My favorite feature was the center armrest’s sliding drawer. Yep, there’s a shallow drawer that pops out at a touch designed to hold cell phones or an iPod . It’s lined with soft carpeting, too. While I expect it to remain open during most drives, it’s nice that you can just slide it in when you leave the car so passers-by can’t see what kind of expensive electronics you’ve left in the car.

Speaking of expensive technology, the TL packs a lot of gadgetry of its own.

All TLs come with an eight-speaker, six-CD stereo system, Bluetooth, iPod/USB connectivity and an auxiliary input jack. Even with the Tech Package, however, the USB slot only works with iPods or USB flash drives. If you own a non-iPod MP3 player, you’ll have to use the auxiliary jack.

The Tech Package really ups the ante in terms of features, and Acura says it expects most buyers to opt for it. The most important addition in this package is the voice-activated navigation system, which works well and features improved screen graphics compared to Acura’s current system. However, it’s still not as clear as systems from the likes of Mercedes, or even Lincoln’s new high-tech system. Acura has refined the knob interface that controls navigation and audio controls. There are now clear shortcut buttons that make it easier to jump from audio to navigation or other menus, and the knob itself is smaller and easier to manipulate.

It does have more than just navigation, though. Included in the Tech Package is XM NavWeather and AcuraLink live traffic. Now, it’s important to note that even though XM NavWeather requires a monthly fee that can be bundled with XM Satellite Radio, the AcuraLink traffic updates — which show road construction and highlight congested roadways on the navigation map — is separate; it will work without the XM service plan. Choose the additional service plan, though, and you’ll also get traffic updates over a voice channel — yes, it speaks to you — though if you live in a major metropolitan area we’re guessing you know the local news radio station that updates traffic every 10 minutes.

An upgraded sound system, tuned by professional sound engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner and Pioneer, moves up to 10 speakers with 440 watts. I tested the previous generation of this system in Acura’s RDX and MDX SUVs, and the upgraded version sounds just as crisp as before, with perhaps better handling of power for fans of louder music, like me.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7