Entered CNET Catalog: 02/25/2006
SKU: 100655175
Manufacturer: Acura
Product summary
The good: The 2006 Acura TL comes nicely tech equipped, with touch-screen navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, DVD-audio surround sound, and voice control for the lot.
The bad: Some of the 2006 Acura TL's features, such as Bluetooth and the audio system, aren't fully realized, and some kind of auxiliary input is noticeably absent.
The bottom line: The 2006 Acura TL is the measure of its class rivals in terms of features and value, but it's somewhat uninspiring in looks and performance.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 03/08/2006
Materials and hues inside work harmoniously, creating a feeling of comfort, if not quite luxury. The exterior styling of the 2006 Acura TL left us somewhat cold in contrast, looking quite derivative and bland, like sort of a softer, reclining Audi A4. This flat impression was probably made worse by our car's pearlescent-white paint.
Power is plentiful and the ride is smooth, with minimal jouncing and good shock absorption over rough surfaces. However, the overall driving experience isn't exciting in any way, making the 2006 Acura TL memorable more for its gizmos than being especially fun to drive.
With an as-tested list price of $35,940, the 2006 Acura TL certainly represents solid value with its level of electronic sophistication and typically solid Honda build quality. Tech fans will find a lot to like here, but there are some minor shortcomings as well.
The 2006 Acura TL surrounds occupants in neutral tones--in our test car's case, beige leather offset with real wood and brushed-aluminum accents on the console. Seating is comfortable, with four-way power adjustment for the front passenger and eight-way, including lumbar, for the driver. Controls and gauges are refreshingly large and legible. The speedometer and the tach are proper analog instruments, backlit blue even with the headlights off, and share the main dashboard binnacle with a fuel and temperature dial. This gauge also houses a digital display for warnings, trip computations, and status messages.The center stack of the 2006 Acura TL houses the main tech interface: a large touch screen displaying audio and (optional) navigation information. The screen's low resolution and blocky text are perhaps a trade-off for touch sensitivity but one that pays dividends in ease of use. Programming destinations is simple with an onscreen keyboard, which can be set to an alphabetical or a QWERTY layout. A joystick-button control can also be used, but we found this method tedious in comparison, with our usual complaint of difficulty pressing the button without moving the joystick.
Routes are plotted quickly, with a choice of alternatives to select from in some cases. Zooming is relatively smooth, but no bird's-eye view is available. Voice instructions for upcoming turns are helpful and well timed, but the lack of a text-to-voice function makes all streets "the road," as in "follow the road for 2.4 miles." The real-time traffic-integration feature that comes with the pricier RL is not offered in the 2006 Acura TL, unfortunately.
Beyond steering-wheel switches, good, old-fashioned, round radio knobs, and dedicated buttons surrounding the screen, control redundancy extends to voice activation for most major interior systems. Nearly 300 commands are in the system's vocabulary, including responses to what time it is, as well as queries about the nearest restaurants by cuisine (yes, just like in the commercial).
When paired with a Bluetooth phone, easily accomplished by responding vocally to a series of voice prompts, the system can also call points of interest, for which it has phone numbers in its database. Bluetooth operation was very smooth overall with every phone we tried, and while no phone-book information is transferred, the 2006 Acura TL can store 50 names and numbers itself for later voice retrieval. Voice dialing, digit by digit, worked similarly well. The system can pair with up to six phones.
We weren't totally enamored with all of the 2006 Acura TL's electronics, however. Most notably, the stereo left us wanting deeper sound. The ELS surround-sound system with its eight speakers and DVD-audio capability looks better on paper than it sounds in the car. Adjusting the directional surround controls on the main screen was effective, but we never felt as if we heard the sweet spot.
On the upside, XM Satellite Radio is standard on the 2006 Acura TL, as on some other Hondas, including the first 90 days of service. Basic satellite prep on many other manufacturers' options lists runs more than $500. But we couldn't find an XM channel-overview menu of any kind, forcing us to surf blindly by category or by channel; there was a printed lineup card in the glove box, however.
