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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Acura TL

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Acura TL

Overview

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2008 Acura TL Review

By KBB.com Editors

Acura's answer to premium performance sedans like the BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Audi A4 and Lexus IS is the TL, the only car in that category offered exclusively with front-wheel drive. While rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles can enjoy some performance advantages, the TL explores the limit of what is possible with front-wheel drive and a torquey V6. The TL is also comfortable, roomy and packed with a sophisticated lineup of standard equipment. It returns up to 27 miles per gallon on the highway and is priced considerably below its competitors. In 2007, enthusiasts celebrated the return of a TL Type-S, with more power, a stiffer suspension and distinctive styling touches.

You'll Like This Car If...

Fast, fun, comfortable and convenient, the TL is arguably the category's most well-rounded entry and almost certainly its best value.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the TL's front-wheel-drive architecture is an advantage for some---especially those in wetter climates---other enthusiast buyers might prefer the driving dynamics associated with rear-wheel drive.

What's Significant About This Car?

In 2008, the TL is offered in two new paint colors, Polished Metal Metallic and Bold Beige Metallic.

Driving the TL

Driving Impressions One of the great beauties of the TL lineup is that, 95 percent of the time, the Type-S is just as comfortable as the base model and the base model...

is just as much fun as the Type-S. Still, when the road starts to get curvy and your right foot gets heavy, the quicker, grippier, more responsive Type-S easily earns its price premium. The five-speed automatic has been enhanced for the Type-S---which also gets steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters---to deliver smoother, rev-matching downshifts and quicker, crisper upshifts, while the six-speed manual is as tight and precise as you'd expect in an all-out sports car. With the six-speed manual transmission there is some torque steer (pulling on the steering) under hard acceleration in the lower gears. The TL has a pleasant around-town demeanor and reactive but comfortable highway manner.

Favorite Features

Comprehensive Navigation System
The TL's voice-activated navigation system provides real-time traffic info, Zagat restaurant reviews and includes a rearview camera. It even allows you to upload your entire personal phonebook into the Bluetooth hands-free phone system in one step.

Enhanced DVD-Audio System
The TL's impressive eight-speaker, 225-watt DVD-Audio Surround Sound system features DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, plus a six-disc CD changer that plays WMA and MP3 files. There's also an auxiliary input for portable MP3 players and such.

2008 Acura TL Details

Interior

The TL's interior remains one of the roomiest, most comfortable cabins in the category (especially for rear-seat passengers). The DVD-Audio Surround Sound system provides a sublime listening experience, and an updated voice-activated navigation system provides real-time traffic information and includes an integrated rear-view camera. Type-S models have sportier seats with contrasting stitching, stainless-steel pedals, red (not blue) instrument illumination, dark aluminum and carbon fiber trim and an active noise canceling system that generates sound waves to counteract the bigger engine's additional noise at cruising speeds.

Exterior

Though the 2008 TL is essentially unchanged from its 2007 predecessor, the bold sedan, designed in California, can be confused with no other in the segment. That's thanks partially to its prominent grille and aggressive front and rear lower fascias. The more assertive Type-S is distinguished by a collection of darker trim elements, including black chrome grille and lamp treatments, plus wider side sills, a rear spoiler, dual circular exhaust outlets, dark 17-inch wheels and Type-S badges.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Except for the navigation system, a base Acura TL is fully loaded with an impressive DVD-Audio Surround Sound system, power moonroof, HID headlamps, leather seating, power/heated front seats, Bluetooth hands-free phone integration, steering wheel-mounted controls and six airbags.

Optional Equipment

A navigation system is the only option available on the base 2008 Acura TL. The step up to the Type-S includes navigation, a host of performance-oriented hardware and cosmetic upgrades, a choice of a more responsive five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission and the availability of high-performance tires.

Under the Hood

While the base TL has the excellent 3.2-liter engine and a slightly softer suspension, the Type-S gets a 3.5-liter version that delivers outstanding performance with almost no loss of fuel economy. The Type-S also gets a stiffer suspension, Brembo brakes, a more aggressive exhaust note and is the only model available with a manual transmission (which includes a limited-slip differential) and high-performance tires.

3.2-liter V6
258 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
233 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26

3.5-liter V6
286 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
256 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 (manual), 17/26 (automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Acura TL vehicles for sale near you.

