2004 Acura TL

In the sport sedan world, if there's one make that's been a constant target all the others have been gunning for, it's BMW. For a long time, it seemed the Japanese brands were content to go for the luxury buyers, but stayed away from the enthusiasts who coveted the blue and white roundel that sits proudly on the nose of the best from Bavaria. That is until recently. The first bona fide volley fired into the heart of Europe was Infiniti's G35 sedan. With 260 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and the handling and ride to match the best the Germans have to offer—all at a significantly lower price—it has been a stunning success. Now, we have our next challenger, equally impressive and a confirmed competitor—the 2004 Acura TL sedan.

Powerful, sexy and athletic, this Acura turns heads wherever it goes.

We've always been fond of Acura's products. Many forget that it was Acura, not Lexus or Infiniti, that first tested the water as a premium luxury brand of an Asian importer way back in 1986. Acuras have been great cars from the start, perhaps the only negative being, outside of the radical NSX supercar, that Acura seemed content to play things on the conservative side. Everything was always top drawer; the designs, though, seemed a little diluted.


Not any more, however. Starting with the all-new '04 TSX sedan we recently tested and absolutely loved, and now the completely redesigned TL, we're seeing a new, more passionate Acura and, we say, the boys in Bavaria better be worried.


At first glance, the new TL strongly reminds us of those gorgeous Alfa Romeo sedans that have been making hearts swoon in Europe over the past few years. A rakish front end incorporating the traditional Acura five-point grille flows into muscular fender flares, while a tight greenhouse drops off in a stubby rear end with two oversize dual exhaust finishers. Finishing off the look, the TL sits on sporty 5-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels. Powerful, sexy and athletic, this Acura turns heads wherever it goes.


And those heads better turn quickly if they want to catch a glance of the TL, because this baby flies. It starts with a 3.2-liter V-6, which pumps out a very respectable 270 horsepower and 238 lb.-ft. of torque. With Acura's (and Honda's) VTEC Variable Valve Timing you get the benefits of not only strong low-end power but also a thrilling redline rush—made all the more enjoyable by the fact that you get to snick through, should you choose, a 6-speed manual gearbox along the way.