Funny thing about the 4th-Gen Acura TL is how people ask me if it’s a 2020. Acura really made great design choices back then. Plus, both the 3.5L & 3.7L V6 are very closely related since they’re pretty much the same with some changes (the 3.7L has a longer stroke, slightly larger throttle body & intake manifold, & the valve train has VTEC on both intake & exhaust valves… with only a SOHC design vs the competition)!
I owned a '12 TL Advance and a '13 TL Advance. They were great cars. I knew every button and their placement like the back of my hand. The layout was actually very intuitive and logical. Took a very small amount of time to learn but not hard at all. These TLs drove great and had strong, great sounding V6 engines in them. They were comfortable, roomy, reliable and fun to drive. I eventually replaced my '13 with a '16 TLX Advance and my journey with Acura continued. I loved my '16 as much as if not more than my previous TLs. I wanted to replace it with a refreshed '19 or '20 TLX Advance but after months of searching could not find one to suit me. I very reluctantly decided to buy a '20 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T. Really wanted to stay with Acura and was quite hesitant about going back to a Honda make. Well now a year and a half later, I could not be more pleased with my Accord. This car is truly awesome. Very underrated. The main thing I miss from my Acuras is the V6 growl but my Accord is actually quicker than my Acuras were. I will eventually move back to an Acura but for now, I'm totally loving my Accord.
Own a 2012….with a 6-speed manual. Super fun sedan to drive! Purchased it instead of a BMW 535i, because I was sick of expensive BMW repairs (had a 330CiC.). Extremely reliable automobile. So much so that every time I go in for routine maintenance, the service techs always ask me if I would be willing to sell it!!
@@gabrielshensky348 Yep, i paid $21k for a '12 6mt with 70k miles 2 weeks ago. It's pretty damn clean and best of all, it doesn't burn oil like my '09 SH tech did lol
This design aged well. The sharp edges still look good and the beak is modest. I'd rather have that than the entire front of the car being a grille (but only have 33% actually open for cooling). This car was from when cars started to get loaded with features but right before touchscreens became mainstream. They needed a bunch of buttons to control everything. Like another commenter said, I'd rather have buttons. I can reach blindly for a button because I know where it is, hit it, and know I hit it. I don't need to open up two menus to do anything and take my eyes off the road.
Exactly, people still ask me if mine is a 2020! & I’ve been with the car so long I could easily control its features with a touch of a button without looking.
I'd rather press buttons than touchscreens. It's safer and guaranteed the stuff works and have that tactile feel & response, while touchscreens sometimes lags, like what I have on my '18 Honda brv's stock stereo! It's sooo laggy!
My wife has a 2009 Technology version, thats before the refresh like the one here. Slightly more aggressive styling on the older ones wasnt well received. It was ahead of its time. People are just now realizing how good they look. After driving many newers cars as rentals and family members etc, the reverse camera guidance system is still the best in these things compared to any of the other ones. Compared to the previous third Gen the seats are way better and more bolstered in these. In my 2005 6 speed I have to hang on to the side of the console for dear life during spirited turning or I slide all over the place.
SH-AWD is actually a great system when you start getting up there in speed, it’s different from hondas AWD in the construction of how the differential and transfercasd
I don't think you were very fair to this car, it's an amazing vehicle. I have a 3.7 automatic and it's a blast to drive specially in the back roads. You should re-review the Acura.
Can you group your Acura reviews into one playlist? The RL video is pretty difficult to find. Or better still, group your reviews into playlist according to brand. Honda reviews, Nissan reviews, etc. So it's easier for people who are looking for a Corolla review can just go to the Toyota playlist and look for what they want.
It is so crazy... I was gonna buy one exaclty like this if I didn't get the GS350. I love the way this car looks, my sister has a TLX *I think..* but because of features I ended up going with lexus.
@@lokeyborders The SH-AWD has stiffer performance oriented suspension and of course traction is never an issue. Power wise not much difference because AWD version is heavier. Some do burn oil some not so much. I've had two SH-AWD's and both burned about one quart per 2,000 miles once they hit 100,000 mile mark. If it gets too bad you can change pistons and rings (or techically you can just clean them to like new condition - but I would recommend at least new rings) and start all over again with zero oil burn for a while. I drive 1,100 miles a month so it literally only costs me $2 a month in oil vs time and money to do a rebuild.
I had the opportunity to buy a 2013 with the 6spd manual on Autotrader. The Ad had just gone up and next morning Ad was gone and the car was sold…. They’re near impossible to get, So I bought a 2012 Lexus IS250 6spd manual instead
No, they fixed the issue with the CBP paint this year. The '09-11 had issues tho. I looked at a '10 6MT with the CBP paint and it had SO much crows feet in the paint all over the damn place.
