FAQs and Specifications
Acura wants to steal sales from BMW, but without rear-wheel-drive or a SH-AWD system, the TL Type-S can’t topple the 3 Series from its perch atop luxury sports sedan mountain.
Acura wants a piece of BMW’s action. Does the 2007 Acura TL come close to a BMW in terms of driving dynamics?
It comes close, but the front-drive layout ultimately makes the rear-drive Bimmer the more satisfying vehicle to drive hard and fast. The BMW 3 Series is an utterly capable sport sedan that rarely, if ever, puts a foot wrong. The Acura TL is a larger car, and feels it from behind the steering wheel. Plus, it lacks the BMW’s sense of solidity, and the torque steer – especially on the Type S manual – is something you never experience in a BMW. To match BMW, Acura needs to copy the Bimmer’s rear-drive layout, or add the RL sedan’s SH-AWD system. What’s the best thing about the 2007 Acura TL Type-S?
The engine is, far and away, the best thing about the Acura TL Type-S. This is a terrific V6, pulling hard at any rpm, sounding great the entire time, producing no NVH intrusion, and proving to be a great performer. Otherwise, the driver’s seat’s comfort level gets my vote as a close second. Firm, supportive, and softly upholstered, this is a great spot to plant your butt. What’s the worst thing about the 2007 Acura TL Type-S?
The Acura TL Type-S’s torque steer is definitely cause for re-consideration, and the suspension float in the front end is not confidence inspiring. Also, I’m not crazy about the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger’s seat. It seems that a car that can approach $40,000 should have this feature standard. SPECIFICATIONS
Test Vehicle: 2007 Acura TL Type-S
Price of Test Vehicle: $39,000 (estimated)
Engine Size and Type: 3.5-liter V6
Engine Horsepower: 286 at 6,200 rpm
Engine Torque: 256 lb.-ft. at 5,000 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic with SportShift manual gear selection
Curb weight, lbs.: 3,680
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 19/28 (estimated)
Observed Fuel Economy: 15.5 (approximate, almost entirely hard driving at high revs)
Length: 189.8 inches
Width: 72.2 inches
Wheelbase: 107.9 inches
Height: 56.7 inches
Leg room (front/rear): 42.8/34.9 inches
Head room (front/rear): 38.7/37.2 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 12.5 cubic feet
Competitors: Audi A4 S-line, BMW 330i Sport, Cadillac CTS 3.6, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger SRT-8, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS 350, Mazda Mazdaspeed 6, Mercedes-Benz C320 Sport, Nissan Altima SE, Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, Saab 9-3 Aero, Subaru Legacy GT spec.B, Toyota Camry SE V6, Volvo S60 R Photos courtesy of Acura
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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