First Look: 2009 Acura TL
Editor’s note: Automakers routinely embargo information on new cars in an attempt to create an even playing field for publications — so no one has a leg up over another. However, there is an art of breaking embargoes that benefits those who manage to get the information up first, thus generating loads of web traffic. At Cars.com, we honor all automakers’ embargoes unless our competitors break them. We then feel compelled to make sure our readers are as educated as others. Below is our pre-embargo look at Acura’s all-new TL sedan, including a photo gallery of manufacturer images. We’ll have a full review posted on Monday, Aug. 18, which is the embargo date, with our own photos and driving impressions.
Acura has completely redesigned its most popular model, the TL, for the 2009 model year. The sedan is based on the Honda Accord platform, but there’s no way you could confuse the two when looking at them.
The radical look of the 2009 TL is already generating massive feedback on automotive blogs and online forums. Now having seen it in person, spending a lot of time staring at it from all angles and in different colors, I can say it is definitely better looking in person.
It’s striking, to say the least. On our drive, passers-by turned their heads. One Acura RL driver at a stop sign literally held up traffic to check out our train of new TLs driving through winding Connecticut roads.
What You Need to Know
The biggest change for shoppers is that Acura has created two distinct trim levels of the TL. There’s the base TL, which has a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with front-wheel drive. For enthusiast drivers, there’s an all-new TL SH-AWD, which features Acura’s all-wheel-drive system and a larger, 305-hp, 3.7-liter V-6. Both are teamed to a five-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Inside
The interior was very nice. There are a number of color combinations available, and the SH-AWD trim has larger, more bolstered sport seats with fancier stitching.
There’s a world of tech inside, too. Voice-activated navigation, weather and traffic, along with iPod integration, will keep most drivers occupied. Acura has also upgraded its center-knob interface, which was definitely needed.
The TL is longer outside, leading to slightly more room inside. Rear legroom, hip room and shoulder room improved, while the front-seat dimensions shrank so slightly it’s hard to notice a difference.
Prices have not been announced yet, but they should stay close to the 2008 numbers when the TL goes on sale this September.
Bottom Line
This is one car where I know I’ll be saying in the comments, “Wait until you see it in person.” It may look “strange,” but it will stand apart from the competition, good or bad.
I wish I could talk more about the driving experience and how the TL holds up against the competition, but that will have to wait another week.
