourself stick, they’ve given the true sports-sedan aficionados something to think about when they start to think German sedans. All of these new facets of the formerly dowdy TL sound even better when you hear the bottom line. The new 3.2TL lops $5,200 off the former car's sticker, dropping the manufacturer's suggested list price to $27,950 (plus a mandatory delivery fee of $435). In effect, Acura found a way to build a far better car than the predecessor TL but market it for far fewer bucks. As a result, the new 3.2TL immediately becomes the best value story this year among all 1999 cars. More car, fewer clamsHow can you make a better car for less moola? Acura did it by condensing the TL, which used to be offered with either a five-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, to a single V-6 model. Then it borrowed the Accord platform and moved into the Accord’s assembly digs in central Ohio. Combining efficiencies is a neat trick that Honda does extraordinarily well — and the new TL is probably the best example yet of its talent for tailoring locally popular cars from global platforms. But don't get the impression that the resultant new TL is simply a reworking of Honda's Accord with an Acura badge applied. While the two sedans remotely resemble each other in overall shape and size, the Acura carves out its own sharper performance personality from a host of fast-minded ideas. Acura's product planners equipped the TL with all sorts of goodies, from double-wishbone independent suspensions to a more precise rack-and-pinion steering unit with speed-sensitive power assistance, even anti-lock brakes and a traction-control system. How good is this new TL? A series of subjective tests driving snaky Route 99 across the Lillooet Range of Coast Mountains in British Columbia with various 3.2TL prototypes clearly demonstrated that the newest Acura possesses superior driving traits. In terms of engine performance, ride and drive quality, control of noise and vibration, and rider room and comfort, it’s near the top of the compact sports-sedan class, among luminaries like the Lexus ES 300 — if not the superb BMW 328i. Designers specified a transversely mounted engine for front-drive TL. The new 60-degree V-6, built at the Honda engine plant in Anna, Ohio, displaces 3.2 liters with single overhead camshafts and VTEC controls. It soars to 225 hp and connects to a sophisticated electronic automatic four-speed transmission outfitted with Honda's SportShift override for manual shifts when desired. The transmission also has a unique "grade logic" shift-point governor which selects third- and fourth-gear settings after measuring variables like throttle position, road speed, and rates of acceleration and deceleration. Crisp style and handlingThe exterior form of 3.2TL looks slick. Its wedge shape has crisp edges, curled corners and a windshield raked dramatically rearward. A pentagonal grille ringed in chrome rests between high-intensity-discharge headlamps. Monochromatic bumpers and body cladding underscore the understated elegance. Behind the classy facade, a rigid unibody structure surrounds engine and passenger compartments. Torsional rigidity of the TL’s platform has improved by 70 percent over the previous version, while bending strength has grown by 80 percent — producing a quieter car that's more controllable. It’s quiet as well. The TL's chassis uses subframes to isolate front and rear suspension systems. As a result, the fully independent double-wishbone arrangement takes the lumps out of road bumps, muting surface irregularities to deliver smooth ride sensations. Still, the suspension tuning produces a taut, lively tone. The car remains relatively flat in curves. You can push it hard through twisties like the switchback run over Mount Chief Pascall en route to Seton Lake, British Columbia. Safety and comfort reign supremeSafety elements on the TL range from the strong structural system with fore and aft crumple zones and additional bracing for side doors, to dual frontal airbags and three-point safety belts, plus the four-wheel disc brake system tied to computerized anti-lock action and traction control. Bucket seats in front and a rear bench for three provide generous space and comfort, although five adults will feel closer after a long ride in the back seat of the TL. They’ll be coddled, however, by the soft leather that covers all seats. The front buckets add power controls and heaters for even more comfort. Standard equipment on all TLs includes power windows, a tilting steering column, remote locking, air filtration for the climate-control system, leather seats, a five-speaker Bose sound system with in-dash CD player, even a power moonroof that tilts and slides. Acura's dash-mounted navigation system, a 6-disc CD changer, and rear-wing spoiler are the only options. For less than $30,000, the 3.2TL gives Acura its best shot at street credibility in the executive-sedan class. With the zip of its 225-hp engine and the semiautomatic shifter, it rivals the best Japanese competition and edges closer than ever to the paradigm of the class, the BMW 328i. LILLOOET, British Columbia — Acura is Honda's label for performance and luxury. But until recently, its midsize offerings have lacked the panache or value that sets apart the true gems in this class. But now, Acura’s countered the punch of the BMW 328i with a brand-new 3.2TL ...