2010 Acura TL
- 2009 Acura TL
Based on analysis of 12 TL reviews and test drives.
Acura TL - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 Acura TL ranks 8 out of 15 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 12 published reviews and test drives of the Acura TL, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
For those who can get past its polarizing exterior style, the Acura TL is a well-rounded entry-level luxury sedan. In base trim, it’s a comfortable commuter and family car with predictable front-wheel-drive handling. In SH-AWD trim, it can pass for a sport sedan.
For all practical purposes, there are two 2010 Acura TL sedans.
The base model is a comfortable tourer. With Honda reliability, some of the most user-friendly in-cabin technology available at its price point, and a comfortable interior, it’s a solid choice for most families and commuters looking for something a little upscale. Buyers attracted to the Lexus ES, Lincoln MKZ or Buick LaCrosse may want to test drive the TL. Its solid resale value makes it an attractive choice.
The SH-AWD model, on the other hand, was built to lure buyers from performance-oriented sport sedans like the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. Its all-wheel-drive system has a function no other automaker builds in -- it varies the speed of each wheel independently, helping to point the car into turns with outstanding road grip and very little body lean. It impressed reviewers when it first came out in 2009. The TL was suddenly a factor in car magazine sport sedan comparison tests. A few reviewers refused to label it a true driver’s car until Acura built a TL with a manual transmission; so they did. This year, the SH-AWD can be purchased with a crisp six-speed manual that has won a lot of praise from early testers.
But the price difference between the two TLs should give buyers pause. Dealers are likely to try to talk shoppers up into the SH-AWD version; and while it’s a better car on paper, it might not make sense for most buyers to spend the extra money. Some reviewers have said the same all-wheel-drive system that wins praise for its dry-road performance is a bit of a disappointment in bad weather, calling into question the main reason the average driver would consider an all-wheel-drive car. The SH-AWD model wins good press, but only true driving enthusiasts will find it worth the added cost.
And, then, there is that grille.
With its 2009 redesign, Acura made the TL one of the most polarizing cars on the road. The look hasn’t won many fans in the automotive press. It’s huge, pointed chrome grille gives it one of the most unique looks on the road today. But, while the press hasn’t responded well to the look, the TL has sold well despite the economic downturn that took hold shortly after its new design first appeared. Buyers may not care about the silver beak as much as auto writers do.
Edmunds sums it up well: “The 2010 Acura TL has a lot going for it -- athletic leanings, enough interior volume to accommodate adult-sized passengers, plenty of luxury features and Acura's traditional reputation for reliability. Unfortunately, all of this is wrapped in a skin that evokes a love-it or hate-it response.”
The 2009 Acura TL is sold in two trim levels. A base trim includes more standard technology features than most entry-level base trims, but drives in a predictable, not high-performance manner. An SH-AWD (SH stands for "Super Handling") model adds a high-tech all-wheel-drive system, giving it an impressive boost in handling. Shoppers reading this review should note that most car reviewers drive the car with the optional Technology Package added, so some of the equipment most often discussed is actually not standard -- but then, that’s how most shoppers buy it. Acura says 75 percent of buyers opt for the tech package.
- “The mid-size TL is Acura's most popular car and also its hottest. Its 2009 update included a front-end treatment that won't set hearts beating fast, but the TL is one of the more accomplished athletes in its class, particularly with all-wheel drive and the 305-hp V-6 that goes with it." -- Car and Driver
- "Any TL is packed with safety features, and the optional Technology Package provides most every gadget a buyer could want. The majority of sales should come from the base model, which is the best choice in this lineup. No SH-AWD model can quite match the high standard of handling prowess presented by key German competitors." -- Consumer Guide
- "The TL SH-AWD is sweet to drive but jarring to look at." -- New York Times
- "Still one for the head more than the heart...Once again the TL is a very good choice among luxury, or near-luxury, sedans."-- Automobile Magazine
TL Performance - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2010 Acura TL can be either a comfortable front-wheel-drive commuter or a pulse-quickening all-wheel-drive sport sedan, depending on how much money you want to spend. Reviewers say the base model TL is a sedate but luxurious family car. The all-wheel-drive SH-AWD version, however, competes with canyon carvers like the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G37. The two cars offer nearly the same acceleration, but radically different performance on winding roads. The price difference between the two, however, is significant. Read More
TL Exterior - 6.1 (Mediocre)
Your first reaction to the look of the 2010 Acura TL will probably stay with you every time you see the car. Some love it. Some hate it. But few stay on the fence about it. A huge, pointed chrome grille dominates the car’s sheetmetal, and dominates reviewer discussion of the car. Looking beyond the grille, the TL features a visually complex design. Read More
TL Interior - 8.6 (Very Good)
The 2010 TL’s cabin was built with an upscale, modern design language that emphasizes the car’s high-tech features. AutoWeek calls it a "technical knockout." It doesn’t lack traditional luxury -- soft-touch surfaces and rich leather are everywhere -- but heavy use of aluminum trim and an available navigation screen that’s one of the largest on the market make the ambience decidedly high-tech. Acura is right to emphasize the car’s high-tech nature. Reviewers say its climate and entertainment systems are among the best available. Read More
TL Safety - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2010 Acura TL earns the highest possible score in every federal government safety test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn’t yet published crash test results for the 2010 model, but the mechanically-similar 2009 model earned Top Safety Pick status with top scores in each of the Institute’s tests. Acura makes its entire safety equipment list standard on the TL -- something not every rival can claim. Read More
TL Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 2010 Acura TL reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Acura protects buyers with a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, which is similar to what most competitors offer at this price. Acura, however, takes a different approach to maintenance than any other automaker. Instead of providing service at standard mileage intervals, the TL’s Maintenance Minder system calculates service needs based on how the car is driven. You’re not supposed to change your TL’s oil every 3,000 miles, for instance. Instead, you’re supposed to change it when the TL prompts you to change it. Read More
