2011 Acura TL Review
2011 Acura TL Review

Used TL for sale
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2011 Acura TL appraisal values can range from $5,370 - $10,282.
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Abundant user-friendly high-tech features
- spacious cabin
- smart all-wheel-drive system
- superb optional sound system
- solid construction
- excellent crash test scores.
Cons
- Base model's numb steering
- polarizing styling.
What’s new
The Acura TL is unchanged for 2011.
Edmunds says
The 2011 Acura TL is a strong choice among midsize luxury sedans, but its controversial styling may be tough to overcome.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2011 Acura TL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 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 $5.33 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$308/mo
TL Base
vs
$237/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
There's no getting around the fact that widely admired styling can sell cars and overcome glaring faults. At the same time, questionable design can sully an otherwise appealing car.
Take the 2011 Acura TL, a midsize luxury sedan that's difficult to fault. It has compelling performance, perfect crash scores, a spacious interior, solid build quality and plenty of the latest technologies. Even so, since being completely redesigned two years ago, the once top-selling TL has taken a steep nose dive in sales compared to similarly priced luxury cars. You would think that a car renowned for its reliability and strong value would do relatively well in tough economic times, yet the current TL has floundered. For most buyers, one look at its bloated bodywork and big metallic beak of a grille will be all the explanation necessary for this decline from one generation to the next.
Styling is subjective, though, so if you can put aside (or appreciate) the TL's looks, then you should welcome its many positive attributes. Available in two distinct flavors, the TL consequently caters to two distinct type of buyers. For those interested primarily in a refined ride, a spacious cabin and a full helping of bells and whistles, the base model TL is a smart alternative to luxury sedans like the Buick LaCrosse, Hyundai Genesis or Lexus ES 350. The sport-oriented TL SH-AWD, meanwhile, can keep pace around corners with sport sedans like the 2011 Audi A4, 2011 BMW 3 Series or Infiniti G37 thanks to its high-tech Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (hence SH-AWD).
Luxury cars and sport sedans must strike an emotional connection with their buyers, but if that emotion is a negative one, then those cars are unlikely to win many takers. As much as we like the 2011 Acura TL and find it to be a compelling value with few objective faults, it's easy to understand why buyers aren't flocking to Acura showrooms to pick one up.
Performance & mpg
The base model 2011 Acura TL is front-wheel drive and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is standard. In Edmunds performance testing, the base TL went from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds -- on par with most base model luxury sedans. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.
The TL SH-AWD model features Acura's Super Handling-All-Wheel-Drive system, which transfers different levels of power to individual wheels to maximize traction and grip through turns and in inclement weather. It also gets a 3.7-liter V6 good for 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic is standard, but a six-speed manual is optional and includes hill start assist. With the automatic, the TL SH-AWD goes from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and with the manual, it does it in 5.6 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17/25/20 with either transmission.
Safety
Every 2011 Acura TL comes with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front restraints. In Edmunds brake testing, a base TL came to a stop from 60 mph in a distance of 122 feet -- average for the class. The TL SH-AWD used its upgraded brakes to record a stop in a very impressive 106 feet.
The Acura TL has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedure. Its 2010 rating (which isn't comparable to 2011 ratings) shows that the TL receives the top five-star rating in all categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the TL its top rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side impact tests.
Driving
Given the divergent handling characteristics of the 2011 Acura TL models, they can almost be thought of as two distinctly different cars. The base TL should appeal to drivers with more comfort and luxury in mind. Ride quality is excellent -- bumps, potholes and expansion joints are dismissed with a reassuring, almost Germanic thump that befits a luxury car with the TL's price tag. The 280-hp V6 should prove more than adequate for daily drives, while the steering, though lacking in feel, has plenty of assist to make parking easy.
For those with more sporting intentions, the SH-AWD lives up to its "Super Handling" label by delivering considerably more grip and control than the base car. The complex all-wheel-drive system directs more power to the outside wheels when cornering for improved handling dynamics, while the communicative and well-weighted steering makes for a more confident driving experience.
Interior
The 2011 Acura TL's interior features a more contemporary design language than some of its competitors. Aluminum trim adorns the cabin instead of the glossy wood treatments found in the Cadillac CTS, Hyundai Genesis or Lexus ES 350. Overall, the surroundings have a more austere look and feel, much like an Audi. Materials quality is top-notch, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces. Some have commented that the base aluminum trim has a cheap look about it, but upgraded metallic trim included with the Technology package is of a higher quality and the available two-tone color scheme helps to dress things up.
In terms of comfort, the TL's cabin is roomy and quiet, with more space than similarly priced European sedans. The driver seat offers plenty of adjustment and side bolstering, while the rear seats can easily accommodate taller passengers. Large flip-up headrests provide comfort and protection for those seated in the rear and, when not in use, slide down flush with the seatbacks for an unobstructed view. The 13.1 cubic feet of trunk capacity is a bit less than other cars in this class, but the wide opening makes loading a few golf bags and suitcases easy.
2011 Acura TL models
The 2011 Acura TL is a midsize luxury sedan available in TL and TL SH-AWD trim levels. The standard TL comes with 17-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlamps, foglamps, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated eight-way power front seats (with driver lumbar adjustment and memory functions), leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface. The TL SH-AWD adds a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive, more aggressive suspension and steering tuning, upgraded brakes, 18-inch wheels, deep-bolstered front seats and contrasting leather stitching.
The Technology package available on both trims adds upgraded tires, a rear spoiler, a rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry, GPS-linked and solar-sensing climate control, upgraded leather upholstery, upgraded interior metal trim, a navigation system, real-time traffic and weather, voice control and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system with digital music storage. This package can also be augmented with 18-inch wheels on the base TL or 19-inch wheels on the SH-AWD.

