1999 Acura 3.2 TL One Year Test Review Verdict

Cutthroat competition in the hotly contested near-luxury sedan category pushed Acura to go beyond the nice-yet-forgettable '95-'98 TL to create a dynamic replacement that's shaken the establishment. The second four-door to carry the TL moniker was unleashed for '99 with bolder styling, improved performance and feature content, and aggressive pricing. The previous five-cylinder 2.5 TL variant was dropped and won't be missed. Now manufactured Stateside at the Marysville, Ohio, plant, the 3.2 TL is built on a new, global, front-drive platform that enables it to boast improvements over its predecessor in nearly every quantifiable and subjective way. With such promise, we had to arrange a year-long evaluation to see if the TL could live up to its potential. Model-line simplicity made it a cinch to order one up; the purchase choices are with or without a navigation system. Since we found the TL's value story so compelling, we targeted the base model and didn't add a single dealer trinket. Our sticker carried a $28,405 bottom-line price, including the obligatory $455 destination and handling fee.

For the money, the $20K-something TL packs more equipment than its competitors in the mid $30s, let alone anything in its own price range. This Acura carries all the near-lux standards, such as basic power amenities, eight-way power driver's seat, leather upholstery and trim, keyless entry, HomeLink, anti-lock brakes, and four-year/50K warranty. Going above and beyond, the TL touts Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps, automatic climate control, heated mirrors, Bose AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system, power moonroof, power passenger seat, traction control, and Sequential SportShift transmission. As we soon discovered, all this goodness is packed into a sedan that exhibits refinement unexpected at this price.

Upon delivery, the initial logbook comments praised the overall package and value, then proceeded to make digs at the driver comfort. Despite soft cowhide surfaces on sculpted buckets, a few drivers couldn't dial in a suitable configuration that satisfied leg support, knee space, and steering-wheel reach. "Otherwise comfortable seats lack the needed adjustability to put me in a proper position," jotted Senior Road Test Editor Chris Walton. Most staffers agree that front headroom is limited, due to the moonroof intrusion and low-slung body profile. Had the steering wheel possessed a telescope function and the moonroof been part of the uplevel Nav system model or a stand-alone option, we would've been happier. These fit issues could be immediately recognized and/or dismissed at a dealership by prospective shoppers. A credit to the TL, this was the most vocal criticism through its entire 12-month service tenure.

Further interior notes praised the thoughtful ergonomics that placed controls at hand in a simple, logical manner. An effective cooling/heating system, clever CD storage, comprehensible audio controls, and myriad other details make day-to-day living enjoyable. While the back bench can provide three-across seating, we preferred two for comfort. At a time when customers are utility-focused, it struck us as odd that the rear seat doesn't fold down to expand the ample trunk capacity.