Review and specifications
2012 Acura TL
Good at almost everything, the 2004-2008 TL proved to be a tough act to follow and the second-generation TL fell short of the task. Although a fine car overall, it didn't stand out. The cabin is well finished, but road noise intrudes and the dash is cluttered with buttons. The front seats are comfortable, but the rear is cramped. Our tested FWD, 3.5-liter V6 returned 24 mpg overall with the six-speed automatic. While it has taut handling and a compliant, if somewhat firm ride, we found the steering vague and lacking feedback. AWD was available with the 3.7-liter V6.
- Market value
- $8,413
- Fuel
- Conventional
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Seats
- 5
At a glance
Model data
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- sedan
- Drive type
- AWD
- Transmission
- Automatic, 6-speed
- Category
- Luxury midsized cars
- Generation began
- 2009
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $8,413
- Retail value range
- $7,550 - $8,775
- Original MSRP range
- $35,705 - $45,185
- Trade-in range
- $4,235 - $5,380
Ratings
- Road test score
- 79/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 4/5
- Would buy again
- 78%
- Reliability
- 3/5
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 20 MPG
- EPA highway
- 29 MPG
- EPA combined
- 23 MPG
- Tested city
- 16 MPG
- Tested highway
- 35 MPG
- Tested overall
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,035
- Cruising range
- 440 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 2.9 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 6.8 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 131 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 52 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 194 in
- Width
- 74 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 109 in
- Weight
- 3,695 lb
- Maximum load
- 850 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 3.5 in
- Front leg room
- 42 in
- Rear head room
- 3 in
- Rear leg room
- 28.5 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Driving
- 5/5
- Styling
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 5/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 5/10
- SmartWay
- No
Brand context
About Acura
Most Acuras are more luxurious and higher-priced versions of vehicles made by Honda, its parent company, similar to Lexus and Toyota or Infiniti and Nissan. In Acura’s case, the formula usually works well. Its sedans and SUVs have earned Consumer Reports’ recommendations for cabin comfort, handling, above-average reliability, and engines with smooth power delivery. Like Honda, Acura’s lineup is mainly SUVs, but includes some sedans. The Integra is an upgraded version of the Honda Civic, and competes with the most affordable vehicles from manufacturers like Audi and BMW. The TLX is similar, but slightly larger and more expensive. Acura’s SUVs range from midsized and three-row down to compact and two-row. Across the lineup, fuel economy is usually average. Despite Honda’s success with the technology, Acura sells no hybrids. For both new and used, reliability can vary between models, but the better options often near the top of our rankings.
Vehicle ID: 2628 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: December 4, 2025
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
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