Honda is one of the few automakers left that still sprinkle manual transmission options throughout its lineup, with the 2010 Acura TL being the latest offering from the Japanese automaker's upscale arm to get a shift-for-yourself six speed.
Its presence in the TL and absence from the TSX V-6 are explained by five letters and a dash: SH-AWD, the acronym Acura uses for its all-wheel drive system. SH-AWD-fitted TL's get a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 instead of the 280-hp, 3.5-liter unit found in the front-drive TSX. It's a transmission that was designed specifically for the TL's engine and AWD combination. If you want a manual with your TSX, you can only get one mated to its base 2.4-liter four engine.
2010 Acura Tl Sh Awd Rear Three Quarters Driver
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When Detroit Editor Todd Lassa drove a pre-production model of the six-speed manual TL in September of 2008, its future was still somewhat in doubt due in large part to the low take rate on manual transmissions. Acura expected only 5% of buyers to opt for the manual, which would amount to less than 1700 cars based on the TL's 2009 sales. But Acura stuck with it, becoming just the third automaker to offer a manual transmission, all-wheel drive combination in its segment, joining the Audi A4 and BMW 335i xDrive, though the A4 is not currently offered with a six-cylinder engine.
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