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2012 Acura TL

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Overview

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2012 Acura TL Review

By Joe Santos

KBB Expert Rating: 7.7

When the current-generation Acura TL bowed in the 2009 model year, its bold aesthetics garnered mixed feelings from car reviewers and the buying public alike. Some liked the sharp angles, while detractors were particularly critical of the large beak-like front grille. For the 2012 model year Acura has softened the TL's face and made a few other exterior refinements. With a mild facelift and improved fuel economy, Acura hopes the freshened TL will lure even more buyers from varied temptresses like the BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M and Lexus ES.

You'll Like This Car If...

Compared to competitors from BMW, Infiniti and Lexus, the Acura TL is a bargain; offering a lot of technology, performance and luxury for less than the rest.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Even with its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, we found that the Acura TL still isn't as engaging rear-drive cars like the Infiniti M or BMW 5 Series.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.7
Driving Dynamics

7.7
Comfort & Convenience

7.1
Design: Interior & Exterior

8.1
Value

7.3
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#19

out of 35

MPG

#15

out of 35

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.5 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Acura TL upgrade is a little show, a little go. Underneath the exterior changes the TL sports a new six-speed automatic transmission that delivers more miles per gallon. The TL is still available in base and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive trim levels, and a new Advance Package has been added to the option list.

Driving the TL

Driving Impressions The 2012 Acura TL marries the size of a BMW 5 Series with the lower price of an Infiniti G37 Sedan, but doesn't capture the performance feel of either. Front-wheel...

drive and synthetic steering feel combine in a car that's neither as engaging around town nor as capable at the limits compared to some of its more storied rear-wheel drive competitors. On the flip side, the Acura TL is about 100 times more fun than the soft-tuned Lexus ES 350 with which it also sort of competes. Stepping up to the SH-AWD version nets more horsepower, a sportier suspension and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system that directs more energy to the outside rear wheel while cornering. You have to push the TL pretty hard before you can feel SH-AWD working, but that's exactly when you need it. Otherwise, around town and on the highway the 2012 Acura TL behaves like most other performance-oriented mid-size sedans.

Favorite Features

Six-speed Automatic Transmission
The new six-speed transmission is the sole contributor to the overall increase in fuel economy. More gears also equal more fun as the transmission is able to keep the engine in its sweet spot during spirited driving. As a bonus, the revised gearing results in lower engine rpm while cruising, resulting in lower cabin noise.

Blind Spot Information System
We like everything that comes with the Advance Package, but if we had to choose one thing, it would be the blind spot information system. These indicators tell the driver if there is a car in the blind spot, which is a handy reassurance when changing lanes.

2012 Acura TL Details

2012 Acura TL Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

We find the 2012 Acura TL's interior luxuriously sporty. And for the new model year, it's even more luxurious as new platinum-plated trim pieces on the dash, center console and door sills have been thrown in to update the look. In addition to being heated, the front seats are now ventilated (Advance Package only) and the overall interior noise level has been reduced by 2.7 decibels thanks to an increased amount of body-sealing points.

Exterior

At first glance the 2012 Acura TL looks largely the same as the 2011 edition, but a closer inspection reveals the changes. The front and rear overhangs have been shortened by an inch. Up front, the grille surround has been shaved down and the upper portion of it smoothed out, addressing the exterior's most obvious pain point. Other new additions include darkened headlights, new turn signals and a new fog light design. Out back is a new rear bumper, which includes a relocated license plate frame that sits higher making way for a rear diffuser. The taillights received a color change and the trunk trim is thinner, which we think gives the car a more sophisticated look.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2012 Acura TL comes well equipped right out of the box, which can't be said for many of its competitors. Some of the most notable features include heated leather seats, a power moonroof, 276-watt audio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a 10-way power driver's seat and 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition to all-wheel drive and more horsepower, the TL SH-AWD trim adds to the list by offering additional seat bolstering for a sportier feel and French stitching on the steering wheel, seats, shift lever and parking brake.

Optional Equipment

The Acura TL is available with two option packages: The Technology Package and the new-for-2012 Advance Package. The Technology Package includes a hard drive-base navigation system with Acuralink traffic and weather updates, 440-watt surround sound system, Milano premium leather seating surfaces and keyless access system. The Advance Package comes with a Blind Spot Information (BSI) system, ventilated (cooling) front seats and plus-one wheel sizes (equals 18-inch wheels for the base, 19-inch wheels for the SH-AWD trim).

