2001 Acura TL: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

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.