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| Acura TL |
While the 2011 Acura TL lays aim at some of the market's top sport sedans, it has very modest roots—essentially, building on the V-6 Honda Accord. That said, the TL is up to the task; it's a surprisingly well-rounded luxury sedan, with host of advanced tech features, and in top SH-AWD trim morphs into a complete and compelling sport sedan.
The Acura TL has changed little since it was last completely redesigned, for the 2009 model year. In addition to the automatic, you can get a manual on the TL SH-AWD. Working together with the stability control system and allocating torque not only front-to-back but left-to-right, the SH-AWD system is ideally suited to spirit driving and quick emergency maneuvers on the road. Even on rough-surfaced, rain-slicked pavement, we found the Acura TL almost impossible to fluster.
Thanks to its Accord roots, the 2011 Acura TL has excellent passenger space front and back, with enough space for three adults in the back seat. When it comes to showcasing a wide range of high-tech features, the 2011 Acura TL is at its best. Interfacing easily with a host of personal electronics, even the base TL features a standard USB iPod/MP3 interface, an eight-speaker audio system, and a crisp, high-resolution center-mounted display for controlling the infotainment system.
The front-wheel drive Acura TL is outfitted with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, while the all-wheel drive TL SH-AWD features a more powerful 305-hp 3.7-liter V6. Acura's exclusive Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhances grip, stability and all-weather control, while an electric power assist steering system on both models provides direct feedback. The TL SH-AWD is further distinguished by exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, bumper-integrated front brake cooling ducts and quad tailpipes.
While base front-drive and up level all-wheel-drive models have the same four-wheel independent suspension, all-wheel-drive versions come with different springs and shocks designed to improve the car's handling characteristics. I tested the all-wheel-drive TL, and the suspension maintains good body control over dips and rises in the road, but ride quality is firm. One benefit of the firmer suspension tuning is that the all-wheel-drive Acura TL doesn't exhibit excessive body roll when cornering.
The all-wheel-drive system's formal name is Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, or SH-AWD for short. You can sense the transfer of torque to the outside rear wheel when powering out of a turn and it helps the 2011 Acura TL feel more neutral and less nose-heavy than a traditional front-wheel-drive sedan. There's definitely room for improvement where the TL's electrically assisted power steering is concerned.
The TL's cabin is sporty-looking, featuring a four-gauge instrument panel and a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Acura's navigation system, which is included with the Technology Package, uses an 8-inch screen positioned high on the dash.
The 2011 Acura TL received Good overall scores — the highest possible — in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal-offset, side-impact and rear crash tests. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for both rows, active front head restraints and an electronic stability system. Check out all the TL's safety features on the Standard Equipment & Specs page.
