We’re not sure when Consumer Reports shifted from being grounded in facts to being grounded in senseless opinions, but it isn’t a smart approach. When Jim Travers of Consumer Report decided to blog and complain about the complexity of the control of the 2009 Acura TL, we lost respect for the previously trustworthy publication.

Jim’s review is grounded in bias and ignorance, which is clearly underscored by this quote, “A 10-year-old TL has pretty much all the same features as the new one, but somehow manages to offer them in an easy to use, uncluttered fashion. In a word, it’s simple.”

Really???…All the same features Jim???? Hmmm…we don’t recall, Bluetooth, satellite radio, iPod integration, real time traffic and weather, 3 day forecasts, Doppler radar, back-up cameras, Zagat ratings, vocie activation, paddle shifting, keyless entry or hard drives in the 1999 TL….do you?

We’ll admit, there are a lot of controls in the cockpit of the 2009 Acura TL with tech package, however, it’s hardly complicated. We know, as we just bought TL a few weeks ago and it took us all of about an hour to figure everything out. Given the abundance of amenities and technology in this car, we were astonished at how simple and intuitive the controls are.

Please stick with the cassette deck in your 1999 TL, instead of writing worthelss op-eds Jim.

Please be sure to leave a comment on Jim’s blog.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

The New York Times, aka, “the old gray haired lady” headlined their recent review of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD with “Pace. Space. But Oh, That Face.” Every time I see a review of the 09 TL where the grille is being negatively reviewed, I automatically think that the TL was not seen in person by the reviewer….especially if the reviews is using Acura stock photography…or that they’re simply jumping on the bandwagon. Be that as it may, Ezra Dyer of the NY Times recently spent some time with the “leading candidate for a face transplant.”

The review starts by talking about HoMoCo’s amazingly thorough approach of scrutiny of outgoing models when developing its successor and the 2009 TL is no exception. As part of the preparation of the TL review, Ezra was provided a 71 page briefing by Mike Unger, principal engineer in charge of total vehicle performance for the TL. That briefing including such information as:

•    2009 Acura TL SH-AWD has 1.6 percent more trunk capacity than the 2008 TL
•    glove compartment volume is up 25 percent
•    rear visibility is improved 7 percent
•    armrests are 17 percent thicker and 30 percent softer
•    sound system has 51 additional watts of power

Ezra did in fact spend some time behind the wheel of the 09 TL SH-AWD, and said, “I won’t pretend that I fully exploited the system on public roads, but on long highway on-ramps the TL SH-AWD simply hangs in and goes where you point it, sometimes making the car feel as if it is cheating physics. And cheating physics is fun.”

Jump over to the old gray haired lady and read the rest of Ezra’s favorable review of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD.

[Source: NY Times]

Mark Maynard of the San Diego Union Tribune sums up the 4th generation TL by describing it as the “Type A Personality” of sport sedans.  So obviously fitting, yet nobody has ever put it that way before.

“It is pointed – literally in design – and absolute in power and purpose.” It forces itself to be recognized by onlookers with its substantial presence; having grown 6.1 inches in length and an inch plus in width during the past year. Embodying unconventional lines and trumpeting a nice throaty sound out of the quad exhaust, the TL SH-AWD forces itself on you.

Having tested both the FWD and SH-AWD TL, Maynard describes the gap between the two as being large enough to accommodate another trim level sandwiched in the middle. While he didn’t get to test the SH-AWD in the snow, he said it “it powered along rain-slicked roads like a spider running across a web”.

While testing, Acura engineer Mike Unger sent Maynard an e-mail explaining how the SH-AWD torque vectoring system works and allows the TL to perform exceptionally well in all weather conditions, including snow.

The design of the 2009 TL has been controversial, yet the performance is equally appreciated by all. Be sure to check out the rest of Mark’s review for more info.

[Source: San Diego Union Tribune]

Cleveland, OH – Visitors to the Auto Show will enter a new automotive era of innovation and technology. It’s the next generation of hybrids, advanced fuel cells, and electric plug-ins – a showcase of what’s new and what’s next. One vehicle featured in this year’s show, the Acura TL, has been named Official Car of the 2009 Cleveland Auto Show.

All show attendees can enter to win this award-winning car touted as the most powerful Acura ever built. It received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Pick for 2009,” and offers a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. The retail value is approximately $35,000!

Auto Show 2009 Chairman and owner of Motorcars Acura-Volvo, Dick Marcellino says, “We are thrilled to be awarded Official Car of the 2009 Cleveland Auto Show. We are confident the 2009 Acura TL will impress show goers with this sixth-generation (ahem…fourth generation) TL that serves up performance in an audacious new look. And someone will win this fabulous car at the Cleveland Auto Show!”

Show attendees can enter to win the new 2009 Acura TL at the I-X Center, February 28 – March 8. Ten daily finalists will be chosen, but only one lucky winner will have the key that unlocks the door. The Grande Finale will be held on the final day of the Auto Show, Sunday, March 8th at 5:00pm.

