Acura TL Revealed

[Intrepidation]

SANTA MONICA, California — Images and specifications of the 2009 Acura TL made their way onto the Web today, ahead of Acura's planned debut for next week. Acura had previously released only a front view and preliminary information for the all-new fourth-generation TL.

The 2009 TL will be offered in two versions: front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. This is the first time Honda's Super-Handling all-wheel drive will be available on the midsize sedan. The front-wheel-drive version gets a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine, and the TL SH-AWD will use a 305-hp 3.7-liter SOHC V6. Both engines are mated to a sequential sportshift five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

The 2009 TL also gets a completely revamped interior when it goes on sale this fall.

What this means to you: Mixed reactions from the press room here as we start to digest the TL's new look. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Source: Inside Line

[Intrepidation]

[Intrepidation]

Enjoy :AH-HA_wink:

[wildcat]

In terms of exterior styling, I think the Opel Insignia has it all over this Acura.

[Lamar]

My opinion improves.

I still dunno about the rear fascia though...

[DetroitNut90]

That grille is just so...ugh. I can't get over it. I really do prefer the '08 TL, I think it looks so much better. The interior reminds me of a blend of the RL, MDX, and Accord.

I really do love Honda's J-Series V6, however.

[Robert Hall]

Looks better in these photos, but I still prefer the current model. I love the roofline and wedgy rear of the current car...some of the details of the new one are pretty strange..don't like the front fascia or the grille, or the lights (reflectors?) set into the rear bumper---they look like an afterthought. And the poorly executed rear door cutline (the door upper (window frame) cutline and chrome trim aren't aligned). I am looking forward to seeing it in person, though.

Edited August 9, 2008 by moltar

[Intrepidation]

The side looks okay, but the front is still ugly, the grille is so massive, and the upcurved thin headlights make it look like an Asian kid with braces.

The rear, as expected from spyshots, looks like a mix of Aura and Civic, but it looks very busy.

The interior is nice, as is typical of Honda.

Overall, a C. It's average, nothing new or interesting, besides the gawdy grille. I like the current car better.

[balthazar]

Why am I laughing out loud... alone, infront of my computer? :

Whole front clip looks like it's off another car.... another even uglier car.

Edited August 9, 2008 by balthazar

[Camino LS6]

Criminally ugly.

[siegen]

Looks very nice, I'm liking this car. The tail lights still aren't quite fitting, but not bad. I can't wait to drive one of these, in black which should look 10x better.

What this means to you: Mixed reactions from the press room here as we start to digest the TL's new look. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Why do they always stick the "what this means to you" bits in at the end, with utterly meaningless dribble written in them?

The world will never know.

[siegen]

And the poorly executed rear door cutline (the door upper (window frame) cutline and chrome trim aren't aligned). I am looking forward to seeing it in person, though.

I see what you mean, the door cut line is strange. Why didn't they make that last bit of chrome part of the door?

Oh well it certainly isn't bad. It could be much worse.....

10 e-cookies for the first person to guess what car this styling disaster comes from:

[balthazar]

What's so 'disasterous' about that? Certainly not awkward or weird... and basically, just about everything has these non-functional 'rear vent panes' these days; byproduct of too-short cars.

[!!!TED!!!]

Outside: FUGLY!

Inside: Very nice!

[cire]

OOPS! I missed this posting of the article. I have cut and pasted my comments from the other posting below:

I think the overall shape is not bad.

There are 3 things that I dislike about the exterior design:

1) The most obvious one is the grille. This totally ruins the front end design. Hopefully, Acura rethinks this grille design and extensively alters it soon (like the next model year would be ideal) or offers an aftermarket replacement that is considerably less hideous. I would prefer a grille with a metallic finish surround with a bigger "A" emblem in the center with horizontal bars extending from the center of the emblem. I know Acura is trying to do something to the exterior of their cars to make a statement and help the cars stand out, but this grille treatment is the wrong solution.

2) The arch over the front wheel wells that distort the side character line. Though this styling error is not nearly as offensive as the overly blingy shield grille, it does make the car appear as though it has already been in a wreck. My suggestion would be to eliminate the arch and have the character line run in a straight line from the edge of the headlights to the edge of the taillights.

3) The fakeout piece applied to the C-pillar to alter the appearance of the roofline. This styling "practice" is one of my major auto design pet peeves. Although it is less obvious here than in some other recent offenders (Chrysler Sebring, Mazda6, and Chevy Cruze), I still think it somewhat cheapens the overall design. I think I could live with this blunder more than I could tolerate the grille or the front fender arch.

