1996 Acura TL Review
1996 Acura TL Review

See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Vigor replacement designed to do battle with new Infiniti I30 and the Lexus ES 300 in the near-luxury segment. Cleanly styled with room for four, the new TL comes with either a 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder or a smooth 3.2-liter V6.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Acura TL 2.5 Premium 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$199/mo
TL 2.5 Premium
vs
$173/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Acura's all-new TL replaces the defunct Vigor in the lineup, and heralds the debut of a new nomenclature scheme at Honda's upscale division. Seems consumers were getting too cozy with names like Legend, Vigor and Integra, and weren't paying much attention to the fact that these were Acuras. By switching to letters and numbers, Acura hopes to focus more attention on the Acura brand name. Within several years, all Acuras will be designated by alphanumeric names, except the NSX, which won't be changing.
The TL comes in two flavors: 2.5-liter five cylinder (2.5) and 3.2-liter V6 (3.2). Each model gets unique front styling, though at first glance you'll be hard-pressed to see the differences. The V6 is shod with larger tires as well, though the 2.5TL is marketed as the sportier version. Hmmm....
Inside, the TL is sumptuously comfortable, as long as you're riding in the front seat. While the TL is larger inside than the Vigor it replaces, the rear seat is still no picnic for big passengers, and the rear windows won't go all the way down. Smaller people will feel quite comfortable on the supportive rear bench. Classy gauge markings compliment tasteful wood appliqués on the dash, which is laid out in typical Acura fashion: perfectly. The quality of the interior materials and the feel of the switchgear approaches that of the vaunted Lexus ES 300, though some glossy plastic on the armrest door handles detract from the ambiance.
Exterior styling is attractive, but unadventurous. Still, we prefer the Acura to the Infiniti I30, which looks like a Maxima with lots of aftermarket garbage hung on it. The TL looks sleek, with a long, high hood, small greenhouse, and abbreviated rear deck. The tail treatment is too close to Toyota's Avalon, and the rear bumper fascia is too characterless for a near-luxury entry.
Overall, we like the conservative TL. It should compete fairly well in this crowded price segment, if it can manage to steal some attention from the I30 and Oldsmobile Aurora.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Acura TL.
5 star(77%)
4 star(20%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
40 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Outrates my past Cadillac
Michael, 07/28/2009
1996 Acura TL 2.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
I have had this acura for four years now and it out performed my previous STS Cadillac. The only repair which I have had to do in the last four years was to replace the muffler. Yes, I was quoted like $600 for a muffler but, what I did was buy one using the internet with a rebate costing me only $114 usd, and then had it installed at a local mechanic for $25 since it was just three … bolts to deal with but it required a lift to replace it. Overall great car!!!! I take care of it so it will last, why deal with car payments for a new one... LOL
5 out of 5 stars
Reliable!
Mayra Holguin, 06/03/2010
1996 Acura TL 2.5 4dr Sedan
Hi there! I just wanted to share my personal experience in driving an Acura 2.5 TL 1996, in stating that it has been a reliable vehicle ever since I purchased it. I'm still driving this vehicle, and it still runs well.
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent after 200000
kalz, 06/10/2009
1996 Acura TL 2.5 4dr Sedan
I bought my acura in 2007 from a private party with about 160,000 miles on it. Since then it's been extremely reliable, the only thing I have spent money on is brake calipers for rear left wheel. Other than that I have had no issues. My car has now 216000 miles on it and it still feels the same. I would highly recommend acura to anybody who wants to buy a used car.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Now has 214k
upotn pt, 02/01/2008
1996 Acura TL 2.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
Back on 2/16/04 I wrote a review when the car had 154k. Well, it now has 214K! It's getting a bit tired now, uses a bit of oil, leaks a bit of oil, bunch more rattles and sqeaks. HOWEVER you can't go wrong with a first generation TL!! Best car I have ever owned. I am in the process of looking to buy for another 96-'98 TL with say 100k miles. I'll be giving my TL to my oldest teenager. … He loves the car.
