Topic: New TL (2009)

[Wetson]

Stopped by the dealer today and looked at the 09 Acura TL.  Much better in real life than in photos BUT... IT'S FREAKING HUGE!!!!!!  Interior wise everything is well laid out and quality materials.  Trunk is massive!!!!

[Guy]

I still thinks our's look better. Interior is nice, I found the driver seat with a longer cushion to be better than the previous generation.

Maybe Acura should do like Volks and launch a "TL City"...

[jeepguy]

Is it fair to compare these 2? Size , price ,features are so similar. I am shocked that the 2009 TL has a turning circle 1 m
larger! Take a good look at these 2 boats http://www.toyota.com/compare/index.html?modelCode=avalon#h_advantages

[Allen]

I went to the Acura dealer a couple of weeks ago to see the new TL and see if it was as bad in person as it appeared in pictures…

Well unfortunately it lived up to the pictures.. What a bulbous mess, the thing is huge compared to the 3G, it didn’t help that the dealer had an 08 sitting on the floor next to it, which really drove it home.

The front end is just plain ugly, no matter how you look at it and all the different body contours and lines don’t work well together. I could probably live with the back but it’s only marginally better than the front. Also, what’s with all the chrome its everywhere including the roof line seams.

The only strong point of the car was the interior which was gorgeous and well done.

Sadly, I am now sure that the replacement for my 05 will not be a 4G TL. The front contenders now are the newly remodeled A4 or a G37.

[Wetson]

I do agree that the front is not all that attractive.

[Diesel Advocate]

I do agree that the front is not all that attractive.

I agree that the front is ugly. The grille is way to big. However the backend IMO is way worse looking. Much prefer the last version.

[Jaeger]

  Much better in real life than in photos BUT... IT'S FREAKING HUGE!!!!!!  Interior wise everything is well laid out and quality materials. 

Well, you're half right - it is FREAKING HUGE - and entirely representative of Honda's new design philosphy of "bigger is better and way bigger is way better!" I look at the previous gen. TL and wonder who at Honda looked at that thing and said "Dude, too small.  Much too small." 

But better looking in real life? Nope. Ugliest production vehicle since the Pontiac Aztec.  The thing positively hurts my eyes.  Interior quality looks first rate and the layout is attractive, but it does suffer from the Accord's button-itis. 

Early performance reports are very impressive, but I just can't imagine paying good money for a car this unrelentingly ugly.  Unless I could somehow learn to drive with my eyes closed.

Jaeger

[Guy]

The TL is advertized in Quebec newspapers these days. They show only the rear end!!!!

[Allen]

Acurazine is the Acura fourm, you can see that the vast majority of Acura owners don't like the 4G TL or are undecided

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=643703

[rrocket]

It's coming with a 6 speed which will only be available with the 307HP V6 and AWD....

[G0dspd]

Some dealerships are trying to fix the manufacturer's "mistakes".  The wheels are also the dealer's idea.   

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691216

[Triple Bob]

I think it looks way better in the flesh than in pictures.

[Wetson]

i have a feeling that this design is going to grow on people.  at least they tried something different.  pushed it a bit.  on the other hand, the RL is just dull.  soft looking.  no edge.  the acura fat corolla. 

I agree.  I actually like the sides and the rear.  With any luck, Acura will tone the front grill design down in the future. 

[UmroAyyar]

i have a feeling that this design is going to grow on people.  at least they tried something different.  pushed it a bit.  on the other hand, the RL is just dull.  soft looking.  no edge.  the acura fat corolla. 

I agree.  I actually like the sides and the rear.  With any luck, Acura will tone the front grill design down in the future. 

Remember, when Acura MDX was introduced with that shield grille? That looks quite nice compared to the new shiny shields on Acura cars.

The overall shape of the new Acura cars is quite elegant IMO.

[mgaida]

We are currently in the market for a new car and have considered the new TL.  Now while I can probably get over the looks (it does have a wonderful interior), here is my biggest problem.  For a car that is so huge - over 195 inches in length (not sure what that is in metric), it has nowhere near the overall interior space of two other vehicles with similar dimensions (the new Mazda6 and the Hyundai Genesis).

Using data from MSN Autos (all in Imperial measurements), the Acura has 98.2 cubic feet of passenger volume and 12.5 cubic feet of trunk space (I too thought the trunk was huge when I originally saw it until I actually measured it - it slopes inward as you get to the front and it was not very long).  The Mazda6 numbers are 101.6 and 16.6, the Genesis numbers are 109.4 and 15.9.  In fact the Acura has less passenger and trunk space than the Infiniti G37 - a much, much smaller car.  I don't get where all the space went - the Acura is longer and wider than the Mazda, but way less interior space.  I think the problem is the hideous beak at the front of the Acura - that must add a good 5 inches with no corresponding increase in interior space.

That is the main reason we have reluctantly taken the TL off of our shopping list.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

mgaida, how seriously are you considering the Genesis?

I'd like to see that car a success in Canada.

As for the TL really like the rear (ultra futuristic and sleek IMO) and side, but the front is a tad odd. Sure I'll get used to it, but just think it could have been pieced together better. Only Acura I really like the shield on is the MDX.

[Jaeger]

Using data from MSN Autos (all in Imperial measurements), the Acura has 98.2 cubic feet of passenger volume and 12.5 cubic feet of trunk space (I too thought the trunk was huge when I originally saw it until I actually measured it - it slopes inward as you get to the front and it was not very long).  The Mazda6 numbers are 101.6 and 16.6, the Genesis numbers are 109.4 and 15.9.  In fact the Acura has less passenger and trunk space than the Infiniti G37 - a much, much smaller car.  I don't get where all the space went - the Acura is longer and wider than the Mazda, but way less interior space.  I think the problem is the hideous beak at the front of the Acura - that must add a good 5 inches with no corresponding increase in interior space.

That is the main reason we have reluctantly taken the TL off of our shopping list.

If those numbers are correct, that is absolutely un-freaking-believable.  Big on the outside, small on this inside??  What the....?  A 12.5 cubic foot trunk on a car this massive?  What the heck is going on at Honda these days?  About the only new vehicle of theirs that doesn't make me think they have seriously lost their way (if not their collective minds) is the new Fit. 

Jaeger

[dougjp]

I came up on a white one on the highway today. The back end was, to me, simply grotesque. The lines even suggest body panels not fitting properly, as in a mismatch. After I passed it and looked at its front end in the mirror, I was surprised to think it looked good. I suppose that's because the scythe thingie slapped on the grill was minimized in a small rear view mirror!

[mgaida]

"coincidentally,  last week i went and test drove the TL, genesis, mazda 6,  g37 and surprise surprise the cayman s." - I'm not sure how to insert part of a quote - sorry.

What did you think of the G37 vs. the TL?  I too agree that there is no reason for making the cars this big.  In fact our '03 Honda Accord has more room inside and in the trunk than the new TL and it is 5" shorter and narrower.

We are seriously considering the Genesis although we haven't driven it yet.  We also looked at the CC but there are no 4-motion cars available to drive in Edmonton yet.  It has a beautiful exterior and interior but it only has 4 seats.  This will likely be a problem.

[Wetson]

In fact our '03 Honda Accord has more room inside and in the trunk than the new TL and it is 5" shorter and narrower.

I've noticed that even with my 08 TL.  My 05 Accord seemed to have more trunk room.  I think part of the reason is that the TL's trunk has panels built to conceal the hinges and underside of the speakers and subwoofer.  As a result it's taken away some of the cargo room.