Following the Official Car giveaway, the remaining nine finalists will have an opportunity to win one year of natural gas for their home or business, provided by IGS Energy – a $2,000 value.

Entrees can also be mailed to: Auto Show Official Car Giveaway, 10100 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Mail-in entrees must include name, address, phone numbers, email address, and age. You must be at least 21 years of age to enter. Additional contest details are available at www.clevelandautoshow.com, or by
calling toll free 1-866-291-1415.

$2 Off Auto Show coupons are available at over 300 Northern Ohio new-vehicle dealerships (while supplies last). The discount coupons can be redeemed at the Auto Show Box Office toward all regular admissions during show hours. The list of Northern Ohio new-vehicle dealerships can be found online at www.clevelandautoshow.com.

Parking is free. And, all paid box office ticket holders receive a free souvenir program – a $5 value.

The Show is open to the public February 28 – March 8. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors and $10 for preteens.
Children 6 and under are free. Tickets are available online at www.clevelandautoshow.com. Hours of operation are Friday & Saturdays 11am to 11pm; Sundays 11:00am to 8:00pm and Monday through Thursday 12:00pm to 10pm.

The Auto Show’s toll free information hotline is 1-866-291-1415. General Show information is also available online at www.clevelandautoshow.com.
# # #

[Source: Cleveland Auto Show (pdf)]

Perhaps the most anticipated Consumer Reports issue each year is the one that comes out every April and outlines the best and worst, new and used cars.  We’re happy to report that Acura had several positive mentions.

New car recommendations are defined by Consumer Reports “Bucks per bang” scoring system. Within categories, the bucks per bang is determined by dividing each vehicle’s five-year owner cost by its overall road-test score. All listed models have above average reliability Ratings.

• Upscale Cars – Acura TL was third on the list with a $505 bucks per bang
• Luxury Cars – Acura RL was third on the list with a $725 bucks per bang
• Luxury SUVs – Acura RDX was second on the list with $645 bucks per bang and the Acura MDX was fourth on the list with $670 bucks per bang.

According to Consumer Reports, “On average, Honda continues to make better all-around vehicles than any other automaker. The reliability of all Honda and Acura models is still the best of any automaker, although Toyota follows closely behind. Last year, Honda was the only automaker that had excellent reliability overall; this year it has dropped slightly.”

In the used car category, Consumer Reports focused on model years 1999 – 2008 and of course separated their recommendations into categories. Practically every category included a recommendation for Acura:

• Upscale Cars – Acura TL and Acura TSX
• Luxury Cars – Acura RL
• Sports & Sporty Cars – Acura RSX and Acura Integra
• Midsized and Large SUVs – Acura MDX

Consumer Reports also reported on several categories that fell under the heading of “The best used cars for under $20,000”. As expected, Acura had a lot of representation here.

• $4,000 – $6,000 – Acura CL ’99; Integra ’99-00; TL ‘99-00
• $6,000 – $8,000 – Acura CL ’01-02; Integra ’01; RL ’99-00; RSX ’02; TL ‘01
• $8,000 – $10,000 – Acura CL ’03; MDX ’01; RL ’02; RSX ’03; TL ‘02-03
• $10,000 – $12,000 – Acura MDX ’02-03; RSX ‘04
• $12,000 – $14,000 – Acura MDX ’04; RL ’04; RSX ‘05
• $14,000 – $16,000 – Acura TL ’04; TSX ‘04-05
• $16,000 – $18,000 – Acura MDX ’05; RSX ’06; TL ’05; TSX ‘06
• $18,000 – $20,000 – Acura MDX ’06; RL ’05; TSX ‘07

For full insight, details and ratings, we encourage you to subscribe to Consumer Reports to ensure you make the best purchasing decision possible for your next car.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Overall, what follows is a very positive review of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD from our friends at AutoWeek. According to the review, the TL SH-AWD is a really strong midsize luxury sedan, with many cues borrowed from the Acura MDX that the AutoWeek editors truly appreciated.

“There is solidity everywhere you look in the TL, from the impeccable engine and transmission combination and the well-built interior. The engine is quiet with a strong linear power delivery that gets things up to speed quickly, and the five-speed automatic is a slick unit with fast and almost unnoticeable shifts.”

Jump over to AutoWeek for the rest of their TL SH-AWD review.

[Source: AutoWeek]

We’ve just finished reading one of the worst reviews of the 2009 Acura TL we’ve seen to date. And by worst, we don’t necessarily mean that its rating the TL poorly, we mean that the writer, Aaron Gold, obviously had a bias coming into the review and although he says he spent a week with the car, its truly doubtful.