We continue to question the need for two voice-control activation buttons--one for the phone and one for everything else. And we continue to really wonder about the inclusion of cassette decks in otherwise tech-laden cars that don't offer auxiliary inputs for MP3 players. A tape slot may be a cheap universal input of sorts, but a simple line-in jack would be even cheaper and would remove the last vestige of the '80s from our cars. (An iPod adaptor is available as an option.)
The 2006 Acura TL is powered by a 258-horsepower, aluminum-alloy V-6 displacing 3.2 liters. A six-speed manual is standard; our test car's five-speed automatic is a no-cost option. The automatic has a SportShift mode for sequential manual control, as well as the handy Grade Logic Control we encountered in the Honda Element we tested previously. This feature engine-brakes a bit on downhills rather than purely coasting and holds gears longer while climbing.Using Honda's pioneering (in the 1989 Acura Integra) VTEC variable valve timing in conjunction with a dual-stage intake manifold, the 2006 Acura TL manages to return both good EPA fuel economy ratings (20mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway) and ULEV-2 emissions status along with its ample power. The engine revs freely and stops just short of overwhelming the front wheels to the point of intrusive torque steer.
The 2006 Acura TL is pleasing to drive but in the sort of disconnected way we're used to from most modern Japanese vehicles. Turn-in is crisp, and handling remains neutral under normal conditions, but the TL never seems to want to go faster, the way some of its competitors do. Acura's vehicle-stability assist (VSA) works with traction control to modulate brakes and engine output when necessary to maintain grip and direction. VSA can be killed with a switch to the left of the steering column.
The 2006 Acura TL offers a solid roster of safety features, both electronic and physical. Both front occupants get front dual-stage, side, and side-curtain air bags. Side-impact door beams provide rigidity and protection as part of Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering overall energy-dissipation concept.Antilock brakes are of course standard on the 2006 Acura TL, working with the VSA system, with electronic brake-force distribution applying added force in panic stops. A tire-pressure monitor is accessible through the main interior screen. High-intensity-discharge xenon headlights keep the road illuminated at night.
Acura's new-vehicle warranty covers the first four years/50,000 miles of ownership, including Total Luxury Care roadside assistance and concierge service for that duration. Power train coverage runs to six years/70,000 miles. The first scheduled engine tune-up for the 2006 Acura TL occurs at 100,000 miles.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25out of 25 user reviews
Fantastic car for the moola-- IF you buy used!!!!
Pros: I've only just got my car a couple weeks ago-- but I absolutely LOVE IT!!!! I have no regrets!! After bouncing back and forth between the TSX and TL models, I decided on a "grown-up" car that engolfed luxury and sport. This hit the spot!
Cons: The ONLY con I've found so far are the doors. They swing out harder than my older Honda Accord- so I have to make sure to be careful when I'm parked next to another vehicle. I also have to remind my 12 yr old to watch it!
out of 25 user reviews
Absolutely love this car
Pros: easy ride, lots of bells and whistles
Cons: turning radius could be improved
out of 25 user reviews
Exceeded my expectations
Pros: Nice interior / awesome radio sound / great accel.
Cons: A litte bit noisy in the cabin / no radio inputs for MP3 or other accessories
This car is a keeper!!
out of 25 user reviews
Solid on all levels.
Pros: Good gas mileage, top -notch interior, good reliability, bargain price
Cons: No auto headlights, last years voice recognition
I don't know what the CNET review is talking about when they say the car is "lackluster" in looks. I love the sharp wesge shape. This car offers so much in the class. Nothing else I drove came close to this value content.
out of 25 user reviews
Not the best but good performance, cabin, and equipment
Pros: Cabin layout, control access, visibility, braking, engine performance and handling for a front-wheel drive
Cons: Rough shifts on auto transmission, lack of built-in MP3, poor bluetooth compatibility
out of 25 user reviews
If you like your New TL, wait a while for transmission trouble!
