2001AcuraTL-SeriesAcura TL-Series2001 Acura 3.2TLSedanSedanFWDMarysville, OHStandard equipment now includes floor mats and an emergency trunk release. No other changes have been made to the hot-selling TL, now in its third model year.Excellent value, comfortable front seats, powerful and efficient engine, SportShift transmission is fun to use.Cheap interior bits, cramped rear seat room, excessive body roll in turns.Acura's torchbearer into the burgeoning near-luxury sedan market is the 3.2TL, and it's pitted against some stiff competition in the form of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti I30, Lexus ES 300, Mercedes C-Class and Volvo S60. Each of these models is well established in the marketplace, which puts the pressure on Acura not only to meet but to exceed what those cars have to offer while simultaneously keeping price in check. The wildly popular TL, with its promise of luxury, performance and value, has had no problem meeting the challenge, racking up more than 100,000 sales during its first two years on the market. It will likely be front and center for 2001 as well, despite its status as a carryover model. Based on a Honda global platform shared by the Accord, the TL's wheelbase is 2 inches longer than its pedestrian sibling. Despite this stretch, the rear seat becomes cramped when a tall driver is at the helm, and there's no underseat room for feet. These are not problems in the Accord. We suspect the Acura's more rakish roofline is the culprit, and while some detractors call the TL dull and uninspired in terms of styling, many of our staffers like its angular, chiseled look. Storage space, unlike rear seat room, is in abundance, including a deep center console and substantial map pockets in the doors. The driver's seat is quite comfortable, although having only the seating surfaces upholstered in leather is disappointing, and the lack of seat height adjustability for the front passenger doesn't win points from our editors. The only engine is a peppy 3.2-liter V6 that utilizes VTEC technology to produce 225 horsepower and 216 foot-pounds of torque, while still getting 19/29 mpg in city/highway driving. The V6 remains strong in every gear, and it can scoot from zero to 60 in under 8 seconds. This puts the TL ahead of much of its competition in the horsepower race, and we can confirm that it definitely gets out of its own way. The standard SportShift automanual transmission is quite user-friendly, thanks to a shift gate located close to the driver and an intuitive shift pattern. The TL offers near-luxury equipment without a hefty price, and you get more than just air conditioning and a smattering of leather on the seats. You snag lots of standard equipment, including a power sunroof, a 180-watt sound system with an in-dash CD player, heated front seats, steering-wheel audio controls, rear heat/air vents, micron air-filtration system, traction control, and four-wheel antilock brakes. A super-simple DVD-based navigation system with a smudge-free touch-screen is the only option, and it includes coverage of the entire continental United States on a single disc. Offering sporty styling and near-luxury features for a price that is well below the class average, the TL continues to deliver both performance and value in an attractive package. Chrysler 300MInfiniti I30Lexus ES 300Lincoln LS450,000450,000450,0005UnlimitedNANANA63.2 litersV6225 hp @ 5600 rpm216 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm192.9 in.70.3 in.55.7 in.3483 lbs.108.1 in.39.9 in.36.8 in.56.2 in.55.7 in.56 in.55 in.42.4 in.35 in.14.3 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested17.2 gal.19 mpg / 29 mpg327 mi. / 499 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$25,738$28,5507.35%$480N/A2% of the Base MSRP3.2 (5A): 3.2L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 105 amp alternator; auto-manual transmission; front-wheel drive, traction control, 4.43 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 17.2 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite high intensity auto off headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 6.5"machined alloy wheels; P205/60VR16 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo, seek-scan feature, cassette player, single-disc CD player, 5 premium speakers, theft deterrent, window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release, remote fuel door release; 2 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, securitysystem; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 4-way power adjustment; rear bench seat with fixed headrests, center pass-thru armrest; front height-adjustable seatbelts; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, simulated wood door panel insert, simulated wood console insert, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; auto-dimmingday/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console with storage, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.