It's midnight, I'm hungry and not very familiar with this part of town. Fortunately, I'm in a new 2006 Acura TL with the voice-activated navigation system. I press a backlit button on the steering wheel and the multi-channel audio system automatically mutes as I speak the words, "Find nearest fast food." A list of the nearest fast-food restaurants appears on the 8-inch touchscreen in-dash monitor. After scrolling down and choosing the nearest In-N-Out Burger, I press the "send" button on the screen and my cell phone automatically and wirelessly starts dialing. The friendly In-N-Out associate lets me know I don't need to rush since they are open until 1:30 a.m. I hear this excellent news through the audio system and say, "Thank You!" into the hands-free microphone. I press the "OK" button on the touchscreen monitor and start to receive turn-by-turn visual and voice guidance as I proceed toward a juicy Double-Double and fries. Ahh, the conveniences of modern automotive technology.
The voice recognition and DVD-based navigation in the TL are not brand-new technologies, but what is new and exciting is the way Acura engineers have combined the abundant features and technologies together for seamless integration and operation. Although many other manufacturers and vehicles have equivalent options on their window stickers, the best-in-class functionality of each feature and way they work together is what sets Acura above the others. Standard features in the TL include the Acura/ELS surround sound system that can play DVD-A and DTS 5.1 music discs (as well as regular CDs) in the in-dash 6-disc changer; "HandsFreeLink" Bluetooth wireless phone interface; and XM Radio (free for the first three months).One of my favorite and most used features of the TL is the "HandsFreeLink," which allows Bluetooth-enabled phones to wirelessly integrate with the voice-activation, built-in hands-free kit and audio/navigation systems. This feature is safer, cooler and more useful than words can describe. The sound quality of the wireless conversation is outstanding for both parties (depending on wireless carrier and reception) and the volume can be cranked up to easily audible levels through the front speakers of the audio system without distortion. The convenience of not having to remove the phone from my pocket every time I want to use HandsFreeLink is awesome. The amazing level of integration that the Acura engineers have achieved is exemplified by the way the audio system not only mutes when a call is made, but also the way the in-dash changer pauses during your conversation, so you don't miss a beat of your favorite song.Many vehicles are available with factory navigation systems today, but most of them don't do much more than get you from point A to point B. The Acura navigation system is like a concierge on wheels, with over 7 million points-of-interest and nationwide coverage. Convenient voice commands not only access navigation features, but audio and climate control features as well. Simple commands like, "Find nearest gas station," "Call Mom," and "Temperature, 73°," allow functionality of the respective systems without making you take your eyes off the road. Another example of Acura's over-the-top integration ingenuity is the GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone climate control system that adjusts the temperature a couple of notches for the side of the car facing the sun, depending on the direction of travel.
While some of you may think that all of this technology is pure luxury and excess, there was a point in time when people considered refrigeration, automobiles, microwaves and cell phones to be pure luxury items. Sure, not everybody needs all of these features, but the price point at which Acura achieves this is an absolute bargain. For the tech-savvy automotive enthusiast, the 2006 Acura TL is a dream come true.