- sedan 162,207
- 2,293 below average
- 9,995 good
- Merriam, KS
-
- autoshopper.com
- 2,293 below average sedan 162,207 gasoline blue automatic
2009 acura tl review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. All-new entry-luxury sedan is super smooth. introductionthe acura tl has been a favorite among the so-called entry-luxury cars since its release for the 1996 model year. Last redesigned for 2004, the tl is redone again for 2009, adding the most powerful engine ever in an acura and all-wheel drive for the first time. based on the honda accord platform, the 2009 acura tl is larger than the car it replaces, though it handles better and gets similar fuel mileage. two models are offered, each with a different engine. The base acura tl has a 280-hp v6. Standard features include solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control with automatic humidity control, xm satellite radio, an ipod interface, and a bluetooth cell phone link. Available in a technology package are keyless access and starting, a rear view camera, and a navigation system with real-time traffic, new real-time weather, dvd audio playback capability, and hard-drive audio. room in the front seat is plentiful. The back seat is big enough for most passengers, though tall rear passengers will want more head room. The base front-wheel-drive model handles quite well, reacting readily to quick changes of direction and leaning very little through turns. The sh-awd model is heavier but stiffer suspension settings make it handle capably as well. Acura's super handling all wheel drive system can send power to the outside rear wheel in a turn, which helps rotate the car through that turn. All-wheel drive is a great option for customers in northern climates. the improved handling doesn't come at the expense of ride quality. Bumps seldom intrude, there is no float or wallow, and up-and-down motions are kept to a minimum. The tl's balance of ride quality and handling prowess is quite impressive. Braking is quick and worry free. both models offer plenty of power to get in front of traffic from a stop or pass with ease. While the sh-awd model has more power, it also weighs more, so straight line performance is similar to the less powerful model. Both engines provide enough power to make a 0-60 mph run in 6. 0 seconds or less. The only transmission is a smooth shifting, responsive five-speed automatic. It comes with a manual shiftgate and standard steering wheel shift paddles to allow drivers more interaction with the powertrain. bottom line, the new, 2009 acura tl is even better than the previous-generation model, which was a very good car. The 2009 tl has bolder styling, more power, better handling, and the benefit of available all-wheel drive. Anyone looking for a capable sport sedan will do well to give the 2009 acura tl a test drive. lineupthe 2009 acura tl is offered in two models, the base tl and the tl sh-awd. The base model has a 280-hp 3. 5-liter v6 engine, while the sh-awd model has a 305-hp 3. 7-liter v6. P245/40r19 michelin pilot sport summer tires are optional. the technology package upgrades with premium milano leather upholstery, keyless access and starting, rear spoiler, chrome accented door handles, navigation system, rearview camera, acuralink real-time traffic with traffic rerouting, real-time weather, and a 440-watt acura/els 10-speaker premium audio system with dvd audio and 12. 7-gigabyte hard drive. passive safety features include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, and active front head restraints. Active safety features include antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. The mandated tire-pressure monitor is standard. A rearview camera comes with the technology package, and we recommend it because it can help the driver see small children and pedestrians when backing up. walkaroundthe 2009 acura tl is a bigger car than the outgoing model. The wheelbase is up 1. 4 inches to 109. 3 and overall length is up six inches to 195. 3. The new car is 1. 8 inches wider at 74 inches. Curb weight is up only 80 pounds to 3708 pounds thanks to the use of aluminum in the hood, front bumper beams, subframe and steering hanger beam. The architecture is shared with the honda accord, though the accord sedan is actually slightly shorter and about 150 pounds lighter (for a v6 model). the new tl has all-new sheet metal in what acura calls a motion surface body design. Acura says that the styling theme is marked by emotional design, linear fluidity and strong presence. While the first two of those traits may be debatable, the tl certainly has a stronger presence than any acura in recent memory. the calling card of the new design is the beak-like front grille assembly, similar to that of the redesigned tsx and restyled rl models. On the tl, this silver-painted assembly extends up and over to meet the hood, where it ends abruptly. The grille is flanked by a set of slit-like headlights that rise up toward the edges of the front end, giving the tl a sinister, grinning look. Below the grille assembly is a pair of trapezoidal air intakes that house the fog lights. Additional driving lights are found in these intakes on the tl model, while the sh-awd lacks them for improved air flow. The sh-awd also incorporates brake cooling ducts into these intakes at the outside corners. the bottom edges of the headlights resolve into character lines that flow all the way to the taillights and angle upward to give the tl a sporty, raked appearance. Prominent flares surround the front wheels, and these extend up into the aforementioned character lines, giving the tl a visually interesting and distinguishing front wheel hump design trait. The base model's 17-inch wheels look uninspired, but the sh-awd's 18s and optional 19s look great and fill out the wheelwells nicely. the greenhouse is thoroughly modern, balancing maximum interior space with a sporty coupe-like rake. At the rear edges, the rear window is inset slightly, giving the rear pillars a flying buttress look. the rear view has the most presence. The angled trunk shape reflects the beak-like look of the front end. Below the trunk is a silver-painted, wing-shaped decorative piece that combines with the trunk shape and a center character line to give the rear end something of a boattail appearance. Models with the technology package also have a tasteful rear spoiler that only adds to the look. At the bottom, a pair of backup lights mimic the shape of the front air intakes, and the tl has dual exhaust, while the sh-awd has quad exhaust outlets. all in all, the tl has a much bolder shape than previous acuras. Gone are the blue-lit gauges that some may have found a bit sophomoric in the outgoing model. The center stack is thoughtfully angled toward the passengers, making every control easy to reach. The design is attractive, and the materials have a quality feel with a lot of soft-touch surfaces and tight panel gaps. Small items storage is fair, including a change tray at the bottom of the center console, two cupholders behind the gearshift, map pockets in the doors, and a center console that can hold about 10 cd cases. Head and leg room up front are plentiful, and the seats do a good job of keeping passengers in place, especially those in the sh-awd model, which have more side bolstering. The rear seat is quite livable for all but tall passengers, who will complain about head room. Getting in and out of the front seat is easy, but the rear requires some ankle twisting, especially if the front seats are set far back. for structural reasons, acura opted against split-folding rear seats, choosing instead to include a fold-down armrest with two cupholders and a center passthrough.
9,995 Merriam, KSMerriam, KS at autoshopper.com