In what seems like a desperate move, Acura toned down the styling of its TL SH-AWD in a model update just two years after the last major change. Although the engine remains unchanged, Acura adds a six-speed automatic transmission and some new cabin tech features.
The car's grille piece assumes less prominence than on the previous version, and the lines around the front are generally more subtle. The profile of the car is typical for this class of sedan, with a nicely curved roof flowing back toward the trunk lip.
The SH-AWD stands for Super Handling All Wheel Drive, an Acura technology that moves torque dynamically between the front and rear wheels, and across the rear axle to aid in cornering.
The interior of the TL SH-AWD feels lush, with thick leather on the seats and quality materials around the cabin. Acura's cabin tech interface is a little busy, though, with an abundance of buttons.
Acura uses an electric power-steering unit for the TL SH-AWD, which helps fuel efficiency. The tuning allows for a little play, making for easy cruising on the highway.
Bluetooth audio is one of the many sources available for the stereo. Limited by compatibility and the Bluetooth profile, this interface merely lets you play and pause the audio stream.
The ELS audio system produces excellent sound quality, and includes a very useful array of controls to fine tune it. Along with bass and treble, there are also controls for the subwoofer and center channel levels.
