Acura · 1995–2014

Acura TL

The Acura TL is an entry-level luxury sedan that was manufactured by Acura, the luxury division of Honda. It was introduced in 1995 for the 1996 model year, to replace the Acura Vigor and was badged for the Japanese market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber. The TL was Acura's best-selling model until it was outsold by the MDX in 2007. In 2005, it ranked as the second best-selling luxury sedan in the United States behind the BMW 3 Series, but sales decreased after the 2008 model year. Four generations of the Acura TL were produced, with the final generation premiering in 2008 for the 2009 model year, and ending production in 2014, when it was replaced together with the TSX by the TLX.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Honda Vigor · Successor: Acura TLX

All Acura TL data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (UA1–UA3; 1996)

The TL, "Touring Luxury," debuted for the 1996 model year with the 2.5 TL available with the 2.5 L 176 hp (131 kW) SOHC 20-valve 5-cylinder gasoline engine from the Vigor, and the 3.2 TL using the 3.2 L 200 hp (149 kW) SOHC 24v V6 gasoline engine from the second-generation Acura Legend. The model with the 2.0-liter inline-five was not offered in the US market. The debut of the TL signaled Acura's shift from traditional vehicle names to alphanumeric designations; by replacing recognizable names such as "Vigor" and "Legend" with a letter designations, the luxury maker hoped to focus consumer attention on the Acura name. The TL was the first Acura model to adopt the new naming scheme. The 2.5 TL was positioned as the sporty model, with the 3.2 TL focusing more upon a luxurious ride. Moreover, the added power in the 3.2 TL gave it better acceleration. Both gasoline engines were mounted in a front-rear, or longitudinal position. This contrasted with the more typical transverse engine mount style, and was intended to provide better weight distribution and reduce nose dive. The engine mount design resulted in an elongated hood for the first-generation TL, a shorter front overhang and longer wheelbase, fitting for a near-luxury car. The inline-five engine in the 2.5 TL competed with similar five-cylinder engines offered in Audi and Volvo models. The first 1996 Acura TL was manufactured at Sayama, Japan on March 28, 1995. Sales of the 2.5 TL began in early 1995, but the 3.2 TL was delayed until late 1995 because of a U.S.-Japan trade dispute. The U.S. government had threatened to impose 100% tariffs on higher-priced Japanese cars in response a growing U.S.-Japan trade deficit. Ultimately a deal was reached which avoided the tariffs. The first-generation Acura TL had standard fea

Second generation (1999; UA4, UA5)

In 1998, Honda revealed the TL-X concept car, showing a preview of the second-generation TL which would debut in late 1998. The second-generation TL (became known as the 3.2 TL) was derived from the US-market Honda Accord platform. It was available with a newly designed 3.2 L 225 hp (168 kW) SOHC VTEC J32 V6 gasoline engine mated to a four-speed electronic automatic transmission with SportShift. The second-generation 3.2 TL (the 2.5 was dropped) was built in Marysville, Ohio, at Marysville Auto Plant, alongside the Honda Accord. These cars were imported into Japan and sold as the Honda Inspire in the Honda Clio dealer network, and as the Honda Saber in the Honda Verno dealer network. The main difference between the two cars were the front grille; the Inspire and Saber were also available with a 2.5 L Honda J-series V6 exclusive to the Japanese market. The first 1999 Acura TL was assembled on August 4, 1998. The only option on the sedan was a CD-based navigation system. The 1999 TL's navigation system stored the maps in zones; there were 5 different zones for the U.S. Starting with this generation, cabin air filters (also known as pollen filters) located behind the glove compartment were installed as standard equipment. 2000. In the second year of production, the Acura TL was given a few more features, including a 5-speed automatic transmission with SportShift. The added gear allowed for slightly better fuel economy and acceleration when compared to the previous 4-speed automatic transmission with SportShift. With this model, if the driver forgets the 1-2 shift, the computer will take over when in sport mode and do the 1–2 up and down shifts, unlike the 4-speed 1999 model. In many vehicles, the 5-speed automatic transmission was very unreliable: as the third gear clutch

