Posts tagged Acura

Wow.  Leather and wood, in-dash satellite navigation system, silky V6 power, CD and sunroof.  Does it get any better than this?

Well, to be honest, it does.  This is the 2000 Acura 3.2 TL.  It’s neither the largest nor the most luxurious car on the road.  It isn’t even the top-of-the-line Acura.  It’s one of the better members of a group of cars known as near-luxury vehicles:  cars like the Mazda Millenia, Infiniti I30, Volvo S70, and Chrysler 300M.  Most of them are just good enough to make you wonder if you really need any more amenities than you’ve got, and the 3.2 TL is no exception.  Perhaps the most amazing thing about the Acura 3.2TL is that it’s not the absolute be-all, end-all of near-luxury sedans.  It’s not unanimously considered the most outstanding in its class.  That lack of distinction speaks volumes about just how good the near-luxury class is, and belies the fact that the 3.2TL is a very, very nice car.

Acura’s lineup has gotten confusing in recent years, since it replaced the names of its cars–Legend, Vigor, etc.–for alphanumeric combinations.  The only Acura that still has a real name is the Integra.  The company made the change in an effort to increase customer recognition of the Acura name, rather than individual model names.  Thus far, the only result has been uncertainty as to which is the TL, CL, or RL.  In its second year, the 3.2 TL is the middle-tier Acura, midway between the compact Integra and larger RL.  The CL is the coupe version of the TL.  Confused yet?  Study up before Acura’s SUV comes along in a year or two!

The confusion evaporates with one look at the 3.2 TL, as the average onlooker says to himself, “Oh, it’s a gussied-up Accord.”  Unfortunately, that’s what it looks like.  The 3.2 TL’s biggest flaw is a lack of distance from the Accord.  Both inside and out, the cars share lines and textures–the TL uses more expensive, more upscale materials, naturally.  But a pricier-looking grain on the dash and some liberally applied chrome and wood just aren’t enough to set the TL apart.  Even without a decent personality, though, the TL is an impressive car.  It’s a testament to how good the segment has gotten when realizing that the Acura isn’t the best of the breed, because it’s so good.

The upscale-Accord look is strongest from the front.  Except for the big bright chrome Acura family grille, the lines of the front end are basically the same as the angular Honda’s.  They share a similar tapering hoodline and similar triangular headlights.  The sides are relatively featureless.  From the rear, the TL looks better.  The trunklid slopes down to handsome orange and red jeweled taillights that don’t resemble the Accord’s at all. The dual chrome exhaust tips add a sporty touch.  Despite the design’s closeness to its Honda cousin’s, our dark blue test car drew a fair amount of attention from passersby.  The look is upscale, just not unique.

Inside, the luxurious leather, chrome and wood theme is interpreted, if a little blandly.  The TL is nicely laid out, but still distressingly similar to the Accord.  The gauges, radio, and climate controls are in the same places, and the dash architecture is more or less the same.  The TL doesn’t go out of its way to please the eyes or fingers.  It’s not bad, just not special.  The silky leather seats have strong side bolsters.  Brightwork is supplied by a brushed aluminum shifter surround, and chrome door handles, which clash somewhat.  An interesting fillip is the cupholder cover; a touch of a button causes dual doors to glide open like the cargo doors on the space shuttle.  It’s cute.

Our test car was equipped with the optional DVD-based Acura Navigational System.  The touch screen-controlled resides in the middle of the dashboard, and the display can be switched to control the air conditioning as well.  The Acura’s map works well, locating the car on a scrolling map of the area.  It can be zoomed in and out, from a multi-mile view down to 1/20 of a mile.  The system gets its information from a DVD data disc located in the trunk.  The disc contains maps for the entire United States.  The system is easy to program, provided the driver isn’t trying to do it and drive.  Once a destination has been selected, the system offers voice prompts when necessary.  Some of the tighter streets in downtown Austin, confused the system, but it got us faithfully to our destination on each of six separate trial runs.

Like most of its peers, the 3.2TL is happiest with long-distance travel.  Commuting and stop-and-go traffic make the car a bit claustrophobic.  It wants more road space than a similarly sized Taurus or Camry.  The 225-hp V6 puts power to the road eagerly, with the help of Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system.  The semi-manual Sportshift transmission is at its best in passing situations; on a two-lane road, clicking quickly down two gears enables the Acura to minimize passing times.  The car is in its element on lightly curvy back roads and blue highways, without the interruptions of traffic lights and other vehicles.

True to its near-luxury nature, the 3.2 TL sports a long list of standard equipment.  Leather interior, heated seats, a moonroof, and a premium Acura/Bose cassette/CD sound system are all standard.  Dual-stage driver and passenger airbags and side bags are also standard on all 3.2 TLs.  Also standard are Acura’s four-year/50,000-mile warranty, and Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC).  Much like an auto club, Acura TLC includes roadside assistance, concierge services, and trip routing.  The 3.2 TL’s only option is the Acura Navigation System.

The Fact Box:

All specs are for the 2000 Acura 3.2 TL, which we tested.

Length:    192.9 inches
Width:        70.3 inches
Height:        56.1 inches
Wheelbase:    108.1 inches
Curb weight:    3494 lbs

Cargo space:    14.3 cu. ft.

Base price:
Price as tested:

Engine:    3.2 liter V6
Drivetrain:    5-speed automatic with manual shift select, front-wheel-drive
Horsepower:    225 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:    215 ft/lb @ 4700 rpm
Fuel capacity:    17.2 gallons
Est. mileage:    19/29 mpg

Update 6/2009: The ’00 TL has aged moderately well.  They weren’t common when they were new, so it’s rare to see them on the used-car lots.  The styling is still bland, and not in a timeless way.