1999-2003 Acura TL: Year-to-Year Changes

2000 Acura TL: Acura tuned the TL's V6 to deliver more low-speed power this year, and installed high-intensity-discharge headlights. A new five-speed automatic transmission ousted the four-speed, again including a SportShift manual shifting gate. Side-impact airbags for front seats became standard. Sensors could determine the size and position of the right front passenger, so the airbag would deploy only when necessary, not if a child was present. In that case, the dashboard's front airbag would deploy with reduced force. The optional navigation system now used a DVD database with full nationwide coverage, and its touch screen got a matte finish for easier reading.

2001 Acura TL: Acura's best-selling model was unchanged for 2001, except for the addition of an emergency opener inside the trunk and standard carpeted floor mats. The TL was modestly redesigned again as an early 2002 model.

2002 Acura TL: Revised front styling and the addition of a sporty Type-S version were the highlights for TL in 2002. The Type-S had a standard antiskid system, firmer suspension, larger wheels, sport front seats, and metal-look gauges. In-dash CD changer, 2-posistion seat/mirror memory linked to remote keyfob, revised cupholders, and GM's OnStar assistance system were newly standard for all TL's.

2003 Acura TL: The availability of On-Star assistance is the only change of note for '03. TL was redesigned for '04.