Acura TL
The Acura TL is an entry-level luxury sedan that was manufactured by Acura, the luxury division of Honda. It was introduced in 1995 for the 1996 model year, to replace the Acura Vigor and was badged for the Japanese market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber. The TL was Acura's best-selling model until it was outsold by the MDX in 2007. In 2005, it ranked as the second best-selling luxury sedan in the United States behind the BMW 3 Series, but sales decreased after the 2008 model year. Four generations of the Acura TL were produced, with the final generation premiering in 2008 for the 2009 model year, and ending production in 2014, when it was replaced together with the TSX by the TLX.
First generation (UA1–UA3; 1996)
The TL, "Touring Luxury," debuted for the 1996 model year with the 2.5 TL available with the 2.5 L 176 hp SOHC 20-valve 5-cylinder gasoline engine from the Vigor, and the 3.2 TL using the 3.2 L SOHC 24v V6 gasoline engine from the second-generation Acura Legend. The model with the 2.0-liter inline-five was not offered in the US market. The debut of the TL signaled Acura's shift from traditional vehicle names to alphanumeric designations; by replacing recognizable names such as "Vigor" and "Legend" with a letter designations, the luxury maker hoped to focus consumer attention on the Acura name. The TL was the first Acura model to adopt the new naming scheme.The 2.5 TL was positioned as the sporty model, with the 3.2 TL focusing more upon a luxurious ride. Moreover, the added power in the 3.2 TL gave it better acceleration. Both gasoline engines were mounted in a front-rear, or longitudinal position. This contrasted with the more typical transverse engine mount style, and was intended to provide better weight distribution and reduce nose dive. The engine mount design resulted in an elongated hood for the first-generation TL, a shorter front overhang and longer wheelbase, fitting for a near-luxury car. The inline-five engine in the 2.5 TL competed with similar five-cylinder engines offered in Audi and Volvo models.
The first 1996 Acura TL was manufactured at Sayama, Japan on March 28, 1995. Sales of the 2.5 TL began in early 1995, but the 3.2 TL was delayed until late 1995 because of a U.S.-Japan trade dispute. The U.S. government had threatened to impose 100% tariffs on higher-priced Japanese cars in response a growing U.S.-Japan trade deficit. Ultimately a deal was reached which avoided the tariffs.
The first-generation Acura TL had standard features including dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, automatic climate control, a cassette/CD player sound system, and power windows and locks. Leather was standard on the more upscale 3.2 TL, while the 2.5 TL featured a firmer suspension setup. Like its predecessor, the Vigor, this generation TL was a 4-door pillared hardtop, with frameless windows.
1997
In 1997, Acura added a standard power moonroof to all TL models. Additionally, all Acura TLs received a variable-speed intermittent wiper setting. The 3.2 TL had 205/65/15 tires and a V6 motor. The sport-targeted, 5-cylinder 2.5 TL was further fitted with new alloy wheels.1998
For 1998, Acura made several previously optional features standard on the 2.5 TL. 1998 was the last year of TL production in Japan, as the model was being redesigned for production in the United States.Second generation (1999; UA4, UA5)
In 1998, Honda revealed the TL-X concept car, showing a preview of the second-generation TL which would debut in late 1998. The second-generation TL was derived from the US-market Honda Accord platform. It was available with a newly designed 3.2 L 225 hp SOHC VTEC J32 V6 gasoline engine mated to a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with SportShift.The second-generation 3.2 TL was built in Marysville, Ohio, at Marysville Auto Plant, alongside the Honda Accord. These cars were imported into Japan and sold as the Honda Inspire in the Honda Clio dealer network, and as the Honda Saber in the Honda Verno dealer network. The main difference between the two cars were the front grille; the Inspire and Saber were also available with a 2.5 L Honda J-series V6 exclusive to the Japanese market.
The first 1999 Acura TL was assembled on August 4, 1998. The only option on the sedan was a CD-based navigation system. The 1999 TL's navigation system stored the maps in zones; there were 5 different zones for the U.S. Starting with this generation, cabin air filters located behind the glove compartment were installed as standard equipment.
2000
In the second year of production, the Acura TL was given a few more features, including a 5-speed automatic transmission with SportShift. The added gear allowed for slightly better fuel economy and acceleration when compared to the previous 4-speed automatic transmission with SportShift. With this model, if the driver forgets the 1-2 shift, the computer will take over when in sport mode and do the 1–2 up and down shifts, unlike the 4-speed 1999 model. In many vehicles, the 5-speed automatic transmission was very unreliable: as the third gear clutch pack wore, particles blocked off oil passages, causing overheating or preventing the transmission from shifting or holding gears normally; symptoms included slippage, failure to shift, or sudden downshifting making the car come to a screeching halt even at freeway speeds. This problem was highlighted in the Los Angeles Times in September 2002. Consumer Reports took note and gave the TL and CL the "black spot," the worst rating for transmission reliability. In response to the recurring problem, the manufacturer extended the warranty covering the transmission to 7 years or on American models. A class-action lawsuit was settled to extend the transmission warranty for U.S. owners or entities to 7.75 years for all models made from 1998 to 2002, and some 2003 models by VIN; however, Canadian owners' warranties were not extended. Transmissions replaced prior to March 2005 usually fail again. Transmissions replaced from March 2005 and later include a redesigned third gear clutch pack reported to fix the problem.Other notable changes included the addition of side impact airbags for the front passengers and a change of format for the navigation system. The 2000 TL switched from a CD database to a DVD-based navigation system. The entire continental United States became accessible with the navigation system, and it was possible to drive from one coast to the other.
