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SAFETY | 7 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
'Good,' frontal offset; 'good,' side impact; ‘good,’ rear impact
IIHS
Three stars overall; two stars, frontal; four stars, side
NHTSA
Rear visibility is hampered by a tall decklid; models with the Technology Package include a helpful rearview camera.
Consumer Guide
In the case of a few vehicles--and the 2012 Acura TL is one of them--the crash-test ratings between the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the federal government (NCAP) couldn't be more different.
Look only at results from the IIHS, and you'll be led to believe the TL is one of the safest models on the market; it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the best 'good' rating for all test categories--including the new roof-strength test.
However, looking at federal test results, the TL gets just three stars overall, including a worrisome two-star rating for frontal impact.
On the plus side, the feature set is great; all TL models include six airbags, including front side airbags and full-length side-curtain bags. A rearview camera system is available, and visibility is good, with rear headrests flipping neatly out of the way when nobody's back there.Â
Conclusion
The 2012 Acura TL's performance in federal crash tests is mediocre; but other indicators point to it as a safe pick.
