ACURA TL 1995-1998 Photos, engines & full specs

In 1996, Honda decided to change the naming system for the Acura brand, and the first model that received the new alphanumeric designation system was the TL.

Acura TL came on the market to replace the previous Acura Vigor, and it aimed at the Infiniti i30 and the Lexus ES, but with a sport-oriented platform. Nevertheless, it was nothing short in features and amenities like its main competitors. Still, it didn't offer the same luxury feeling and image as those two.

The design language was carried over from the larger model Legend but in a shorter package. Its front fascia featured horizontal headlights with corner-mounted parking lights and blinkers. At the same time, the turn signals were doubled on the lower side of the bumper. Its narrow grille was encircled by a chromed trim, trying to create an upscale image for the car. Unusually for this car segment, the TL featured frameless windows.

Inside, the TL was larger than the Vigor it replaced but still didn't offer enough room for three adults on the rear seats. The wood trims matched the classy Acura instrument cluster, but some of the materials used didn't match those offered by Lexus in the ES 300. And yet, thanks to the sportier, bolstered seats, younger customers were attracted more by this TL.

The TL featured a longitudinally-mounted engine layout like the Legend, leading to a shorter front overhang and a better weight distribution. The base version featured a 2.5-liter inline-five, marketed as the sportier version, while the 3.2-liter V6 was promoted as a more luxurious vehicle. Unfortunately, both lacked the sporty feel due to the four-speed automatic gearbox, which was the only transmission available.