Acura TL 2005: The Weekly Driver Review

Drivers have more stress during the holidays,plenty to recommend it, the
alcohol consumptionadditional exterior and interior standard features
increases and patience in busy traffic can quicklyonly further distinguish
wane.A 200-mile roundtrip, therefore, is athe TL.The leather upholstery is comfortable,
less-than-ideal way to spent part ofattractive and complemented
Thanksgiving. It's potentially more problematicnicely by stylishly contoured aluminum trim. Bright
knowing the crowded,electroluminescent
late-night return trip could include a stretch ofgauges and blue backlighting throughout the cabin
interstate infamous for itsprovide a sultry
thick, late-night fog.But visiting family outweighsnight-driving atmosphere.Individually heated front
the inconveniences of potential drivingseats, sunroof, XM satellite radio, in-dash CD
hassles. And if the journey is made in a vehiclechanger with an eight-speaker sound system,
with a commanding andvoice-recognition
secure road presence, such concerns arenavigation system, heated power door mirrors
sufficiently eased.So it was during my weekly testand Xenon HID
drive of the 2005 Acura TL. The vehicleheadlights are all standard.And, of course, cruise
was successful for several years, but Acuracontrol, multiple driver and front passenger seat
redesigned it and addedpositions, air conditioning and individual, front-seat
more features in 2004 to offer BMW and Audiclimate controls are
drivers another choice foralso standard.For front-seat passengers there's
a luxury sports sedan that combinesample leg room and plenty of overall
performance with value.There's little change in thecomfort. Back-seat passengers aren't as
TL from last year. The vehicle is based on thecomfortable, with head and leg
Honda Accord platform but has different styling,room slightly pinched. Cargo space is also tight,
a different powertrainbut styled well. The rear
and more upscale features.Performance to rideseatback doesn't fold, but there's a small
quality to instrumentation, there's a lot to likepass-through port for skis.Just like it has been for
aboutthe past several years, the 2005 Acura TL is a
the TL, which is why it's a recommended bestnicely combined sport and luxury car with great
buy in the premiumattention to refinement
midsize category by Consumer Guide, amongand workmanship.It's a perfect car to drive to a
other publications.The car's performance beginslate-night jazz club or at least to fantasize a
with a 270-horsepower, 3.2-liter, 24-valvesimilar journey. And it's a perfect vehicle for
V6 engine with a five-speed automatic ormanaging holiday traffic in
six-speed manualany kind of weather.2005 Aura TLSafety
transmission. My vehicle had an automaticfeatures -- Driver and front passenger and side
transmission. It shiftscurtain
smoothly into all positions and was tested atairbags; Antilock brakes; Traction control
0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds.system.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 20 mpg (city),
The manual transmission was tested at 6.229 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to
seconds.Among the many standard features arebumper, 4 years/50,00 miles; Corrosion,
17-inch wheels and antilock5 years/unlimited miles; 24-hour roadside
four-wheel disc brakes and an anti-skid system.assistance: 4 years/50,000
They all further add tomiles.Base price range -- $32,650-$34,850James
an impressive driving experience. The car handlesRaia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento,
and steersCalifornia, who
admirably, and it maneuvers confidentially throughwrites about sports, fitness, travel and lifestyle
traffic with a strongtopics as well as the car
feel on the road, particularly with its 17-inchreview colum, The Weekly Driver.
wheels.While the vehicle's driving qualities provide