Did Acura make a manual TL?
Yes. Acura did offer manual transmissions on the TL, but only in two limited periods: a 5-speed manual for the early TL (1999–2003) and a 6-speed manual for the sport-focused TL Type-S (2004–2008). Subsequent TL generations were not offered with a factory manual transmission.
Manual TLs by generation
The following periods mark Acura’s factory manual options for the TL lineup. Availability varied by trim and model year.
- 1999–2003 TL: A 5-speed manual transmission was available with the 3.2-liter V6 on select trims; it was not offered across the entire TL lineup and was relatively uncommon in production.
- 2004–2008 TL Type-S: A 6-speed manual transmission was offered, making the Type-S the only TL generation to ship with a factory manual in quantity and popularity.
These two periods represent the only factory manual configurations for the Acura TL. Today, if you’re shopping for a TL with a manual, you’ll be looking at one of these two generations on the used market.
How to identify a manual TL today
When evaluating a TL for a manual transmission, use these quick indicators to distinguish genuine manuals from automatics or swapped setups.
- 1999–2003 TL with a 5-speed manual: five-speed stick shift, visible clutch pedal, and a manual transmission code in the vehicle’s documentation.
- 2004–2008 TL Type-S with a 6-speed manual: six-speed stick shift, clutch pedal, and Type-S badges/branding consistent with the sport variant.
Note that most TLs on today’s market with manuals are from these two periods; later TL generations primarily used automatic transmissions.
Context and impact
The manual options for the TL reflect broader automotive trends of the era. Enthusiasts prized the engaging control of a manual, which Acura offered in limited runs through the early and mid-2000s. As automatics and new performance technologies evolved, future TL generations shifted away from manual transmissions altogether.
Summary
In short, Acura did produce a manual TL, but only in two distinct eras: a 5-speed manual for the 1999–2003 TL and a 6-speed manual for the 2004–2008 TL Type-S. If you’re shopping today, you’ll find manual TLs primarily among these two generations in the used car market, while newer TL generations and the modern TLX lineup have not offered a factory manual transmission.
