There are some cars I could write a book about. Others are distinctly less inspiring and trigger some serious writer's block. It's not that they're less lovely, efficient or versatile. They're simply less emotional, both in terms of driving dynamics and style. And unfortunately, this is the case of the all-new 2009 Acura TL.
It's true, Acura is cleaning house. In a big way. Virtually all models have been touched up, bequeathed with the new grille found on the MDX and RDX, among others. A process that's also been applied, more or less successfully, to the new, completely redesigned TL.
It was a brand new machine that awaited us for a first road test in Connecticut, but one not as beguiling as we would have hoped for a car that's trying to outdo the Infiti G35s and BMW 3 Series of this world.
Acura's new nose
Whether you like it or not, Acura's new style is structured around a completely original grille. Massive, chromed and imposing, it's at home on large vehicles like the MDX SUV (even it if has been criticized) but it doesn't suit smaller cars like the new TL that much.
Ah, but this is only true when standing still. On the move, the new design seems to lend the TL a more confident air. The impressive grille then becomes a veritable missile head that literally seems to dive into traffic.
It must be said that the TL's new lines are designed to accentuate this impression of movement. The car's shoulders have been slightly lowered and the roof's line emphasized in order to create an impression of movement when looking at the TL from the side. The rear (a success in my opinion) completes this feeling of fluidity.
The end result is thus more pleasing when moving, and confirms the new Acura TL's claims to sporty sedanhood.
The interior also follows Acura's general trend and includes a navigation display and a large wheel, not always intuitive, that allows you to control the various systems.
There is sufficient space in front and in back, enough to comfortably accommodate two larger-than-average journalists (myself included). According to Acura, this is actually the most spacious passenger compartment of the entire class, which is also the case of the trunk.
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| Whether you like it or not, Acura's new style is structured around a completely original grille. |
It's true, Acura is cleaning house. In a big way. Virtually all models have been touched up, bequeathed with the new grille found on the MDX and RDX, among others. A process that's also been applied, more or less successfully, to the new, completely redesigned TL.
It was a brand new machine that awaited us for a first road test in Connecticut, but one not as beguiling as we would have hoped for a car that's trying to outdo the Infiti G35s and BMW 3 Series of this world.
Acura's new nose
Whether you like it or not, Acura's new style is structured around a completely original grille. Massive, chromed and imposing, it's at home on large vehicles like the MDX SUV (even it if has been criticized) but it doesn't suit smaller cars like the new TL that much.
Ah, but this is only true when standing still. On the move, the new design seems to lend the TL a more confident air. The impressive grille then becomes a veritable missile head that literally seems to dive into traffic.
It must be said that the TL's new lines are designed to accentuate this impression of movement. The car's shoulders have been slightly lowered and the roof's line emphasized in order to create an impression of movement when looking at the TL from the side. The rear (a success in my opinion) completes this feeling of fluidity.
The end result is thus more pleasing when moving, and confirms the new Acura TL's claims to sporty sedanhood.
The interior also follows Acura's general trend and includes a navigation display and a large wheel, not always intuitive, that allows you to control the various systems.
There is sufficient space in front and in back, enough to comfortably accommodate two larger-than-average journalists (myself included). According to Acura, this is actually the most spacious passenger compartment of the entire class, which is also the case of the trunk.
 |
| The interior also follows Acura's general trend. |