The explosion of buttons seemed like it was excessive at first, but I miss having buttons for everything. Doing basically anything I could need to do while driving by pressing one button that's always in the same spot was convenient and safe. The newer dual screen setup with the upper non-touch screen for navigation or Carplay and a lower touchscreen for the HVAC and radio was cumbersome and unintuitive. All it did was take a ton of ugly physical buttons and replace them with a ton of ugly digital buttons that were harder to use.
@@B-rad1 some auto manufactures infotainment system is too complex. They integrate the climate controls in the system. Not everything needs to be in the touch screen
My mom had one of these, I drove it and it drives nice and the 3.7L V6 is fast however I just can’t get with the design of it, it’s so ugly to me. Which is why I ended up landing on the late model TLXs
@@marco30599 If you are talking about the 2023 Acura Integra, its a civic. everything about it is literally a civic. even down to the chassis. They are using the same chassis as my civic hatchback.
Funny thing about the 4th-Gen Acura TL is how people ask me if it’s a 2020. Acura really made great design choices back then.
Plus, both the 3.5L & 3.7L V6 are very closely related since they’re pretty much the same with some changes (the 3.7L has a longer stroke, slightly larger throttle body & intake manifold, & the valve train has VTEC on both intake & exhaust valves… with only a SOHC design vs the competition)!
Dude I got a shawd I love it. Everyone thinks it's a 2018 (I got it in 2020) and I absolutely love it. The 3.7l is amazing.
@@lennytate4246 how much did you pay for it if you don't mind?
@@ayman.ibrahim I paid 10k for it. But I bought it off my brother. They go for about 13-16k depending on condition.
I owned a '12 TL Advance and a '13 TL Advance. They were great cars. I knew every button and their placement like the back of my hand. The layout was actually very intuitive and logical. Took a very small amount of time to learn but not hard at all. These TLs drove great and had strong, great sounding V6 engines in them. They were comfortable, roomy, reliable and fun to drive. I eventually replaced my '13 with a '16 TLX Advance and my journey with Acura continued. I loved my '16 as much as if not more than my previous TLs. I wanted to replace it with a refreshed '19 or '20 TLX Advance but after months of searching could not find one to suit me. I very reluctantly decided to buy a '20 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T. Really wanted to stay with Acura and was quite hesitant about going back to a Honda make. Well now a year and a half later, I could not be more pleased with my Accord. This car is truly awesome. Very underrated. The main thing I miss from my Acuras is the V6 growl but my Accord is actually quicker than my Acuras were. I will eventually move back to an Acura but for now, I'm totally loving my Accord.
Do they have aux/usb?
@@ramsaybolton7464 yeah they do
Good news! You are not committing any type of betrayal to Acura….. as Acura and Honda are the same make
Yes! I own a 2012 TL SHAWD so I’m excited to see this review
Me too
Me as well! Got my stick 2012 TL 4 years ago and it has been such a great first car. Got such a good deal on it as well
@@Kyle-gs2hw how much did you get it for?
Own a 2012….with a 6-speed manual. Super fun sedan to drive! Purchased it instead of a BMW 535i, because I was sick of expensive BMW repairs (had a 330CiC.). Extremely reliable automobile. So much so that every time I go in for routine maintenance, the service techs always ask me if I would be willing to sell it!!
You could have gotten a 6spd manual as an option. I spent years trying to find a clean one and gave up. Those are fun!
Unicorns indeed!
They exist! Just cost mid 20k lol
I found a really clean one and bought it last year. Aspec kit and all. I love it
@@gabrielshensky348 Yep, i paid $21k for a '12 6mt with 70k miles 2 weeks ago. It's pretty damn clean and best of all, it doesn't burn oil like my '09 SH tech did lol
@@BryanW916Interesting, looking into these as a daily driver. I'd appreciate any advice. Coming from an E92 M3.
This design aged well. The sharp edges still look good and the beak is modest. I'd rather have that than the entire front of the car being a grille (but only have 33% actually open for cooling).
This car was from when cars started to get loaded with features but right before touchscreens became mainstream. They needed a bunch of buttons to control everything. Like another commenter said, I'd rather have buttons. I can reach blindly for a button because I know where it is, hit it, and know I hit it. I don't need to open up two menus to do anything and take my eyes off the road.
Exactly, people still ask me if mine is a 2020! & I’ve been with the car so long I could easily control its features with a touch of a button without looking.
I'd rather press buttons than touchscreens. It's safer and guaranteed the stuff works and have that tactile feel & response, while touchscreens sometimes lags, like what I have on my '18 Honda brv's stock stereo! It's sooo laggy!
Am i the only one who loves the buttons?????
