Acura Shrinks the Beak On TL

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 9, 2011

Acura has been getting a lot of flack when they introduced the 2009 TL. With a design that was very edgy and grill that doubles as a bread slicer, people criticized and avoided Acura. With that in mind, Acura sent the TL to get some cosmetic surgery and showed off the final result at the Chicago Auto show. Designers took the edge off TL by giving it a new grill, shorter overhangs on the front and back, smaller headlights, and new bumpers.

Powertrain wise, the TL retains the 3.5 V6 producing 280 HP and 3.7 V6 producing 305 hp. Both engines now go through a new six-speed automatic which increases fuel economy to 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Other changes include new friction-reduction tech for the 3.5 V6 and a revised air inlet system for both engines.

Inside, a new 60 GB hard drive navigation system is available for on the Technology package. The Advance package gets new ventilated seats and a blind spot awareness system.

Gallery: 2012 Acura TL Live Pictures

The head lights don't appear to be smaller, but the tinted glass gives them a nice look. I think the hood cut lines are messy, like this new grill is a quick-fix and they didn't want to revise the hood. Still, it looks much better.

Meh, now it just looks even more like your average family sedan. It's no longer ugly, but that doesn't make it attractive.

Still ugly.

Still needs to be painted body colour by anyone who owns one.

Does that front fascia header REALLY need to be made of 3 pieces?? Laziness.

A tiny bit of lipstick on a pig. Last gen TL is still far better looking.

Keep going...

Last gen TL is still far better looking.

This.

A tiny bit of lipstick on a pig. Last gen TL is still far better looking.

and the generation before that as well

The TL still looks like a bloated pig, but the toned-down nose is a huge improvement.

Blah...

They didn't change any sheet metal, which explains why the hood cut lines are so messy. I think they should have made that piece that sits between the grill and hood a part of the hood. The pieces above the head lights too. That would have required retooling for the hood and fenders. Would have probably been worth it (they should have fixed it from the get-go).

Meh, now it just looks even more like your average family sedan. It's no longer ugly, but that doesn't make it attractive.

Bingo!

Another Bland design in the Family of Bland style for Honda Corporation.

Even GM didn't use that many plastic filler panels on the front of a '76 Nova.

This gives me a '90s Grand Am sort of vibe. Freaky.

Less ugly, more bland, still a dressed up Accord. Unless they make that thing rear drive the a V-tec V8 revving to 8,000 rpm, there is nothing to see here. I must say the front wheel arch that breaks up the straight edge along side the car really bothers me. It is like the designer sneezed drawing the car and they just stuck with it.