Review: 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD

Time stamps:
0:00 Exterior
1:31 Interior
5:55 Initial impressions
7:34 Acceleration
9:32 Handling and ride
13:44 Fuel economy
14:15 Pricing and competitor comparisons
16:25 Final thoughts

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[TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

Wow a double, first the first generation TLX, and now a 4th generation TL :) Both the TLX and TL are criminally underrated Japanese sport sedans. Sure this TL wasn't the amazing 3rd generation from 2004-2008, but Acura putting their amazing SH-AWD system in the TL finally gave it the amazing driving experience it needed, since the FWD limits showed on the 3rd generation, even if that car didn't really feel like FWD when you started to hustle that around. Also, that amazing 3.7L J37 VTEC V6, you can never get tired of listening to a Honda V6. It's music to my ears. And the fact that this TL has 127, 000 miles and it still looks fairly nice on the inside, and it still drives nice shows that Honda reliability. Very good resale value because of its durability.

[vincestone]

Had one. 276k miles was still running strong. Some drunk driver in my neighborhood crashed into it while I was sleeping. Still miss that car. Interior was soo nice imo (had the tech package). It was manual with grizzly supercharger

[Tanner_Teves]

Underrated car! V6, AWD, can be had with a 6 speed manual, etc.

[connorpoultney]

Thank you for reviewing the older generation of TL as they are my absolute favorite.

[Johnny]

Thank you for the upload. Will watch later. Cool to watch “regular car” videos too

[markf]

I’ve got a 2014 TL with 150K on it. After 10 years, it still drives and feels just as good as it did when I first drove it home from the dealer. That says a lot. I’ve said many times that it’s a very under the radar car that far exceeds everything I expected. It is a GREAT car. My biggest fear is when it’s finally time to replace it, will I like my next car as much after 10 years on the road?

[MrNemo]

Almost bought one back in 2015, went for a G37x ultimately for the RWD feel. Still one of my favorite sedans recommended it to my brother and he bought one later.

[Silver-Canada]

Matt i like your reviews on the older model cars like the early 2000’s

[URSLOME]

Got one of these as my first car 4 years ago with 150k on it, she just passed 190k now still running great. Don’t think I could find a replacement for it without spending 20k+, these are wonderful cars.

[sunshinelolipops]

It's crazy how fast time flies. I remember being a teenager and seeing this car in an Acura showroom, all shiny and new. It was my dream car. I felt like I would never be able to afford one and only super rich people got to have them. Now, it seems like there's only a few of these left for sale and they're all scraped up and high mileage.

[traille]

Thanks for reviewing the TL. Best car I’ve owned. Still loving my 2013 6sp manual SH-AWD, it drives as good as any modern sport sedan.

[shiga]

I had a 2004 TL Manual 6 speed back in 2006, and a 2010 SH-AWD w/ tech. Package back in 2014. Blk/Blk, with the dark gray wheels. Loved that car. Wish I would’ve kept it. Perfect 2nd car to zip around town in.

[badbaddolemike]

Nice. My Mom recently bought one of these a few months ago. Its a 2012 3.7L SHAWD 6MT that had 125, 000mi on the odo when purchased. I was so surprised that she bought a 6MT, because shes almost 70, lol! Im IN LOVE WITH THE CAR! I look for excuses just to drive it. Im VERY surprised by how well the car has held up as a whole. The previous owner had thorough service records, most of which at an Acura dealership. There is 1 bad rattle that occurs in/on the rear package tray when a song with a lot of bass plays(Ill fix it in 2 weeks), but other than that, there are ZERO squeaks or creeks with the chassis, body or rest of the interior. I replaced the pcv valve, cleared the headlight lenses, changed the oil & filter, changed the transfer case fluid, changed the MTF, changed the rear diff fluid, installed Acura logo puddle lights, fixed the roll-top like center console cupholder cover, fixed the rear seat armrest cupholder door, fixed a rear seat headrest release button, repaired a few tears on the inside bolsters of both front seats, replaced 2 interior door pull handles that were scratched, and I installed some interior led footwell lights. Now the car is in almost "like new" condition, lol. I honestly think that its a really good looking car as well; its white btw.

[christiang]

The legacy of these cars is why I bought my most recent! Picked up a 2023 TLX A-Spec SH-AWD this year and after 12K miles so far since March, I LOVE how it drives and acts on the road. First turbo car too. I traded an Accord V6 for it and, in my experience, is THE next step up from my previous car. Looking forward to the next 100K+ miles in this one!

[DoubleO-]

TL is an amazing car… “modern” offerings can’t compete

[atl]

I had an ‘07 TL with the navigation system. Then I got a ‘10 TSX V6 with the Technology package. After that I had a ‘13 TL with the Advance package. From there I got a ‘16 TLX Advance. Currently have a ‘21 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T. Loved all of my Acuras. And I love my current Accord now too. All were great cars.

[starzgonzales]

i have the 2013 4th gen TL base ..amazing daily driver - super reliable with great comfort and legroom, ample power - you cant beat this type of value even with newer car models to date.

[maxwellll]

I look at my 2012 Acura TL SH AWD, and I see that the interior and finishing materials give a head start to many modern sedans. that is, my 2012 actually looks like 2016 or 2017. I want to sell it, but when I watch videos like this I always think: Damn, maybe I don’t need to sell, maybe this is the best thing I can have

[plazmaremixd]

Very nice review! I have this exact car in white with the technology package, it's by far one of the best daily driver cars I've ever driven even among newer cars. I'd never even consider selling mine if it had the manual transmission. The SH-AWD system also does wonders in the snow.

[TheBreakfastLover]

In hindsight, the then-derided Power Plenum front grille isn't so bad compared to some of the grilles BMW's been putting out today.