Conan O'Brien's Questionable Taste in Cars

While we love Conan O’Brien and his new gig on “The Tonight Show,” we’re learning he’s no Jay Leno when it comes to automotive tastes.

First, there’s his self-admitted love of his ancient Ford Taurus SHO, which made an appearance in his first episode as “Tonight Show” host. Then, last night we caught him in a skit with Donald Trump opening a trunk full of The Donald’s new book. The car? It’s a new Acura TL, which has been much-maligned because of its design.

And based on the sales numbers, Conan appears to be one of a very few people who bought one.

After bragging so much about the Taurus SHO, we can only assume the TL is more of a daily driver. Still, Leno was buying a new vintage car every week when he was hosting.

For the record, the staff of Cars.com has plenty of suggestions if Conan blows it and one of us is tapped to host late night’s most famous hour.

"The Tonight Show with Kelsey Mays," anyone?

Check out the video after the jump.

Reader Review of the Week: 2009 Acura RDX

LoveCars68 from Media, Penn., bought a new 2009 RDX that immediately went into direct competition with his last car, a Volkswagen Jetta. To find out which vehicle wins out, check out the full reader review of the ’09 RDX. Then, if you have something to say about your vehicle, visit the Reader Review homepage here.

Through Ian's Lens: 2009 Acura TL

My first reaction to the 2009 Acura TL was one of great conflict. How in the world did the highly trained automotive designers at Acura leave that ugly plate of chrome on the front of that poor car? In all honesty, I think the designers at Acura were working on something bigger than replacing a grille on a car. They were hard at work instituting design cues that the entire Acura line of cars could execute. After spending some time with the nose of the TL, I can see what they were aiming for. And I really like it.

The 2009 Acura TL is a sharp-looking car that takes the Acura brand to a new level of quality. With a brutish front end that contains a large chunk of matte chrome paint, the TL looks like a Honda Accord dressed up for a “Star Trek” convention (in a good way). Sharp lines from the front flow through the body panels and end at the rear of the car, near the sharp taillights. All this aggressive movement ends at a vertical point in the middle of the trunk. This symmetry allows the TL to look mean from all angles.

Check out the quality of the interior by looking at the full set of photos below. Please leave your remarks in the comments section, and feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser.

Acura Builds One for Baby Boomers With New ZDX

One of the more intriguing models to debut at the 2009 New York auto show was the Acura ZDX. Part hatchback, part crossover and part sporty car, the five-seat ZDX hits dealerships in fall 2009. Acura says it's designed for the growing Baby Boomer population, which is projected to stand at around 80 million in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The ZDX features important crossover attributes like a high seating position in a distinctively styled package, said John Watts, Acura senior manager of product planning. Whereas the automaker's seven-seat MDX crossover is geared for families, Watts said the ZDX is aimed at empty-nesters.

Acura ZDX Video

Acura’s ZDX prototype is a sporty SUV that favors an engaging driving experience over raw utility. In this Cars.com video, Kelsey Mays highlights what to expect from the sporty ZDX, which has a purpose similar to those of competition like the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX.

Acura ZDX Concept: Up Close

Yesterday, Acura took the wraps off the 2010 ZDX, and I had a chance to see the prototype up close. Acura says the prototype is close to the real thing that will hit dealerships this fall. Whether the ZDX adds anything to the luxury-crossover fray will largely depend on its driving dynamics. As a utility vehicle, it runs the same playbook as the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX, which is to say styling trumps space.

2010 Acura ZDX at the 2009 New York Auto Show

• Looks like: Acura saw the BMW X6 and said, “We’ve got to have one of those!”
• Defining characteristics: Hatchback body style, Acura’s not-going-away grille
• Ridiculous features: Acura hasn’t given up on the new grille
• Chance of being mass-produced: Goes on sale this fall, so 100%

Honda and Acura don’t often roll out concept cars. Instead, they reveal prototypes that closely resemble upcoming production vehicles. That’s definitely the case with the Acura ZDX crossover concept. The company announced today it will indeed go on sale this fall. We’d guess the first look at a final version will be at a press event shortly before the car goes on sale.

What will that production ZDX be like? It’ll feature a V-6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive along with 20-inch wheels, which we’d guess will be standard.

The company also promises an upscale cabin beyond what’s in current Acuras. High-tech features will include a blind spot detection system and multi-view rear camera. It will also have a panoramic glass sunroof, as all luxury crossovers must have these days. 

As for the styling … we’re not sure if the BMW X6 is really something to emulate.

Unfortunately, the ZDX’s best angle, the rear, isn’t represented well in Acura’s supplied press photos below. We’ll have more live shots later today.

Acura Teases ZDX Via Twitter

I was off taking a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE for a spin at lunch — don’t ask why — and was listening to a humorous exchange on talk radio in which a newspaper tech reporter was trying to explain Twitter to the host, and callers were chiming in about how they didn’t get it either.

Like it or not, Twitter seems to be a place to get interesting tidbits on all things, including autos. One Acura official Twitter-er took a shot of the ZDX concept under a sheet and uploaded it to Twitpic, a photo site for Twitter users.

We’ll have full details on the ZDX come tomorrow at 11 a.m. EDT.

New Acura ZDX to debut at N.Y. Auto Show

As the date of the New York auto show approaches, we’re getting a better idea of what to expect in terms of new-vehicle unveils. Over at the Acura booth, the automaker will unveil a prototype of a production-intended vehicle named the ZDX.

The ZDX is a luxury four-door crossover. Judging from the shadowy teaser pics, it will have a fastback silhouette and trapezoidal wraparound taillamps. Assuming the production vehicle holds the same shape — and Honda products usually do — Acura could position the ZDX as an X6 competitor.

The production ZDX will arrive at dealerships this fall. For additional information, stay tuned for the unveiling April 8. If you’ve got an opinion about the name “ZDX” or whether there’s even a need for an X6 competitor, please comment below.

2010 Acura TSX Now With V-6 Power

The Acura TSX compact luxury sedan, now in its second generation, has always had a four-cylinder engine. Now it's getting the 3.5-liter V-6 from the larger TL sedan in a new trim level, called the TSX V-6, which hits dealerships this summer. Along with the larger engine comes a sportier suspension and 18-inch wheels. The four-cylinder will remain unchanged as the base TSX model.