HEELS ON WHEELS: 2012 ACURA TL REVIEW

Is the 2012 Acura TL your Perfect New Car Match?
More Information - Acura Specs, Comparisons, Options and Pricing - 1997-2012 Acura Buyers Guide

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE ACURA TL VEHICLE The Acura TL is a premium mid-size sedan and all-wheel drive with the perfect blend of sporty styling, impressive performance, modern technology and luxurious comforts. And for the 2012 model, all these attributes have been improved upon. I drove a 2012 Acura TL with the optional 305-horsepower 3.7-liter SOHC V6 engine and the new six-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift. The vehicle is available in equipment groups. My top-of-the-line TL test drive came with the optional Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD); the Technology Package (navigation system with rearview camera, AcuraLink Communications System, sport seats, surround-sound audio system, dual-zone climate control and push-button start); and the Advanced Package (Blind Spot Information system, 19-inch wheels with all-season tires). Total price came to $45,085. If looking to enter the luxury car market, make note the Acura TL is a very smooth and fun-to-drive sedan that feels extremely modern with a solid reputation as being reliable. Honda has nailed their upscale brand and needs little else to do with the TL other than rearrange the front and rear fascia from time to time to make the styling stay fresh. Unlike their lesser brand’s navigation system (that needs updating), the Acura Navigation system is very cutting edge, complex, and yet still very instinctual to the user.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: One of the most notable qualities about the TL is how the cabin immediately engulfs you in a sea of soft leather and other quality materials, which feels quite soothing. Some critics have called the mess of commands and buttons on the TL’s instrument panel rather confusing, but in my opinion it just illustrates how loaded with modern technology and equipment the Acura is. The Acura/ELS surround-sound 10-speaker audio system has so many technology additions – the results offer a better experience than most home stereos.

Reliability & Safety Factor: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the 2012 Acura TL with “Good” results in frontal and side impact crash testing, but does not have information for the roof strength tests. Standard safety features include vehicle stability assist, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, active head restraints and six airbags.

Cost Issues: A base Acura TL without AWD starts at $35,605; at this price, impressive standards include XM Radio, leather-trimmed seats, 10-way power seating for driver and 8-way for passenger, Acura’s Sequential SportShift paddle shifters and Bluetooth connectivity. Everything else – like a navigation system, an upgraded surround-sound audio system, heated and cooled front seats and the many performance features – are packaged into optional premium groups that increase the price tag well above $45k.

Activity & Performance Ability: The TL’s performance is invigorating, sporty and quite elegant. What’s nice about the Sequential SportShiftis that it improves gear efficiency while also allowing for a double-kick-down feature so the driver can command a double downshift when searching for sportier driving results. While the Blind Spot Information (BSI) comes in the Advance Package, I wish more features – features you see on the Acrua MDX crossover – did, like the Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS). This feature employs the brakes before a foot can, able to avoid accidents when the human driver isn’t playing attention.

The Green Concern: A slight tweaked transmission now delivers 20 miles-per-gallon city and 29 highway – about a 3 MPG improvement from the previous V6 engine, which is significant.

FINAL PARTING WORDS
Performance and luxury attributes of the 2012 Acura TL are just as impressive as many big-name brands or competitors like the BMW Series-3 or Volvo S60. The V6 engine acts as a satisfying daily driver as well as an upscale weekend toy ideal for hitting the back roads or city streets.

©2011 Katrina Ramser