Other than the items mentioned above, I sort of like the rest of the design. I think the decklid shape is interesting, though it does reduce the usefulness of the trunk by providing a smaller and awkward shaped opening.

The interior is nice looking and appears to be well finished.

I am not a big Honda or Acura fan, but I think this would be a nice midsize near luxury sedan if Acura would refine some of the design blunders (the shield grille and the front fender arch need to go). I seriously doubt if this car will draw new customers to the Acura brand or assist in moving Acura upmarket. I'm not even sure if it will promote loyalty among current TL customers or attract those who wish to upgrade from their TSX sedans. I have a feeling that the front grille might repel a lot of potential buyers.

[Robert Hall]

I see what you mean, the door cut line is strange. Why didn't they make that last bit of chrome part of the door?

Oh well it certainly isn't bad. It could be much worse.....

10 e-cookies for the first person to guess what car this styling disaster comes from:

Nothing wrong with that ('08 CTS). The CTS door upper/C-pillar is very well executed. There is no excuse for the nonsense of the door upper cutline of the TL, though.

[Northstar]

The fascias look terrible, the sides are ok, if pretty generic, and the interior looks very nice.

I see nothing wrong with the CTS's C-Pillar (or whatever car that is if it's not the CTS, but it appears to be)...

[A Horse With No Name]

The side looks okay, but the front is still ugly, the grille is so massive, and the upcurved thin headlights make it look like an Asian kid with braces.

The rear, as expected from spyshots, looks like a mix of Aura and Civic, but it looks very busy.

The interior is nice, as is typical of Honda.

Overall, a C. It's average, nothing new or interesting, besides the gawdy grille. I like the current car better.

+1

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Why am I laughing out loud... alone, infront of my computer? :

Whole front clip looks like it's off another car.... another even uglier car.

Who said you were laughing alone?

Trust me, there are plenty of other people out here laughing with you.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

And actually, I find it interesting that even my friends that will only buy Japanese cars find this model Acura hideous.

Chris

[Robert Hall]

And actually, I find it interesting that even my friends that will only buy Japanese cars find this model Acura hideous.

Chris

I emailed a link to the article to two friends that own the current TLs (one an '04, the other an '06), they don't like the new one at first glance...one thought it was ugly, and the other immediately ruled it out because of the lack of a manual and the wierd styling.

[siegen]

I present the 2009 TL Type S in Electron Blue Pearl!

[siegen]

I emailed a link to the article to two friends that own the current TLs (one an '04, the other an '06), they don't like the new one at first glance...one thought it was ugly, and the other immediately ruled it out because of the lack of a manual and the wierd styling.

Not surprising since about 70% of the reactions on www.vtec.net are also negative. It's the same story as it was with the Civic, CR-V, TSX, RL, Pilot, Ridgeline... pretty much every new Honda product.

[cire]

I present the 2009 TL Type S in Electron Blue Pearl!

Hey! You got rid of that awkward arch over the front wheel well. This car is starting to look better.

Now, if you could only fix that hideous grille, we might be in business...

If Acura could change these two styling offenses, then the car wouldn't look so bad.

[smk4565]

That is a hideous looking car from every angle. Using the Accord interior with a bigger nav screen, a few more buttons and some metal trim doesn't make it a luxury car. Acura sales should keep on going down.

[siegen]

That is a hideous looking car from every angle. Using the Accord interior with a bigger nav screen, a few more buttons and some metal trim doesn't make it a luxury car. Acura sales should keep on going down.

[CSpec]

I sort of like it actually, but the design isn't all that original. The front looks similar to the current one but with a new and weird grill, and I really like the back but you have to say it looks very similar to the back of the Civic coupe. The interior looks nice enough, but it does really look like a nice Accord in there.

[nsn98]

When I see this, I can't help but think "Bird Car", like something Hawkman would drive.

[siegen]

I sort of like it actually, but the design isn't all that original. The front looks similar to the current one but with a new and weird grill, and I really like the back but you have to say it looks very similar to the back of the Civic coupe. The interior looks nice enough, but it does really look like a nice Accord in there.

You can get optional wood trim, which will probably make it look more "luxury" and less like the Accord. Both the Accord and TL have a sporty/techno style interior, which is why they bare a resemblance. It isn't nearly as bad as the resemblance the Lexus IS has to the Camry and Corolla.

[Northstar]

I think the interiors are different enough... I'm beginning to dislike how wide the metal trim is above the glove box and along the center console and stack, though. I think I would get tired of it very soon.

[Robert Hall]

I think the interiors are different enough... I'm beginning to dislike how wide the metal trim is above the glove box and along the center console and stack, though. I think I would get tired of it very soon.

