2007 Acura Tl Type S Sedan on 2040-cars

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Kia leads J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study for 2022

For the first year ever, Kia leads J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study with a score of 145 problems per 100 vehicles. Buick (147) and Hyundai (148) round out the top three. The highest premium brand on the list is Genesis, with a score of 148. It's common for so-called "mass market" brands to lead this particular study, according to J.D. Power, as "premium" brands "typically incorporate more technology in their vehicles, which increases the likelihood for problems to occur" and aren't necessarily built to a higher standard that less-expensive brands. The highest-rated single nameplate is the Porsche 911. It's the third time out of the past four years and the second year in a row that Porsche's quintessential sports car has taken top honors. Porsche as a brand sits in seventh place (162) just behind Lexus (159) and ahead of Dodge (166). At the very bottom of the list is Land Rover with a dismal score of 284; the SUV specialist held the same unfortunate distinction on last year's list. Ram (266), Volvo (256), Alfa Romeo (245) and Acura (244) also performed poorly. The overall industry average score sits at 192 — mass market brands average a score of 190 while premium brands sit 14 points lower at 204. While Tesla is unofficially included in some of J.D. Power's results, the agency says the sample size it has access to for this study is too small to include. As has been the case for the past several years, infotainment systems dominate the list of problems reported by owners. Popular (or unpopular, depending on your point of view) complaints include built-in voice recognition (8.3 PP100), Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity (5.4 PP100), built-in Bluetooth system (4.5 PP100), not enough power plugs/USB ports (4.2 PP100), navigation systems difficult to understand/use (3.7 PP100), touchscreen/display screen (3.6 PP100), and navigation system inaccurate/outdated map (3.6 PP100). While problems with the car's infotainment and technology packages are indeed bothersome, it's important to remember that such issues aren't usually leaving owners stranded with an immovable vehicle like a broken transmission or blown engine would. Culling infotainment complaints from the results would reduce the average problem-per-100-vehicle score by a staggering 51.9 points. The vehicles included in this study are from the 2019 model year. That means owners have had three years to get to know their cars and trucks. It's the 33rd year that J.D.

2014 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year finalists announced [w/poll]

The 2014 North American International Auto Show is right around the corner, which means it's high time we found out which cars and trucks would be finalists for the prestigious North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year awards.
The finalists - three in cars and three in three trucks/utilities - are dominated by American brands, with two-thirds of the finalists hailing from either General Motors or Chrysler (don't worry Ford, there's always next year), while outliers from Mazda and Acura can be found in each contest. Here now is the list of finalists for the big prizes:
2014 North American Car of the Year:

2025 Acura MDX prices rise thanks to new tech and audio

Acura revealed the 2025 MDX in April. Now, in advance of the updated flagship crossover arriving at dealers, the brand's released pricing. We'll start with the numbers, prices rising anywhere from $850 to $1,550, with $100 of that being a higher $1,350 destination charge. MSRPs for the latest MDX after destination, and their differences from 2024, are: Base FWD: $52,250 ($850)  Base SH-AWD: $54,450 ($850)  Technology Package FWD: $57,650 ($1,550) Technology Package SH-AWD: $59,850 ($1,550) A-Spec SH-AWD: $62,850 ($1,050) Advance Package SH-AWD: $67,350 ($2,000) A-Spec Advance SH-AWD: $69,350 (New trim) Type S Advance SH-AWD: $76,300 ($1,250) What's the extra money get? Most importantly, a new infotainment system coded on Google built-in that jettisons the unwieldy and unloved Acura True Touchpad interface for a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Having Google built-in means an enhanced version of Google Maps is on board, along with various apps from the Google Play store (including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay). The center console space formerly reserved for the touchpad and wrist rest houses a wide, shallow bin and an easier-to-access wireless phone charger. Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a new Bang & Olufsen sound system with either 19 or 31 speakers in all but the base trims, better hardware for the AcuraWatch driver assistance suite, and additional sound deadening plus rear laminated glass on most trims. Exterior visual differences are also subtle, with revised lower fascias for both standard and Type S models, new grille inserts for both, and a revised grille surround that removes the chrome lipstick look of the standard MDX. The taillights are now darker, and there are new wheel designs throughout. There might be a few more Easter eggs for MDX lifers, too. A member at the MDXers forum pointed out that the 2025 Advance trim features a body-colored skirting just like the late third-gen MDX instead of the black skirting applied on the fourth-gen through 2024.    As for those trims, the A-Spec with the Advance Package is new, finally letting buyers combine the A-Spec's sportier appearance with the Advance's luxury and tech features such as 16-way power front seats, a head-up display, and surround-view camera. Acura also puts quilted leather seats in the new trim, the stitched hides once exclusive to the Type S.