2008 Acura TL Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2008 Acura TL largely carries over from last year. Mild tweaks for 2008 include larger side-view mirrors without the super-cool winglet mounts of the 2004 original. On the Type-S model, there are quad exhaust tips and a lip spoiler on the trunk lid. Any way you look at it, the TL is more upscale than the Honda Accord it's based upon. It's a study in good automotive design. The front bumper crease aligns with the A badge and the grille's lower point. The grille shape mirrors the hood, which widens from the car's nose and is wedge-shaped, unlike the typical square-shaped cutout you'll find on more ordinary cars. In Canada, 17-inch alloy wheels are standard. Check out the shoulder line that cuts through the door handles and blends with the rear reflector, or the thick C-pillar that lengthens the car's body. That's a visual trick to make this midsize sedan appear larger.

The interior feels just as special and it's more expressive than rivals from BMW, Audi, or Infiniti. The quality of the leather, wood or metal trim, and other materials is very good.

A 3.2-litre VTEC V6 engine makes power specs of 258 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque (ratings decreased from earlier years due to revised measurements by the SAE). The Type S has a 3.5-litre version of this VTEC engine good for 286 hp and 255 lb-ft. Either powertrain feels powerful. Under heavy acceleration, there is excessive torque steer. In a front-wheel drive (FWD) car, the wheels must transmit all longitudinal (acceleration) and lateral (steering) forces. Put too much power in a car like the TL, and the wheels ultimately start turning on their own, despite Acura's limited-slip differential that's supposed to reduce those negative effects. But physics can't defeat this handicapped setup, which is also compromised by excessive weight on those front wheels. Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive drivetrain would help—it can preemptively transfer power in the front axle from left to right—but the company doesn't offer it on the TL.

So, take care with the throttle and you'll have a good time in the TL. The suspension strikes a great balance between comfort and agile handling. The Type S comes with large Brembo disc brakes and a precise six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic is standard on the regular TL and optional on the Type S. Summer tires are an option for the Type S.

Fuel economy is 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 7.5 on the highway for the 3.2-litre engine with the automatic. The Type S automatic is 12.3 L/100 km city and 7.8 highway, while the Type S manual returns the best fuel economy at 11.6 city and 7.3 highway. The TL requires premium gasoline for best performance and efficiency.

The 2008 TL has seats that some drivers may find too low and narrow, while the thick C-pillars block rearward visibility. Trunk space is small, at only 354 litres. The back seat is accommodating in headroom and legroom and is well-suited for long trips, if everyone packs light. The gated shifter is a bit complex, and there are no paddle shifters on the steering wheel like in other cars.

You'll find three large gauges, big LCDs for the stereo and climate, and buttons and knobs for everything else. It's simple to use the navigation system, although voice commands can sometimes take too long to process.

The regular 2008 Acura TL comes with only one option package that adds a navigation system, bilingual voice recognition, and a backup camera. This package is standard on the Type-S.

Standard on all TL models are heated power front seats, leather seats, aluminum or wood trim, sunroof, xenon headlights, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and dual-zone climate control. The ELS sound system has satellite radio, cassette, and a CD player with a six-disc changer.

In Canada, the 2008 Acura TL starts at $42,700 for the base car. Maxed out with performance tires, navigation, and the larger engine with the automatic transmission, the 2008 Acura TL Type-S sports sedan as a new car has an MSRP of $47,800. With so many standard features, minimal options, a powerful V6, and sharp styling, the Acura TL is a great value.

Note: Images show a US model.