Perfectly Fine; So nice you almost forget about it.

Is the ACURA 3.2TL Type-S an alternative to European sports sedans like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C320? Acura would like to think so. To that end it added performance to its base TL. Engineers massaged the intake and exhaust of the TL's 3.2-liter V6 to make 260 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, stiffened the front and rear springs and shocks, and increased stiffness of the rear antiroll bar. The Type-S's steering was tightened, too, and an engine speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion setup replaces the vehicle speed-sensitive system on the base TL. Why that's good: The former device could often be overwhelmed during repeated fast turns. Also new to the TL are tires whose performance goes up a notch from 205/60s on 16-inch rims to 215/50 Michelin Pilots mounted on 17-inch wheels.

Acura doesn't want to alienate those buyers looking for a nice, quiet ride and a comfortable interior, those who cross-shop the Lexus ES 300 and Infiniti I30. So it couldn't bulk up the performance option list as far as some sports sedan intenders might have liked.

For an estimated 30,000 buyers a year, though, the Type-S will be just right. It's a safe way to have a comfortable four-door that can still handle the occasional hole in traffic or twisting mountain road that beckons the ...