You'll want to take the long way home in 2009 Acura TL

— -- Surely the neighborhood shortcut is a quicker way to work, but the long way has that pair of hilly, 20-mph "S" corners that let TL's performance-oriented all-wheel drive sling it fiercely through the turns.

Surely a test pair of redesigned TLs delivered the most enjoyable overall driving of any cars in a long time — the kind of deep satisfaction that has you looking for excuses to take the long, twisty way.

Not that the new TL vibrates with excitement. It can be provoked into pulse-raising antics by simply stabbing your right foot toward the carpet and dancing your fingertips on the manual-shift paddles on the steering wheel.

But your creaky relatives could motor away and feel, if not precisely at home, at least not inconvenienced.

That happy blend of sport and luxury is a result of Acura trying to exorcise what people disliked about the last TL, while expanding what they loved. Thus:

• More power. About 20 horsepower more than previous models — 280 hp in the '09 front-drive model, 305 hp in the all-wheel-drive version, called SH-AWD (for super-handling all-wheel drive).

• More stability. SH-AWD, used on the bigger RL and the MDX SUV but not available until now on TL, is unlike other systems. In a corner, it pours more power to the outside rear wheel to pivot the car around smartly. It cuts power to the inside rear only as a last resort. Rivals cut power to the inside wheel much sooner, taking control away from the driver. It can't overcome stupid drivers or the laws of physics. But short of those, it pretty much begs you to bring it on.

Perhaps the best part of SH-AWD: It's a relative bargain at $3,550 more than the FWD model and includes the more-powerful engine and sportier suspension.

It's useful in slick weather, too, of course.

• More room. The new TL is fractionally more than an inch wider inside and has a little more than an inch more knee room in the rear seat. Makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Rear-seat room was a big deal with customers and potential customers that Acura surveyed. Used to feel tight, now feels roomy.