Acura TL SH-AWD

Transformations are nothing new, especially when it comes to cars. To keep things fresh, every nameplate has to reinvent itself every so often, with only a few exceptions. So it didn’t come as much of a surprise that Acura had transformed its high-tech but low-profile TL for 2009.

What is a surprise is the effectiveness of the redesign. The all-new TL has made the leap from forgettable to unforgettable, and it brings a stronger design, better performance and best of all a much more distinct identity to the game.

“Identity” is a big part of this market. The Acura TL faces stiff competition in the marketplace--the Lexus ES350, BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Cadillac CTS, to name a few, and cars that don’t stand out are doomed to failure. Remember the Infiniti I30? Nope, didn’t think so. Thanks to a raft of new options and a new powertrain though, the tough odds haven’t stopped the TL from entering 2009 as an all-new car with a confident smile.

That’s not a metaphor, either; the TL’s new sheet metal literally appears to be smiling, thanks to the design of the smooth, uncluttered new front bumper and high-mounted family grille with large air intakes. A pronounced front fender kink and muscular body sides help to convey the message that the new TL means business. Acura has talked for a few years about giving its products a bolder face, and the new TL is the first car from the brand that lives up to that boast. It’s angular and eye-catching without being especially derivative of any other products.

The drama factor is increased on the interior, with new available two-tone leather trim and a dual-cockpit layout. The 2009 TL is six inches longer and 1.8 inches wider than before, and that growth translates to more interior room. Passengers are coddled by wood and metal interior trim, standard dual-zone automatic climate control, XM satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Opt for the Technology Package and the TL adds a navigation system with voice recognition, real-time traffic and weather updates, keyless entry and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system that plays DVD audio and is one of the best automotive sound systems we’ve ever heard, factory or aftermarket.

For ’09, the TL breaks slightly from Acura’s single-spec tradition by offering two distinct models, with two powertrains. The standard 280 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 is a potent DOHC unit with variable valve timing and a “drive-by-wire” electronic throttle. The front-wheel drive TL gets the power to the road via a five-speed automatic transmission that features sporty steering wheel paddles, and fuel economy is rated at 18/26, which is impressive for a dedicated sports sedan. The TL is attractive enough with that setup, but Acura has considered the competition and gone a step beyond with the TL SH-AWD. As the name suggests, it’s got Acura’s performance-enhancing Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive. SH-AWD sends additional power to the outside rear wheel during hard cornering while balancing torque to the other three, to sharpen handling feel. A larger, all-new 3.7 liter V6 rides under the hood of the TL SH-AWD, putting out 305 horsepower. A high-flow dual exhaust helps the engine to breathe and sounds good, too. A five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode controlled by steering wheel paddles. We drove the high-powered SH-AWD model, and found it to be an exemplary performer. The additional horsepower is just enough to notch the acceleration from “entertaining” to “impressive,” and the TL SH-AWD makes an excellent freeway cruiser. The SH-AWD system has also gotten better since it was first introduced in 2005, and does an excellent job of tightening the big TL’s line through corners.



The suspension uses double wishbones in the front and a multi-link rear, for responsive turn-in. Large 18-inch wheels are standard on the TL SH-AWD, with 19-inchers available. Acura’s Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control is also standard. Coupled with the all-wheel drive, that means that it’s extremely difficult to get the TL SH-AWD honestly out of sorts. Should you manage to lose control, the standard anti-lock brakes bring things back to a reasonable speed quickly.



The improvements to the TL’s styling inside and out give it more of a personality than it’s ever had, which helps to give it that all-important distinction in a crowded luxury-car market. With more power and much better handling, the SH-AWD is a serious, world-class contender. Pricing for the 2009 Acura TL starts at $34,955. The TL SH-AWD comes in at $42,235, and includes a navigation system, the ELS surround-sound system and Bluetooth connectivity.