1997 Acura TL 3.2TL Base
All photo credits
- Photo: 1997AcuraTL by Anthonygubler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1st-Acura-TL by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1st Acura TL by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: '96-'98 Acura 3.2TL by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: '96-'98 Acura 2.5TL (Orange Julep) by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1997 Acura TL 3.2TL Base is a 200-hp 3.2-liter with an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $33,385 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.
It makes 200 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 210 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm, spinning to a 6,300 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).
The TL measures 191.7 inches long on a 111.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,461 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $33,385 ($67,602 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.2-liter, 24-valve SOHC V-6 |
| Displacement | 3.2 L |
| Horsepower | 200 hp @ 5,300 rpm |
| Torque | 210 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
| Redline | 6,300 rpm |
| Valvetrain | 4 valves per cylinder, belt-driven, single overhead camshaft |
| Bore and Stroke | 90 mm x 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Injection Type | Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with Variable Volume Induction System |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive, equal-length driveshafts |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | Electronically controlled 4-speed automatic with Grade Logic Control System |
| 1st Gear | 2.458 (62 mph **) |
| 2nd Gear | 1.455 (105 mph **) |
| 3rd Gear | 0.949 (161 mph **) |
| 4th Gear | 0.652 (234 mph **) |
| Reverse | 1.88 |
| Final Drive | 3.133 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 22 MPG |
| Combined | 19 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded, 96 octane |
| Tank Capacity | 17.2 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Independent double-wishbone with trailing link, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | 28.6 mm dia x 3.5 mm wall (tubular) |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | 14.7 mm dia x 2.6 mm wall (tubular) |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated, 11.1 in (282 mm) dia, 0.91 in (23 mm) rotor thickness |
| Rear Brake Disc | 10.3 in (260 mm) dia, 0.35 in (9 mm) rotor thickness |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 6.5JJ x 15 cast-aluminum alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 6.5JJ x 15 cast-aluminum alloy |
| Tires Front | Michelin P205/65R15 94V M+S All Season |
| Tires Rear | Michelin P205/65R15 94V M+S All Season |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 191.7 in |
| Width | 70.9 in |
| Height | 55.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.8 in |
| Front Track | 61 in |
| Rear Track | 59.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.7 in |
| Cargo Volume | 14.1 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,461 lbs |
| Weight Distribution (F/R) | 60% / 40% |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.1 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36.9 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.7 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 54.6 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 54.1 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53.9 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 54.3 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1997 Acura TL 3.2TL Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Acura TL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 19, 1999 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
NHTSA campaign 99V227000
May 10, 1999 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA campaign 99V069000
33 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1997 Acura TL
Owner Complaints
33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Acura TL (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1997 ACURA TL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.