2009 Maxima v. 2009 Acura TL

[qstarweb]

I saw the redesign of the 2009 Acura TL and thought it was inferior in styling to the 6th generation Maxima let alone competing with the new Maxima. I see mostly support and a lot of excitement among our community with the new design of our favorite car.

But was curious how TL fans were taking the redesign of their favorite car, so I visited the Acura TL forums. They are very much not liking the new TL design and posting all kinds of negative comments about it. Some say it "sucks," many called it ugly, hideous, horrible, or worst design ever by Acura.

I"m glad Nissan did as well in redsigning the Maxima. This should only get some, who considered trading in an older TL for the 2009, to instead trade up for a 2009 Maxima.

Anyone else have thoughts? Seen the 2009 TL?

Dean

[athens64]

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Acura didn't have to go too far past Citroen (with its inverted V shaped grills) to flatter. Nor past the current design Saturn Aura for the rear. At least Citroen has bothered to evolve the design from the day of the 2CV.

If the new TL is anything like the new TSX, how can I say.... it will do well among consumers dedicated to leasing a Japanese luxury car, with reliability. The leesee that seeks conspicuous design that stands out in the way you would want to return the car at the end of the lease for reasons other than reliability or cost issues.

Hard to believe that this is the same company that designed the original Legend Coupe. Guess Honda is allocating all it's resources for the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell electric hybrid. Not that I don't them for doing so one bit.

That FCX will earn much flattery in years to come.

[RHMax]

I can't get over the fender humps. No pun...

[InfiNissan Lover]

I for one like the new 2009 TL. Is the exterior design funkier than a pair of platform shoes? Yes, it is. However, I see the new '09 Acura TL in its whole package and I have to say that I would consider it if I was shopping for a new car.

The new '09 Maxima is a very hard car to beat at this time because it is the only redesigned car in its class to offer the most MPG at this moment. The new TL will do something like 17 city and 24 hwy while the Maxima is at 19 city 26 hwy with a horsepower increase. A lot of people have noticed better gas mileage than even the outgoing 6th gen Maxima.

The new TL's poor gas mileage is without a doubt due to it still being paired to a 5-speed auto. This is one of my biggest gripes with the new TL. Every other car maker has 6 - (Toyota/Lexus), 7 - (Infiniti), 8 - (Lexus LS) and near infinite - (Nissan) geared transmissions and Acura introduces this new TL with an old 5-speed auto. Acura should have at least given it a 6-speed auto to make it a better package. The potential of the improved 3.5L V6 engine and the new 3.7L V6 engine is being bottlenecked by the 5-speed automatic.

You are gonna be seeing a lot of complaints that 2006 - 2008 Infiniti "M" owners made from the future owners of this new TL. People are gonna be yearning for that extra gear.

I am so glad that Nissan/Infiniti came to their senses and introduced a new 7-speed automatic. Infiniti vehicles are now going to really be given more credit due to this. The next "M" is really going to be a force to be reckoned with. :)

Getting back to the TL, it has been stretched 6 inches and now has one of the most spacious interiors in its class. The interior is where I am in love with this new Acura TL as the new '09 Maxima's cramped interior is something I noticed from the beginning when I sat in the car. This feeling of being closed in turned me off from driving the new Max. The new '09 Maxima definitely has the looks but now it doesn't really have the versatility that individuals like me used to love it for. The Nissan Maxima was always known for its spacious cabin but now things feel a bit too cramped.

I'd wait a few years before getting a new TL to see if Acura actually refreshes the car during its mid-cycle production with a new 6-speed auto.

[jcalabria]

I for one like the new 2009 TL. Is the exterior design funkier than a pair of platform shoes? Yes, it is. However, I see the new '09 Acura TL in its whole package and I have to say that I would consider it if I was shopping for a new car.

The new '09 Maxima is a very hard car to beat at this time because it is the only redesigned car in its class to offer the most MPG at this moment. The new TL will do something like 17 city and 24 hwy while the Maxima is at 19 city 26 hwy with a horsepower increase. A lot of people have noticed better gas mileage than even the outgoing 6th gen Maxima.

