2001 Acura TL Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The best-seller at Honda's upscale brand adds only an in-trunk emergency opener and carpeted floormats for 2001. TL shares its platform with Acura CL coupe and Honda Accords; all are U.S.-built. Standard 225-hp V6, 5-speed auto. transmission with manual shift gate, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, traction control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, side airbags, and a sensor system that deactivates right-front airbags for a child or out-of-position occupant and fires the dashboard airbag with normal or reduced force as needed. An in-dash navigation system with DVD database is the only option. An updated 2002 TL arrives next March with revised styling, several added features, and a sportier 260-hp Type S model.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.

News

The TL has been a big hit for Acura since its 1999 redesign. The model now far outpolls the make's other products, even the entry-level Integra. Because it is so new--and doing so well--the TL is not scheduled for any major changes over the next 2-3 years. However, Acura officials recently hinted to the press that a sportier Type S version, powered by the same 260-hp engine as the like-named CL coupe model, will be offered, though they declined to say when.

2001 Acura TL Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Navigation system controls

Build quality

Exterior finish

Interior materials

Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	7	6.1

Silken V6 delivers 0-60 mph in about 7 secs., plus good midrange passing punch, abetted by smooth, responsive auto. transmission.

Fuel Economy

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	5	4.7

We haven't yet measured a 5-speed TL, but it should equal if not beat the 19.3-24.5 mpg we averaged with a 4-speed test car. Premium fuel is still required.

Ride Quality

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	5	6.4

Comfortably sporty, and noticeably firmer than on less dynamic rivals like Lexus ES 300 and Infiniti I30. Becomes slightly busy on rippled surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	7	6.3

Not a BMW beater, but athletic and fun to drive, with grippy, responsive cornering allied to secure high-speed stability.

Quietness

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7	6.7

Tire rumble and slap above the class norm, but not irksome. Little wind ruckus. Engine quiet at cruise, rising to a pleasant muted snarl when worked hard.

Controls

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	6	6.1

Climate controls a fair reach for some drivers. Navigation system controls some audio and climate functions, but is generally convenient and fairly easy to master. No problems otherwise.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	7

Comfortable seats are fairly low, which hampers entry/exit, but ample adult-size room. Sound basic driving stance has enough adjustments to suit most people.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5.1

Leg and head space limited for taller occupants. Bench seat has indifferent thigh support. Cabin too narrow for three adults. Entry/exit just okay.

Cargo Room

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
3	3	4

Generously sized trunk with flat floor and low lip, but space-robbing sickle-shaped trunklid hinges can crunch cargo. No folding seatbacks, but trunk pass-through standard.

Value within Class

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
10	10	4.7

Solidly built, impeccably finished, and very well equipped, the TL equals or exceeds anything in its class. Sportier than most rivals, so not to everyone's taste, but excellent value and a can't-miss Best Buy.

Total Score

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
66	62	57.1

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		57
High Score		70

2001 Acura TL Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 11/08/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$28,550	$25,738	$480

Base 4-door sedan w/Navigation System	$30,550	$27,537	$480

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.2-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, variable-assist power steering, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/manual lumbar adjustment, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Bose AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, steering wheel mounted radio controls, power sunroof, rear defogger, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, variable intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, automatic-off headlights, remote fuel door/decklid release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, Xenon headlights, 205/60VR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Base w/Navigation System adds to Base:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Navigation system with global positioning system, LCD screen.

Optional Equipment

No factory options.

2001 Acura TL Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Acura TL 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	108.1

Overall Length, in.	192.9

Overall Width, in.	70.3

Overall Height, in.	56.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	3483

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.3

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	36.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V6	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.2 /196	3.2 /196

Horsepower @ rpm.	225 @ 5600	260 @ 6100

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	216 @ 4700	232 @ 3500

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	19/29	19/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Acura TL 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2001 Acura TL Photos

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