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2008 Acura TL Performance Review

July 28, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Fast, fun, comfortable and convenient
Kelley Blue Book

still a solid player
Motor Trend

a tendency toward torque steer
ConsumerGuide

The 2008 Acura TL and TL Type-S supply plenty of power via the front wheels.
However, all that power results in noticeable torque steer, and reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com felt that the TL’s drivetrain ultimately cut into its performance.

The base Acura 2008 TL is powered by a 3.2-liter V-6 delivering 258 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque. “It’s still capable of bringing the TL from zero to 60 mph in around 6 seconds,” Edmunds says. The Type-S borrows the larger engine from the Acura RL; the 3.5-liter V-6 is rated at 286 hp and 256 pound-feet. With it, the TL’s acceleration times drop to the mid-5-second range.

While the Type-S can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the standard TL only comes with a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic, though it “permits manual gear changes,” Cars.com reports.

Fuel economy is fairly strong for a vehicle of the Acura 2008 TL’s size. Edmunds notes that the base TL is rated at “18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway,” while the manual-equipped Type-S “actually returns better mileage at 18 city and 27 highway, while the five-speed automatic gets 17/26.”

When it comes to handling, the 2008 Acura TL suffers from the sheer amount of power going through the front wheels. ConsumerGuide states, "The base model is agile and well-controlled" and goes on to praise the steering, though reminding us the Acura 2008 TL Type-S has superior steering response and less corner lean. Kelley Blue Book, though, voices the opinion of the majority of reviewers when it suggests "the TL explores the limit of what is possible with front-wheel drive and a torquey V6." Motor Trend says, “"If Acura wants to sell a front-drive car with this much horsepower, the engineers should figure how to tune out the wheel wiggle." Edmunds reports, “Its steering is incalculably precise, and the car's cornering is tack-sharp,” but the Acura 2008 TL falls back in the pack when compared with rear-drive cars like the Infiniti G35.

Otherwise, Cars.com reports, “The TL has a pleasant ride. In the Type-S, a combination of firmer springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars keeps the car from heaving its weight left and right, and improves roadholding. “

Conclusion

The 2008 Acura TL has good handling and steering, but torque steer spoils the fun.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Fast, fun, comfortable and convenientKelley Blue Bookstill a solid playerMotor Trenda tendency toward torque steerConsumerGuide The 2008 Acura TL and TL Type-S supply plenty of power via the front wheels. However, all that power results in noticeable torque steer, and reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com felt that the TL’s drivetrain ultimately cut into its performance. The base Acura 2008 TL is powered by a 3.2-liter V-6 delivering 258 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque. “It’s still capable of bringing the TL from zero to 60 mph in around 6 seconds,” Edmunds says. The Type-S borrows the larger engine from the Acura RL; the 3.5-liter V-6 is rated at 286 hp and 256 pound-feet. With it, the TL’s acceleration times drop to the mid-5-second range. While the Type-S can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the standard TL only comes with a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic, though it “permits manual gear changes,” Cars.com reports. Fuel economy is fairly strong for a vehicle of the Acura 2008 TL’s size. Edmunds notes that the base TL is rated at “18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway,” while the manual-equipped Type-S “actually returns better mileage at 18 city and 27 highway, while the five-speed automatic gets 17/26.” When it comes to handling, the 2008 Acura TL suffers from the sheer amount of power going through the front wheels. ConsumerGuide states, "The base model is agile and well-controlled" and goes on to praise the steering, though reminding us the Acura 2008 TL Type-S has superior steering response and less corner lean. Kelley Blue Book, though, voices the opinion of the majority of reviewers when it suggests "the TL explores the limit of what is possible with front-wheel drive and a torquey V6." Motor Trend says, “"If Acura wants to sell a front-drive car with this much horsepower, the engineers should figure how to tune out the wheel wiggle." Edmunds reports, “Its steering is incalculably precise, and the car's cornering is tack-sharp,” but the Acura 2008 TL falls back in the pack when compared with rear-drive cars like the Infiniti G35. Otherwise, Cars.com reports, “The TL has a pleasant ride. In the Type-S, a combination of firmer springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars keeps the car from heaving its weight left and right, and improves roadholding. “ ConclusionThe 2008 Acura TL has good handling and steering, but torque steer spoils the fun.  2008 ACURA TL STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: "an attractive blend of style and luxury" Kelley Blue Book: "can be confused with no other in the segment" ConsumerGuide: "an impressive blend of sport and luxury" The 2008 Acura TL retains its place in the market as a classy ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

When it comes to entry-lux mid-size sedans, there is no shortage of candidates that want to suck the bucks out of your bank account. Your choices can be similar to the 2008 Acura TL in that they are front-wheel drive. The Lexus ES and Audi A4 fit here. Certainly the Audi is the most sporting of the group, but it may not be the easiest car to live with over the long haul.

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See the Acura TL in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Tanika #1, Posted: 10/6/2008

    Acura TL

    THE CAR IS BANGING!! I AM GOING TO BUY ONE IN JANUARY 09; A WHITE W. BEIGE INTERIOR TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR! =] CANT WAIT TO PULL UP IN MY HIGH SCHOOL DRIVING THIS..

  2. By Nimisha #2, Posted: 7/21/2009

    Love my second hand TL which I bought from a friend

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