2008 Acura TL Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Mild tweaks for 2008 include larger side-view mirrors without the super-cool winglet mounts of the 2004 original. On the Type-S model, which returned from a brief hiatus for 2007, there are quad exhaust tips, a lip spoiler on the trunk lid, dark gray thin-spoke wheels, and tinted headlight covers. 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. 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. Changes for 2008 include a three-spoke steering wheel and instrument panel gauges with restyled typefaces and white concentric rings on the outside. The quality of the leather, wood or metal trim, and other materials is very good.

A 3.2-liter V-6 engine makes 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-liter version of this engine good for 286 hp and 256 lb-ft. Either engine feels powerful. Under heavy acceleration, there is excessive torque steer. In a front-wheel drive 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 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 adjusted to modern EPA estimates is 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg for the 3.2-liter engine with the automatic. The Type S automatic is 17/26/20, while the Type S manual returns the best economy at 18/27/21. The TL requires premium gasoline for best performance and efficiency.

The 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 12 cubic feet. The backseat is accommodating and 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 TL comes with only one option package that adds navigation, real-time traffic, voice recognition, and a backup camera. Also included with the navigation is 3D Solar Sensing, which adjusts the climate control by using the car's location and light sensors within the interior. to estimate the position of the sun and measuring the actual sunlight from a sensor mounted in the interior to best adjust the air conditioning. This package is standard on the Type-S.

Standard on all TL models are heated power leather seats, aluminum or wood trim, moonroof, xenon headlights, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and dual-zone climate. The ELS stereo has satellite radio, cassette, CD changer, and can play DVD-Audio discs in surround sound.