There's been a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth over the C/D review, where our beloved MS6 lost to a TSX, Accord V6 and Jetta GLI. I haven't driven the GLI or the TSX, but frankly, neither has enough horsepower to get me excited. I also haven't driven the Accord V6, but it's close enough to the Acura TL that I can put my $0.02 in because I own both cars. I got the 6-speed TL just after they were released in '03, and other than a few minor issues, I've loved it. It's comfortable, quiet, luxurious, handsome, nice handling and quick. What's not to love?
I suppose I should mention that my toy summer car is a heavily modified and turbocharged Miata. If the weather is nice, I'll grab the keys to it rather than the TL any day of the week. It's just more visceral, both in its handling qualities and in raw power. The engine, although suffering from some turbo lag (1.6 liter), has an elastic quality to the power band that's VERY entertaining. A little bit of throttle travel give you a lot of usable torque. As we all know, that's the benefit of a turbo. Of course, it's also a convertible
When it came time to replace the wife's car ('93 Audi S4) she wanted to stick with AWD, since winter takes up almost half a calendar year up here. I knew the MS6 was coming out and made a mental note to take it for a test drive. We did and ended up taking it home the very same week. Here's my Cole's Notes on the two:
[1] The TL has the nicer interior, but the MS6 interior isn't bad by any means. Just not as nice in direct comparison.
[2] The MS6 is missing a few amenities that are standard in the TL: dual zone climate control; auto dimming mirror; Homelink; Bluetooth handsfree phone; trip computer, blue LED mood lighting (cooler than it sounds); real aluminum trim, etc.
[3] Seats in the MS6 are more immediately comfortable than in the TL. The tilt/telescoping wheel also makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Pedal position allows for easier heel/toe downshifting.
[4] Surprisingly, the Bose stereo (in 2 channel mode at least) is within spitting distance of the highly-regarded 5.1 system in the TL. Sound is clear and has good separation. The sub doesn't go as low, but the mid-bass punch is a little harder. Auto volume levelling is nice and works quite well. Both have in-dash 6 disc changers.
[5] Interior space (focusing on the back seat) is about the same. No appreciable differences in comfort either.
[6] Trunk in the MS6 has much more usable space. Neither have fold-down back seats.
[7] Even though the MS6 has HID lights (low-beam only), the TL produces a better pattern and more even spread of light, particularly directly in front of the car. The TL's lights are bi-xenon, so the high beams are more effective. However, the 3 position height adjustment from the cockpit of the MS6 is very handy when carrying passengers and/or a heavy load of luggage.
[8] The chassis feels equally solid between the two. No creaks or shuddering through the steering column over pot-holed roads (of which we have lots).
[9] The TL is more quiet at high-way speeds. Again, the MS6 isn't particularly noisy, but in a direct comparison the TL feels more hushed, with slightly less wind noise.
[10] The TL has a more refined engine note. The 4-banger in the MS6 isn't rough (in fact, I find it quite vibration-free), but it sounds a little more coarse, especially from outside the car.
[11] I won't comment on the looks, as that's completely subjective. Suffice to say that I like both, but would take the TL to a country club if I wanted to impress the valet parkers.
Now for the driving dynamics:
[1] The MS6 has way more torque anywhere north of 2,500 rpm. Below that, the TL has more. Once on boost, the MS6 is a rocket-ship. They may be fairly close in a straight line (the MS6 tests a few ticks faster to 60 mph), but the low-end torque of the direct-injection turbo 4 kills in the cut-and-thrust of city driving. Even on the highway, passes can be completed without the requirement of a downshift. That wonderful elastic feeling that I love about my Miata is back, but now with more doors and a roof.
[2] The suspension of the MS6 is more buttoned-down (and a little harsher). There's none of the floaty feeling that happens in certain circumstances with the TL. Turn-in is more immediate and there's less understeer under light throttle. In both cars, adding throttle tightens the line (in the MS6 because torque is shifted to the rear and in the TL because the limited slip does its thing). Ultimately, the MS6 feels like a lighter car, even though it's 50 lbs or so heavier.
[3] Steering feel is more natural in the MS6.
[4] The brakes are both very effective: call it a wash: Bigger rotors on the MS6 balanced against 4-piston Brembos on the TL. Both have brake assist, although it's a tad more sensitive in the MS6.
[5] As nice as the gear box is in the TL, the MS6 has it beat. Best description I can give is that it's close to a Miata in its smoothness and snick-snickability. Closer ratios make for more shifting, but I'm not complaining.
[6] The award for most traction in inclement conditions goes to: The Mazda (yeah, huge surprise). Both cars have snow tires all round, but the AWD of the MS6 gives almost ungodly amounts of traction in a straight line. If there's packed snow on the ground, full throttle in first gear is possible
[7] DSC is ever-watchful in either car if the driver does something stupid.
So, what do I choose when I have to go for errands around town? Depends - do I want to feel coddled (TL) or be more involved (MS6). Right now the MS6 seems to be accumulating more mileage than the TL.
P.S. Below are some pics taken at a local high-speed Porsche Club autocross at a local airfield. The TL acquitted itself very well, thank you
