2010 Acura TL consumer reviews

I've driven Audis for years. Love the six-cylinders, six-speed stick, AWD, four doors (mostly so I can hold adults in back), Xenons, performance and luxury. But right now you'd have to buy an S4 to get all that, upwards of $50K. The A4 line now has 4 cylinders, and that just isn't right. Enter Acura. The TL SH-AWD 6MT has it all: A 3.7L 305HP V-TEC engine, great short-throw manual six-speed shifter, not only Xenons but every technology you can throw at a car, and a form of AWD they claim is "Super Handling." I bought one. Here's what I got: The interior is fantastic. Near Audi-quality feel, better-than-Audi functionality. Great leather. The features are loaded. No options are available because it does everything. iPod playlists from the Nav system using the steering wheel buttons? Yep. Voice control of where you're going? Yep. Live reading of weather and traffic even? Yep. The handling is very good, except the AWD, which I'll mention in a bit. Amazing suspension - firm but absorbing. Best engine I've experienced in a long time. Fast, smooth. Okay, so the downsides? 1. The front grill is really ugly. Mine is being repainted to match the car; it's so bad I actually built that into the deal with the dealership! It's not a pretty car anyhow, but that's just hideous. 2. The AWD system is great in dry smooth conditions, but Audi's Quattro is better for starting up or aggressive play in slippery conditions. The SH-AWD feels like an on-demand system at those times, and you can get a second of wheel spin. That's just wrong in an advanced AWD system. All that said, it's a fantastic car. But it could have been better with a more traditional look and an always-on AWD (regardless of the claims.)