Nuts & Bolts
2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
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Complaints: Both Ria Manglapus, my associate for vehicle evaluations, and my wife, Mary Anne, complained about abrupt transmission shifts in the TL SH-AWD. I did not experience the same discomfort. I'll leave it at that.
Ride, acceleration and handling: The ride is harder than many people might expect, especially when the TL SH-AWD is shod with low-aspect-ratio "summer" performance tires. The ride is more accommodating with all-season, mud-plus-snow radials. Handling is superior on summer performance rubber. It is very good on mud-plus-snow radials. Acceleration is excellent.
Head-turning quotient: Some people love it. Others hate it. No one can ignore it.
Body style/layout: The Acura TL is a front-engine, entry-level luxury, mid-size sport sedan available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It is offered in four basic trim packages -- base, base with tech package, SH-AWD and SH-AWD with tech package.
Engine/transmission: The 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD comes with a 3.7-liter, 24-valve V-6 that develops 305 horsepower at 6,300 revolutions per minute and 273 foot-pounds of torque at 5,000 revolutions per minute. The engine uses electronic valve lift and timing to improve fuel efficiency. It is linked to a five-speed transmission that can be shifted automatically or manually.
Capacities: There are seats for five people. Maximum cargo capacity is 13 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of required premium unleaded gasoline.
Mileage: Real-world highway mileage was right at 25 miles per gallon. But spending time in Washington and Baltimore traffic jams reduced city mileage to 15 miles per gallon.
Safety: Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with antilock protection; side and head air bags; and electronic stability and traction control.
Price: The base price on the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD sedan is $42,235. Dealer's invoice price on that model is $38,812. Price as tested is $42,995, including a $760 destination charge. Dealer's price as tested is $39,572. Prices are sourced from Honda/Acura, Edmunds.com and Cars.com, an affiliate of The Washington Post.
Purse-strings note: A very nice package. Compare with Audi A4, Infiniti G35 and M35, VW CC, BMW 3 Series.
