Is Acura TL considered a sports car?
No. The Acura TL is best described as a midsize luxury sport sedan rather than a traditional sports car. Its performance variants, such as the Type-S, offered sharper handling and more power, but the TL remained a four-door sedan; Acura's current sport-focused model is the TLX, which replaced the TL in 2015 and continues the brand's emphasis on performance-oriented luxury sedans.
Understanding where the TL fits in automotive classifications requires looking at its design, seating, power-to-weight, drivetrain, and how car enthusiasts and marketers categorize “sports cars.” Below we describe the distinction and where the TL stands in the lineup.
Defining a sports car
Auto enthusiasts and industry classifications typically draw a line between sports cars and sport sedans using criteria such as seating configuration, weight, power output, chassis tuning, and intended usage. The following widely referenced factors help readers gauge whether a vehicle fits the traditional sports-car mold:
- Two-seater or 2+2 seating with limited rear space
- High power relative to weight and agile handling
- Sport-tuned suspension and precise steering
- Rear-wheel drive or performance-oriented drivetrain layout
- Marketing and brand heritage tied to pure performance driving
While these criteria are commonly cited, there is no universal legal definition of a sports car, and modern marketing often blurs the lines with four-door “sport” variants and all-wheel-drive configurations.
Where the Acura TL fits in the lineup
The Acura TL is a midsize luxury sedan that offered sport-oriented features and a higher-performance variant known as the TL Type-S. It combines a V6 engine with a refined chassis, available front- or all-wheel drive, and a roomy cabin. While it has brisk acceleration and sporty styling for a sedan, it does not meet the traditional criteria of a pure sports car.
TL vs Type-S: performance-focused variants
The TL Type-S enhanced power, braking, and suspension to deliver a more engaging drive than the standard TL, but it remained a four-door sedan. This positioning classifies it as a sport sedan rather than a stand-alone sports car.
Context for the lineup: Acura discontinued the TL after the 2014 model year, shifting emphasis to the TLX, which debuted for the 2015 model year and continues to serve as the brand’s sport-luxury sedan offering.
Conclusion
In summary, the Acura TL is not typically categorized as a traditional sports car. It is better described as a sport-oriented luxury sedan, with the Type-S variants offering enhanced performance within the four-door category. For buyers seeking a current Acura with a stronger sports-car identity, the TLX is the contemporary choice—carrying forward Acura’s emphasis on dynamic driving in a premium sedan package.
Summary
The TL name reflects Acura’s late-1990s to early-2010s era of sport-locused sedans, not a standalone sports-car line. As of today, the TL is discontinued, and the TLX continues Acura’s focus on performance-oriented luxury sedans in the brand’s lineup.
Is the Acura TL a sports car?
The 2.5 TL was positioned as the sporty model, with the 3.2 TL focusing more upon a luxurious ride.
Is a 2005 Acura TL a sports car?
The fact of the matter is that by anyone's standards, the new TL, introduced last year as a 2004 model, is one of the best Acuras yet, along with being one of the best premium sport sedans on the market.
Is the Acura a sports car?
Yes, Acura makes sports cars, most notably the NSX (a former supercar) and models like the Integra and TLX that are specifically designed for performance. While Acura offers a range of vehicles, it has a strong reputation for building sporty and performance-oriented cars, often highlighted by its "Sport" or "Type S" badging, according to Acura.com.
- Classic sports cars: The Acura NSX (sold as the Honda NSX in some markets) is a well-known, high-performance sports car that competed with luxury brands like Ferrari and Porsche.
- Performance models: Acura produces models that are designed to be sporty, such as the 2025 Acura Integra Premium Sport Compact and the 2025 TLX Premium Sport Sedan.
- Performance focus: The "Type S" badge signifies a commitment to a high level of performance, with models designed to go faster, stop quicker, and handle better.
- Sporty driving: Acura vehicles are often seen as sportier to drive than other luxury brands like Lexus.
Is a 2004 Acura TL a sports car?
The crisp lines, short rear deck, and tightly drawn shoulders (plus a new 270-horsepower V-6) put the TL on many shopper's sport-sedan short lists--and prompted us to add a 2004 TL to our long-term fleet.
