CTC Review: 2007 Acura RL

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2007 Acura RL Elite


Day 1:

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CMBS™ (Collision Mitigation Braking System™), SH-AWD (Super Handling - All Wheel Drive), ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) are just some of the acronyms that can be used to describe the RL (Road Luxury?) from Acura. This vehicle is packed with technology from stem to stern: a real gadget junkies dream.  More ...

[2hondas1BMW]

Better cars out there for the money, IMO.

[si]

Coming from a TL, the quality of engineering can be pointed out in the RL.   The doors had better fit and finish, the wiper blades were excellently designed, the leather is oh so much softer.  Too bad all of this engineering effort can't validate the RL's relatively high MSRP and rather unsporting driving characteristics.  I think this is a real competitor to the M from Infiniti and the GS from Lexus - but go to Tokyo and you'll see no RL/Legends, the competition galore.

[Tim]

The RL is a solid car, but for the money I think most people (including myself) would take their hard earned dollars to the Lexus dealership for a GS350. While the RL may have more electronic hoo-ha's and gizmos, most people in this marketing segment are interested in luxery and a touch of sport. From what I've heard, Acura doesn't sell many of these, and will be looking to replace in 2 or so years.

[MKII]

The RL is a solid car, but for the money I think most people (including myself) would take their hard earned dollars to the Lexus dealership for a GS350.

I do not think the GS350 would be a better choice, with so many owners upset with the faulty transmission and with how Toyota is "not"  handling the issue.http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/local_links/links/11

IMO, the RL lack of sales is all about the pricing. For the TL owner to move up to the RL, the price jump is quite drastic and I think if Acura had of priced the RL starting in the low $50,000  range then more TL owners would move up to the RL. I have no facts to back this up, but any TL owners I know have not moved up to the RL.

[Snowman]

Agreed, much better cars for similar money. Once in a while Honda makes a mistake.

[jww]

Agreed, much better cars for similar money. Once in a while Honda makes a mistake.

It has alot to go wrong with it with all that electronic gadgetry (even if that is what people want today). It's pricey, and not the best looking girl on the dance-floor by a long shot.

[johngenx]

$70-80K cars right now look very overpriced thanks to the incredible emphasis that makers have placed on the $40-50K bracket.  The 3-series, G35, TL, IS and so on are so good that the higher priced cars just don't offer that much for the huge jump in price.

[vspinu]

Probably the RL would sell better in Canada if it would follow the US/CAN exchange rate. If you consider 1 USD=1.2 CAD the ELITE would be 63000 CAD not 71000 CAD. That is before taxes. So, probably a loss of minimum 9000. A lot for me, at least.

[biker_golf]

For 70 large, I would be more inclined to an M45.  An A-Spec RL would be nice, but I still think a V-8 is required for this snack bracket.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think it's too small as a flagship model. If I didn't regularly have people in the rear, would consider. It's a nice piece.

[Blueprint]

It's interesting to know that these doodads do add up to trouble : the current-gen RL was the least reliable long-term car in Car and Driver's fleet from many years in memory (the truly awful cars were early '80s GM).

[Mitlov]

It's interesting to know that these doodads do add up to trouble : the current-gen RL was the least reliable long-term car in Car and Driver's fleet from many years in memory (the truly awful cars were early '80s GM).

More complexity means more potential problems--just look at Mercedes-Benz.  While Honda has a better reputation for doo-dad reliability than your typical European car, Honda is not perfect either.  Given enough complexity, the deck of cars will still collapse.

[dasiuyan]

does the RL come with the Legends (Honda's JDM version) power trunk lid (closing)? i think unless people has problem with their shoulder or the trunk lid is 200kg, it kinda useless...

check out the local japan video test drive with "english" anchor of honda legend which show the power trunk closing function at around 2"40' (btw, it is HD quality if you download it): "triple W"+"nihoncar.com/en/review-284-Honda+Legend+Test+Drive%2C+HDTV"+".html"

[i have less than 10posts, no link allow to be posted yet .... add that up to get the link ]

[carcrazed]

At that price, I'd get a TL and a CR-V.

[DoubleClutch]

I don't think the RL is over priced compared to it's competitors:

Base RL (290hp): $63,900
M35 AWD (275hp): $59.900
GS 350 AWD (303hp): $65,250
535xi (300hp): $71,500
A6 3.2 quattro (255hp): $62,700
E280 4matic (228hp): $65,500

Listed above, only the RL has navi standard and in general is better equipped than any one of those cars. So pricing wise it can be seen as a bargain. Problem is many people don't put Acura in the same category as a Benz or Lexus. Not even an Audi or Infiniti. Acura's philosophy has always been to under cut the competition in pricing. What Acura needs to do is remove the standard navi and de-content it so base price is under $55,000. But continuing their current philosophy won't help Acura achieve a true "luxury" status and they know that. I think that's why they're trying to price the RL higher. So that it is more in-line with other luxury auto makers. Another thing hurting the RL is that the previous RL was so bad. The current RL is a very competent car in it's own right (was a C&D 10 best in 2005).

The RL is the perfect Honda. Just not a very good Acura. 

[carcrazed]

While the RL has a good value compared to those models, it doesn't have the image and status like they do, I think.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I don't think the RL is over priced compared to it's competitors:

Base RL (290hp): $63,900
M35 AWD (275hp): $59.900
GS 350 AWD (303hp): $65,250
535xi (300hp): $71,500
A6 3.2 quattro (255hp): $62,700
E280 4matic (228hp): $65,500

Listed above, only the RL has navi standard and in general is better equipped than any one of those cars. So pricing wise it can be seen as a bargain. Problem is many people don't put Acura in the same category as a Benz or Lexus. Not even an Audi or Infiniti. Acura's philosophy has always been to under cut the competition in pricing. What Acura needs to do is remove the standard navi and de-content it so base price is under $55,000. But continuing their current philosophy won't help Acura achieve a true "luxury" status and they know that. I think that's why they're trying to price the RL higher. So that it is more in-line with other luxury auto makers. Another thing hurting the RL is that the previous RL was so bad. The current RL is a very competent car in it's own right (was a C&D 10 best in 2005).

The RL is the perfect Honda. Just not a very good Acura. 

   The mid-luxury sedans really have crept up in price.

Still, think it a tad small as a luxury brand's flagship model.

[The Mighty Duck]

I think a modest increase in size and a V8 under the hood would make it a better contender, especially if they stick to this segment.

I seem to recall hearing rumours that the next-gen RL might have the V10 out of the new NSX?  That would be interesting... 

[tortoise]

For some reason Day #3 runs into Day #2.