Search Consumer Guide Auto and the Web
 

1999-2003 Acura TL
Date Published: 2/20/08

1999-2003 Acura TL
More Photos

Price Range:
$5,700 - 14,700

Class:
Premium Midsize Car

CG Award: (What's This?)
1999-2003 Acura TL
Expert Rating Summary
Category
Acura TL Rating
Performance 6
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 6
Steering/Handling/Braking 6
Quietness 6
Controls/Materials 7
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 4
Cargo Capacity 4
Value within Class 7
Total Score: 56
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model
1999-2003 ACURA TL BUYING RESOURCES
Search Local Listings
 
Sell Your Car
 
Free CARFAX Record Check
 
1999-2003 Acura TL Review
For 1999, the slow-selling, Japanese-sourced TL gave way to a slightly larger TL sedan. Built in the U.S., on the same chassis as the Honda Accord and the contemporary Honda Odyssey minivan, the near-luxury, front-drive TL slotted between the entry-level Integra and the luxury RL sedan. Rivals included the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti I30, and Lexus ES 300. A new, more powerful V6 engine replaced the previous five-cylinder, driving a four-speed automatic transmission that incorporated SportShift manual gear selection. Premium fuel was required. Seating five, the new TL came in a single, well-equipped model. Standard equipment included leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power moonroof. A satellite-based navigation system with a color LCD dashboard screen was the only factory-installed option. All-disc antilock braking and traction control were standard, but side-impact airbags were not available, though they were at least optional on most competitive sedans.
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.
Car Buying Resources

Trade-In Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth

Trade-In Calculator



Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer
Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.



What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn things



Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance



Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers
Sell Your Car
    Find a Used Car
Price Range:
to
 Radius:
    Vehicle History Report

FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before you buy.