Under the Hood

Engine choices available for the 2012 Acura TL include a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter or a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. A new Sequential SportShift six-speed automatic is available on both trims, but the six-speed manual transmission is exclusive to the SH-AWD trim level. The six-speed automatic features a "double-kick-down" feature that lets the driver down shift twice (from fifth to third gear, for example) to aid performance in spirited driving situations. The six-speed auto also improves the city/highway fuel economy of 3.5-liter versions by 2/3 miles per gallon, respectively. When matched with the 3.7-liter engine the new transmission ups fuel economy by one mpg city and highway.

3.5-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
254 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29

3.7-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
273 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 (manual), 18/26 (automatic)

Pricing Notes

The 2012 Acura TL has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) just over $36,000 for the base trim, while the SH-AWD trim level starts at about $40,000. Adding the Technology Package to either trim bumps up the price about $4,000, and adding the Advance Package adds about $1,000 more. A fully loaded TL tops out just under $46,000, which is thousands less than a loaded BMW 5 Series and Infiniti M, but on par with a similarly equipped Lexus ES. As for resale value, we expect the Acura TL to hold residuals on par with its competitors from BMW, Lexus and Infiniti.

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2012 Acura TL Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.5

Out of 10

Based on 126 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.6/10

Quality

9.6/10
Reliability

9.8/10

Performance

9.6/10
Comfort

9.6/10

Styling

9.5/10

Best Vehicle I have ever owned

By AcuraLover (FL) on Sunday, May 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,500

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: "fun to drive"

Cons: "wish it had one of those blind spot detectors"

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

"My baby is a joy to drive. I love the look and the way it handles. Its nice to be able to bob and weave on the interstate if I have to. Perfect for Sunday morning cruising. My children think its cool enough to borrow (if that's not an endorsement, nothing is)."

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Elegant, great hp and handling

By Red (AZ) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 75,000

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: "Comfortable, elegant, fun to drive, plenty hp"

Cons: "Subscription $$: map upgrades, Weather, Traffic"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Bought it used with <30000 miles on it, now have 75k. I have the full Technology Package- highly recommended. I use prem gas & synth oil and am handsomely rewarded with great engine performance. The lines are elegant, crisp, clean. Interior is fantastically quiet so my tunes sound great with the prem sound system. My friends say it has marshmallow seats."

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Fantastic vehicle

By d2m75 (AZ) on Saturday, April 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

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: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

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

"Definitely the best vehicle I have ever owned,very pleasing to drive and comfortable to sit in. Would easily recommend this car over any other for performance, luxury and value."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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LOVE my Acura, in 4 yrs never had a problem.

By MissAdventure (FL) on Thursday, April 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great body lines and drives like a dream"

Cons: "There are no cons"

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

"Before I bought my Acura I had driven Toyotas. For my 60th birthday I splurged and got the Acura TL. In four years I have never had a problem with my car. The pick up is great and it is excellent as far as comfort, especially for someone with back issues."

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Pure comfort and reliabilaty

By Poppie (NJ) on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,100

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "none"

Cons: "Must use premium gas which is expensive."

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

"I have owned 3 Acura's and each and everyone was great cars to own and drive. Never had one problem but I don't keep them more than 3 years."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Terrific Touring Car! Incredible value!!

By Raj (IA) on Tuesday, April 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 500

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: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Refinement, controlled ride, 6MT"

Cons: "A wee bit more engagement!"

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

"I have only recently bought the 2013 TL (SH-AWD 6M). So my views are more like initial impressions. It is less fun to drive than my previous car (two Infiniti G's over the past 10 years) -- so I would not say it is a genuine sports sedan. The manual transmission, clutch, and steering are all very good, however they do not communicate road feel as well as the best sport sedans do. On the other hand, the Acura is a very refined car, quiet and very competent. It comes loaded with luxury and technology, but still retains a taut suspension and compliant ride. It is unique in its class -- combining sport suspension, manual transmission, all-wheel-drive, and luxury/technology at an unbeatable price."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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See all 126 reviews