New Car Overview of the 2005 Acura 3.2TL Near-Luxury Mid-Size Sedan

Acura defines the sleek and chic 3.2TL as a mid-size performance sedan for the near-luxury category. It's capable of performing hard-wrought maneuvers like a sports car, although the contents of a five-place passenger compartment -- with soft leather hides covering the cushy seats and sophisticated electronic controls governing the climate and sound and navigation gear -- portray a conflicting image, one of elegant, even luxurious, motoring.

A new generational design emerged last year representing a significant upgrade with fresh exterior styling evident, a boost in power from a new engine and noteworthy chassis improvements. For 2005, this version continues but with several safety enhancements such as buckles of front seat belts mounted to seat frames.

For strength, Honda's 60-degree, V6 engine runs to 270 points through a close-ratio six-speed manual shifter or electronic automatic five-speed with Sequential SportShift manual mode. Big disc brakes go to all wheels, with ABS and a traction control system (TCS) plus VSA. With the manual gearbox, front ventilated discs bump up to four-piston Brembo calipers.

Xenon HID headlamps are standard, as is a glass moonroof and the cabin trimmed in brushed aluminum accents with perforated leather covering all seats.