2001
For the 2001 model year, Acura introduced the new CL Type S which was a sportier trim of the Acura CL. While it was mechanically identical to the TL, its sales never came close to that of its sibling model, and as a result, it was discontinued in May 2003. The 2001 TL received a redesigned cupholder insert. The automatic transmissions in these cars were also defective. In response to the recurring problem, the manufacturer extended the warranty covering the transmission to or 7.75 years for all 1999-2002 models and certain 2003 models per the vehicle identification number, with Acura dealers replacing the transmissions under warranty. Transmissions replaced prior to March 2005 usually failed again, but transmissions replaced in March 2005 and later include a redesigned third gear clutch pack reported to fix the problem.2002
In March 2001 for the 2002 model year, the TL got a minor makeover, with a refreshed front fascia, redesigned taillights, a 6 CD in-dash changer as well as a few other features.Type-S
A Type-S model was also added, adding 35 hp for a total of at 6100 rpm and of torque at 3500-5500 rpm. It also featured wheels, firmer seats and suspension. A large percentage of these vehicles exhibited problems with the automatic transmission necessitating replacement. In response to the recurring problem, the manufacturer extended the warranty covering the transmission to or 7.75 years for all 1999-2002 models and 2003 partial per VIN. Acura dealers replace the transmissions under warranty. Transmissions replaced prior to March 2005 usually fail again. Transmissions replaced March 2005 and later include a redesigned third gear clutch pack reported to fix the problem.2003
Only minor changes occurred for this model year in order to make way for a redesign. One odd and notable addition to only the 2003 model year was the addition of a General Motors OnStar subscription cellular telephone and navigation assistance service to the DVD GPS navigation system option. These were separate independent systems, each with their own GPS receivers. The OnStar system was based on a dated Motorola analog cellular technology operating over 1G AMPS. Because of this and the failure of Acura to offer a digital upgrade, the TL OnStar system became defunct in 2009 when US carriers were allowed to turn off analog AMPS cell tower equipment.Certain vehicles in the 2002 and 2003 model years were the subject of a in July 2009 for injuries reported from faulty driver's side airbag inflators. In February 2010, another recall was issued for the same problem.
Third generation (UA6/7; 2004)
2004
In October 2003, the third-generation Acura TL was released for sale in North America. Developed mainly in the United States by a team led by Erik Berkman, with bodywork by American Honda designer Jon Ikeda, the new TL was built in Marysville, Ohio, and was derived from the seventh generation US-market Honda Accord.Starting with this generation, this model was not sold in Japan, with the Honda Inspire instead holding the position of entry-level luxury sedan below the Honda Legend. The Inspire of this era was instead sold as the seventh generation North American-spec Honda Accord.
It is powered by a – later revised to based on the new SAE measurement standard for horsepower – and of torque, 3.2 L 24 valve SOHC VTEC V6 gasoline engine mated to either a "SportShift" manually controllable 5-speed automatic with or 6-speed manual. Manual transmission models featured Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers, a Torsen-type limited-slip differential, stiffer anti-roll bars front and rear and performance tires at no additional cost.
In March 2004, Honda began offering a factory-sanctioned "tuner package" version of the TL called the TL A-SPEC. This version featured a suspension tuned by Makoto Tamamura, an indication of the TL A-SPEC's aggressive engineering. In addition, an underbody kit, spoiler, limited edition A-SPEC steering wheel, "A-SPEC" badge on the back, and wheels are standard. When installed at purchase, the car's 4-year/ warranty applied to the package as well.
The third-generation TL was also the first car in the American market to include a 6-disc DVD-Audio system, output through an 8-speaker 225-watt system, engineered by Panasonic and tuned by Grammy Award-winning sound engineer Elliot Scheiner. The system also plays back CDs as well as DTS audio discs, CD-Audio, CD-Rs and CD-RWs but not MP3s. In the United States, all models were also equipped with a Bluetooth HandsFree Link system, integrated with the audio system, to allow for hands-free usage of one's cell phone. In Canada, the HFL feature was not available on the base model, though the 2005 model year saw HFL becoming standard in all Canadian models. With the built-in XM Radio tuner, owners can elect to pay a monthly subscription after the complimentary 3-month subscription expires from Acura for XM radio, which provides over 100 digital channels via satellite.
With the optional Alpine-designed navigation system, the third-generation TL can also accept voice commands like "find nearest police station" or "go home." The DVD navigation system features an touchscreen LCD, which allows for easy viewing of the road ahead. DVDs with new road information for the navigation system were made annually until 2014.
The JDM Honda Inspire debuted around four and a half months earlier and marked the branching out of the TL line from the Inspire. The Inspire is basically a seventh-generation US-market Honda Accord V6 with minor trim changes, and the addition of Variable Cylinder Management, which shuts off half of the engine when not needed to boost fuel economy. The Saber was discontinued and the new Inspire is being sold at Clio, Primo, and Verno dealerships.
The TL became Acura's best-selling luxury sedan in 2004 with more than 79,000 sold that year.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found the Acura TL had the second-lowest accident fatality rate among midsize luxury cars.