Truly, there is almost nothing wrong with the TL, at least from what I could surmise after two weeks back-to-back driving first in a 6-speed and then an automatic with the nav package. I've already mentioned the overly firm ride, torque steer, and U.S. map in the Canadian spec nav system, but there are a couple of other niggling problems that could easily be fixed. While not a deal breaker, the front doors don't stay open when pushed outward but rather bounce back quickly into the legs of whoever is getting out. Ouch!
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| There is almost nothing wrong with the TL, at least from what I could surmise after two weeks of driving. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Second, you can't get the navigation system and 6-speed manual transmission together. What? Who are the marketing mavens that come up with this brainchild? Do all driving enthusiasts, those that would order the 6-speed Dynamic package, know their collective way around every North American city? On the contrary, this is the guy that women laugh at because he's too proud to ask for directions. This is also the guy that would pay a few grand more for a nav system, so their... ahem, wife could find her way around town when she's using the car.
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| The TL has everything expected and a little more, making it one of the best entry-luxury deals on the market. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
But again, if it was a toss up between the TL with a 6-speed and no navigation and a similarly priced domestic competitor that had both, I'd take the TL. But really Acura, your new car probably delivers the best value for money spent in the entry-luxury sedan segment, so why not give the person who wants to pay the opportunity to buck up for all the options?
Speaking of value, I'm not going to go into exactly what features go into making the TL among Canada's best entry-luxury deals, as I covered each in detail when I wrote a preview available in the archives of this web site. Suffice it to say, it has everything expected and a little more.
