2005 Acura TL Test Drives

2005 Acura TL

Honda changes the metal and adds more pedal. Is the TL a BMW beater now?

Should You Buy This Car?

We mentioned the RL at the top of this story because, according to some Acura dealers, the next RL sedan will get an all-wheel-drive and hybrid option. The hybrid would add 100 horsepower to a 300-hp V-6, boosting overall output into at least the same league as Lexus, while doing so in a more eco-friendly manner. And, hardly incidentally, you'd get something more like 50-50 weight distribution and better handling characteristics with hybrid power sent to the rear wheels.

Maybe such technology will trickle down to the TL eventually, too. That's something we'd like to see, because the TL is about eight-tenths of what it could be. Fun, but not thoroughly involving. Fast, but not in corners. Well-styled (especially on the outside), but not a work of art on the inside.

All of which is boggling. This is a company that comes out with amazingly clever interior packaging jobs in vehicles ranging from the Honda Element to the Acura MDX. Honda can certainly achieve something smarter with the TL. Now it just needs all-wheel drive to keep up with everyone else on the block.