The new TL's poor gas mileage is without a doubt due to it still being paired to a 5-speed auto. This is one of my biggest gripes with the new TL. Every other car maker has 6 - (Toyota/Lexus), 7 - (Infiniti), 8 - (Lexus LS) and near infinite - (Nissan) geared transmissions and Acura introduces this new TL with an old 5-speed auto. Acura should have at least given it a 6-speed auto to make it a better package. The potential of the improved 3.5L V6 engine and the new 3.7L V6 engine is being bottlenecked by the 5-speed automatic.

You are gonna be seeing a lot of complaints that 2006 - 2008 Infiniti "M" owners made from the future owners of this new TL. People are gonna be yearning for that extra gear.

I am so glad that Nissan/Infiniti came to their senses and introduced a new 7-speed automatic. Infiniti vehicles are now going to really be given more credit due to this. The next "M" is really going to be a force to be reckoned with. :)

Getting back to the TL, it has been stretched 6 inches and now has one of the most spacious interiors in its class. The interior is where I am in love with this new Acura TL as the new '09 Maxima's cramped interior is something I noticed from the beginning when I sat in the car. This feeling of being closed in turned me off from driving the new Max. The new '09 Maxima definitely has the looks but now it doesn't really have the versatility that individuals like me used to love it for. The Nissan Maxima was always known for its spacious cabin but now things feel a bit too cramped.

I'd wait a few years before getting a new TL to see if Acura actually refreshes the car during its mid-cycle production with a new 6-speed auto.

I pretty much agree on most points... from the inside looking out the TL is still great with the exception of the oversight on the 5sp tranny. That said... the front end (on ALL new gen Acuras) is fuglier than just about anything out there and that alone would keep me from shopping the TL, just as the nearly (but not quite) as fugly 6.0g Max tooth made me buy a leftover '03 Max when the '04 was also in the showrooms.

I still think Acura may have hired the tooth guy from Nissan, lol.

[dseag2]

I for one like the new 2009 TL. Is the exterior design funkier than a pair of platform shoes? Yes, it is. However, I see the new '09 Acura TL in its whole package and I have to say that I would consider it if I was shopping for a new car.

The new '09 Maxima is a very hard car to beat at this time because it is the only redesigned car in its class to offer the most MPG at this moment. The new TL will do something like 17 city and 24 hwy while the Maxima is at 19 city 26 hwy with a horsepower increase. A lot of people have noticed better gas mileage than even the outgoing 6th gen Maxima.

The new TL's poor gas mileage is without a doubt due to it still being paired to a 5-speed auto. This is one of my biggest gripes with the new TL. Every other car maker has 6 - (Toyota/Lexus), 7 - (Infiniti), 8 - (Lexus LS) and near infinite - (Nissan) geared transmissions and Acura introduces this new TL with an old 5-speed auto. Acura should have at least given it a 6-speed auto to make it a better package. The potential of the improved 3.5L V6 engine and the new 3.7L V6 engine is being bottlenecked by the 5-speed automatic.

You are gonna be seeing a lot of complaints that 2006 - 2008 Infiniti "M" owners made from the future owners of this new TL. People are gonna be yearning for that extra gear.

I am so glad that Nissan/Infiniti came to their senses and introduced a new 7-speed automatic. Infiniti vehicles are now going to really be given more credit due to this. The next "M" is really going to be a force to be reckoned with. :)

Getting back to the TL, it has been stretched 6 inches and now has one of the most spacious interiors in its class. The interior is where I am in love with this new Acura TL as the new '09 Maxima's cramped interior is something I noticed from the beginning when I sat in the car. This feeling of being closed in turned me off from driving the new Max. The new '09 Maxima definitely has the looks but now it doesn't really have the versatility that individuals like me used to love it for. The Nissan Maxima was always known for its spacious cabin but now things feel a bit too cramped.

I'd wait a few years before getting a new TL to see if Acura actually refreshes the car during its mid-cycle production with a new 6-speed auto.

I agree. I think the Max is much more attractive in a traditional way, but the TL isn't bad. I do think the TL looks a little too stretched and I don't like the "beak". Where the TL seems to excel (at least from pics) is in the interior. Also, as the past owner of an '04 TL and an '06 Maxima and a current Infiniti owner, I'm sure the nav/sound systems will be much better in the Acura.

We are considering both cars when our lease is up on the FX in 6 months. There are pros/cons to each.

