Verdict
B
← Acura TL · 2004-2008 · UA6/UA7
Acura TL 3rd Gen (UA6/UA7)
The high-water mark for the TL — 270/286 hp, 6-speed manual on Type-S, sharper chassis. The one to have.
BHP
258-286 bhp
0–60
6.0 s
Top speed
146 mph
MPG
23.0 mpg
Used
$5,000-$15,000
This is the TL most enthusiasts mean. Reset on a sharper platform with a 270-hp 3.2-litre V6 standard, plus a Type-S from 2007-2008 with 286 hp on premium fuel. Available with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic; the manual is the enthusiast pick and gets a torque-sensing limited-slip diff. Brembo brakes were optional on Type-S. The 2004 redesign introduced bluetooth, an 8-inch Alpine-developed touchscreen with voice control (genuinely good for 2004), and was the first US car sold with a 6-DVD changer. Praised for its handling, this is also when the TL out-sold every other Acura — 79,000+ units in 2005, second only to BMW's 3 Series in the US luxury sedan segment that year. Reliability is much better than the previous generation; transmission woes mostly resolved.
Strengths
- Type-S with the 6-speed is the enthusiast pick of the entire TL run
- Sharper chassis than its predecessor — actually fun to drive
- Bluetooth and touchscreen nav genuinely advanced for 2004
- Reliable J32 V6 (timing belt at 105k)
- Brembo brakes optional on Type-S
Weaknesses
- Front-wheel-drive, so torque steer on Type-S
- Touchscreen nav still obsolete by modern standards
- Interior plastics dating
- Tire wear is heavy on Type-S
- Honda transmission concerns linger in buyer minds even though largely resolved
Notable tech
- First US car sold with a 6-DVD in-dash changer
- Bluetooth hands-free standard from launch (2004)
- Alpine-developed 8-inch touchscreen with voice control
- Type-S got Brembo brakes, sport suspension, 17-inch wheels
- 6-speed manual standard option, with limited-slip diff
- J32A3 V6 making 270 hp in standard, 286 hp Type-S on premium
Common issues
- Power steering pump whine and leaks
- Drive belt tensioner failure
- Door lock actuator failures
- VTEC solenoid gasket leaks (cheap fix)
- AC condenser corrosion
- Heavy tire wear on Type-S
Used-market budget
$8,500
6-speed manual Type-S examples command a premium ($10-15k clean). Standard cars start around $5,000 for high-mileage examples. Look for documented timing-belt service.