Road Test: 2012 Acura TL

[@djsal7769]

Still have my 2001 TL with no engine or any major problems at all. runs very smooth with 215K miles.

[@GrandHuevotes]

and are you on your 4th or 5th transmission?

[@alhassansaadi3127]

@@GrandHuevotes 10th

[@balkee42]

I think they look a lot better in person

[@michaeljordan208]

Rob H exactly! Videos doesn't make this car justice, it looks imposing and striking in person

[@twongreen9968]

They do

[@KickoStocks]

5.5 seconds is a fantastic 0-60. This is such a great car.

[@automotivetv9861]

This number is plain bullshit. This gen TL was tested by me and my buds using gps pieces similar to dragy and would get like 6.5 seconds over and over. for comparison, the stinger 3.3 Twin Turbo would get 5.00 seconds zero to 60.

[@KickoStocks]

@@automotivetv9861 I drove one later and there is no way 😂

[@interstate366]

Yeah, no way the automatic can do 5.5. I managed to get under 6 once, on a perfect run. I bet they were quoting what other publications have been saying for the manual, which weighs a couple hundred pounds less and has shorter gearing. Motor Trend clocked a manual at 5.2.

[@Dabal_R]

@@automotivetv9861bro there are 2 engine options … 3.7 AWD does it under 6 seconds

[@GUYR1975]

Love my TL best purchase i ever made.

[@brainiac8067]

Agree! I have a 2012 FWD that I purchased almost 9 years ago with a mere 11k on the clock. Just did the 105K service at 100k, and replaced struts/springs/sway bar links back at 85K. Car still feels buttery smooth, yet firm. It still puts a smile on my face when I drive it. Over maintained and pampered, I'm aiming for 200K.

[@a32tl]

As a 3rd generation TL owner, I was not that impressed when I first saw the gen 4 model. However, it has grown on me in a huge way. I love it now. I want a 2012 Acura TL SH-awd Advance Package in white with the taupe interior. It's my favorite current car.

[@kevinmclean7216]

With the 6 speed manual this car is a blast

[@aayonce4]

i think im going to uprade from my '08 accord coupe to this !!!! i heard the awd system is one of the absolute best! hopefully i can grab it !

[@SebbyB95]

Just picked up my 2011T L SHAWDY and i'm in love! Coming from a 2012 Maxima SV Sport Pkg and this car blows the maxima out of the water.

[@blkechn3194]

This dude said a tummy tuck and nose job. I’m dead!

[@fijitears]

🤣🤣

[@MrAtvfan]

Everyone needs one of these.

[@brOblio]

Nope, completely serious. Honda's chassis and steering are superior to Infiniti. Infiniti does have RWD if that's what you are looking for. The SH-AWD set up is quite good and the fact that they offer this car with a stick is awesome. The option to have AWD and a stick is becoming more and more rare. Infiniti is quickly getting rid of all manuals. You say Honda like it's a bad thing. The same could be said about Infiniti being a fluffed up Nissan. I will say that the Infiniti is better looking.

[@snapyo1472]

That chrome grill though, I've seen TLs w a different grill and it completely changes the front end look

[@GameOver321]

I own a 2013 with the 6 speed only because I couldn't find a 2010 or 11 with the manual. I think I'm the only guy out there that preferred the bigger shield

[@supersabrosinho]

No you're not brother. I've been looking for a 10 11 Tl with a manual BECAUSE of the front grill. Talk about a unicorn, forget any Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati. 09-11 Tls are my dream cars

[@thorsky2754]

I just sold my 2010 and got a 2012 and once you paint that Grill to match, it definitely looks better than the 12. Plus the 2012 6 Speed automatic sucks. My 5-speed was so much smoother. If you have to get an automatic of course.

[@supersabrosinho]

@@thorsky2754 what gas do you put in it?

[@Nino_J]

The big shield looks hideous

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@supersabrosinho Couldn't have said it better, myself.

[@samin90]

No one forced you to watch, but when you attack car manufacturers as well as other commenters with your biased opinion is when you cross the line. Normally I would dismiss you as a common internet troll but since I saw your reply appear on my phone while I was using it I took the time to reply. I will admit that the FWD TL is a fancy Accord, but the SH-AWD TL is something completely different. What other 4 door sedan you can buy is cheaper than a 3 series yet faster than a 5 series? BHP != speed

[@cbsvth22]

John Davis, thank you for your auto jokes and intelligent review :)

[@bokkey45]

honestly I don't think this car is THAT bad looking...sure there are nicer looking cars out there but it's not like my retinas are going to burn just by looking at it...people are overreacting too much

[@doug6191]

They were objectively better than the outgoing model, but they weren't as attractive as the TL they replaced, which was a high bar.