Yeah, I don't care for the fake metal trim...I'd have to have the plood and a two-tone interior (I like the tan and black on the current TL quite a bit).

[Northstar]

Yeah, I don't care for the fake metal trim...I'd have to have the plood and a two-tone interior (I like the tan and black on the current TL quite a bit).

I assume the wood is probably just as thick as the fake metal, in which case it would also probably become obnoxious, but perhaps it would be better.

[VenSeattle]

siegen... besides the extra hp along with AWD (and worse fuel economy) ... what's your opinion to why someone would pay $5k-6k more for the TL over a TSX?

[mustang84]

Star Trek, Transformers, and the Family Truckster all rolled up into one.

What a disaster.

[Lamar]

siegen... besides the extra hp along with AWD (and worse fuel economy) ... what's your opinion to why someone would pay $5k-6k more for the TL over a TSX?

Obviously, I'm not siegen , but permit me to opine on this as well...

The TSX is comparatively tiny, which would be important if you routinely have backseat passengers.

[SingleStylish]

One thing about this cars styling is that all the things that could be fixed to make this car look better, also make it more distinctive. It isn't just another sedan at least Acura is trying something different.

[SingleStylish]

One thing about this cars styling is that all the things that could be fixed to make this car look better, also make it more distinctive. It isn't just another sedan at least Acura is trying something different.

[siegen]

Obviously, I'm not siegen , but permit me to opine on this as well...

The TSX is comparatively tiny, which would be important if you routinely have backseat passengers.

The new TSX is not small, and the back seats are pretty roomy.

siegen... besides the extra hp along with AWD (and worse fuel economy) ... what's your opinion to why someone would pay $5k-6k more for the TL over a TSX?

The V6 and AWD are probably the main reasons. There may be some features unique to the TL as well.

[frogger]

New TSX's best selling feature may be the diesel variant if/when it arrives.

[FAPTurbo]

Save for the front, I actually find myself kind of liking it.

[siegen]

Some more exterior/interior colors (these are official pics, not photoshopped like the blue one above):

[Robert Hall]

Looks better in darker colors. I like the 2 tone interior, would be better w/ plood, though..

Edited August 11, 2008 by moltar

[Intrepidation]

The dark colors do look better, but that grille is still retarded in that it's far too big.

The interior looks fantastic though...but then I never had a problem with the interior. I'm also happy it's metal or metallic plastic or whatever...wood doesn't go well with dark interiors to me.

Edited August 11, 2008 by Dodgefan

[A Horse With No Name]

Yeah, I don't care for the fake metal trim...I'd have to have the plood and a two-tone interior (I like the tan and black on the current TL quite a bit).

+1

Chris

[regfootball]

nice accord

[Lamar]

The new TSX is not small, and the back seats are pretty roomy.

It didn't grow that much from the '08, from an interior dimension standpoint anyway. I felt cramped sitting in the back of the '08 TSX the few times that I did... haven't sat in the back of the '09 yet, but I doubt my legs would be able to tell the difference.

[siegen]

It didn't grow that much from the '08, from an interior dimension standpoint anyway. I felt cramped sitting in the back of the '08 TSX the few times that I did... haven't sat in the back of the '09 yet, but I doubt my legs would be able to tell the difference.

Well ya better go sit in one.

My 6'3" friend said there was plenty of room, even with me (the driver) having the seat back for me to be comfortable. My 5'11" friend in the passenger seat could stretch his legs completely forward and the guy behind him (sale guys) wasn't complaining (nor would he anyway). I was also very pleasantly surprised by the width increase, as two people can share the middle arm rest now without touching at all. It felt noticeably larger inside than the '08, and I liked the controls better as they seemed better placed.

[siegen]

This thread has several high-res shots of the '09 TL in various colors.

[A Horse With No Name]

This thread has several high-res shots of the '09 TL in various colors.

Internet jesting aside, I am glad you seem to have found a car you like and that you seem to be getting near purchase time.

However, this thing is really, really, really not my cup of tea.

Honda does have great colors, though. My son Joel and I are thinking of doing a project car together and maybe I can use at at least the color on something.

But seriously, I am feeling no love whatsoever for Acura products right now.

Keep us posted on the center stack controls thing, it looks fairly well laid out, not something I can say for all Honda products as of late.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Well ya better go sit in one.

My 6'3" friend said there was plenty of room,

This is important. We have three teenagers living in our home, and it's amazing the cars (Dodge Charger for instance) that are large cars with horrible rear seat headroom.

This would actually be a major selling point to me, along with a smooth 6MT.

I just LOVE the 6MT in the S2000. Honda does build some of the nicest shifting manual tranny cars on the planet.

Chris