2007 Acura TL Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Acura TL has been lightly updated for the 2007 model year, but it remains a sporty, almost-luxury bargain.
The Acura TL midsize sedan is a sharply styled, responsive, powerful car that combines a host of new technologies with comfortable luxury touches. Acura has updated the 2007 TL with a new grille, a new headlight design, more chrome, and a new front-end design that shifts the fog light position. The Accord-based TL also now comes in a more performance-oriented Type-S trim, which has more horsepower and a more aggressive demeanour than the standard car.
The 2007 TL comes in two models, the standard car and the Type-S. The standard TL comes with a 3.2-litre V6 engine that produces power specs of 258 horsepower, while the Type-S has a 3.5-litre V6 that delivers 286 horsepower.
The base car comes with a five-speed automatic that can be manually shifted, and the Type-S is available with a six-speed manual transmission. All versions of the 2007 TL have a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain.
The Acura TL is aimed at car buyers who want a premium vehicle without the headache of a premium price tag. It competes with the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, the Infiniti G35, and others.
The Acura TL shares much of its underpinnings with the Honda Accord, but there’s only a whiff of Honda in the final product. The TL has dramatic lines that meet in sharp points in various places over its body, giving it almost dart-like styling. It’s more aggressive than some of Acura’s other vehicles and stands far apart from its Honda cousin.
Acura’s updates for the TL this model year increased the size of the grille and reshaped the front fascia, but the nose of the car remains pointed and sleek. The Acura TL Type-S has its own unique front fascia, more aero bodywork, a rear spoiler, and dual exhausts.
Inside, The TL is comfortable and upscale, but its interior is far more usable and less flashy than some of its luxury counterparts on the market today. Acura used high-end materials throughout the TL’s cabin, so the car feels every bit as expensive as it needs to without going over the top.
All TL models come standard with heated leather seats, which add a cozy, luxurious feel to the sport sedan’s interior. A sunroof/moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels are also standard. The Type-S features generous amounts of carbon fibre trim and sporty touches like stainless steel pedals, a quad exhaust, and heavily bolstered front seats.
No matter which version you choose, the 2007 Acura TL is a driver-focused luxury sedan. The standard model’s 3.2-litre V6 provides healthy acceleration and a powerful sound, but its big party trick is its ability to be buttery smooth and pleasant at low speeds.
The engine also works well with the five-speed automatic gearbox to provide effortless cruising around town. The transmission is smooth shifting and never struggles to find the right gear for the car’s speed and driving situation.
The TL Type-S is a different animal. Its 286-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 makes more power than the smaller engine, but its personality is nearly the same. There’s the same silky-smooth acceleration and calm demeanour around town and the same throaty, aggressive sound when it’s pushed.
Where the Type-S stands out is with its handling and driving dynamics. Its upgraded damping system keeps body roll in check and makes the TL into a true canyon-carving machine. Under heavy acceleration, there is more than a little torque steer, which is an issue where the car’s front wheels pull hard enough to physically change direction. It can be felt in the steering wheel as well. The issue is common in powerful front-wheel-drive (FWD) sports sedans, but the TL manages it with an excellent limited-slip differential.
The TL Type-S has large front disc brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers, so stopping is well under control, and the whole package works well as a unit to deliver a fun, balanced drive on nearly any surface. There won’t be any tail-out drifting in the Type-S as there could be in a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car, but the larger wheels and sharper suspension make it quite a fun high-performance car.
Fuel economy ratings for the standard TL land at 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 7.5 on the highway. The TL Type-S with the six-speed manual transmission is rated at 11.6 L/100 km city and 7.3 highway, which changes to 12.3 city and 7.8 highway with an automatic transmission.
The TL is a balanced, versatile car with a comfortable interior and plenty of usable space. The simple but refined interior helps put the driver’s focus on the road, while the car’s excellent visibility makes it easy for drivers of nearly any type to find a solid position in the cabin. Acura, like Honda, engineers cars from the inside out, so the number of clever storage spaces and driver-centred controls is unmatched by the TL’s competitors.
While not a cavernous cargo carrier, the TL does manage to carry five adults rather comfortably, and its 354-litre trunk has a large enough opening that filling its modest capacity is very easy.
The 2007 Acura TL is one of the most complete cars on the market from a technology standpoint. Standard equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate controls, heated power driver’s seat and front passenger seat, remote keyless entry, power windows/door locks, an eight-speaker sound system with DVD audio, a six-disc CD changer, WMA and MP3 capabilities, an AM/FM/XM satellite radio tuner and cassette player, a HomeLink remote garage door opener, and Bluetooth hands-free wireless phone connections.
TL Type-S models come with navigation, which is a $2,500 option for the standard car. The navigation system uses a special 3D Solar Sensing Climate Control system that coordinates the sun’s position with that of the car to automatically shift climate control efforts to the part of the vehicle that is most heated by sunlight.
The Acura TL was awarded "Good" ratings for moderate overlap front and side crashworthiness and received a "Marginal" rating for its head restraints and seats from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated it five stars in both frontal crash test categories, four stars for driver side crash protection and five for rear passenger side crash protection, and four stars for rollover protection.
The list of standard safety features is long and includes dual front airbags, front side-curtain airbags, front side airbags for torso protection, a weight-sensing system that can adjust airbag intensity based on passengers’ weights, electronic stability control, traction control, antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Perhaps the TL’s biggest challenge is its position in the market relative to its price. With a new car MSRP in Canada of around $43,000, it’s cheap enough that high-end buyers of non-luxury cars will consider it, but it’s expensive enough that it bumps into luxury mainstays like BMW and Audi. The buyers for those cars shop heavily on brand and name recognition, which is a game that Acura will have trouble winning.
That said, people who do make the move to the Acura TL will find an impressive mix of high-end materials, an exhilarating driving experience, and a sophisticated interior.
In terms of price, the TL lines up nicely with the BMW 3 Series, but it outperforms the BMW on many accounts until the uppermost limits of the 3 Series line. The TL Type-S, for example, is more comfortable and engaging than “lesser” versions of the 3 Series but can’t stand up to the M3’s brutality and speed.
In standard guise, the TL returns competitive fuel economy as well. Its highway ratings beat less capable cars like the Subaru Legacy while nearly matching the numbers from cars like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. Finally, it’s worth noting the Acura’s expected reliability ratings. In the luxury segment, it’s easy to find cars with projected repair numbers that significantly increase the cost of ownership over time. The TL is expected to be far better than average on repairs and repair costs, which greatly bolsters its value proposition.
Note: Images show a US model.
User reviews for 2007 Acura TL
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2007 Acura TL Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 225 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.31
Exterior Features
Grille color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 225 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.31
Exterior Features
Grille color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 225 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.2 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: grocery bag holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.29
Exterior Features
Grille color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 225 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.2 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: cargo net · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.29
Exterior Features
Grille color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation