Acura tweaks TL styling, performance

BY IRA SIEGEL For Sun-Times Media December 16, 2011 2:37PM

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2012 ACURA TL SH-AWD ADVANCE

ENGINE: 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: all-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 18 city/26 highway

BASE PRICE: $45,085

AS TESTED: $45,970 (including $885 for destination)

WEBSITE: acura.com

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Updated: December 19, 2011 11:30AM



After a complete redesign several years ago, Acura has refreshed its TL midsize sedan for 2012 with a sleeker, more attractive profile, a new six-speed automatic transmission and improved ride characteristics.

The previous rendition of the TL delivered a pleasing ride but its expressive exterior styling cues evoked a love it or hate it emotion. So, with hopes of appealing to the masses, designers gave the 2012 Acura TL a more athletic and sophisticated look.

Up front, the 2012 Acura TL sports a new, more aerodynamic front bumper, revised grille, updated headlights and turn signals, new fog lights and less front overhang.

At the rear is a new bumper with smaller rear reflectors, updated taillights and a thinner rear trunk edge. New 17- and 18-inch aluminum wheels add to the TL’s striking styling theme.

These enhancements help make the 2012 Acura TL an appealing car. Plus, the gorgeous Mayan Bronze Metallic paint job applied to my TL tester greatly enhanced its looks.

Of course, Acura didn’t stop this redesign with just the exterior. To increase performance, a new sequential sport-shift six-speed automatic transmission has been added and is standard in both trim levels.

The new six-speed automatic allows the driver to command a double downshift, such as from fifth to third gear. This helps deliver plenty of power for passing. Also, downshifting forces a “blip” of the throttle to help match gear speeds when dropping gears.

For 2012, Acura has replaced the previous-generation TL Type-S with the TL SH-AWD model. Interestingly, the TL SH-AWD is so much different than the base TL that they’re basically two totally different cars.

The base TL ($35,605), which comes loaded with a long list of amenities, features a capable 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine powering the front wheels.

Those with a passion for driving will no doubt prefer the TL SH-AWD ($39,155), which features a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine, stiffer suspension and an impressive all-wheel-drive system that works to improve traction and handling on all types of road surfaces.

Also, you can opt for a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox with the TL SH-AWD. Regardless of which TL you choose, the cabin is luxurious and opting for the available technology package adds goodies like an Acura navigation system with voice recognition, rearview camera, 8-inch color display, AcuraLink satellite communication system, real-time traffic with traffic rerouting, real-time weather with radar images, 440-watt 10-speaker premium sound system, solar-sensing adaptive climate control system with humidity control, keyless access, perforated full-grain Milano leather seating surfaces and a rear trunk lid spoiler.

Adding the advance package includes ventilated front seats and a new blind spot information system. Talk about being pampered, my TL SH-AWD tester had both the technology package and the advance package.

I enjoyed the sporty feel and snugly bolstered front seats in my tester. Some might find the front seats to be a bit confining, though. And due to the high hump running down the center of the floor, someone sitting in the rear middle seat doesn’t have adequate legroom.

Still, there’s plenty of room for four adults to be comfortable in the TL. If a soft ride is important to you, stick with the base TL as the TL SH-AWD delivers a much more aggressive ride.

While the TL SH-AWD might ride too stiff for some, I found it quite enjoyable, especially when taking corners and highway ramps at speed.

The new six-speed automatic transmission is a welcome addition, and the all-wheel-drive system not only improves traction for foul-weather driving, but it greatly enhances traction when cornering on dry pavement, too.

The TL is a smart-looking car. The available technology and agreeable performance attributes make it one of the top picks in this segment.

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