[RonSteinbach]

I just saw some photos of the 2009 TL. The front reminds me of a modern version of the 1950 "bullet nose" Studebaker! Check out the resemblance at:

http://community.myride.com/kickapps/_1950-Studebaker-Champion-Bullet-Nose-/photo/94102/3898.html

The 1950 Studebaker is a classic design, the 2009 TL not!

[4themax]

[quote=InfiNissan Lover;1593474]
The new '09 Maxima is a very hard car to beat at this time because it is the only redesigned car in its class to offer the most MPG at this moment. The new TL will do something like 17 city and 24 hwy while the Maxima is at 19 city 26 hwy with a horsepower increase. A lot of people have noticed better gas mileage than even the outgoing 6th gen Maxima.



I am getting a combined 27 MPG in my new 09 Max. I drive about 50% each hwy and city... I am very pleased.

[JJS]

I'm probably as objective as you can get on this subject. I've owned seven Nissan/Infinitis and seven Honda/Acuras. Among those, I've owned two Maximas and an 04 TL. I loved the TL, BTW.

My thoughts on the 09 are that is is ugly (and I have seen it in person). The interior is very nice though. Other complaints - you now pay extra for the killer stereo, and they still don't have ventilated seats. BTW, I absolutely hate the square exhauts tips. Oh yea, and to get the good seats and handling stuff, you have to get AWD.

Right now if I were buying a new car, it would most likley be the new Maxima. Frankly, I wish it were out when I bought my CTS.

[joeB]

I'd still probably rather have the CTS than the 09 Maxima. :)

[InfiNissan Lover]

and they still don't have ventilated seats.

Dude, do I ever hear you on that one! It is bad enough that most Acura vehicles still have a 5-speed auto.

I test drove a 2009 Maxima SV with sport package a few days ago and I came off very impressed with the car. It felt just like my prior Infiniti I35 Sport - which was a phenomenal car by the way.

The new '09 Max felt extremely well built, solid, and durable much like the I35 did. The CVT's new Ds mode was impressive too and made the car actually feel convincingly fast with gear changing simulations as opposed to the CVT's long continuous gear feeling. All in all, this improved CVT has the guts to really move this car now.

Also, the new Max has 290 horsepower while the base TL has but 280. It is just a mere 10 horses but it is something to brag about and I have no doubt that Nissan will do so. The Nissan sales person told me that the Max's revised VQ engine would actually be rated at 306 horsepower if the old SAE ratings were still being used. After he said that I could not think of a reason why Nissan just didn't use a detuned version of the VQ35HR motor. I found the VQ35DE engine still rough around the edges even with the addition of iridium tipped spark plugs and a higher compression ratio.

It did however have a helluva aggressive engine sound that is very addicting. :)


I am getting a combined 27 MPG in my new 09 Max. I drive about 50% each hwy and city... I am very pleased.

That is very good gas mileage given the fact that the car has 290 horsepower. I get between 21 - 25 mpg with my 2008 Maxima and this is driving easy at 55 mph. I feel like I should get better mpg given my driving style, especially knowing that my best friend's Toyota Avalon gets 30 mpg consistently with him driving regularly.

[jcalabria]

I'd still probably rather have the CTS than the 09 Maxima. :)

The CTS is somewhat enticing, but...

The "in your face" oversized grille of the current Cadillac design language is more than a little too much for me.
It may or may not be improved, but past experience with GM quality/reliability would be, for me, tough for ANY GM product to overcome.
Although the "base" CTS is attractively priced, Cadillac's packaging/pricing policies end up putting the CTS' price in another ballpark entirely.

[mkaresh]

The old TL was one of my favorite designs. The new one is just awful, especially in lighter colors where the grille blends into the blocky nose. The new Maxima design isn't my favorite, but it's better than the TL's.

[idesign4u]

I saw a new TL at the dealership and I have to say the front grill and bumper looks like it was borrowed from a Transformers movie....sheer ugliness...too pronouced and in your face....too much cheap silver plastic. The worst is the pointy rear bumper which if it ever gets involved in a rear-end collision is going to be very expensive to repaire...I can see a lot of these cars with dented rear-ends due to curb parking colisions caused by spatial misjudgement.