Pros: Great interior, very luxurious feel, solid stance on road
Cons: Automatic Transmission is very unstable
I now have 7,800 miles on the vehicle, and it continues to do the same thing, getting stuck in second gear. Once this occurred while I was trying to merge next to a fuel hauling semi-truck. I was left with no choice but to swerve onto the gravel shoulder of the highway. I am very disappointed with the vehicle, and Acura's response has been one out of CYA. They just say there is nothing wrong so the trouble plagued transmission stigma of models past does not pop up again.
Save your money. Buy a more reliable Honda Accord.
out of 25 user reviews
Good Car, Fun to drive, Up scale Accord
Pros: The tech in this car is great. Easy to setup bluetooth handfree. The navigation is easy too use with a large screen.
Cons: Make little noises in side the car. Fuel economy is avg. Apple Ipod add on is very confussing and at $400, not worth it. No door guards.
out of 25 user reviews
Shame on Acura!!
Pros: Navigation Systerm
Cons: Everything Else!!
You would think that after going back 10 times for problems with the car that Acura would just take it back and admit it's piece of crap and replace it... but no, they still dont think that there's anything wrong with it.
I will never ever purchase another Honda/Acura product, and I strongly urge all of you to really think about purchasing a TL before you do it. It's not worth it!!!
I would recommend that you save up a little more money, and invest in an Infiniti G35 or a BMW 3-series. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to contact me at: ClairAcuraSucks@gmail.com
out of 25 user reviews
Absolutely great car and the car of my dreams
Pros: Exterior Style, Interior Style, Power, Gas Mileage, Features, Value, Handling
Cons: Interior quality
I get great gas mileage, usually 30 MPG, mostly highway. A couple of times I got 37 MPG on the highway. The handling is also impressive.
I have a few problems with the interior. There are lots of queaks and the dash turned ash-white. I've took the car to the dealer for the queaks but they persist. I found a Acura bulletin on how to treat the dash. It's also difficult to keep the parchment interior clean. They didn't offer grey interior with Redondo red.
I'm a big Honda fan. I have a 95 Accord with 325K miles, same engine and transmission. I look forward to every time I drive either car!
out of 25 user reviews
Great Car, fun to drive
Pros: voice prompted navigation, 5.1 dolby audio, great voice recognition, great accelleration
Cons: side doors prone to vibrations(triggered by subwoofer), gas mileage and turning radius should be better
Doesn't have the best driver view when backing up, Acura engineers may have been aware of this, because it has auto side tilt down mirrors when you shift into reverse for you to see better. The auto maintenance warning lights such as oil life, tire presser, and mileage range come in really helpfull. The accelleration is great when you need to pull out into fast moving traffick.
Note, one thing I hadn't considered before buying was the premium gas requirement, manual requires 91 octane or higher. I'm currently averaging 22MPG thats about half highway.
Overall it's blast to drive, and am very happy with my purchase. For the price, in my opinion there's nothing better.
out of 25 user reviews
Excellent car, incredible value
Pros: Interior/exterior styling/quality, features for the price
Cons: Slight torque steer
out of 25 user reviews
Best in class!
Pros: Nav system, handling, control layout, incredible sound system, attractive styling, bargain price in class, reliable brand quality.
Cons: Could get better gas mileage, needs auto headlights, rain sensing wipers, live-time fuel, and a back-up camera option would be nice.
The TL is by far the best value in class. It handles better that most rear-wheel drive cars, keeps up or beats most in its class in acceleration, and no matter what Cnet says, has highly attractive styling that stands out in a very crowded class.
Drive this car before you buy anything in the sub $40k class.
out of 25 user reviews
Good balance between performance and comfort.
Pros: Quietness, comfort, audio and mileage.
Cons: Has a cassette player. IPOD adapter is $400.00 + option
Many reviews insist on comparing the TL to the BMW 3 Series and Lexus ES330. I have test driven both and found them to be excellent vehicles. The TL, however, seems to have quite a nitch market. It's not as cushy as a Lexus and not as firm as a BMW. The handling is a comfortable blend between the two. I drive approximately 40-50k miles per year and the TL is as comfortable as I need, yet handles very well when I hit some of those twisty back roads. The blue tooth and voice activated control are great safety features. As an "audio nut", the 5.1 DVD, CD and XM radio (forget the commercial laden FM and lousy sound of AM) makes my trips a pleasure. While I'm not too concerned about 0-60 times, it's nice to be able get on the freeway when you see someone speeding up in an attempt not to let you on. These are typically SUV drivers who end up with a view of the rear of my TL.
