Acura’s midsize sport sedan, the TL is an amalgam of performance and luxury, with a bias toward driving exhilaration over decadent comfort. This is evident in the vehicle’s firm ride characteristics and its insatiable appetite for corners. TL SH-AWD all about performance Less in question is the TL’s smooth, powerful V6 engine. More horsepower with SH-AWD The base TL 3.5L V6 engine emits 280 hp. The SH-AWD version of Acura’s performance sedan is fitted with a 3.7L VTEC V6 mill that smoothly dispatches 305 hp @ 6,300 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm. As verified by the numbers, this engine loves to rev and that’s where it really finds its legs: post-4,000 rpm the refined mill makes a menacing growl, breaking its own sound barrier. Acceleration is strong and consistent as the six-speed autobox smoothly swaps cogs. Thanks to its SH-AWD traction, there’s no wheelspin allowing power to escape the chore of propelling the vehicle with full vigor. Engage the ‘Sport Mode’ and the transmission adopts a much more aggressive persona. The TL’s shift paddles take sportiness to a level higher. The 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD is a luxury sports sedan that’s oriented toward performance. It provides all the content expected in an upscale ride while also delivering a spirited driving experience. I enjoyed my time behind its responsive wheel but grew to find its firm ride beyond my comfort level. 2012 Honda Civic Si HFP – Awesome City Cruiser Despite my preference for gentler underpinnings, this vehicle supplies a tremendous amount of performance and pleasure for the enthusiast who requires four doors and a realistic rear seat. The TL SH-AWD starts at $43,490, which in the premium market is not unreasonable for such a technology-laden, generously equipped ride. 2012 redesign subtle but significant The new design cues and shaved lines for 2012 may not jump out upon first glance but after comparing the 2012 TL to the 2011, a sleeker, cleaner appearance becomes evident. The amendments up front include shortening the overhang and reworking the grille, headlights and fog lights. Cabin provides fit and function The TL cabin has always resonated with a sense of purpose. From its front seats, which hold occupants snugly in place, to its contoured steering wheel and accompanying shift paddles, the setup is oriented toward performance. Along with plenty of room in the front for long-legged people, the TL provides a comfortable, generous back seat and a large trunk. Regrettably, the rear seat of my tester didn’t fold down to extend trunk capacity into the vehicle’s cabin. I find this limitation annoying. I tend to haul around my road bike fairly often, and fitting it into a trunk absent a fold-down rear seat generally requires me to drop the front and rear wheels of the bike. Despite this cargo shortcoming, the TL is highly rewarding once in motion. Plenty of smooth power My tester was equipped with Acura’s sophisticated SH-AWD system, an acronym for Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive. Sounding perhaps a little too superlative, SH-AWD engages all four wheels to provide improved traction. The “Super Handling” part is in reference to the system’s ability to direct torque to the wheels riding the outside radius of a corner. This exploitation of physics aids in powering the TL around a corner rather than pushing it forward in opposition to cornering forces. Does it make a significant difference to you and me in our daily lives behind the wheel? Yes, depending on one’s penchant for twisty tarmac. Giving the TL SH-AWD a little throttle through a corner definitely keeps it holding a line with impressive control and precision, due in part to the extra propulsion of the outside wheels. It also has a lot to do with the taut underpinnings of the TL, and this is where I take exception. The TL’s ride quality is excessively firm for my taste, in spite of its contribution to excellent handling. I would prefer a suspension calibration that’s less rigid and more absorbent. A driver-adjustable suspension setup would allow for personal preference, but of course, it would likely add to the vehicle’s price tag.