Were it possible to change to a sport mode by flicking a switch, rotating a dial or punching a button, like many cars nowadays, the TL's solid chassis and trick AWD would surely come to life. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the car's ride is too soft for my tastes, but it is important to point out that steering and brakes performed flawlessly during my test drive.
The bottom line
Here it is: The TL lacks definition or a target. On paper, it has all the necessary elements to please; in the steel and on the road, it seems lost. The TL is far from being a bad car. The trouble is that this car's competition, especially in the $48,500 price range, includes such heavy hitters as the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G and Mercedes C-Class. Although they are all vehicles of more compact dimensions, these badges or brands are tough to argue against.
What Acura needs is a TL, or better yet, a TSX that carries this car's mechanicals, a sharper personality, not sharper stamped steel. If the TSX comes though, the TL can stay... I guess I'm still waiting for the one from Acura.
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| The trouble is that this car's competition, especially in the $48,500 price range, includes such heavy hitters as the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
The bottom line
Here it is: The TL lacks definition or a target. On paper, it has all the necessary elements to please; in the steel and on the road, it seems lost. The TL is far from being a bad car. The trouble is that this car's competition, especially in the $48,500 price range, includes such heavy hitters as the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G and Mercedes C-Class. Although they are all vehicles of more compact dimensions, these badges or brands are tough to argue against.
What Acura needs is a TL, or better yet, a TSX that carries this car's mechanicals, a sharper personality, not sharper stamped steel. If the TSX comes though, the TL can stay... I guess I'm still waiting for the one from Acura.
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