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AWDReport.com - A Buyer's Guide to All Wheel Drive Cars, Wagons and Crossovers
Under $20,000 | $19 - $21,000 | $20 - $23,000 | $22 - $25,000 | $24 - $27,000 | $26 - $29,000 |
      $28 - $30,000 | $29 - $31,000 | $30 - $33,000 | $31 - $34,000 | $32 - $35,000 | $34 - $38,000 |
           $36 - $40,000 | $39 - $42,000 | $41 - $44,000 | $42 - $45,000 | $44 - $47,000 | $45 - $48,000 |
               $46 - $51,000 | $49 - $53,000 | $51 - $57,000 | $55 - $60,000 | $60 - $69,000 |
                        $66 - $73,000 | $69 - $79,000 | $78 - $92,000 | $88 - $125,000 | More than $120,000 |

  All Wheel Drive Report

CarsDirect.com
2009 Acura TL

Acura

   The defining powertrain feature of the RL is Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive™, or SH-AWD™. The system continuously varies the torque split between the front and rear wheels, and left and right rear wheels. To help the RL arc through corners with better chassis balance and more total grip, in a turn SH-AWD(TM) also overdrives the outside rear wheel at a faster speed, using engine torque to help the vehicle rotate into the turn.    
The big news for 2009 is the new SH-AWD equipped TL.   Smaller than the RL, and some $8,000 less expensive, the TL gives the entry level Acura luxo-sedan buyer a real kick-in-the-pants with its 305hp motor. Too bad they used so much Flash on their site. I'd like a little less Flash and a little more text. It's actually hard to get a feel for what the Acura vehicles are like from their site.

Acura AWD Choices

2009 Acura TL - SH AWDThe completely redesigned 4th generation Acura TL features the most powerful Acura engine ever, the 305HP 3.7 liter V6. For 2009, this high output engine is coupled to the first ever application of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive on the TL chassis. Like all high performance engines, you must use premium fuel, and you'll get about 17 - 25 mpg out of the AWD TL's 3,971 lbs. If ever there were a race inspired Accord, this would be it. Pricing for the TL with the optional SH-AWD package starts at $38,505. (Look for a manual transmission option in late 2009.)
2009 Acura RLThe Acura RL Luxury performance sedan's standard equipment includes a 300-hp version of the 3.7-liter VTEC® V-6 engine, a 5-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™), fully independent suspension, 17-inch aluminum wheels and a luxurious leather-trimmed interior. It sits on a 110.2 inch wheelbase, and weighs in just over 4,000 lbs. The RL was updated mid year in 2008, and this version has improved suspension parts as well as some more aggressive SH-AWD software. Prices for the RL start at $46,680
2009 MDX The MDX begins with one of the most powerful normally aspirated 6-cylinder SUV powerplants available in America. The 3.7-liter DOHC VTEC® V-6 produces 300 horsepower at 6000 rpm with 275 lb-ft of torque and requires premium fuel. The MDX comes standard with SH-AWD and third-row seating, Tri-Zone synchronized automatic climate control systems, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, 8-speaker Premium Sound System, and a host of advanced safety features.
It has a shorter wheelbase (108.3inches) than the RL sedan, though the difference is small, and it weighs some 500 lbs more. The 2008 model was virtually unchanged from 2007, and the 2009 version is more of the same. The MDX carries and an EPA fuel economy rating of 15/20 mpg. Prices for the 09 MDX w/AWD start at $40,990
2009 Acura RDX The 5 passenger RDX is more along the lines of a mini SUV, and it seems a bit conventional. Until you get to the turbocharged and intercooled 2.3 liter 4 banger! Having lived with a similar motor in an SVO Mustang back in the 80's for more than 230,000 miles, I can assure you THIS engine will be a BLAST. Pumping 240HP through the SH-AWD system on a short 104.3" wheelbase will make the P235/55R18 99V high performance all-season tires think they're on an NSX! Of course, the RDX's 3,933 lbs will be a bit sluggish from a standing start, but you will love the turbo boost once you're in motion. And the premium fuel goes pretty far; expect 17 - 22 mpg with the turbo 4. Prices for AWD RDX start at $33,895

 

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