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2009 Acura TL Features Review

May 2, 2009

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Tons of user-friendly high-tech features
Edmunds

A feast of advanced technology
Motor Trend

Nav boasts real-time traffic information, specific lane routing for multilane highways
Car and Driver

Over the past decades, Acura has earned itself a place in the heart of younger luxury shoppers for its innovative use of high-tech features. The 2009 Acura TL continues that tradition, offering all the usual goodies and, in what is becoming a common move for Acura, an industry-first option.

The base Acura TL is hardly deserving of its lowly "base" designation, as Edmunds reports that this Acura 2009 comes standard with "tons of user-friendly high-tech features." Among the more noteworthy standard items on the 2009 Acura TL are "iPod and Bluetooth connectivity," full power accessories, "an eight-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD changer, [and] satellite radio," according to Edmunds reviewers. Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com list even more standard features, which Motor Trend says are "enough to make the commander of a Los Angeles-class submarine jealous," including "a conventional AUX jack plus a USB port that allows complete control (and charging) of your iPod through the audio system" of the Acura TL.

Few cars on the road today come standard with full iPod integration, but the 2009 Acura TL offers much more than that, if you're willing to spend a little extra. The most frequently mentioned option package in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com is the appropriately named Technology Package, which adds, among other features, a "voice-activated navigation system" that Cars.com attests "works well and features improved screen graphics compared to Acura's current system." Edmunds reviewers mention that the Acura 2009 Tech Package also brings "real-time traffic, real-time weather forecasts, GPS-linked and solar-sensing adaptive climate control system...and a 10-speaker Panasonic/ELS surround-sound system with DVD audio and 12.7 GB of digital music storage." Car and Driver is particularly impressed with the Acura TL's navigation system, which they say features "specific lane routing for multilane highways, and an industry-first Doppler radar weather-map feature." For you audiophiles out there, Cars.com reports that the 2009 Acura TL's hard drive "allows users to upload music from CDs or flash drives" and can actually "recognize the artist and track names from the CD you want to record."

Conclusion

The 2009 Acura TL can get pricey if you step up to some of its options, but they’re some of the most impressive, high-tech upgrades.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Tons of user-friendly high-tech featuresEdmundsA feast of advanced technologyMotor TrendNav boasts real-time traffic information, specific lane routing for multilane highwaysCar and Driver Over the past decades, Acura has earned itself a place in the heart of younger luxury shoppers for its innovative use of high-tech features. The 2009 Acura TL continues that tradition, offering all the usual goodies and, in what is becoming a common move for Acura, an industry-first option. The base Acura TL is hardly deserving of its lowly "base" designation, as Edmunds reports that this Acura 2009 comes standard with "tons of user-friendly high-tech features." Among the more noteworthy standard items on the 2009 Acura TL are "iPod and Bluetooth connectivity," full power accessories, "an eight-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD changer, [and] satellite radio," according to Edmunds reviewers. Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com list even more standard features, which Motor Trend says are "enough to make the commander of a Los Angeles-class submarine jealous," including "a conventional AUX jack plus a USB port that allows complete control (and charging) of your iPod through the audio system" of the Acura TL. Few cars on the road today come standard with full iPod integration, but the 2009 Acura TL offers much more than that, if you're willing to spend a little extra. The most frequently mentioned option package in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com is the appropriately named Technology Package, which adds, among other features, a "voice-activated navigation system" that Cars.com attests "works well and features improved screen graphics compared to Acura's current system." Edmunds reviewers mention that the Acura 2009 Tech Package also brings "real-time traffic, real-time weather forecasts, GPS-linked and solar-sensing adaptive climate control system...and a 10-speaker Panasonic/ELS surround-sound system with DVD audio and 12.7 GB of digital music storage." Car and Driver is particularly impressed with the Acura TL's navigation system, which they say features "specific lane routing for multilane highways, and an industry-first Doppler radar weather-map feature." For you audiophiles out there, Cars.com reports that the 2009 Acura TL's hard drive "allows users to upload music from CDs or flash drives" and can actually "recognize the artist and track names from the CD you want to record." ConclusionThe 2009 Acura TL can get pricey if you step up to some of its options, but they’re some of the most impressive, high-tech upgrades. 2009 ACURA TL STYLING | [6 out of 10] Edmunds: "Controversial styling could be a hit or miss with consumers" Car and Driver: "Looks better in the flesh than in photographs" Automobile Magazine: "New interior...is indeed seductive" Acura has apparently decided that the Japanese ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Audi A4, also redesigned for 2009, is a front-wheel-drive-biased vehicle just like the TL, but Audi has taken great pains to move its mass rearward and make it a sportier, more engaging drive—and they succeeded. BMW's 3-Series is the benchmark for its class due to its magical ride/handling combination, but it's a tighter fit inside and options are pricey. The Cadillac CTS presents as strong a styling statement as the TL, yet does so in an appealing way; rear-wheel drive, a well-sorted chassis, great powertrains, and a sumptuous interior complete a compelling package. Starting in the low thirties, yet with an interior that comes within inches of a Mercedes S550 for richness and room, the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Genesis sedan is the value leader here, but soft handling means it won't win in the slalom. Volkswagen's Passat also brings great value and a stunning interior to the table, but just like the TL, its front-wheel-drive setup won't thrill driving enthusiasts.

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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 Michael #1, Posted: 6/5/2009

    Put 50,000 miles plus on then lets talk about true quality. You review talks about Acura quality but fails to mention that Acura had to be sued to provide support to previous Acura TL models that had issues with repeated transmission failures. From my experience the quality of the GM products far exceeds what I have seen with the Acura TL. For our money we our next car will not be from Acrua/Honda.

  2. By Craig #2, Posted: 8/5/2009

    The TL has excellent driving characteristics, great acceleration however I wasn't impressed with the ride quality on the sh-awd model, the FWD provided more comfort. The tech package is a must. The voice activation takes a few seconds to execute (all of them do though) but it works well. The ELS sound system is unbelievable and unmatched. The navigation has been on spot so far. Interior is busy with buttons but luxurious. Have owned GM cars for 20 years and will not return to them due to poor fit and finish and bailout fiasco. I hope to remain with Acura as I have been extremely happy thus far with their quality.

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