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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2011 Acura TL.
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Look Forward to Commute Home
joeb30,07/03/2014
SH-AWD w/Technology Package 4dr Sedan AWD (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
Bought a used 2011 Black TL with 60,000 miles.
My wife asked why does my TL look so sexy (it was parked next to a 2012 Black TL).
Mine has the beak painted black, dark tint, painted caliper covers.
I keep it clean and it has a deep shine.
Do these cosmetic upgrades it the car looks very sexy.
It is SH-AWD which translates to fun to drive.
Not to be confused with those small foreign … sports sedans, my TL drives like an American hot rod.
Big interior, big exterior.
Except it has all the electronic gadgets you need.
In a few drives the buttons become second nature.
Reliability - well my 2001 TL has 200,000 miles and still no problems.
5 out of 5 stars
My first Acura
kimas,03/16/2011
Technology Package 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
My first weekend of ownership, I drove it from Northern California to Los Angeles.
The seats are very comfortable for a long drive.
I tried all its features during the drive, ie, nav, bluetooth, different audio sources, HFL, etc.
Everything worked well.
I don't mind the seemingly numerous dash buttons and the exterior. In fact I love them.
It took me 30-45 minutes to familiarize myself … with the buttons.
I have owned a Lexus IS250, ES 300, Volvo S60 and so far, this is the one I love most.
My wife currently drives a Lexus ES350 and she can't help but admire my TL.
4 out of 5 stars
Traded 2014 Mazda 6 for 2011 Acura TL
J. Palmer,08/24/2019
Technology Package 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
I went from a 2014 Mazda 6 Touring (which I liked, but didn't love) to the 2011 TL. The only downside has been fuel economy. Despite Acura's recommendation to use premium fuel, regular works fine. Consumer Reports did some research and found that for almost all "premium recommended" cars, regular 87 gas has no impact on performance, gas mileage, or engine wear. This has been my … experience after trying both premium and regular over the first 5K miles that I have owned the car, which I bought in 2019 with 93K miles. Gas mileage was a factor in my decision because the 2014 Mazda 6 Touring that I used to drive got about 27 combined mpg on regular gas. I am at 20 combined mpg with the Acura on regular gas. That is a significant decrease, but it worth the added power to me and not nearly as bad as it could be if I paid for premium gas. It is also worth mentioning that the Acura TL technology package from 2011 did not include the blindspot monitoring that has become almost standard in new cars. That is a great safety feature. There are aftermarket options for blindspot monitoring, but I have not installed that on my Acura.
**Update, August 2020: I have had the car for a year and a half. Still very happy with it overall. The interior headliner started sagging in the back after I was driving on the highway with the windows down (not recommended).That's a $300+ fix if done professionally, or a cheap fix with a staple gun if you have given up on the some of the aesthetics of your nine year old car like I have. I have kids who wipe boogers on stuff and kick the back of my seats with muddy shoes, so a stapled headliner is just part of the deal now. At 105K miles, I got the timing belt and water pump replaced per Acura's (and my mechanic's) scheduled maintenance recommendation. I also got new spark plugs. It was $1500 total, but I knew when I bought the car that I would have to get this done at 105K. The car is running great and I have recently started using sport mode sometimes. The performance (acceleration) from sport mode is noticeably different from regular drive mode, but using it only occasionally has dropped my gas mileage from 20 to 18.5mpg average--that is pretty much all city/suburb driving.
Update: 2021--The Acura is still great. I plan to keep for another five years and then switch to a 2015-2018 Tesla Model S (if they prove to still be relatively reliable in 2026).
5 out of 5 stars
This is a sedan???
becca00,05/26/2011
Technology Package and 18 Inch Wheels 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Ok, I'm posting this VERY late (had TL for a year, but just bought an MDX in Nov.).
I wish I could have both, but not enough garage space.
I've had several sedans in the past.
This sedan doesn't feel like a sedan, it's a LUXURY SPORTS CAR!!!
Handling is fantastic (and I didn't even get the SHAWD).
Acceleration is wonderful.
All of the tech stuff (nav, ipod hookup, stereo, bluetooth) are … perfect. Gas mileage is good. The interior design is far superior to all other sedans I looked at and test drove.
I have to say, the exterior is SO nice!
I've had more compliments on the look of this car than any other I've had.
The exterior look is actually what made me want it in the first place.
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
More about the 2011 Acura TL
Used 2011 Acura TL Overview
The Used 2011 Acura TL is offered in the following submodels: TL Sedan. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A), Technology Package 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A), SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.7L 6cyl 5A), Technology Package and 18 Inch Wheels 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A), SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD (3.7L 6cyl 5A), SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.7L 6cyl 6M), SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package and HPT (3.7L 6cyl 5A), and SH-AWD 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package and HPT (3.7L 6cyl 6M). Pre-owned Acura TL models are available with a 3.5 L-liter gas engine or a 3.7 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 305 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2011 Acura TL comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed shiftable automatic. The Used 2011 Acura TL comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 6 yr./ 70000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2011 Acura TL?
Price comparisons for Used 2011 Acura TL trim styles:
- The Used 2011 Acura TL Technology Package is priced between $16,990 and$16,990 with odometer readings between 86107 and98519 miles.
- The Used 2011 Acura TL Base is priced between $17,990 and$17,990 with odometer readings between 69716 and69716 miles.
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 2011 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) 2011 Acura TL for sale near. There are currently 3 used and CPO 2011 TLS listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $16,990 and mileage as low as 69716 miles. 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 2011 Acura TL.
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Should I lease or buy a 2011 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
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