2008 Acura TL

*Est. $33,725 to $38,425

Comfortable, roomy interior
Smooth powertrain
Variety of features
Reliability

Limited sportiness (due to front-wheel drive)
No fold-down rear seat
No all-wheel drive (AWD) available

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Our Analysis

With prices that undercut many of its competitors, the Acura TL sports sedan earns praise from auto writers for its handling, comfort, performance and respectable fuel economy. Although the Acura TL is designed to compete with premium performance sports sedans, its exclusive front-wheel drive is one of its biggest disadvantages, according to reviews. Some reviewers, however, point out the benefits that the TL's front-wheel drive offers, including more interior room and improved foul-weather traction. Overall, however, reviews indicate that the Acura TL can't offer the same kind of dynamic driving experience found in rivals such as the BMW 3 Series (*est. $32,700 to $53,800) or the Infiniti G35 (*est. $32,250 to $34,750).

Edmunds.com provides the best general summary review of the Acura TL, while CNet.com offers information about the TL's in-cabin technological features. KBB.com, the online home of Kelley Blue Book, gives the Acura TL its "recommended" endorsement with a descriptive review, and Car and Driver includes the TL on a list of 10 mid-priced sporty sedans on the market today that offer the fastest acceleration.

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Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

Editors at Edmunds.com say the Acura TL high-value sedan offers many features that would normally be found on more expensive rivals, but that for top performance and handling, there are better choices.

Review: 2008 Acura TL Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. Kelley Blue Book

The Acura TL earns a spot on Kelley Blue Book's "recommended" list for luxury sedans starting under $50,000 based on its "masterful mix of performance, comfort, technology and value." Kelley's Blue Book says the Acura TL is pleasant around town and on the highway, but claims that rear-wheel-drive and AWD cars have a leg up from a performance standpoint.

Review: 2008 Acura TL 4-door Type S Sedan Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book

3. Automobile.com

Automobile.com presents a detailed road test of the Acura TL, with a well-balanced discussion of pros and cons. The writer praises the TL for its many features at a reasonable price, which he says undercuts most similarly equipped competitors. Despite the positives, he notes that the TL lags behind the segment leaders.

Review: 2008 Acura TL Type-S Road Test, Steven James Day, Dec. 22, 2007

4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of Consumer Reports base their road-test review of the Acura TL on a 2004 model, which is basically similar to today's model. Also included is data on historical reliability, as compiled from large owner surveys.

Review: 2008 Acura TL Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

5. Cars.com

Cars.com includes the Acura TL on its "Best Bet" list, which features a total of 32 vehicles that have been deemed to excel in their intended market niches. Staff writer Joe Wiesenfelder provides an overview of the TL, which includes brief driving impressions. Among his dislikes: the Acura's tendency to torque steer, its wide turning radius and its small trunk with no folding seat back to extend the cargo space.

Review: 2008 Acura TL, Joe Wiesenfelder, Sept. 13, 2007

6. CNET

CNet.com's Wayne Cunningham drives the Acura TL Type-S and notes that while the car is fun, its performance is ultimately held back by a few shortcomings. Cunningham is pleased with the stereo and navigation system, but reports that the TL's integrated "live traffic" feature is not as good as the Cadillac CTS's.

Review: 2008 Acura TL Type-S Review, Wayne Cunningham, Nov. 13, 2007

7. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver names the 10 quickest mid-priced sedans based on each car's zero to 60 mph acceleration time. Each car's review includes a short description of driving impressions and a recap of its technical attributes. The Acura TL places seventh, with a 5.5-second acceleration time.

Review: The Quickest Sedans of 2008: $30,000 to $40,000, Jared Holstein, Dec. 2007