2002 Acura TL Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The best-seller at Honda's upscale division gains revised front styling and a sporty Type-S version for 2002. Both models have a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate, but the Type-S gets a 260-hp edition of the base TL's 225-hp V6. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and front side airbags are standard. The Type-S adds a standard antiskid system, firmer suspension with 17-inch wheels vs. 16s, sport front seats, and metal-look gauges. The only option for either TL is a navigation system with dashboard screen; a feature that now comes with OnStar assistance. Both models also gain a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, 2-position seat/mirrors memory linked to the remote keyfob, and revised cupholders.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has two clear benchmarks; the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300. Both succeed in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 offers a little more luxury and TL, with it's Type-S, a bit more sport.

We Recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

News

The most popular and profitable Acura by far since its 1999 redesign, the TL remains on an upward sales track, though its rate of increase slowed in calendar 2001 to 3.7 percent, versus an 18-percent year-to-year gain in 2000. Based on past experience, the early release of the little-changed 2003 models (click on that report for further details) suggests Acura is speeding ahead with an expected redesign for 2004, though industry sources are still divided on what that will involve. On the one hand, the TL could continue as an upscale version of the front-drive Honda Accord, which itself is being redesigned for '03, or it could become a smaller rendition of Acura's new-generation '03 RL flagship sedan with rear- or all-wheel drive. Your guess as to what the choice will be.

2002 Acura TL Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Road noise (Type-S)

Steering/handling	Climate controls with navigation system

Refinement

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	7	6.2

Lively off the line and strong thereafter. Acura says the base TL needs 8 sec 0-60 mph, the Type-S 7.2; our test Type-S did 0-60 in 6.8 sec. The automatic transmission is always responsive and mostly smooth.

Fuel Economy

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	5	4.6

Both engines require premium fuel, but earn identical EPA economy ratings that are quite good for the class. Test TLs averaged 19.3-24.5 mpg, including 20.1 for a Type-S subjected to gas-eating performance tests.

Ride Quality

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7	7.2

Controlled and stable, but no magic carpet. Even the base TL is tauter than comfort-minded rivals such as the Lexus ES 300. Type-S is firmer still, but no less comfortable.

Steering/Handling/Braking

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

Base TL behaves like a sportier version of the related Honda Accord--which it partly is. Type-S feels more BMW-athletic, with sharper steering and slightly less cornering lean. Simulated panic stops are short and undramatic in either model.

Quietness

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7	6.8

Structural and body-sealing revisions reduce wind rush, but road rumble and tire slap--especially in Type-S--still intrude more than in most rivals. Engines sporty yet muted at high rpm, hushed otherwise.

Controls

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	6	6.3

A standout, in Acura/Honda tradition. One exception: Navigation system absorbs some climate functions and thus complicates routine adjustments. Understated materials and hard-to-fault workmanship, though a recent test car's heater fan emitted an annoying fluttering sound.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

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

Slightly cozy feel, but head and leg room agree with 6-footers, as does driving stance. Both TLs have supportively comfortable seats; Type-S buckets hug a little more, but don't feel confining.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5.4

Head room is tight for taller riders, but knee room is decent even with a front seat pushed fully back. Good foot space too, but cabin is too narrow for three grownups.

Cargo Room

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
3	3	4.2

Not super-size, but low-lip trunk is sufficient for four on a longish trip.

Value within Class

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
10	10	5.1

Solidly built, impeccably finished, and equal or superior to any class rival for refinement, quality, and features per dollar. Type-S imbues the already sporty TL with even better go and extra nimbleness without seriously compromising comfort.

Total Score

Base	Type-S w/nav. sys.	Class Average
68	65	59.5

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		49
Average Score		59
High Score		72

2002 Acura TL Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 10/18/2001

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$28,880	$26,322	$480

Base w/navigation system 4-door sedan	$30,880	$28,143	$480

Type-S 4-door sedan	$31,230	$28,462	$480

Type-S w/navigation system 4-door sedan	$33,230	$30,283	$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 225-horsepower 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, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/memory and lumbar adjustment, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors w/memory, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Bose AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, steering-wheel 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

Touch-screen navigation system.

Type-S adds to Base:

Powertrain

3.2-liter V6 260-horsepower engine.

Safety

Antiskid system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Upgraded variable-assist power steering, sport suspension.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

215/50VR17 tires.

Type-S w/navigation system adds to S:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Touch-screen navigation system.

Optional Equipment

No factory options.

2002 Acura TL Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Acura TL 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	108.1

Overall Length, in.	192.5

Overall Width, in.	70.7

Overall Height, in.	53.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3494

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.	36.8

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

Engines

	dohc V6	dohc 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

Rollover Resistance	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

< 2002 Acura TL Photos

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Acura TL Road Test

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Acura TL Specs & Safety

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