A matter of timing | The Columbus Dispatch

A little more than a year ago, Acura rolled out a redesigned TL sedan, the vehicle that was supposed to invigorate sales and clarify the brand's identity.

[LaMar]

Acura's new "signature" grille is carried to the extreme in the TL. Until the company gets rid of this cartoon-ish identifier for the entire marque, sales will continue to suffer. I own an Acura RL with the more conventional grille. I love the car, but will not buy another Acura until/unless they change the front-end design.

[JSB]

I believe it's not only the economy that affected the TL. The 2009 TL styling falls short of excitement. I owned a 2004 and currently own a 2008 TL but will not purchase another until the design is upgraded to something more distinctive.

[marie]

I agree about the grille. The new grille is exactly why we DIDN'T purchase the new TL. We went with an older model we too will not purchase one of the newer ones with the weird front-end design.

[Anonymous]

It's not a matter of timing, it's a matter of the TL being the most hideous car to be sold since the Pontiac Aztek. Only a mother or a Honda enthusiast could look past the snout to a halfway decent car underneath. Earth to Acura: Bad styling does not get you to Tier 1 luxury status.

[M_Nair]

Honda, you can do better. Get rid of this hideous monster. Hire someone with better design sense.

[Tom E]

I have owned 3 Preludes, a 94 Accord and still own a 04 TL. I was so disappointed when the 09 TL was introduced. I have the money and it is time to replace my 04 TL but with such a poor design I am NEVER going to buy the new design. I am waiting for to Honda correcting its mistake in design or I will move on to another manufacture. Honda did the same to the Prelude. Made it Too Big, too overweight. By the time they fixed it they lost their customers.
Bring back a mature sleek design. The only complimentary look is from the side. Get rid of the tooth. Get rid of the crease in the "Cadillac" rear. Bring back the touch screen. Brink back to the steering feel. Make the interior mature. Electronic steering might be better but not for driving.

[Mike]

I would hope that Acura would see the light and redesign this monstrosity! I own a Honda Accord and after 3 of them I'm ready to move up to the luxury brand. My first choice would naturally be the Acura TSX or TL. I like them both and they both have fine meritorious things about them. The TL makes more sense for me though. LISTEN UP HONDA MOTOR COMPANY/ACURA... There is also Lexus - which by the way has a FAR SUPERIOR Certified Preowned warranty than anyone - including ACURA! The Acura CPO warranty is no better than a Honda actually. I have 61,000 miles on my Accord and am starting my considerations in earnest now as my daughter will, at some point, get my '04 Accord LX. Designers and Managers at Honda/Acura: GET RID OF THAT STUPID UGLY GRILLE! My 17 year old daughter even thinks it is ugly... and for that matter I don't know of anyone that does like it at all. Redesign it to something more pleasing - something like the '08 TL and I'll be looking, but until then, Park Place Lexus in Grapevine, TX will be where I'm shopping for now! That Lexus ES350 is a really fine looking automobile with a great CPO warranty too!