All-wheel drive and performance describe Acura TL and 2010 Honda Civic
Posted Mar 4, 2010 By Brian Turner
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Tweet ThisEMC Lifestyle - Acura TL designers and engineers may not have had Canada in mind when they put the finishing touches on the SH-AWD model, but driving down snow-covered back roads recently with heavy winds and drifts threatening even the most surefooted rubber-footed beast on the blacktop, it certainly seemed like it. The 2010 TL is the second year of the fourth generation of this popular sports sedan and the first time it has been offered with Acura's patented Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). My tester was fitted with the six-speed manual transmission, another first for the TL as no other Acura yet has combined SH-AWD with a standard shifter. What makes this drive system unique, is what has it's European competitors losing sleep, on an Acura, not only is the torque energy actively adjusted between front and rear wheels, but the system also has the capability of increasing or decreasing the power to the left and right wheels independently. Simply put, the SH-AWD system can continually compensate the power each wheel receives to optimize both traction and control. In other words, winter has met its match.
The TL starts the course at $39,990 and pops up to $50,385 for the fully loaded SH-AWD Tech model. My tester crossed the price finish line at $46,886 plus taxes, PDI, freight, and licencing. While there are other all-wheel drive sports sedans on the market today, few driving enthusiasts would find them a match for their passion. Those drivers haven't gotten behind the wheel of the TL. Under the hood, a 3.7 L V6 engine with variable valve timing puts out a respectable 305 hp. When mated to Acura's six-speed manual gear box (designed specifically for the TL with the shortest throws offered by Acura yet) there is no doubt that all-wheel drive and performance can be used in the same sentence when describing the Acura TL.
The TL comes with all the amenities you'd expect for a plus $40K sedan and also brings voice activated navigation and Bluetooth hands-free cell phone systems as well as an automatic humidity control HVAC system, a ten speaker 440 watt sound system, push-button start, headlamp washers, and an eight-way passenger front power seat (the driver gets a 10-way unit) just to name a few features. Seating is firm yet comfortable for the long haul and provides excellent lateral support. Road noise and suspension harshness are subdued without sacrificing handling which is an achievement that most sport sedans fail to make. About the only thing that was missing from the inside of the TL was a heated steering wheel.
In slippery road conditions the SH-AWD system combined with Vehicle Stability Assist and traction control keeps your line exactly where you intend no matter how many curves, corners, swerves, or panic stops you have to make to avoid drivers with less capable vehicles. Like most vehicles with traction control, a light on the instrument panel comes on to indicate when it's active, but unlike vehicles without SH-AWD, this seldom happens because the all-wheel drive continually adjusts on a split second basis thus reducing the need for the power loss that traction control can bring. In tight corners the maximum torque is applied to the outside rear wheel preventing under-steer and skidding. During my time with the TL I tried a right angle turn on dry pavement in third gear at what I considered a high rate of speed (no traffic was coming) and the sedan stayed planted in the path I steered with no tire squawk or suspension complaint. This car can give the average driver the skill of a Le mans or Targa race veteran. The short throw shifter is accurate and never tiring. The engine exhaust song is strong yet toned, Acura never has been a mark that needs to draw attention to itself.
Putting the right shoes on a thoroughbred is crucial and the TL SH-AWD comes standard with Michelin Pilot HX in P245/45R18. For a winter run, my tester came with the unparalleled Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires. There are currently only a handful of tire makers currently producing this size and the prices range from $250-$500 each. If after all this, safety is still a major concern, consider that in 2009 for the first time in its history, the venerable Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave a 'Top Safety Pick' to every vehicle under the Acura brand. You could spend thousands more for the competition from Europe, but the TL will let you spend it on a really nice vacation instead.
On the other side of the Honda/Acura price scale from the TL one might expect to find a less qualified car for Canadian buyers, but when it carries the Civic moniker it lives up to its reputation.
The entry level DX Civic starts at $17,385 and you can top $27K with a fully loaded sport SI model. My DxG tester courtesy of Honda Canada comes in at $19,975 (of course before license and taxes but PDI and freight are included). This brings a five-speed automatic, air-conditioning, power windows and locks, remote entry, and a 160 watt sound system. Power comes from a 1.8 L four cylinder variable valve timed engine putting out 140 hp. The entire Civic line up was 'refreshed' as Honda puts it, inside and out for the 2009 model year and for 2010 there are no changes. Of course with over 62,000 Civics sold in Canada last year, making it the best selling car for the 12th straight year, you can't blame the folks at Honda for not wanting to mess with success.
The first thing you notice when entering a Civic for the first time, is its low stance. A lower centre of gravity helps to provide exceptional handling characteristics without sacrificing ride comfort and interior space. While on the topic of space, the Civic tops the list of compact cars with the most combined cargo and passenger space at 2914 L (103 cubic feet). First time Civic shoppers might find the lack of features a little surprising. Even my mid-level DxG tester didn't have a hands-free cell phone link, auto-down power windows or heated seats. But the majority of buyers come back to Honda year after year for predictable performance, reliability, safety, and better than average resale value rather than bells and whistles.
Power from the 1.8 L engine is acceptable and the five-speed automatic shift points are smooth and seamless.
For its size and capability, the Civic posts segment leading fuel economy at 8.2 L/100 km city and 5.7 highway (34 and 50 mpg respectively). Its 50 L fuel tank would cost around $42 to fill from its reserve level and should deliver a 600 km range. Maintenance costs are below what one usually expects to find at an Asian import dealership. Front brake pads and rotors run $75 and $90, an air filter is $18, and a dealership oil change costs around $50.
Other than legendary reliability and fuel economy, what sets the Civic apart from its competition is versatility. This is a fuel sipping commuter transport that you could ferry the family to Florida and back with ease. Its highway manners are well suited for long hauls in comfort with firm seating usually found only in European vehicles and ample room for luggage for four.
Yours in service,
Brian Turner
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