Some things in reviews are expected…such as the subjective opinions of the exterior styling. Fine Aaron…we’ll give that to you. But to say “It will take weeks, if not months, for a TL owner to learn to use those controls without looking away from the road — and that means a higher risk of an accident.”….well that’s just ridiculous. If it would take you that long Aaron, perhaps you’d be better suited writing reviews for About.com’s container gardening category.

On the road, Aaron gives the TL its due credit and says its surprisingly satisfying. “I was genuinely surprised at how enjoyable the front-drive TL was on the About.com Cars Top Secret Curvy Test Road. The TL exhibited accurate steering, good grip, lots of power, and an unobtrusive electronic stability control system.”.

If you’re into reading a review littered with bias and hyperbole with a hint of truth, jump on over and read the rest of Aaron’s 2009 Acura TL FWD review.

Of yeah Aaron, when you asked “”Who is going to buy this car?” I just can’t come up with an answer.” AcuraBoard.com just purchased a Polished Metal Metallic 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD and couldn’t be happier. Oh….and it only took us an hour to learn how to use all of the controls.

[Source: About.com]

Reminiscing about their first sight of the 2004 Acura TL, Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman of Car-Data recall the stand-out looks, cutting edge technology and outstanding performance of the now replaced third generation Acura TL.

While the look of the third gen TL was simple, yet unique, the styling has been copied enough to quickly date it. And while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, there are still many who thought the Acura TL’s styling was always bland and not removed enough from the boring HoMoCo styling from which it was born.

Enter the 2009 Fourth generation Acura TL SH-AWD on the complete opposite end of the design spectrum. Meachen and Biederman loved the 3g TL exterior styling, but they’re having a hard time cozying up to the 4G sheet metal.

The Car-Data duo throw out the usual adjectives and metaphors describing the front end, and throw in a couple of original descriptives for good measure. “Specifically, we can’t get our mind around the snowplow front end. The dominant grille with a “jack-o-lantern” smile has been called everything from a vegetable slicer to a gladiator shield. The V-shaped rear decklid is also a puzzler. From the side, the design is handsomely conservative rising above the ordinary with muscular wheel arches and interesting character lines. And the TL presents a wide, solid stance.”

For every person who isn’t fond of the exterior styling of the TL’s grille, there is someone else who is. As Car-Data reviewed the TL-SHAWD, one onlooker commented, “I like the front, it’s pretty cool”.

“The TL in SH-AWD guise is a marvelous driving machine. Acceleration is strong if not cutting edge, the suspension provides just the right amount of ride comfort while performing class-leading handling duties. The electronic steering offers excellent feedback, and the five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters goes about its duties with the adeptness of six-speed shifters found in most entry-level luxury cars these days.”

Jump over to Car-Data to read the entire review.

[Source: Car-Data]

2009 Acura TL SH-AWD Review by Car and Driver

01.31.2009

2009 Acura TL SH-AWD – Road Test

The 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD is possibly what the 2012 Cadillac CTS might have been; could easily be what Bruce Wayne’s off-duty ride would have been; and is definitely a misunderstood car by the masses that will successfully take Acura in the direction it needs to go in. A true breakthrough design.

At last, an Acura aggressively sculpted from headlight to taillight with a single theme in mind; rakish, ominous and just knocking on the door of menacing.

The test TL SH-AWD was equipped with the tech package and the summer-rated 245/40ZR-19 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s. Maximum handling, but the 40ZR-19s aren’t ideal for daily driving as they transform the perfectly balanced sport/luxury feeling of the SH-AWD into a car that will jolt your spine on your daily drive.

The TL’s cockpit is akin to a helicopter; “a mosaic of black buttons—dozens of them—marked precisely in white and grouped around two central knobs, a big one below for twisting, turning, and toggling around the screen, a small one above it for entertainment on/off/volume. You’ll need training before lifting off, preferably a few hours of familiarization when you needn’t keep your eyes on the road.”

Patrick Bedard wrote what we thought was a very compelling, honest and adjective heavy review of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD…one that made us feel proud that somebody else finally sees this marvel the same way AcuraBoard.com sees it…but perhaps, the entire tone of the review was wrapped in sarcasm…you be the judge.  Patrick – if you;re reading this, please drop us a line and let us know.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Gary Gastelu of Fox News reviewed the 09 TL Tech FWD and was surprised to do so. Even though he knew he was scheduled to review the FWD, during the first few miles of his drive, he said, “I had a hard time believing that at least some of the power in this particular one wasn’t being directed to the rear.”

Though the exterior design of the new TL has been described by Acura as “emotion unleashed”, Gastelu takes it a step further to say that this is an understatement compared to every car Acura has ever made…including the NSX.

Though opinion of the exterior design varies, Acura achieved its goal of truly differentiating itself from Honda, and the eyes of all passers-by clearly confirm this. The cockpit, has a curvy, silvery, wraparound dashboard can lead you to fantasize about blasting through space on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise with more technology that you’ll ever need.

Read the rest of the 2009 Acura TL FWD review here.

[Source: Fox News]