After 6 fill ups, I have averaged an overall 25 mpg. Not bad for a car with this kind of power. My driving is very close to 50% freeway and 50% city.
The ride is comfortable on long trips. I recently drove 500 miles in one day and was not fatiqued.
The navigation system, while not perfect, has already saved me valuable time from being lost using Microsoft Streets and Trips. On two occasions, the NAV system brought me to the correct street, but it announced I was at my destination about 1/4 mile before I was actually there. And if you're out in the boonies, good luck. Overall, the NAV system IS great.
On the down side, the IPOD integration is an option costing over $400.00. It would be better to include MP3 integration for any MP3 player, instead of the antiquated cassette player. Body side moulding should be standard so I don't have to park so far out. I'll have to add that later. There is no lock cyliner for the trunk so you have to use the remote key fob or interior remote. I carry all my investigation equipment in the trunk. Unfortunately (not Acura's fault) XM radio has some obnoxious DJs who seem to think we want to hear them babble during the intro or extro to a song. This is insulting. While the audio sounds great, it needs to be louder.
Overall, the car strikes a great balance between performance, comfort, safety and audio quality. The most bang for the buck!
I forgot to add that the DVD player only reads DVD-A. It does not read DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW. I'm not sure if this is due to copyright paranoia or just an oversight. As an amature musician, I can make my own 5.1 DVD audio on my computer, but can't play it in my car--major bummer. I'm not sure if I can make my own 5.1 CD. I'll haver to check.
I forgot to add that the DVD player only reads DVD-A. It does not read DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW. I'm not sure if this is due to copyright paranoia or just an oversight. As an amature musician, I can make my own 5.1 DVD audio on my computer, but can't play it in my car--major bummer. You could also put several CD's on one DVD. I'm not sure if I can make my own 5.1 CD. I'll have to check.
out of 25 user reviews
Too much for any one person to use
Pros: Stunning looks, incredible performance, unbeatable value
Cons: Almost too many things to enjoy; navigation DVD is good for roads, but needs update for POI in my area.
I am still in love with this car. The Brembo brakes have come in handy more than once, and I have no problem keeping Mustangs in my rear-view. On a recent trip up the east coast, I was able to average 33 MPG highway cruising in 6th gear, getting from Richmond VA to Philadelphia on less than a half a tank of premium gas. I've had it out in the rain a few times, and the Michelin tires have performed flawlessly, even over wet leaves and gravel. I have not had one problem or quirk with any of the electronics, and I don't think I ever will. Handsfree calls on the Bluetooth link are crystal clear, most people don't know I'm in my car until they hear the engine RPM's start to climb. Maintenence so far has been an oil change and a tire rotation.
Acura/Alpine need to do a better job of the DVD Navigation database - there are a lot of points of interest that show up as results, but do not exist anymore.
I've also had the system have trouble pin-pointing my location on a street if a parallel street was too close; my guess is that the GPS accuracy is not as dependable as I thought.
The weather is getting colder, so I'll make sure to do a winter/snow update soon.
So we've had some rough winter weather in Northern VA, and I've got mixed reviews. Good things: Front wheel drive, traction control.
Bad: All-season tires are more like 3-season tires.
If I could do it all over again, I'd have opted for the high-performance summer tires, and bought some Bridgestone winter tires for the 2 months we get snow/sleet/ice.
Also, does anyone else find it impossible to find DVD-audio discs? The knowledgeable people at BestBuy had no idea what I was talking about.
out of 25 user reviews
Higher Price Than Accord For Bluetooth, HID and Wood
Pros: Styling, Styling, Styling
Cons: Small Rear Seats
If you added HID, wood trim, 14 more hp and integrated Bluetooth to the Accord, you would have essentially the same car. These Adding these will cost less than $1,200.00 USD.
