Acura made a bold leap with the introduction of the redesigned 2009 TL sedan. The company added styling attitude to a car that, frankly, had developed a bit of a goody-two-shoes reputation . The TL’s new sheet metal includes a chrome hood treatment that tapers into a rakish smile.

Our tester was a 2010 White Diamond Pearl TL with an optional navigation package and 18-inch alloys. Pye Acura sales consultant Johnny Garth said the car company responded to owner input when redesigning the TL. “It’s actually roomier than the (upmarket) RL,” he said. “And it packs more value than any car in its class.”

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: Acura’s philosophy is that the TL can be a blend of high performance and comfort, two benchmarks that sometimes pull in different directions. Powered by a new, 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine making 280-horsepower, the TL has nearly bottomless reserves of power. Our tester came with taupe leather interior. The center stack features a cascade of buttons and dials to control the TL’s advanced navigation system, with real-time traffic and weather interfaces. The TL’s suspension is tuned firmly to give the sedan cat-quick reflexes. Still, the car absorbed the train tracks on Hamill Road without jostling my drink cup.

STYLING: As with any aggressive design, the TL will evoke strong opinions both ways. To me, the exterior design is fresh and contemporary. The interior is well furnished, and aside from the too-busy center stack, the layout is elegant. Added rear knee room and elevated seating make the passenger experience in the TL much more enjoyable.

BOTTOM LINE: The TL’s real strength is value, with a list of standard features a mile long. Acura is also known for standing behind its products to try to keep customers satisfied even after the official warranty period.

At about $41,000, the 2010 TL delivers most of the goodness of luxury models costing thousands more.

(E-mail questions about new cars to Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com.)

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