2012 Acura TL vs 2012 Lexus ES - The Car Connection

2012 Acura TL

2012 Lexus ES

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic 2WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
TL 4-Door Sedan Automatic 2WD	20	29	$33,526	$35,705
TL 4-Door Sedan Automatic 2WD Advance	20	29	$39,015	$41,635
TL 4-Door Sedan Automatic 2WD Tech	20	29	$36,979	$39,435
TL 4-Door Sedan Automatic SH-AWD	18	26	$36,812	$39,255
TL 4-Door Sedan Automatic SH-AWD Advance	18	26	$42,300	$45,185
TL 4-Door Sedan Automatic SH-AWD Tech	18	26	$40,264	$42,985
TL 4-Door Sedan Manual SH-AWD Tech	17	25	$40,264	$42,985

Select style

4-Door Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
ES 350 4-Door Sedan	19	28	$34,400	$36,725

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$33,526

$34,400

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$35,705

$36,725

Monthly Payment Estimate

$595 / month

$612 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.0

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Acura TL is a surprisingly well-rounded luxury sedan, with a host of advanced tech features, and in top SH-AWD trim morphs into a complete and compelling sport sedan.

The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is a great pick for those who want a lavish interior and the latest in-car tech, but place a priority on comfort over cornering performance.

TCC Likes

Top-notch true-luxury interior
Poise and responsiveness (SH-AWD)
Nice sound system and iPod integration

Comfortable ride and seating
Soft yet controlled ride
Classy interior trims

TCC Dislikes

Overwhelming center-stack layout
Balky automatic transmission
Small trunk

Bland exterior
Lack of driving feedback

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

29 mpg

28 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Mid-Size

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

36.7

36.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

56.2

56.3

Front Leg Room (in)

42.5

42.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

55.7

55.9

Second Leg Room (in)

36.2

35.9

Front Head Room (in)

38.4

37.4

Second Hip Room (in)

54.8

53.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.2

57.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

98.2

95.4

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.1

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

194.0

191.7

Height, Overall (in)

57.2

56.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

63.8

61.6

Wheelbase (in)

109.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

74.0

71.7

Track Width, Front (in)

63.2

62.0

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.1

14.8

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2 x - TBD -

11.1 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6 x - TBD -

11.7 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

16.0

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.4

36.7

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

3.2

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Front Tire Size

P245/50VR17

P215/55R17

Spare Tire Size

- TBD -

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P245/50VR17

P215/55R17

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3726

3605

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8.0

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8.0

17 x 7.0

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

Displacement

3.5L/212

3.5L/210

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

280 @ 6200

268 @ 6200

Engine Type

Gas V6

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

254 @ 5000

248 @ 4700

Engine Order Code

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.49

1.42

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.75

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.27

4.14

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.10

1.90

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.72

3.68

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.07

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

0.60

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.36

3.30

Summary

Vehicle Name

Acura TL

Lexus ES 350

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Sedan

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

1.18

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Dual-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.75

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

MacPherson Strut

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

8.1

8.3

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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