Enter the 2004 Acura TL, new in every possible way, save for moving five passengers around in a vehicle powered by a gasoline engine driving the front two of four wheels. It bristles with new safety and emissions technology and new features, a few of them nothing less than industry firsts.

The interior has been modernized. The exterior styling marks a fresh departure from the car maker's traditionally conservative design motifs. All but one of the options on last year's list have been moved to the standard column. Horsepower and torque are up, and markedly so. A new transmission is available. And there's only one version, instead of two.

Not much more could be different, or much better. It's pricey, yes, but in perspective, worth it.