1996 TL Highlights
2.5 Premium
- Combined MPG
- 20 MPG
- Cost to Drive
- $199/month
- Drivetrain
- front wheel drive
- Engine Type
- Gas
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test0
More about the 1996 Acura TL
Used 1996 Acura TL Overview
The Used 1996 Acura TL is offered in the following submodels: TL Sedan. Available styles include 2.5 Premium 4dr Sedan, 2.5 4dr Sedan, 3.2 4dr Sedan, and 3.2 Premium 4dr Sedan. Pre-owned Acura TL models are available with a 2.5 L-liter gas engine or a 3.2 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 200 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 1996 Acura TL comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 1996 Acura TL?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 1996 Acura TLS are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1996 Acura TL for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1996 Acura TL.
Can't find a used 1996 Acura TLs you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Acura TL for sale.
Find a used Acura for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Acura TL for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Acura for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 1996 Acura TL?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Acura lease specials
Check out Acura TL lease specials
Related Used 1996 Acura TL info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Rolls Royce Wraith 2021 Review
- Subaru Ascent 2020 Review
- Subaru Ascent 2021 Review
- Subaru BRZ 2020 Review
- Subaru Crosstrek 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Ford F-250 1997
- Used Audi SQ5 2019
- Used Audi R8 2010
- Used Maserati Sierra 3500HD 2011
- Used Volvo XC90 2003
- Used Lexus LX 600 1999
- Used smart EQ fortwo 2017
- Used Lexus LS 500H 2008
- Used Hyundai Equus 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2014
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
- Audi A6 Allroad
- 2023 Maserati 8 Series
- 2022 Maserati F-350 Super Duty
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
- 2022 BMW Z4
- Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 2023
- Toyota GR Supra 2023
- Dodge Durango 2023
- 2024 Ford F-150 News
Research recent models from same make
- Acura Ilx
- Acura RDX 2022
- Acura NSX
- 2023 Acura TLX
- 2023 MDX
- 2022 Acura TLX
- 2022 Acura MDX
- Acura TLX 2023
- Acura TLX 2022
- 2022 Acura MDX
Research similar vehicles
- 2022 Lexus IS 300
- 2022 Challenger
- 2023 Q50
- 2022 BMW 7 Series
- 2022 Dodge Charger
- Maserati Quattroporte For Sale
- Maserati Ghibli
- 2022 Nissan Altima
- Audi A8 For Sale
- 2022 Subaru WRX
Recommended
- Best Lexus Es 300H Lease Deals in Overland Park, KS
- New Audi A6 for Sale in New Sweden, ME
- New Audi A7 for Sale in New Braunfels, TX
- New Audi Q8 for Sale in Ambler, PA
- New Audi A6 for Sale in Waxhaw, NC
Other models
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Fort Smith, AR
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Gloucester, MA
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Hamburg, NY
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Cornelius, NC
- Used Tesla Roadster in Enterprise, AL
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Port Chester, NY
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Albemarle, NC
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Savannah, GA
- Used Audi E-Tron-S-Sportback in Brentwood, TN
- Used Volvo 960 in Chillicothe, OH
- Used Audi Q4-Sportback-E-Tron in Miami Gardens, FL
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Sparta, TN
- Used Infiniti M30 in Owensboro, KY
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Green Bay, WI
- New Toyota Gr-Corolla for Sale in Ellensburg, WA
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Milton, FL
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in O Fallon, IL
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Lone Oak, TX
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Northbrook, IL
- Used Ferrari 456M in Mattoon, IL
- New Jaguar E-Pace for Sale in China, TX
- New Lexus Rz-450E for Sale in Crossville, TN
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Queen Creek, AZ
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Swedesboro, NJ
- Used Scion XD in Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Carpentersville, IL
- Used Mazda Tribute-Hybrid in Matthews, NC
- Used Infiniti M30 in Miami Beach, FL
- Used BMW 1-Series-M in Toledo, OH
- Used Ford Escape-Plug-In-Hybrid in Yucaipa, CA