2007 Acura TL Reviews, Pricing & Specs
The CarGurus verdict
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.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
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.
Performance
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.
Form & function
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.
Technology
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.
Safety
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.
Cost-effectiveness
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.
What owners say
"Overall, drivers love the 2007 Acura TL for its performance, reliability, and stylish appearance. Many appreciate its powerful engine, handling, and luxurious features, making it a great value as a sport sedan. However, some owners have reported drawbacks such as issues with dashboard quality, battery drainage, and limited gas mileage, which seemed to be a recurring concern."
The car is in horrible shape , this person is trying to scam you stay away !!
May 15, 2024I love this car. The pedal response is better than any other sedan I have driven. There is next to no pause between pushing the pedal and feeling the speed. There have been no repairs necessary to speak of aside from tires and oil changes. I love all the toys in the dash for the Type-S. The in dash navi and the speech commands, plus the blue tooth phone capability. I get around 28-29 mpg on average and it takes premium so about normal gas consumption. The car is ridiculously fun to drive. Every time I get on an on ramp I hit the gas and feel it dig into the curves. I used to live near an extremely twisty drive and the car performs beautifully. When you hear the slight tire squeal don't worry, that is just the car laughing.
May 4, 2011Performance - V6 with Nearly 300 Horses Built Quality - It is Pretty Solid Appearance - Is Awesome Cost of Ownership - Give about 20 Miles per Gallon Fun Factor - This car is extreme fun to drive, it could have been better if it was a rear wheel.
August 1, 2009What owners say
The car is in horrible shape , this person is trying to scam you stay away !!
May 15, 2024I love this car. The pedal response is better than any other sedan I have driven. There is next to no pause between pushing the pedal and feeling the speed. There have been no repairs necessary to speak of aside from tires and oil changes. I love all the toys in the dash for the Type-S. The in dash navi and the speech commands, plus the blue tooth phone capability. I get around 28-29 mpg on average and it takes premium so about normal gas consumption. The car is ridiculously fun to drive. Every time I get on an on ramp I hit the gas and feel it dig into the curves. I used to live near an extremely twisty drive and the car performs beautifully. When you hear the slight tire squeal don't worry, that is just the car laughing.
May 4, 2011Performance - V6 with Nearly 300 Horses Built Quality - It is Pretty Solid Appearance - Is Awesome Cost of Ownership - Give about 20 Miles per Gallon Fun Factor - This car is extreme fun to drive, it could have been better if it was a rear wheel.
August 1, 2009Very reliable vehicle never had any major issues with it
March 30, 2022Car is equiped with a 3.5L V6 DOHC with 286HP and 253lbs-ft of torque. Sport tuned suspention by Honda, front stab bar, quad exhausts, brembo brakes. Alot of the car's options come standard, including the satellite navigation, voice control, reverse view camera, and lot of nice gadgets here and there.
December 26, 2007Amazing handling with plenty of power produced by the 3.5 VTEC engine. When in Sport Mode, the transmission shifts instantly with the tap of your finger on the paddle shifter. This car offers a comfortable ride that feels safe due to the sport suspension. It is a very reliable car that won't cause you any problems if you do all the regular maintenance on time. Overall stylish look inside and out, and the top of the line features create an aura of elegance.
November 19, 2014I have over 100k on my car. Handles well, fun to drive and very reliable. Highly recommend this model and brand. This is my second TL and I have never been disappointed. Great for all climates warm or cold with a tire change.
June 7, 2012It has many awesome features such as nav system, aux jack, power windows and sunroof, and my favorite... a rearview camera! Sweet car
May 18, 2008Beautiful car inside and out, I have the type S and its very fun to drive as well.
June 22, 2022I really like the way how this car drives and operates. It is high-revving and sporty enough to make you feel connected to the road. If you are looking for something a bit more plush and soft, look elsewhere. The Acura TL 3G is definitely a car that will be in-style and rare in years to come.
March 27, 2015
