| Model year | 2009 |
| Make | Acura |
| Model | TL |
| Style | 4dr Sedan w/Tech Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A) |
| Base MSRP | $38,685 |
| Options on test vehicle | Tech Package (included with trim -- navigation system, real-time traffic, real-time weather forecasts and radar maps, rearview camera, GPS-linked and solar-sensing dual-zone adaptive climate control system, keyless ignition/entry, trunk spoiler, 10-speaker ELS surround-sound audio system with 12GB of digital music storage and DVD audio). |
| As-tested MSRP | $39,445 |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine type | V6 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,471cc (212 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Single overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 11.2 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,800 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 280 @ 6,200 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 254 @ 5,000 |
| Transmission type | 5-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I: 2.697; II: 1.606; III: 1.071; IV: 0.694; V: 0.491; R: 1.888; Final: 4.312 |
| Suspension, front | Double wishbone |
| Suspension, rear | Multilink |
| Steering type | Electric speed-proportional power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 13.96:1 |
| Tire brand | Michelin |
| Tire model | Pilot HxMxM4 |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | P245/50R17 98V |
| Tire size, rear | P245/50R17 98V |
| Wheel size | 17-by-8 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Disc |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.4 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 6.7 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 9.7 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 14.9 @ 94.8 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.4 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 122 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 65.3 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.83 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 39.9 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 74.3 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 69.1 |
| Acceleration comments | No matter how aggressively I tried to launch with VSC off, the TL never spun the front tires. A bit of a stumble at first, then it went. Crisp upshifts in "S" at redline. VTEC change-over less evident than in the SH-AWD car. |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Medium-firm pedal got a little softer with each stop. Some dive, but always straight. (Brakes were smoking/smelling awful at the end of the acceleration test.) |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | On the skid pad, easy to perch on the brink of understeer all the way around. Very consistent, steering loads nicely and offers some info. In the slalom, very good turn-in and balance throughout. Only by the last two gates did the rear begin to walk around a bit. Tires began to give up after eight-plus runs. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 79.56 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.6 SW |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 18 city/26 highway |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 20.36 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 18.5 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,726 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,712 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 61.3/38.7 |
| Length (in.) | 195.3 |
| Width (in.) | 74.0 |
| Height (in.) | 57.2 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 109.3 |
| Track, front (in.) | 63.2 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 63.8 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 38.5 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.5 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 36.2 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38.4 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 36.7 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 58.1 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 56.2 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 13.1 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 13.1 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front with head protection chambers |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | 4-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Not available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
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