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2008 Acura TL Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.4

Out of 10

Based on 646 Ratings for the 2004 - 2008 models.

Review this car

Value

9.5/10

Quality

9.5/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.5/10
Comfort

9.4/10

Styling

9.6/10

Solid as a rock. I would buy another.

By 2aces (MI) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I had Honda's and wanted to upgrade to the 2007 Acura TL. I have loved the car and had no problems with it or the dealer. It still looks great when I walk out of work and see it in the parking lot. Solid as the day I bought it!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Good commuting car

By kim (NJ) on Saturday, June 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 126,002

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"2007 Acura TL has been reliable except for the steering wheel squeaking noise repair and a year ago Navigation system broke. Overall, I satisfied with the TL quality and riding dynamic."

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Best car I ever owned

By krothe (LA) on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 170,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "reliable, dependable, beautiful"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Bought my baby brand new in Jan 2006. I researched for several months and narrowed my choice to 3 vehicles. The test drive was the icing on the cake. The other vehicle's base price were in the range of the TL - but all the features that were included in the Tech package for the TL were very expensive options on the other brands. In the first three years, I put 90,000 miles on the vehicle. 4 years later, no squeaks, rattles, or anything that would show its age. I love this car - so much that I bought a 2009 TSX for my wife then upgraded in 2010 to a MDX. I am an Acura fan. I really don't want to give up on my TL, but it is approaching the 200k milestone, and I'm afraid that it's days are numbered. The maintenance costs have been very reasonable (about $600 / year which includes tires, and major maintenance - transmission servicing, suspension replacement, brakes, etc.) The only component I've had to replace was the power steering - only because my battery died in a parking garage and I had to steer the car out of the multi-level parking facility without any electricity to get the car to a tow truck (and it damaged the steering pump). The service department is awesome - I don;t think i'll ever buy another car that isn't an Acura."

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Fun to Drive but typical cheap Honda problems

By NHB3GTL (WA) on Friday, May 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 125,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Quick, looks nice, sporty to drive."

Cons: "Cheap construction, transmission issues, too small"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"I think everyone by now should know to not buy any Honda car with an automatic transmission, every time they come out with a new model they say "oh these ones don't have the issues the old ones did" but after 60k miles on this thing guess what quit? The transmission of course, upon reading all the acura forums you will find how common this is. Manual trans Hondas = great. autos= not so much. Ive also replaced in the first 100k the starter, heater valve, about 100 interior lights, a leaky headlight assembly, leaky taillight assembly, trunk latch assembly, lots of interior parts that break (buttons, the subwoofer, etc) and yes I have always done all the maintenance timing belt, water pump, oil changes, TRANSMISSION service etc. This car has been well cared for but its just a typical cheaply made foreign car. The pros of it are that I have never ever had a problem with the engine itself always idles and runs smooth never had a check engine light on. It really is a nice looking car inside and out, just too bad overseas manufacturers cant make anything last (but really how do you sell new cars if they build em like they should) kinda like appliances nowadays, they would go out of business if they made them reliable. Anyways I would recommend this car as long as you are prepared to work on it. Like I said fun to drive, looks nice, but overall its an overpriced cheaply made vehicle."

2 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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I love my car.

By Annie123 (CA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great handling and smooth ride."

Cons: "Keeping this car up isn't cheap. But it is worth."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I own the 2007 Acura TLS., in white. Before an accident on May 6, of this year, not a dent anywhere on my car. I have had several offers on my car because it is such a awesome looking car. Drives and handles great. It is expense to keep up. Luckily, the damage to the driver side will be able to be fixed. I was the only one of three people who walk away from this nasty accident. That car really held up to the impact. I can't say enough about my car. I was hoping that it would not have to be totaled. I couldn't replace that year and model. Acura Made a big mistake in changing the body style on these. I wouldn't touch the Acura models today. Hope you are luckily enough to own an earlier model. I know I am."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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My Fourth Acura

By Utley (FL) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Price, Value, Features, Horsepower...."

Cons: "Gas Mileage could be a bit better."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My 2007 TL with Tech package is my 4th Acura and you simply cannot find a car such as this one, with all of the features, anywhere in the same price range. Acura service is top notch, and the car is fantastic. Like any other car, you get what you put into it, and I have always taken great car of my cars. Would love to see Acura make a 2 TL Coupe!"

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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