2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech Review and Road Test

The magic of the manual transmission.

I like being “pleasantly surprised” by cars. I know, I know, this is a fairly obvious statement but one I feel packs more punch now than it has in previous years, the reason being that cars across the board these days are, on average, very good. Of course, it’s all relative but with advances in things like hybrid powertrains, infotainment, electronic aids and advanced transmission systems that will probably all have ten gears each by the time we hit model year 2016, there is a lot to like about the automotive landscape these days.

Add to that the proliferation of manufactures like Hyundai, Kia and the quasi re-birth of the domestic manufacturers after years of serious product degradation when compared to their Japanese rivals and, let’s be honest, there’s lots to like about what’s going on.

Strange, then, that the car you see here is surprising because it’s actually in opposition to some of those qualities mentioned earlier, namely the transmission. Our test car was equipped with the SH-AWD Tech package, and at $45,625 it comes equipped with most of the bells and whistles you could ask for in an mid-to-full-sized luxury sedan, but with one big difference—it had a manual transmission. And not just some sloppy five-speeder, no—it was a full-bore six-speed with short throws, precise feel and, except for a less than ideal shift knob shape, was full value for the application.

Remember that Honda makes some of the best-feeling manual transmissions in the biz, from the peppy little CR-Z we recently tested to the Civic Si and beyond, and it works in this Acura RL. Why? Because the 280 horsepower made by the VTEC V6 is down a little on some of its V6-powered (and pricier) competition like the Audi A6 or BMW 535i xDrive (both of whom make 300 hp). The addition of the manual, then, just makes it easier to access the power that you do have on tap. Unfortunately, the clutch response doesn’t reflect that of the shift lever; it’s light and lacking in feel but is a minor gripe that can be overlooked when compared to the rest of the transmission package. What has the ability to do is instantly transform the TL from an A to B luxury sedan to one with a real sporting bent.

If clutch feel is a deal-breaker, then there’s always the six-speed paddle-shift auto option which, for 2012, is up from five on previous models. To either the chagrin of manual fans or relief of auto fans, it costs no more than the manual, but does add more weight that makes the TL—which we’ll see is quite tossable for a big luxury sedan—lose a little of its edge in the handling department.

To get the clutch pedal, however, you are going to have to spec the SH-AWD trim while you’re at it, as that’s the only trim-level available with the six-speed. It’s an interesting decision that probably hearkens back to the previous two generations of the model, where a “Type-S” version was available and represented the most technologically advanced model of the range. Unlike those cars, however, the TL you see here makes the same power and has the same suspension settings as the other versions.

For a $3,500 surplus over the SH-AWD, the Tech Package gets you voice activated navigation, Panasonic ELS sound with 10 speakers, a subwoofer, hard drive and upgraded perforated Milano leather seats. Also with the 2012 model, Acura has addressed one of the glaring concerns with the TL, and that was styling detail. They reduced the front overhang as well as the big, gaudy “gladiator” grille from the 2011 car, replacing it with a similarly-styled number that is much more relaxed and subtle than the outgoing model. Coupled with the shorter front overhang, the overall styling package is tauter and classier for 2012.

The SH-AWD pack, meanwhile, adds a subtle rear decklid spoiler which can be matched with additional body additions such as touring-car like side-skirts, front/rear splitters and two-tone 19-inch sport wheels. The addition of these, however, takes you well into the $50,000 price range, and when you consider the TLs almost hatchback-like lines, only those that really need a sports car to go with their sedan will go for—I say save the money, because the TL has so much more to offer beyond those boy-racer tweaks.

The engine sitting in one of the more peculiar-looking engine bays, for starters. We talked about the power, but the means by which it gets there is worth mentioning; keen to rev and smooth while doing so, it is a testament to parent company Honda’s penchant for making great free-revving engines that make the most of their small block sizes. The redline sits at 6,700 r.p.m., but peak horsepower comes 200 revs before that and peak torque all the way down at 5,000 r.pm., so you get a nice, smooth push of power across the range. If you want to rev it to the red, you get full VTEC activation as a bonus and a nice surge of forward movement along with it. Of course, coupled with that is increased fuel consumption—drive diligently, and you should be able to keep the numbers below 15 litres per 100 kilometers in the city and around 10 on the highway, keeping in mind that Acura strongly recommends the TL to be filled with premium fuel. It does sound good, however, when you really push it towards the redline.

The engine sound is pretty much where the car’s audible interaction pretty much stops. Remember that sporty touches aside, the TL is very much a luxury car, illustrated by the quiet ride and its ability to swallow bumps like they were skittles. You just get that feeling of solidity with the TL; the feeling that from the ground up, every bolt has been tightened, every gap clenched as much as possible to ensure a seamless integration from road, to tires, to suspension, to axles and to those riding inside. The doors close with a solid “thunk”. The various covers for the storage bins and cupholders inside are all well dampened, the buttons and dials for controlling infotainment and HVAC all move with precision and the eight-way adjustable wing-backed seats are supportive and ensure a good driving position without being overly stiff. What we would have liked to see, however, was the option for folding rear seats, which isn’t offered on any TL and is a fairly glaring omission this day in age. Instead, you get a pass-through door to the trunk for longer items.

It can be a little too soft at times, however. Steering feel, for example, is aloof when compared with the rest of the controls; the wheel is nicely finished (save for strangely protruding bumps at the five and seven o’clock positions), but I found it hard to determine exactly how much input was required at times. It’s a strange contrast to the immediacy of the gear lever, clutch and throttle response—compare it to the TL’s TSX younger sibling and you may think you were driving cars from two different manufacturers. It’s got a bit of a split personality in this regard.

When you do get the car jinking left and right though, you’ll discover that it is an able and sturdy handler thanks to Honda/Acura’s Super-Handling All Wheel Drive, which, again, is the only option with the stick shift. 70 per cent of power is distributed to the front wheels during cruising but up to 100 per cent can be provided to the outside rear-wheel during a turn if necessary, making the goings easier and more confidence-inspiring in adverse conditions and helps negate understeer during everyday driving. It may not reach rear-wheel drive levels when it comes to driving dynamics, but the intelligence of SH-AWD helps it comes close. And with it, you’ve got the added benefits of on-road safety and everyday, all-weather usability.

Which is where the TL really excels—blurring the line between luxury and sport sedan, especially if you go with the manual transmission. If you want the auto, meanwhile, the TL shows its other ace, and that’s value. The auto as a no-charge option is another example of how the TL undercuts similarly-equipped models from many of its biggest competitors—from the Lexus GS350 AWD, to the aforementioned BMW and Audi models by 10 grand in some cases. It may be slightly tighter for rear-seat passengers than those models, but as was the case with the 370Z we recently tested, I’d say the TL represents one of the best values in its class, with an added “fun-factor” to boot.

2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech — Specifications

Price as tested: $46,990

Body Type: 4-door, 5-passenger sedan

Powertrain Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive

Engine:  3.5-litreV6, DOHC, 24 valves w/VTEC

Horsepower: 280 @ 6,500 rpm

Torque (lb-ft): 254 @ 5,000 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Curb weight: 1,695 kg (3,737 lbs.)

Fuel economy, city:

observed: 15L/100 km (15.7 mpg)

claimed: 10.4L/100km (22.6 mpg)

Fuel economy, highway:

observed: 10.5L/100 km (22.4 mpg)

claimed: 6.8L/100km (34.6 mpg)

Tagged as: Acura, Acura TL SH-AWD, Audi A6, BMW 535i XDrive, Dan Heyman, Honda, Panasonic ELS, TL, VTEC