Is Acura TL good on gas?

Yes. For its era, the Acura TL offered competitive fuel economy for a mid-size luxury sedan, with highway mileage typically in the high 20s mpg and city mileage around 20 mpg, depending on the generation, engine, and drivetrain.

Overview of fuel economy across TL generations

The TL was produced from 1999 to 2014 and sold as a capable, fun-to-drive luxury sedan. Its efficiency varied by generation, engine and drivetrain, with front-wheel-drive versions generally edging out AWD models on fuel economy. The most common setup for most TLs was a V6 paired with an automatic transmission, which yields solid highway numbers but modest city mileage by modern standards.

Engine options and their impact on mpg

Below is a snapshot of typical fuel-economy ranges you might expect on a TL, depending on engine and drivetrain. Use this as a rough guide rather than a precise year-by-year figure.

• V6 engines with front-wheel drive (FWD) typically delivered around 18–21 mpg in city driving and 26–32 mpg on the highway, depending on the exact year and transmission.


• V6 engines with all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) generally reduced mpg by a few miles per gallon, especially in urban conditions.


• Older TL models with earlier automatics often posted better highway numbers than city numbers, while later models maintained a similar pattern but with redesigned transmissions that aimed to balance performance and efficiency.

Across generations, highway efficiency tended to be the stronger suit, while city mileage lagged behind modern compact sedans. In practice, the TL’s numbers are solid for a non-hybrid luxury sedan from its era, but not class-leading by today’s standards.

Real-world factors that influence fuel economy

What you experience at the pump depends on more than official ratings. Several real-world factors can tilt mpg up or down significantly.

• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive typically yields better city mpg than all-wheel drive, which adds weight and drivetrain losses.


• Maintenance: A clean air filter, properly inflated tires, fresh spark plugs, and regular oil changes help the engine run efficiently.


• Tire size and condition: Low rolling resistance tires and correct inflation boost efficiency; worn or oversized tires can hurt mpg.


• Driving style: Aggressive acceleration, high speeds, and frequent quick stops lower fuel economy.


• Vehicle age and condition: Older components, transmission wear, or heavy payloads can reduce efficiency.

In short, how you drive and how well the car is maintained will have as much impact as the engine itself on real-world mpg.

Tips to maximize mpg in a TL

Owners looking to squeeze more miles per gallon can adopt several practical habits and upkeep steps. The following tips are particularly relevant for the TL’s design and era.

• Keep tires properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.


• Perform regular maintenance: oil changes with the correct grade, clean air filters, and timely spark plug replacement.


• Lighten the load: remove roof racks when not in use and minimize excess weight inside the cabin.


• Drive smoothly: accelerate gradually, anticipate traffic flow, and use cruise control on highways when appropriate.


• Plan efficient routes to minimize idling and unnecessary detours.


• Avoid prolonged idle times and excessive air conditioning use at low speeds; at highway speeds, moderate A/C use is typically worth it for comfort without dramatic mpg penalties.

Following these practices can yield noticeable, if modest, improvements in real-world fuel economy for a TL.

Legacy and modern alternatives

The Acura TL was discontinued after the 2014 model year and was replaced by the TLX, which brings newer technology and improved efficiency. If fuel economy is a priority today, the TLX—with modern engines, lightweight construction, and advanced transmissions—generally offers better real-world efficiency and more contemporary efficiency features than the older TL.

TLX as the contemporary alternative

The TLX represents Acura’s current approach to a sporty, mid-size luxury sedan. It benefits from more efficient engine options, improved aerodynamics, and newer transmissions, delivering better mpg figures across the range compared with the now-outdated TL lineup.

Summary

The Acura TL offers respectable fuel economy for a non-hybrid, mid-size luxury sedan from its era. Highway mileage typically remains stronger than city mileage, with most configurations landing in the high teens to low 30s mpg range depending on drivetrain and year. While it was a solid performer in its day, the TL was superseded by the TLX, which carries forward Acura’s latest engine and transmission technology to deliver better efficiency. For buyers prioritizing fuel economy today, the TLX or other modern compact/luxury sedans are generally the smarter choice, but a well-maintained TL can still be a reasonable used-car option if you value a proven V6 and balanced performance.

Is the Acura TL fuel efficient?

EPA mileage for the automatic SH-AWD is rated 18/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined. The six-speed manual transmission performs 1 mpg worse in all three EPA numbers. Our observed mileage in the TL was 21.6 mpg combined.

What year to avoid Acura TL?

You should avoid Acura TL years 1999–2006, particularly 2003, due to significant transmission issues. Other years to be cautious of include 2007–2008 for a more robust transmission, but still some potential problems with the Bluetooth system and mounts, and 2009–2014 for torque converter issues. The 2010 model year also experienced excessive oil consumption. 
Years with significant transmission problems 

• 1999–2006: These models, especially the 2003 and early 3rd generation (2004–2006), are known for major automatic transmission failures, slipping, and hard shifting. 
• 2004–2006: While better than earlier models, these are still prone to transmission failure and should be approached with caution. 

Years with other notable issues

• 2007–2008: These years have a more reliable transmission, but owners have reported issues with the hands-free Bluetooth draining the battery and failing. 
• 2009–2014: Some models have reported torque converter problems, which can be expensive to fix. 
• 2006: This year had several recalls and issues, including a faulty display screen, power steering leaks, and frozen rear brake calipers. 
• 2010: This model year is known for excessive oil consumption, with engines showing no leaks. 

Years to consider for better reliability 

• 2007–2008: Generally considered the most reliable, especially compared to the years immediately before them. 
• 2013–2014: Some owners report these years as very reliable. 

Other factors to consider

• Manual Transmission: If buying an automatic, aim for the 2007–2008 models. A manual transmission from any year is often a more reliable option.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Proper maintenance is crucial for any used car, especially for models with known issues. Thoroughly inspect the vehicle and review its maintenance history before purchasing. 

Is the Acura good on gas?

Acuras are generally considered to have good fuel economy for their class, especially the Integra and TLX models, which offer a balance of luxury and efficiency. Fuel efficiency varies by model, with the Integra getting the best mileage, while larger SUVs like the MDX have lower MPG ratings.
 
Examples of Acura fuel economy:

• Acura Integra: The most fuel-efficient model, achieving up to 30 mpg city / 37 mpg highway / 33 mpg combined. 
• Acura TLX: A midsize sedan that is also fuel-efficient, with a front-wheel-drive version getting up to 22 mpg city / 31 mpg highway / 25 mpg combined. 
• Acura RDX: The smaller SUV in the lineup gets about 22 mpg city / 28 mpg highway / 24 mpg combined. 
• Acura MDX: The largest SUV, with models getting around 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway / 22 mpg combined. 

Factors that affect MPG:

• Model and drivetrain: Smaller models like the Integra are more efficient than larger models like the MDX. Models with all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) generally have slightly lower fuel economy than front-wheel-drive versions. 
• Driving habits: Aggressive driving, frequent stop-and-go traffic, and excessive idling will reduce fuel economy. 
• Maintenance: Keeping up with routine maintenance, such as oil changes and proper tire inflation, helps ensure optimal performance and fuel efficiency. 

Is a 2007 Acura TL good on gas?

TL fuel economy is 20/29 mpg** (city/highway), while the Type-S fuel economy is 19/28 mpg** (AT) and 20/29** (MT). Both the TL and TL Type-S feature sophisticated double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspensions that maximize driver control without sacrificing ride quality or comfort.