[InfiNissan Lover]

You guys are missing the point that this new TL seems to be able to trounce every other TL generation including the S-Type models as well despite its interesting exterior looks. The preproduction 6-speed manual Acura TL outperformed a 2008 Audi S4 Quattro manual, 2008 BMW 335i Sport, 2008 BMW 335xi Sport and a 2008 Infiniti G35S according to Edmunds Inside Line. This makes me wonder about how much more badass this car would be if it had a good 6-speed auto instead of a 5-speed.

The new TL is definitely a gem of a car. The new Maxima however is just more versatile with it having a 60/40 capable folding back seat. This is something that I have always LOVED about the Maxima and continue to. Even this new '09 Max has a 60/40 folding backseat. The Maxima always gives you those little things that really make you appreciate the car very much. I can't wait to see what changes Nissan does to it during the mid-cycle refresh.

Both the 2009 Maxima and 2009 Acura TL are top notch cars and I really don't think that anyone would be disappointed by owning either one of them. I am still waiting for Honda/Acura to come into the 21st century with a DOHC V6 engine but their take on it is probably how if SOHC works so well why change a good thing.

I can't get over how damn delicious the Maxima's engine sound at WOT is. Nissan really did a great job with the Maxima. The only place where Nissan fell just a little bit short was switching over to the idea of CVT only. The CVT is not a bad thing and it really makes the car perform well, but you just can't help but to wonder how the Maxima could have been if it was mated to a good 6-speed or 7-speed auto.

I thought the 7-speed auto FWD proto-type tranny featured at the Tokyo Motor Show was going to see a home in the 7th gen Max but now we all know that it was probably just a cut away look of the now standard transmission for Infiniti vehicles.

The reason why I say this about the CVT is because it still has a war with heat. Edmunds tested out the '09 Maxima with some serious performance tests and they said that the tranny went into failsafe mode and deactivated the manumatic option until they turned it off and allowed it to cool down. I have to admit that this is something you really don't want to hear on a car that seems so very well engineered otherwise. The Maxima's stereo system is now so much better with the addition of a center channel in the dash. The sound is a lot more rich and crisp than ever before.

My wish list for the mid-cycle refresh of the 7th gen Maxima include:

1) Stand alone cooled front seat option for both driver and passenger
2) 6 CD Changer with Navi option
3) Adaptive front lighting system or the return of Maxima's traditional cornering lights
4) DRLs
5) Exhaust tips that are actually wide open and not housing some little muffler pipe when you look inside of them
6) Motorized folding side mirrors (absolutely love this feature on my 2008 Max)
7) Stretch the car 1 inch more just to make the cabin a bit more cozy. I do like the size of the car but I can't help but to feel cramped sometimes when I test drove it.


Edmunds article on the TL 6-speed:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=132226#2

[RHMax]

Yes, the TL-S out performs it's competitors. But don't you want a good looking car too, especially when you're paying about the same price? I have yet to see one article that praises it's looks.

[jcalabria]

Yes, the TL-S out performs it's competitors. But don't you want a good looking car too, especially when you're paying about the same price? I have yet to see one article that praises it's looks.

I agree!


Twice I cross-shopped the TL vs the Max...

'03 Max SE/TE vs '03 TL Type S - Loved the TL-S but the very well known the tranny issues scared me away. (Salesman actually told me, "Don't worry, we always have two or three trannies in stock and we can swap them out same day"!!!) Turned out OK since my 03 was my favorite Max of them all.
'07 Max SE vs '06 TL - Again loved the TL and the lease deal was better, to boot. In the end, loyalty and past experience with Max won out (This was on the heels of the '03 max, which was by far the best of the bunch). I do feel a twinge of regret every time I see a nice '04-'08 TL, and still believe that comparing these two generations, the TL would have been a better choice for me than my 6.5G Max.
That said (establishing that I'm not a TL hater, lol), the first time I saw pics of the '09 TL I knew that, no matter how good it was, I could never own a car that looked like THAT. Even now, every night I hit a traffic light right in front of the Acura dealer and try to convince myself that its not THAT bad but, sorry, it is. All the current Acura products have absolutely horrible front fascias.

The only possible way I could imagine salvaging that TL beak is to have a black TL and paint the whole grille area body color... that might work, but not even sure of that.