Omg I own this car. The only difference is a 6 speed manual. Best car I've ever owned so far
I agree!
Only issue with these? Oil burning. Acura and Honda kept using oils in the J series that were too thin
It was actually faulty piston rings that score the inside of the cylinder, this problem is only common in the j37. Very unfortunate.
My wife has a 2009 Technology version, thats before the refresh like the one here. Slightly more aggressive styling on the older ones wasnt well received. It was ahead of its time. People are just now realizing how good they look. After driving many newers cars as rentals and family members etc, the reverse camera guidance system is still the best in these things compared to any of the other ones. Compared to the previous third Gen the seats are way better and more bolstered in these. In my 2005 6 speed I have to hang on to the side of the console for dear life during spirited turning or I slide all over the place.
I prefer the prefacelift Mk4 TL SHAWD but still it's prettier than the current Acura sedans IMO
SH-AWD is actually a great system when you start getting up there in speed, it’s different from hondas AWD in the construction of how the differential and transfercasd
also i am a honda/acura tech
I own a 2011 Acura RL tech package. Great car luxury sedan love it, Nice tl you have
Love these 2010 ish acuras, but I agree those buttons are a bit overwhelming to look at
why didn't you review the drive?
I don't think you were very fair to this car, it's an amazing vehicle. I have a 3.7 automatic and it's a blast to drive specially in the back roads. You should re-review the Acura.
Can you group your Acura reviews into one playlist? The RL video is pretty difficult to find. Or better still, group your reviews into playlist according to brand. Honda reviews, Nissan reviews, etc. So it's easier for people who are looking for a Corolla review can just go to the Toyota playlist and look for what they want.
It is so crazy... I was gonna buy one exaclty like this if I didn't get the GS350. I love the way this car looks, my sister has a TLX *I think..* but because of features I ended up going with lexus.
I'm actually cool with the 2wd version. 300 lbs lighter, better mileage, and still super fast.
SH-AWD and 2WD is night and day
@@bromajik5183
How so? I heard the 3.7 burn oil wayyy more than the 3.5 is that true?
@@lokeyborders The SH-AWD has stiffer performance oriented suspension and of course traction is never an issue. Power wise not much difference because AWD version is heavier. Some do burn oil some not so much. I've had two SH-AWD's and both burned about one quart per 2,000 miles once they hit 100,000 mile mark. If it gets too bad you can change pistons and rings (or techically you can just clean them to like new condition - but I would recommend at least new rings) and start all over again with zero oil burn for a while. I drive 1,100 miles a month so it literally only costs me $2 a month in oil vs time and money to do a rebuild.
It will all still burn oil since it's just a honda thing,
I had the opportunity to buy a 2013 with the 6spd manual on Autotrader. The Ad had just gone up and next morning Ad was gone and the car was sold…. They’re near impossible to get, So I bought a 2012 Lexus IS250 6spd manual instead
Anyone knows if this particular year car has paint issues???
No, they fixed the issue with the CBP paint this year. The '09-11 had issues tho. I looked at a '10 6MT with the CBP paint and it had SO much crows feet in the paint all over the damn place.
the grandpa-car-ification of an entire brand
Cool!
is it a dual clutch
Honda/Acura had many buttons on their cars in the 2010s
The explosion of buttons seemed like it was excessive at first, but I miss having buttons for everything. Doing basically anything I could need to do while driving by pressing one button that's always in the same spot was convenient and safe.
The newer dual screen setup with the upper non-touch screen for navigation or Carplay and a lower touchscreen for the HVAC and radio was cumbersome and unintuitive. All it did was take a ton of ugly physical buttons and replace them with a ton of ugly digital buttons that were harder to use.
@@B-rad1 some auto manufactures infotainment system is too complex. They integrate the climate controls in the system. Not everything needs to be in the touch screen
Also, all the 2016-2018 Honda civics have all tjese features of the 2012 acura
It's a great used car for the right price. Especially ones in good condition for under $15,000 .
Would you recommend getting one with 186,383 miles on it for $5000
@@Fyourfeelingz if you had it checked by a mechanic and the motor and trans are working well then Yes.
My mom had one of these, I drove it and it drives nice and the 3.7L V6 is fast however I just can’t get with the design of it, it’s so ugly to me. Which is why I ended up landing on the late model TLXs
Advanced package has better rims
as a Honda driver, Acuras are so ugly
Trippen
@@dizk5283 yeah, have fun drving your acurhonda civcordtegra. ugly ass car, once again.
You need to check the new Acura model lineup cause they look good now
Lmao 🤣
@@marco30599 If you are talking about the 2023 Acura Integra, its a civic. everything about it is literally a civic. even down to the chassis. They are using the same chassis as my civic hatchback.