[@mrdave777]

Please explain more. Thx

[@ratchevs]

I suppose you didn't pick up on my sarcasm - Audi doesn't make any RWD cars. In fact half their lineup is FWD and I think many people still consider them a luxury brand.

[@zszs100]

@buick1995GS Don't forget ACura has the Super Handleing AWD and the Geneisis only has RWD. That along makes the acura faster. Besides, Acura is made by honda. Japanese engines are usually a little stronger than other engines!

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

This is where Acura division started to come into it's own, early Acura,s weren't as well built and lacked Honda,s VTEC engine from Honda racing, now they rank up there with the best Stuttgart, Bavaria or Wolfsburg Germany has to offer.

[@danielramotowski5187]

I’m planning to get a 2012-14 TL 2WD Tech as my next car! My favorite Acura model!

[@automotivetv9861]

I had a friend who had this car, he WISHES he got the sh AWD model instead...

[@Corkoth55]

I have a 2012 shawd with the manual. I'm never getting rid of it lol. drive it until it breaks... and then fix it.. 😁

[@oldschool1928]

This car is too good. The RL seems redundant.

[@bigphat200]

I like this 305 HP 6 speed manual and great looks, where do i sign.

[@desmondmchugh1006]

It is not the same as the European accord, the TSX is the same car. Get it right..

[@Corkoth55]

that was annoying. I noticed that too lol.

[@nwezetx1]

​@@Corkoth55Not to mention, TL came out in 1995, not 1996. I hate when people do that. TL was already known about in 1994, just not official until January '95. I guess even pros make mistakes.

[@edwardb.5009]

John davis is pushing 100

[@texan903]

We all are.

[@stevenvaldez6817]

This car is better then the Germans will ever beeee

[@vaztion]

Impressive engine, pretty same as the Ford F150 3.7 V-6 wish makes 302 HP & 278 LB-FT

[@ExistUNDRGROUND]

@Xbox360Player350 No they didn't. There was a 2011 and there is a 2012 model. They're expected to replace it after this model year though. It was the least-sold car in 2011. I've only seen one of them in person. I really hope the replacement is good though.

[@danielgaskell5490]

Great review!

[@TJC450]

I like those seats.

[@raymondhughes137]

Base with 3.5 fwd is the best. 3.7 has issues.

[@kevinmsft]

@azn8ball The only thing that Sonata owns TL is "look at how pathetic I am. I can't even afford a Toyota Camry". TL 0-60: 5.5 secs 12 Sonata SE: 7.9 secs.

[@R41TurboS]

Won't lie, but a performance version of the TL-R would be great. More power, less weight, and the same all-wheel drive system would put it against some serious competition...Audi? ;)

[@95machinehead]

will it be bad to run the engine on 87 or 89 octane gas and wat about the 90 octane with no ethanol

[@flyvtec04]

My next car! I'm getting the 6-spd SH-AWD! :)

[@sepehr7402]

Do you still own it?

[@flyvtec04]

No. I ended buying a 2015 Mustang GT.

[@MacsandiPhones]

that starts at 25,900, and its a hybrid option or the 30,000 sport model

[@Idkbutidk-u2t]

The 3rd generation is still the best looking imo

[@iggibars]

@toh3211 Of course it's going to be disappointing to someone who thinks a "sport sedan" can only be rwd!

[@WoZIMoo]

All Acuras are FWD-based and you can get TL, RDX, ILX and TSX FWD so I guess he's not that wrong. I just don't think you can compete all that well with such a setup, that's why Infiniti is noticeably better handlers than Acura.

[@vvysoc]

@a32tl I'm with you on it

[@Tmillz131]

@Intechdude300 i liked the front before they re did it,now it looks like a tsx.

[@MacsandiPhones]

you do know that Honda makes acura... and the the ILX is a four cylinder of course its gonna be cheaper than the top of the line V6 accord

[@Xboxlove1]

3RD GEN FOR LIFE

[@jjjuio]

It still needs to be smaller with a tighter chassis it will also had made the car look 10x better if it weren't so big even the buck tooth would've been nice if the car was so long and baggy up front go back to 2004-2008 and put the jewel LEDs on them and I be a happy customer and sh awd also

[@MacsandiPhones]

Because why would you charge more for a FWD 4 cylinder? than the v6?

[@StuffDylanLikes]

It actually does look like an altima and a volt

[@kangtajb]

@azn8ball well that's the difference between luxury and non-luxury...

[@iggibars]

No, RDX comes stock with FWD.

[@MacsandiPhones]

forgot the RDX, also AWD

[@Xbox360Player350]

@del718 Lol Acura killed the RL a while back. Most people haven't noticed

[@JOHNINCOLUMBUS]

Now it looks like a Chevy Volt.

[@gmman010983]

from the side and towards the back kinda looks like a Altima

[@tinleo333]

so honda finally realize that the v v t system is better than the v t e c it can do the same but have better fuel economy

[@roadtorupert]

the last good acura sedan was the 2008 tls :/

[@john_clevername]

Have a 2012 without the spoiler and tbh it looks better to me 3.7 awd a sleeper with 310 hp .

[@nicholasbabeaux2052]

Sadly the 3.7 is not as reliable as the 3.5, oil burning issues, oil starvation of the engine, throwing rods can be common...

[@WoZIMoo]

You're kidding right? Most reviews state that Infiniti is the only Japanese brand that gets close to driving like a BMW. Talk to me when Acura builds something else than pampered-up Honda Accords.

[@vvysoc]

@azn8ball it doesn't but it's close. i have the tl it's a lot faster and a lot more comfortable at a different level

[@eskimochild87]

Thank god no more Big ass shield grill but my fav is is the 03-07

[@itsmegp46]

@95machinehead If you can't afford the gas, you can't afford the car.

[@Tmillz131]

@Intechdude300 yeah i guess : /

[@ratchevs]

As opposed to Audi's large lineup of RWD cars? Get real. Unless you are looking specifically for a "fun" car all luxury sedans are going AWD.

[@hemipwr321]

the front now officially looks like a chevy volt:(

[@MacsandiPhones]

Yeah TL starts at 36

[@gallardogenie03]

and i seem to recall I'm i own a tl and a maxima tl isn't sport and is quick and maxima is sport and fwd the only company u can use to defend is an over priced euro company

[@andrewerdna100]

nicer looking than the ugly accord though

[@cardude1992]

i hate the silver plastic on the dash. that shouldnt be there in a luxury car. there should only be leather, wood or metal.

[@utubeyaw]

trunk space is small

[@brOblio]

Infinitis are usually never better handlers than Acuras.

[@Slayer-33]

4th gen TL's are for old people. 3rd gen is best gen by FAR.

[@supercarkid]

hahaha first view and comment and like!!!

[@MacsandiPhones]

Yeah its a bigger car with just the same features...

[@WoZIMoo]

You have to be on meth to think Acura has the better steering and chassis. The chassis comes from where? The Accord, most likely. Infiniti has the chassis from the Z coupe. Steering wise, the Acura's steering is much lighter and more numb while Infiniti has top notch hydraulic steering. I've driven both, both are nice but the Infiniti is the better performance sedan while the TL is smoother, perhaps more refined.

[@PribTulenzzzz]

i bet Larry don't have the money to buy the TL so he just bashing it on the internet. I bet you don't know that G37 is a rebadged nissan skyline in japan. I also think that you still a kid that thinks high hp is everything, not the overall package that matters. Chill kid.

[@andrewerdna100]

this isnt bad but i like my lexus ex better

[@MacsandiPhones]

Acura has no 23,000 car

[@mrgreen2646]

He sounds super white lol

[@toh3211]

very disappointing car - not sure how they can call this a sport sedan esp with front wheel drive

[@MacsandiPhones]

LoL who cares if a shittier car costs more lol... Id much rather have the nicer, cheaper car lol... why pay more for less?

[@gallardogenie03]

if it so cheap to make fwd why is a mustang cheap crap and rwd a straight line is cheaper to make that why american cars are made that way and sport means try of suspension and many other things rwd doesnt make a car sport it is dependent on the precision the car brings and asian luxury cars bring it better than american

[@Dillon1791]

VVT?-NO its VTEC-VVT is for Toyota pussys.

[@RealtimeReviews613]

needs a complete makeover...not to mention 305 hp is weak now a days...especially when your paying $50,000 for this ugly car. FAIL!

[@eduardoforneck3335]

The 3rd generation is better looking and has a better interior

[@ratm23471]

It's ugly

[@GOBbluthagain]

looks horrible... the new 2011 Kia optima is sexier.