Once, I mistook an automotive journalist for a rock star. After introductions, he gave me a lengthy talk about the wheel design of a European Accord. His point was clear: those who truly understand automotive engineering are very particular. The desire for well-designed cars goes beyond just being a geek. The market rewards cars that are over-engineered, or at least seem to be. Acura, in this sense, has some appeal, even though the TL didn’t quite live up to the brand’s luxury goals. Simply put, the TL missed the mark.
You don’t need to be an expert to see the issues. When car magazines describe a car’s looks as “a matter of personal taste,” it’s usually not a good sign. Personally, the front of the Acura TL isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen, but it’s still awkward, like a confused animal about to get hit by a car. The sharp crease down the side, meant to be modern, looks out of place. The side view of the car, however, shows what the design could have been – sleek, elegant, and almost European, setting it apart from the regular car it’s based on.
Front view of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD highlighting its controversial grille design.
Beyond the questionable styling, there are other differences between the TL and its more common sibling. The 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD offers a bit more space inside. The materials used in the TL are also more luxurious, except for the buttons, which feel cheap. The steering wheel and gauges are well-designed, but overall, the interior feels uninspired. It’s as basic as a plain tissue box.
Inside this ordinary interior, there’s a lot of technology that will quickly become outdated, hurting the car’s resale value. You’d need a long tutorial just to learn how to use everything. Some of these features seem pointless. Why burn CDs to a hard drive when you can just use your phone? Voice recognition systems are often more trouble than they’re worth. And while you can upload images for the navigation screen, you can’t even make a slideshow? GPS-linked climate control and a real-time power distribution display also seem unnecessary.
Power comes from a 3.7-liter V6 engine in the SH-AWD model of the 2009 Acura TL. With 305 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, it seems like a strong performer on paper. But in reality, the engine sounds unpleasant below 5000rpm – whiny, tinny, and cheap. The five-speed automatic transmission, while having a wide range of gears, isn’t as smooth as it should be. Acura is usually known for good steering feel, but in this case, the electric power steering is poor. The brakes are effective at stopping the heavy car and don’t fade easily, but they lack feel.
Many drivers prefer a comfortable, numb feel in a car, which is why the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD’s suspension is surprising in a bad way. The suspension components feel like they could be from a budget brand. The 18-inch wheels and all-season tires make the ride harsh over even small bumps. Around town, the TL feels uneasy, jumpy, and cheap. This is unacceptable for a car in this price range.
Interior of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD showing the dashboard and center console, criticized for generic design.
The only possible reason for such a stiff ride would be exceptional handling. While the all-wheel-drive system in the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD does keep the car stable, this heavy sedan handles more like a large tree than a nimble sports car in corners. Adding to the problem, the seats don’t provide enough support when driving aggressively. The engine does produce a nice growl at high RPMs, but there’s no situation where the TL truly matches a BMW 3-Series, or even comes close.
Like that automotive journalist would say, a well-engineered car has a clear purpose. By trying to appeal to everyone, the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD ends up being unremarkable to most, except for its high price. It’s back to the drawing board for Acura. Maybe next time, they should start with designing better wheels, and then rethink the rest of the car.
