2002 Acura TL Review
2002 Acura TL Review
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+60
Used TL for sale
Appraise This CarAcura TL model years
Acura TL types
- Sedan
- 3.2 Type-S
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Excellent value, comfortable front seats, impressive power from Type-S engine, SportShift transmission is fun to use.
Cons
- Average interior materials, cramped rear seat room, lacks the panache of some competing luxury sedans.
What’s new
The TL Type-S makes its debut this year, sporting a 260-horsepower engine, sport-tuned suspension, Vehicle Stability Assist and 17-inch tires. 2002 also sees some styling revisions to the TL's front end and taillights. An in-dash six-CD changer, one-touch-up driver's window and two-position memory system for driver seat and mirrors are newly standard on both the 3.2 TL and the Type-S, and Acura has added insulation materials to the doors and reshaped the side mirrors to cut down on wind and road noise inside the cabin. Anthracite Metallic, Aegean Blue Pearl and Eternal Blue Pearl are the new exterior colors.
Edmunds says
Jack-of-all-trades but master of none, the TL provides an impressive mix of luxury, sport and affordability.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Acura TL 3.2 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A) 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 $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$251/mo for TL 3.2
TL 3.2
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Acura's torchbearer into the burgeoning near-luxury sedan market is the 3.2TL, and it's pitted against some stiff competition in the form of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS 300, Mercedes C-Class and Volvo S60, which puts the pressure on Acura not only to meet, but to exceed what those cars have to offer while simultaneously keeping price in check.
Based on a Honda global platform shared by the Accord, the TL's wheelbase is 2 inches longer than its pedestrian sibling, but features a more cramped rear seat (attributable to its rakish roofline). TL's front end has been restyled for 2002, with a more aggressive grille, reshaped headlights, redesigned bumper fascia, revised badging and standard foglights. The rear end is freshened with clear upper lenses for the taillights. While some detractors call the TL dull and uninspired in terms of styling, many of our staffers like its angular, chiseled look.
The base TL engine is a peppy 3.2-liter V6 that utilizes VTEC technology to produce 225 horsepower and 216 foot-pounds of torque, while still getting 19/29 mpg in city/highway driving. The V6 remains strong in every gear, and it can scoot from zero to 60 in under 8 seconds. This puts the TL ahead of much of its competition in the horsepower race, and we can confirm that it definitely gets out of its own way. The standard SportShift automanual transmission is quite user-friendly, thanks to a shift gate located close to the driver and an intuitive shift pattern.
The biggest TL news for 2002 is the debut of the high-performance Type-S model, which features a 260-horsepower engine, a sport-tuned suspension, a stability control system (called Vehicle Stability Assist) and 17-inch tires. Deeply bolstered, perforated leather seats, a "Type-S" shift knob and a metallic face instrument cluster distinguish the interior of the Type-S.
Both TLs offer near-luxury equipment without a hefty price, and you get more than just air conditioning and a smattering of leather on the seats. You snag lots of standard equipment, including a power sunroof, a 180-watt sound system with a new in-dash six-CD changer, heated front seats, two-position memory system for driver seat and mirrors, steering-wheel audio controls, rear heat/air vents, a micron air-filtration system, traction control and four-wheel antilock brakes. A super-simple DVD-based navigation system with a smudge-free touchscreen is the only option, and it includes coverage of the entire continental United States on a single disc.
Offering sporty styling and near-luxury features for a price that is well below the class average, the TL continues to deliver both performance and value in an attractive package.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Acura TL.
5 star(71%)
4 star(20%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(1%)
162 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
Great car to drive
luvtypes, 05/22/2013
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
Bought my TL about 4 years ago, and didn't have any major issues. All acura and Honda buyers have ideas about the bad transmission problem but still does not maintain it the way it should be taken care of, i changed transmission oil every 10K and now its just over 300KM on my car and still running strong...Love the car
4.75 out of 5 stars
One of the best
francis15, 09/01/2014
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
My wife bought this one back in 02 TL type S new and it's been a very reliable car.
Great power, fun to drive.
Runs like the day we bought it.
Not pleased with the Xenon lights.
Acura wanted $1,200.00 to replace the ballast
I got a new OEM one aftermarket for $150, then $150 to install.
The 2nd i did myself.
The xenon OEM bulbs are about $95 ea at any auto parts place.
You can get … aftermarket xenon bulbs to work for about $16 for 2 but supposedly can affect ballast.
mine seem to work fine but i am now selling.
My wife wants an 2015 MDX.
I have to say I am impressed with the 02 TL overall.
Acura will gouge the daylights out of you but it is a high performance car.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great mix of Power/Gas Mileage
gonzalgi21, 05/16/2010
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
02 TL-S bought the car with 64k miles which is amazingly low miles for an 8 year old car. First thing that i noticed right away soon as i bought the car is the POWER the car is extremely fast and the gas mileage is pretty darn good for a 260 hp engine, audio system is also very good.Good old Honda reliability. Unfortunately owning this car is stressful because you never really know when … your transmission is going to fail even though i haven't had that problem i know it's coming and there's nothing i can do about it. If this car didn't have these transmission issues i would literally want this car forever.
1 out of 5 stars
Great Car if you like 65,000 mile transmissions
P. Gerald, 09/01/2015
2002 Acura TL 3.2 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
Just don't buy one unless you like buying a transmission from Honda for $2500 every 65, 000 miles. No kidding. Honda set up a plant and sell you one for $2500 when the transmission goes out every 65,000 miles instead of fixing the design problems. Otherwise it's a great driver's car.
2002 TL Highlights
Sedan
3.2
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $28,880 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $251/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the TL include:
- Stability Control
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 RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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