[InfiNissan Lover]

Wow! You guys are really taking this whole TL image thing to heart. I'd like to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But most of you are saying, "Yeah but I don't want to be holding no keys to an ugly car" LoL!

The new TL looks pretty good in black. I have to admit that the exterior styling of the car is going to take a few drinks to totally love but this is one of those cars that would make you forget about the exterior styling when you are driving it. The one big gripe I have with the car is that ancient 5-speed auto. Acura? GET RID OF IT!!! This old tranny has no place in the new TL.

I have to say that I am very impressed with the Maxima. If only it were 1 inch longer and sported an option for a 7-speed automatic would I say that this car is probably as good as the Maxima is going to get for now. The TL is off my next car shopping list only because it has no option for a 60/40 folding back seat. If the next generation Avalon is not axed and comes with some good features like that one then I will most likely get that. But if not then I just may have to go to a Nissan dealership with ketchup and eat my words about never buying another Nissan ever again.

I don't think I could wait for the next generation Infiniti M. Besides, I need a car with more functionality. The Infiniti M is just too much car for my needs. I am a very simple person who likes to feel that his car can adapt to everything around him. The Maxima has never failed me in that regard. It always took care of me despite any little annoying noises/issues the one in my use might have had.

I wouldn't be surprised if Acura freshened up this new TL quicker than all the others in the past.

[Maxmus]

Besides, I need a car with more functionality. The Infiniti M is just too much car for my needs. I am a very simple person who likes to feel that his car can adapt to everything around him.

Not sure what you mean by that? When I sold my 05 Max for an 06 M35x, let me tell you that the M is much more of a drivers car than my Max ever was in every situation.

[InfiNissan Lover]

With that statement, I was referring to the whole prestigious theme the Infiniti M and other upscale cars seem to project. I was basically just being humble as I am not a rich man, therefore I really should not be trying to own something that is more within a rich man's reach.

Don't get me wrong, I could do a monthly note of an Infiniti M but the real question to me would be if I could really afford it. I just had to be real with myself. :o

[Maxmus]

I definitely understand where you're coming from, which is why I'm looking at the new Maxima when my lease expires in March.

There still isn't a vehicle in this class that offers as much value as the Maxima.;)

[Lichtronamo]

It seems to me that Nissan benchmarked the previous generation TL in developing the new Maxima, whereas Acura looked at the previous Maxima for the new TL. Especially in size - the new Maxima has the more compact size of the previous TL, whereas the streched look to the TL (and the goofy grille) is all 04-08 Maxima.

[jcalabria]

It seems to me that Nissan benchmarked the previous generation TL in developing the new Maxima, whereas Acura looked at the previous Maxima for the new TL. Especially in size - the new Maxima has the more compact size of the previous TL, whereas the streched look to the TL (and the goofy grille) is all 04-08 Maxima.

I've been saying for a while that I think Acura hired the "tooth guy" away from Nissan to come up with their hideous new front facias. Good thing for Nissan, lol.

[RHMax]

I saw a white TL-S with chrome wheels, on top of all the bling bling, chrome/aluminum trims, that come with the car. And of course, the giant red reflectors on the rear bumper. I couldn't not helped but to stare, and chuckled.

So yeah, you might not see the exterior while you're enjoying the driving experience, but people around you can.

[InfiNissan Lover]

I don't know about you guys but, a black 2009 Acura TL passed me on the highway last week and it looked freaking awesome. The first thing I said when I first saw the new '09 TL was that it would be a gorgeous car in black.

It's really funny how different cars look in person as opposed to seeing them in pictures on the Internet. The front grille was actually the best part of the car when I saw it in my rear view mirror. The rear tail light scheme really adds to the overall futuristic look of the car as well.

If Acura gave it at least a 6-speed auto and an option for a 60/40 folding backseat then the car would definitely be on my next car shopping list.

My biggest issue with the car would have to be the transmission choice. Even the Hyundai Genesis has a 6-speed auto. My prediction is that Acura replaces all transmissions across the board with either a new 6-speed or 7-speed unit. I'd say they'd be foolish if they didn't.

[RHMax]

I'd say they'd be foolish if they didn't.

Honda to give up the HondaMatic for a planetary gear set? :eek:

[eckstomax]

lol...