The 2012 Acura TL (Acura is the luxury arm of Honda) will make an early debut in the spring of 2011 in the US market. Asian nations will not see this car as it is designed for the US and European market only.
Exterior Features
The “Power Plenum” grille on earlier versions of the TL was not well received by drivers or by critics. Not surprisingly, Acura has taken this under consideration. Therefore, the 2012 Acura TL is expected to have a grille that is considerably toned down in appearance. The change will make drivers happy and should streamline the sleek appearance of this luxury sedan.
Specifications
Like its predecessors, the 2012 Acura TL comes with a very good pedigree. JD Power and Associates awarded the 2010 model with a reliability score of 8.0. In the past, Acura has supplied the TL with a four-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty; a six-year, 70,000 powertrain warranty is also par for the course. Lifetime roadside assistance should also be offered with the 2012 TL. In terms of performance, the Acura TL isn’t known for being a souped-up vehicle. Still, it is powerful and boasts responsive handling. Resale values for the Acura TL have always been exceptional.
Safety Features
The 2012 Acura TL should have all of the topnotch safety features as previous models. The sedan has always performed admirably in crash tests; the 2010 model, for instance, received a perfect five-out-of-five in government crash tests for frontal and side impacts. Traction and stability control should be included, along with active front head restraints, antilock disk brakes, full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags.
New Features
In addition to the toned-down grille, there are rumors that the 2012 Acura will have a six-speed automatic transmission that will replace the five-speed automatic one. Enhanced, more powerful V6 engines are also expected with the 2012 model.
How the 2012 Acura TL Compares to Other Cars
If the revised styling on the 2012 Acura TL doesn’t suit your fancy, there are plenty of other mid-size luxury sedans to consider. The Audi A6 or the Lexus GS300 which looks very similar especially in the rear quarters.
