Acura TL

Latest model pictured

The **Acura TL** is a mid-size sedan marketed by Acura for model years 1996-2014. It sits alongside the Acura TSX in the Acura lineup; both were replaced by the Acura TLX for 2015. Competitors include the INFINITI G20 and later the INFINITI G35 and INFINITI G37, and the Lexus IS 250, Lexus IS 300 and Lexus IS 350.

## History

### 1996-1998 (UA1/UA2/UA3)

The TL "Touring Luxury" debuted as 1996 model, first with the 1996 2.5 TL available with the 2.5 L 176 hp 5-cylinder engine. The 3.2 TL used the 3.2 L 200 hp V6 from the second generation Acura Legend. The debut of the TL signaled Acura's shift from traditional vehicle names to alphanumeric designations. By replacing recognizable names such as Vigor and Legend with a two-letter designation, the luxury maker hoped to focus consumer attention on the Acura name. The TL was the first Acura model to adopt the new naming scheme.

### 1999-2003 (UA4/UA5)

In 1998, Honda revealed the TL-X concept car, showing a preview of the second-generation TL which would debut in fall that year. The second-generation TL was released in 1998 and was now derived off the US-market Honda Accord platform. It was available with a newly designed 3.2 L 225 hp V6 mated to a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with SportShift. The second-generation 3.2 TL (the 2.5 was dropped) was built in Marysville, Ohio, alongside the Honda Accord, at Marysville Auto Plant.

### 2004-2008 (UA6/UA7)

In 2003, the third generation Acura TL was released for sale in North America. It is powered by a 270 hp; later revised to 258 hp, based on the new SAE measurement standard for horsepower and 233 lb⋅ft of torque, 3.2 L V6 engine mated to either a "SportShift" manually controllable 5-speed automatic with or 6-speed manual. Manual transmission models featured Brembo 4-Piston front brake calipers, a Torsen-type limited slip differential, stiffer anti-roll bars front and rear and performance tires at no additional cost.

### 2009-2014 (UA8/UA9)

The first fourth-generation Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on September 23, 2008. Debuted for the 2009 model year, the Acura TL featured a more aggressive interpretation of Acura's latest styling vocabulary, known as "Keen Edge Dynamic." Featured prominently on the front is Acura's controversial "Power Plenum" upper grille. The size of the car has increased slightly, and as a consequence the wheelbase has been stretched 1.4 inches to 109.3 inche. The car is also 6.2 inches longer overall, 1.8 inches wider and 0.5-inch taller. Rear legroom improves by 1.3 inche and rear shoulder room increases by 0.5-inch. Structural rigidity was increased due to the use of high-strength steel in 47.6 percent of the chassis.

The base TL is front-wheel drive and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 280 hp and 254 lb⋅ft of torque, an increase of 22 hp and 21 lb⋅ft over the previous 3.2-liter V6. The new TL SH-AWD ("Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive") replaces the previous TL Type-S and is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 305 hp and 275 lb⋅ft of torque, an increase of 19 hp (Acura originally advertised the car as having 307 hp, but revised that claim without any explanation after a few months on the market) and 19 lb⋅ft over the 3.5-liter V6 of the Type-S. The 3.7L engine also uses VTEC variable-lift timing on both the intake and exhaust valves.

The TL was replaced by the Acura TLX after the 2014 model year, along with the Acura TSX.

## Gallery

1996-19981999-20032004-20082009-2014

Vehicle list

**Current models**

Integra · MDX · RDX · TLX

**Former models**

CL · ILX · ILX Hybrid · Legend · MDX Sport Hybrid · NSX · RL · RLX · RLX Sport Hybrid · RSX · SLX · **TL** · TSX · ZDX