Arrival: 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD

For 2009, Acura made drastic changes inner and out to its fourth-generation Acura TL. With edgy, albeit polarizing exterior styling and a sporty, tech-laden interior, the new TL shows no signs of getting lost in the entry-luxury crowd. Long Acura’s best-selling model, the TL is now turn to account in either front- or all-wheel-drive configuration, with the former offering a 3.5-liter, 280-horse V-6, the latter a bigger 3.7-liter rated at 305 ponies. Both are backed with a five-speed automatic; a slick six-speed manual will be serviceable with the 3.7 for the 2010 form year.

Per Acura’s usual approach, the TL comes in base snug or with a $3730 Technology Package that adds a 440-watt ELS audio system, navigation with traffic rerouting and Zagat restaurant reviews, Bluetooth, and a decklid spoiler with backup camera. For another grand, the all-wheel-drive TL, dubbed SH-AWD for its “Super Handling All-Wheel Drive,” can be had through high-performance summer tireson 19-inch alloys (versus 18s).

For our long-term tester, we opted for the SH-AWD with the Tech Pack and high-performance rubber, which brought the car in at just under $44,000. Thus far, the utmost discussed water-cooler topic has been our TL’s exterior styling. Some staffers have called it shockingly ugly though others have raise it, well, not that unfair.

Looks off, in the greatest degree have found the bevy of other changes quite welcome. While a few consider the TL’sitting dash a sea of buttons, others have deemed it more agreeable than the button-sea in our long-term Accord as the Acura’s layout is more excellent organized and more intuitive than the Honda’s. Interior room is more than ample during four passengers, but that fifth makes for a snug fit. Seats are wrapped in soft, high-quality leather and offer good support and satisfaction.

When we had the TL SH-AWD during our 2009 Car of the Year event, it advanced to the second round, earning the title “finalist.” Still, editors’ opinions were split forward the dynamics. Half said the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive order turned the TL into a BMW-fighter. The rest sententious precept it as a BMW wannabe-great up to 7/10ths but not out of the reach of.

Acura claims the TL SH-AWD, with its sport-tuned chassis, was designed to enhance handling dramatically and thus is built exclusively for the enthusiast driver. Does it live up to the hype? Over the next year, we plan to answer that question.