However, I strongly feel the Acura's styling is superior to the Accord. If you want to look cool and have an "A" on your grille instead of an "H", than opt for the Acura.
out of 25 user reviews
What's not to like?
Pros: rich interior, nav, sound, bluetooth
Cons: too many people have caught on!
out of 25 user reviews
I'm on my second TL, and loving it! I'll give it 9 out of 10.
Pros: Power, suspension, electronics
Cons: No Sport Package
out of 25 user reviews
Outstanding!
Pros: Integrated entertainment, climate control and nav systems
Cons: Short lived hi performance tires
out of 25 user reviews
Outstanding
Pros: Tight, luxurious, reliable
Cons: Sound system
out of 25 user reviews
Great car - except for chronic transmission problems!
Pros: Excellent features and options
Cons: Transmission
However there is a major chronic problem with the TL... the transmission! I had a friend who bought one a few years ago and his transmission completely failed. Acura replaced the entire transmission with a new one. Guess what? I am currently having the exact same problem with my '06. I thought Acura had this problem solved. I expected more from Acura and I am very disappointed.
out of 25 user reviews
Good technology and smooth ride
Pros: Technology, Ride, Brakes
Cons: Transmission, Back Seats, Power, Pricey
However anyone who is considering this car should know that the TL model has had plenty of automatic transmission issues in the past and hopefully this won't be yet another model year with transmission issues. Good thing for the warranty (I plan on trading in the car when the warranty expires so I'm not that worried about the transmission issues aside from the hassles of getting the repairs done). Power, compared to my previous car, is a little on the low side but very acceptable for a 4-door sedan.
Back Seats - well, don't expect to fit anyone average to large in the back seats comfortably without adjusting the front seats all the way forward. In fact, I think Acura should just give in and make this a 2-door coupe because the back seats are kind of a joke. If I had a family, I would not have bought the TL because of this. I use the back seats to store my umbrella, books, and sometimes groceries if I'm too lazy to use the trunk.
Price - Ok, I understand that the TL offers a lot for the price. However, $35k is still high for a mid-level 4-door sedan. Just my opinion. Like I said, like the technology and the smoothness of the ride so I convinced myself that $35k was worth it.
Please, please let the transmission last through the warranty!
out of 25 user reviews
If the G35 had the technology, I would have bought it instead
Pros: great technology package, good power, nice looking interior
Cons: interior rattles, only fair handling
All in all, it's a great sales persons car, just wish I didn't like corners so much.
out of 25 user reviews
Sweet Car, Even better value for money, nothing matches it.
Pros: Japanese Reliabilty,Tons of Power, Simple to use Navigation, Amazing Sounds System and bass, Xenon Headlights completely light up the road, great rear leg room, bluetooth, accurate voice controls.
Cons: Not great mileage. No RDS or ID3 tags
out of 25 user reviews
Nothing better for the money
Pros: It comes with everything. It picks up where BMW left off.
Cons: A large American male body might feel a little cramped.
Having driven BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Lexus I would say that the Acura is by far the best car for the money. With all the options taken into account the next car in line is a good $10k more expensive.
out of 25 user reviews
Not much for the money.
Pros: Style, comfort, technology
Cons: Price, performance, technology
Acura is known for shoving as much techology and electronic components as they possibly can into their cars. This is a double-edged sword. Some technology features add value such as the climate control system and GPS navigation. However, other technology is nothing more than an extra expense you don't need - but are forced to pay for (Acura doesn't let you remove options you don't want to purchase). For example, who needs a voice activated radio tuner? I tested this feature and it was a huge hassle tuning to the correct station because the system kept misunderstanding me. It's much easier to just push a memory button. This car is jam-packed with frivolous electronics you will either never use or find annoying. In addition, with so many electronic components, something is sure to go wrong at some point. The more you add, the more potential for trouble.
You can find better value and performance elsewhere. I gave it an average rating. If Acura dropped the price by about $7,500 I'd give it an above-average rating.
