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’09 Acura TL

Published 2:18 pm Friday, December 19, 2008

For my money, the 2009 Acura TL with Technology Package is near the top of the list when it comes to cars delivering most bang for the buck.

And in today’s economy, that’s a badge of honor.

The Acura TL midsize high-performance sedan is redesigned for the ’09 model year, and continues to add value while delivering performance, comfort, styling and technology.

TL is offered with a choice of two VTEC engines, a 3.5-liter or 3.7-liter V6, along with an optional Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) feature. My tester was the 3.5 version, sans all-wheel drive.

What pushed my buttons was the Technology Package that added new toys for this boy-at-heart to play with. On a trip to Auburn for the Veterans Day parade, with side jaunts to the Super Mall and Kamiak Show Band performances, the technology was put to use.

On the TL’s navigation screen, AcuraLink weather with Doppler-style radar mapping allowed me to dial up satellite imagery from 75 miles to 300 miles away. With storm cells in the neighborhood, I was fascinated to know if we were approaching light, moderate or heavy showers.

I probably didn’t need to check every 15 minutes, but since it seemed to bother my wife, I couldn’t resist. At one point a weather bulletin flashed on the screen, with prompts to flood warnings in the area. AcuraLink real-time traffic was also helpful, flashing traffic choke points to avoid.

And an ELS Surround premium 10-speaker surround sound system was so sharp and precise it was as if Yo Yo Ma and his cello were sitting in the passenger seat. Before you get the wrong idea, Randy Newman’s latest political song-tracks even sounded majestic.

Completing the array of Technology Package goodies were a keyless access system (the car unlocks when you and your fob are within a safe distance), push-button start and a rearview camera that automatically deploys when the car is in reverse gear.

A previous knock against the TL was its yawn-inducing exterior. This fourth-generation version takes some dramatic risks with both its front and rear views. The front end showcases Acura’s new signature grille, and the car’s rear sports a wide, V-shaped swath of chrome where trunk lid meets body.

I found the design changes to be to my liking. Several button-down, stodgy colleagues (who will remain unnamed) did not.

The TL performs like a champ, with acceleration (285 horses under the hood), handling (like a glove), and braking (on a dime) combining to provide the driver with confidence bordering on a sense of invincibility. Maybe that’s too much.

Acura TL designers added numerous attributes to deaden unwanted road noise inside the car. Mission accomplished. When one puts foot to pedal, the glorious engine and exhaust notes are eclipsed only by Yo Yo Ma.

This new version of the TL is slightly larger, allowing for even more front and rear passenger room and comfort, along with a larger trunk in which to store Christmas presents. Because of weight reduction strategies, this feat was accomplished with only an 85-pound curb weight gain from the previous model.

Standard active safety features include anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability assist, electronic brake distribution and brake assist. Vehicle stability assist continuously monitors lateral acceleration, steering wheel angle, wheel speed and yaw rate, and applies individual brakes and/or reduces engine power to help the driver retain control of the vehicle. So, even driver overconfidence can be corrected, within reason, by TL’s onboard computer.