1999-2003 Acura TL: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

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.