#tl

It’s always exciting for automakers to introduce new cars to the market, but that also means that we have to bid farewell to antiquated models. Sometimes automakers replace aging cars with new ones while other times models get the axe due to poor sales. As we enter 2015, now is a great time to take a look at all the cars we said goodbye to in 2014.

The 2004 model year saw the introduction of an unofficial third-generation Acura TL. Although this was the first time just the TL moniker was used on an Acura model, two previous generations of mid-size luxury sedans used the letters TL after a set of numbers designating the engine.

Midsize sedans represent a massive slice of the automotive pie. These four-door cars almost single handedly (or wheely?) form the backbone of America’s personal transportation network, shuttling people practically everywhere they need and want to go. Yeah, they’re kind of a big deal, and as a salute to these hard-working automobiles they’re the subject of this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide.

The fourth generation Acura TL has had a hard time fitting in during its short lifetime. Sized closer to a mid-size luxury sedan, the TL is powered, optioned and priced more like a compact luxury sedan. In fact, at a base $36,030, the TL is actually cheaper than the BMW 328i.

Acura has adjusted the pricing of its 2014 TL sports sedan, increasing the bottom line by $125 across the various models and trim levels.

Own an Acura TL and always wished you could drop its top?

Acura has just taken the wraps off of the 2013 TL Special Edition, which brings the car some appearance upgrades and a boost in technology. 

One of only two cars to recently earn a ‘good’ rating on the IIHS small overlap barrier test, Acura has released pricing for its 2013 model year TL which will start at $36,800.

Honda‘s latest addition to its airbag recall affecting older Accords, Civics, Odyssey’s, Pilots and Acuras bumps the total number of recalled vehicles to more than 3.7 million.

Honda‘s airbag woes grew significantly after they recalled an almost 1 million additional vehicles.

The 2012 Acura TL goes on sale in a couple of weeks, and it gets a new six-speed automatic transmission, some new gadgets, and a facelift to help consumers get over that massive buck tooth.

No manufacturer has ever received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Top Safety Pick rating for every car it produces… until now. With a top crash rating for the new 2009 TL, all five Acura cars and SUVs (including the RL, TL, TSX, MDX and RDX) carry the prestigious Top Safety Pick rating.

To get the top rating, each vehicle has to score a “Good” for each of the three test categories, which are: Frontal Offset Crash Test, Side Impact Collision Evaluation (SICE) and Rear Crash Protection.

For several years now the IIHS demands that Top Safety Pick winners be equipped with stability control. That being said, all Acura models now come with the company’s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system.

Starting in 2009 every Acura also comes with the following safety features: Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual-stage/dual-threshold front airbags, side airbags with front passenger Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active head restraints for front seats, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Acura also scores highly in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, with a top rating for front crashes – the most common type of accident.