Third generation (UA6/7; 2004)

=== 2004 === In October 2003, the third-generation Acura TL (the 3.2 moniker was dropped) was released for sale in North America. Developed mainly in the United States by a team led by Erik Berkman, with bodywork by American Honda designer Jon Ikeda, the new TL was built in Marysville, Ohio, and was derived from the seventh generation US-market Honda Accord. Starting with this generation, this model was not sold in Japan, with the Honda Inspire instead holding the position of entry-level luxury sedan below the Honda Legend. The Inspire of this era was instead sold as the seventh generation North American-spec Honda Accord. It is powered by a 270 hp (201 kW) – later revised to 258 hp (192 kW) based on the new SAE measurement standard for horsepower – and 233 lb⋅ft (316 N⋅m) of torque, 3.2 L 24 valve SOHC VTEC V6 gasoline engine mated to either a "SportShift" manually controllable 5-speed automatic with or 6-speed manual. Manual transmission models featured Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers, a Torsen-type limited-slip differential, stiffer anti-roll bars front and rear and performance tires at no additional cost. In March 2004, Honda began offering a factory-sanctioned "tuner package" version of the TL called the TL A-SPEC. This version featured a suspension tuned by Makoto Tamamura, an indication of the TL A-SPEC's aggressive engineering. In addition, an underbody kit, spoiler, limited edition A-SPEC steering wheel, "A-SPEC" badge on the back, and 18-inch (460 mm) wheels are standard. When installed at purchase, the car's 4-year/ 50,000 miles (80,000 km) warranty applied to the package as well. The third-generation TL was also the first car in the American market to include a 6-disc DVD-Audio system, output through an 8-speaker 225-watt system, engineered by Panasoni

Fourth generation (UA8 2009, UA9 2009 SH-AWD)

The first fourth-generation Acura TL rolled off the assembly line on September 23, 2008. Debuted for the 2009 model year, the new generation of TL featured a more aggressive interpretation of Acura's latest styling vocabulary, known as "Keen Edge Dynamic." Featured prominently on the front was the controversial "Power Plenum" upper grille. The size of the car was increased slightly, with the wheelbase being stretched 1.4 inches (36 mm) to 109.3 inches (2,780 mm). The car was also 6.2 inches (160 mm) longer overall, 1.8 inches (46 mm) wider and 0.5-inch (13 mm) taller. As a result, rear legroom improved by 1.3 inches (33 mm) and rear shoulder room increased by 0.5-inch (13 mm). Structural rigidity was increased due to the use of high-strength steel in 47.6 percent of the chassis. The base TL was front-wheel drive and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine that makes 280 hp (210 kW) and 254 lb⋅ft (344 N⋅m) of torque, an increase of 22 hp (16 kW) and 21 lb⋅ft (28 N⋅m) over the previous 3.2-liter V6. The new TL SH-AWD ("Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive") was the first TL to have an all-wheel drive system, and replaces the previous TL Type-S. It was given a more powerful 3.7-liter V6 gasoline engine that produces 305 hp (227 kW) and 275 lb⋅ft (373 N⋅m) of torque, an increase of 19 hp (14 kW) and 19 lb⋅ft (26 N⋅m) over the 3.5-liter V6 of the Type-S. Acura originally advertised it as having 307 hp (229 kW), but revised that claim without any explanation after a few months on the market. The 3.7-liter engine also uses VTEC variable-lift timing on both the intake and exhaust valves; the base TL and previous models only applied VTEC to the intake valves. SH-AWD ("Super Handling" All Wheel Drive) is a multi-vectoring all wheel drive system designed more for performance than f

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Acura TL

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

1995–2014

Model years

1996–2014

Body style

4-door sedan

Class

Entry-level luxury car

Predecessor

Acura Vigor

Successor

Acura TLX

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q344824CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_TLCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371028267 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1999-2001_Acura_TL_--_03-20-2012.JPGPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://web.archive.org/web/20031001233452/http://www.acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=tlLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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