2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Elite Review

Acura has seen its sales tumble regularly over the last 18 to 24 months, and I can understand why: Polarizing designs that fail to generate a conflicting or contrasting position can't be good – especially when it's all negative. We all know that design trumps, or quite nearly, everything including needs and usefulness. In the TL's case, at least since 2009, it's got it backwards.


The sad part about the TL is that it is actually a good car. Thankfully, it's been made more tolerable physically for 2012 with a revised front fascia that trades “I'm different” for “I want to be one of them.” Gone is the overgrown layer of plastic which used to creep up to the bonnet, and revamped is the lower-bumper opening which holds turn-signals and fog lights. Out back, the lower portion of the bumper skin has also been revised, however, the changes are very subtle. The remainder of the car is largely untouched.


Overall, the tweaked, or watered-down, exterior shell is pleasant given what it used to be pre-2009, which was hot. This then is a compliment. In Bellanova white, its stunted beak is far easier to appreciate, as is the TL's overall shape.