For structural reasons, Acura opted against split-folding rear seats, choosing instead to include a fold-down armrest with two cupholders and a center passthrough. That'll allow you to carry your skis to the slopes, but long, flat packages won't fit.
Trunk space otherwise is up from the last model, but at 13.1 cubic feet is small for the class. Buy the SH-AWD model and a bit of the floor space is taken up by the AWD components.
From the driver's seat, you are presented with four, individually shrouded gauges under an overarching shroud. The large tachometer and speedometer are flanked by smaller fuel and water temperature gauges. Between the tach and speedo is a digital readout for gear selection, outside temperature, and other information.
The center stack has a shrouded black and white Multi-Information Display screen that displays radio information, interior temperature settings, and compass direction, among other tidbits. The screen has a Plexiglas cover and we found that it washed out in strong sunlight.
Below the display are centrally located radio controls with a dual-zone climate control settings along the sides, easily accessible to each passenger. An interface dial is found under the radio settings. It controls the Multi-Information Display and is fairly easy to use. When the Technology Package is chosen, Multi-Information Display is replaced by an 8-inch VGA high-resolution screen that is easy to see in any light conditions. With the Tech Package, the interface knob adds more functions, controlling the navigation system and various audio and climate control settings. It can also be controlled by voice commands. This interface is generally easier to use than similar systems from BMW and Audi, but it can still complicate such functions as programming a radio station.
The navigation system comes with XM NavTraffic that can give real-time traffic updates and suggest alternate routes. New for 2009 is XM NavWeather that shows real-time weather information for 21 metropolitan areas, one- and three-day forecasts, severe weather alerts, and Doppler-style radar maps.
All TLs come with an auxiliary audio input jack and a USB port. The latter offers iPod connectivity and can also read thumb drive storage devices. The iPod interface is displayed in three lines on the Multi-Information Display or navigation screen. Long playlists will require a lot of scrolling, but it's nice that you can control an iPod through the audio system. Music on a thumb drive can also be played through the audio system, but cannot be loaded to the 12.7 gigabyte hard-drive that comes with the Technology Package. The only way to load music to the hard drive is to rip if from CDs. Acura says the hard drive can hold up to 2500 songs.
The audio system offered with the Technology Package was developed with music producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner. It has DVD Audio capability. DVD Audio is a high-quality audio format that delivers more accurate sound through six discreet channels. It requires its own software, meaning audiophiles will want to buy their own DVD Audio discs. Next Page