Acura TL (4th Gen)
09-14 · Acura TL
Honda Accord mechanicals with an Acura interior, priced below European alternatives.
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
The Acura TL shares its platform, engines (J35 V6 or J37 V6), and basic architecture with the Honda Accord V6. Acura adds premium interior materials, SH-AWD torque vectoring on the 3.7L variant, and slightly more refined tuning.
Why it's on this list
Honda V6 reliability at Acura pricing. The J35 and J37 engines are proven to 200k+ miles. SH-AWD is genuinely effective for handling. Annual maintenance ($501/yr) is Honda-level, not European-luxury-level.
The honest trade-offs
Requires premium fuel ($2,000+/yr). The SH-AWD system adds complexity. Budget for rear differential service every 30k miles. The 2009-2010 base TL had front-wheel-drive torque steer issues with the 3.5L.
What to buy and what to avoid
2012-2014 SH-AWD with the 3.7L, the most refined version. The base 3.5L FWD is less expensive but has notable torque steer under hard acceleration. Verify the transmission fluid has been changed regularly.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile
Looking to buy a Acura TL?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
Modernize this car
CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
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