Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2009 Acura TL VS 2009 Audi A4 Near Scottsdale, AZ

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the TL deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The TL’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The A4’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the TL and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TL 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The engines in the TL have a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the A4 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the TL has a 130 amp alternator. The A4’s standard 120 amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics which show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 11th in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 23rd.

The TL’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 69 more horsepower (280 vs. 211) than the A4 2.0 T’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The TL’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 15 more horsepower (280 vs. 265) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (254 vs. 243) than the A4 3.2 Sedan’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6. The TL’s optional 3.7 SOHC V6 produces 40 more horsepower (305 vs. 265) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 243) than the A4 3.2 Sedan’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura TL 3.7 V6 is faster than the A4 2.0 T (automatics tested):

The TL has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (18.5 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TL stops much shorter than the A4:

For better traction, the TL has larger tires than the A4 (245/50R17 vs. 225/50R17).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TL is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the A4.

The TL SH-AWD® handles at .92 G’s, while the A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the TL is rated a Mid-size car by the EPA, while the A4 Sedan is rated a Compact.

The TL has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4 Sedan.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the TL has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The A4 doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The TL’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The A4’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The TL has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The A4 only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

When the TL is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The A4’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The TL’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service available in a limited number of metro areas.) The A4’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Insurance will cost less for the TL owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TL will cost $129 less than the A4 over a five year period.