The TL also works well in all facets of the drive. Its 3.7L V6 is melted-butter smooth, as is the 6-speed autobox. At 305 hp, the mill is willing, but it doesn't really have what it takes to compete with the popular Infiniti G37x.
The Infiniti G can be delivered with a powerful 328-hp, 3.7L V6. The base $36,390 G25 harbours a 218-hp, 2.5L V6. The $3,000 gap between it and the base $39,490 TL is partially justified by a 280-hp 3.5L V6 in the Acura. With AWD, the G25x comes in at a grand more than the TL so the debate is power vs. AWD. The TL's saving grace is Acura's excellent SH-AWD system, standard with the 3.7L at $43,490 and a must if you wish to elevate the car's and your standing. Thing is, the G37x AWD is $40 cheaper...
All manners of driver-to-car directed inputs are met with dry, yet satisfactorily, immediate response. The TL will get up and go quickly – without stirring emotion. The TL will cut corners thanks to its sharp steering, but limited feedback will not get your palms sweaty. It's a weird thing where the TL does every thing quite well, but not good or bad enough for it to matter. The G37 is very vocal under acceleration and nearly gnarly when compared to the TL. It depends on what you expect from your car.
The TL's ride is tout, but neither dynamic nor particularly comfortable. It behaves best on the highway at speed where it hunkers down, remains stable and feels at home. I get the impression that Acura worked hard at offering the status quo for its clientele, but somehow entirely misread what they were looking for.
It's sad really. All of Acura's main competitors have trademarks or desirable traits, whereas the TL and other Acura cars leave no mark on the human psyche. BMW has its drive; Audi has its styling; Lexus has its comfort; Mercedes has its class and design; and Acura has nothing like that.
Truth is, it used to.
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| Its 3.7L V6 is melted-butter smooth, as is the 6-speed autobox. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
The Infiniti G can be delivered with a powerful 328-hp, 3.7L V6. The base $36,390 G25 harbours a 218-hp, 2.5L V6. The $3,000 gap between it and the base $39,490 TL is partially justified by a 280-hp 3.5L V6 in the Acura. With AWD, the G25x comes in at a grand more than the TL so the debate is power vs. AWD. The TL's saving grace is Acura's excellent SH-AWD system, standard with the 3.7L at $43,490 and a must if you wish to elevate the car's and your standing. Thing is, the G37x AWD is $40 cheaper...
All manners of driver-to-car directed inputs are met with dry, yet satisfactorily, immediate response. The TL will get up and go quickly – without stirring emotion. The TL will cut corners thanks to its sharp steering, but limited feedback will not get your palms sweaty. It's a weird thing where the TL does every thing quite well, but not good or bad enough for it to matter. The G37 is very vocal under acceleration and nearly gnarly when compared to the TL. It depends on what you expect from your car.
The TL's ride is tout, but neither dynamic nor particularly comfortable. It behaves best on the highway at speed where it hunkers down, remains stable and feels at home. I get the impression that Acura worked hard at offering the status quo for its clientele, but somehow entirely misread what they were looking for.
It's sad really. All of Acura's main competitors have trademarks or desirable traits, whereas the TL and other Acura cars leave no mark on the human psyche. BMW has its drive; Audi has its styling; Lexus has its comfort; Mercedes has its class and design; and Acura has nothing like that.
Truth is, it used to.
 |
| The TL's ride is tout, but neither dynamic nor particularly comfortable. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |