2013 Acura TL

There aren't many better all-around luxury values than the 2013 Acura TL. Fresh off last year's styling tweak that brought the midsize sedan's front grille in line with the rest of Acura's lineup -- particularly its popular RDX and MDX crossovers -- the TL does just about everything well. It's also priced quite attractively when measured against comparable rivals.

Acura has become renowned for the meticulous quality of its interiors, and the TL is no exception. Just don't expect a lot of soft wood and tufted leather, since the TL's ambience is modern, tech-oriented luxury. Its interior teems with the best electronic features Acura can conjure, while surfaces and textures are inviting but minimalist in spirit. And because the TL is one of the wider midsize luxury sedans you'll find, there's plenty of stretch-out space, even in the back.

In its base form, the TL features a standard USB iPod/MP3 interface, an eight-speaker audio system, and a crisp, high-resolution center-mounted display for controlling the infotainment system. The Tech Package adds a navigation system with live traffic, weather, and rerouting, plus a rearview camera; solar-sensing temperature control, keyless access, and an upgraded 440-watt Acura/ELS surround sound system--a system that we love for its thunderous power yet clarity. However, we're not fans of the navigation interface itself, or of the cobbled-together way its menu system feels. As we see it, the SH-AWD model with the Advance Package--which gets items like ventilated front seats, a blind-spot system, 440-watt ELS surround sound, and a nav system with live traffic--makes quite the well-rounded, high-tech sport sedan. But at the same time, with a bottom-line price of about $46k, it's worth keeping in mind that's nearly the cost of a base-level Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5-Series.

If you have higher expectations for pure sport driving, the TL SH-AWD amps up the experience, largely by benefit of its all-wheel-drive system. There's a noticeable upgrade in agility and response, particularly during brisk driving when the system's cornering abilities are most evident. The extra 25 hp generated by the TL SH-AWD's 3.7-liter V6 isn't a huge upgrade, but combined with the engine's additional torque, it does make the TL feel quicker.

Engine type Aluminum-alloy V-6
Displacement, liters 3.5: TL
3.7: TL SH-AWD
Valvetrain Belt drive, SOHC, VTEC® 24-valve
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net) 280 @ 6200 rpm: TL
305 @ 6300 rpm: TL SH-AWD
Torque lb-ft @ rpm (SAE net) 254 @ 5000 rpm: TL
273 @ 5000 rpm: TL SH-AWD
Compression ratio (:1) 11.2
Redline 6800: TL
6700: TL SH-AWD
Throttle control Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system
Ignition Electronic direct
EPA Fuel Mileage Rating27 (city / highway / combined) 20 / 29 / 23: TL
18 / 26 / 21: TL SH-AWD AT
17 / 25 / 20: TL SH-AWD MT
Required fuel19 Premium unleaded 91 octane
CARB emissions rating ULEV-2
Tune-up interval3 No scheduled tune-ups required for 100,000 +/- miles
Transversely mounted front engine, front-wheel drive or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®)
Automatic Transmission 6-speed Automatic Transmission with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control
Manual Transmision (SH-AWD only) 6-Speed manual transmission with heavy duty clutch and short-throw shifter

EPA MPG Rating (city / hwy / combined)
TL
20 / 29 / 23
TL SH-AWD (AT)
18 / 26 / 21
TL SH-AWD (MT)
17 / 25 / 20