In the mid-1990s, Acura decided that model names were detrimental to brand building, so after a decade selling luxury-themed vehicles in the U.S. the company began to replace nameplates with alphanumerics. The Legend became the 3.5RL, the Integra became…well, it remained the Integra for a while longer, and the Vigor became the TL. That original TL contained a longitudinally-mounted, 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine or a 3.2-liter V-6 engine, hence the 2.5TL and 3.2TL nomenclature affixed to its decklid. Because the base engine needed plenty of room, the TL adopted long hood, short deck proportions even though it was front-wheel drive, creating an unusual appearance while simultaneously cropping rear seat leg room.

The second-generation TL was placed on the Honda Accord platform for 1999, and though it lost some of the unique character of the previous model, consumers found it more palatable and sales took off. A performance model called the Type S arrived mid-cycle, and when the angular third-generation model debuted for 2004, Acura ditched the numeric portion of the alphanumeric nameplate and simply labeled its best-seller the TL.

For 2009, the fourth-generation Acura TL arrives. Bigger, wider, and roomier than ever, the TL is now almost the same size as Acura’s flagship RL model. It has also sparked controversy with its design, the defining element of which is a “power plenum” grille, finished to resemble platinum and wrapping up over the leading edge of the aluminum hood.

Here is a summary of changes to the 2009 Acura TL:
• Completely redesigned, inside and out
• Six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, and half an inch taller
• More leg and shoulder room for rear passengers
• Electric power steering on both models
• New SH-AWD model with more horsepower, all-wheel drive
• New Sequential SportShift transmission
• New Acura/ELS Surround audio system is optional
• Optional audio system has hard disk drive that stores up to 2,500 songs
• Available AcuraLink real-time weather with radar maps
• Available Keyless Access System with push-button ignition
• Available 19-inch wheels on SH-AWD
• Available navigation with 8-inch, full VGA, high resolution screen
• Available Milano premium leather upholstery
• Five new colors for 2009: Basque Red, Borealis Blue, Crystal Black, Grigio, and Palladium.

The 2009 Acura TL is available in standard or SH-AWD trim. The standard model is equipped with front-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, as well as the usual comforts and conveniences found on an entry-luxury vehicle. The TL SH-AWD is a performance-oriented model, equipped with a more powerful 3.7-liter V-6 engine and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, which can deliver as much as 70 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels and, when cornering, divert all of the that power to the outside rear wheel to create what Acura calls “a yaw moment” for quicker turn in, improved handling balance, and less understeer. Additionally, the TL SH-AWD is equipped with performance-oriented suspension tuning, upgraded brakes with cooling ducts, larger wheels and tires, Hill Start Assist, and specially-tuned electric power steering. Special perforated Milano leather with French seams is also included on the TL SH-AWD version’s unique sport seats, and the SH-AWD includes quad exhaust finisher trim.

Each TL model can be equipped with an optional Technology Package in 2009. The Technology Package includes a premium Acura/ELS audio system with Dolby ProLogic II surround sound, 440 watts of power, 10 speakers, a 12.7 gigabyte hard disk drive for storage of up to 2,500 songs, and compatibility with DVD-A, WMA and MP3 media formats. The Technology Package also includes a navigation system with an integrated reversing camera, voice recognition, traffic re-routing capability, and Zagat restaurant ratings. AcuraLink is also included in this option package, providing real-time traffic and weather reports, the latter displayed on the TL’s eight-inch VGA high-resolution screen with Doppler-style radar maps. Finally, the Technology Package adds a Keyless Access System with pushbutton ignition, a GPS-linked solar sensing climate control system, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink phone book exchange capability, an Automated Appointments feature that automatically contacts and Acura dealer to set a service date, and a rear decklid spoiler. When this package is added to the standard TL, it also includes higher quality Milano perforated leather upholstery.

The 2009 Acura TL is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine driving the front wheels, making 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. The 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD is equipped with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine driving all four wheels, making 305 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. Each engine is connected to a five-speed automatic equipped with Sequential Sport Shift and paddle shifters. Fuel economy ratings are 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway for the standard Acura TL and 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the TL SH-AWD. Our review vehicle, a TL SH-AWD, averaged 19.6 mpg in mixed driving.

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Acura TL includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side-curtain airbags for front and rear seat occupants. Additionally, the TL comes standard with four-wheel-disc ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, stability control, and traction control. Bluetooth wireless cell phone connectivity is standard, a reversing camera is available in the optional Technology Package, and the TL SH-AWD comes standard with all-wheel drive. Notably, the 2009 Acura TL is last model in the luxury automaker’s lineup to receive Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE), which intends to better dissipate crash energy in a severe frontal impact by distributing the energy throughout the vehicle’s body structure while maintaining the integrity of the passenger compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Acura TL competes against other entry premium cars such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Lexus IS, Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Volvo S60.