Car & Driver tests the Acura RL

[DwnUnder23]

Performance #'s are so so but it looks really nice on the inside, exterior still looks kinda boring.

ACURA RL SH-AWD

[Msedanman]

Nice ride but not near enough car for 49 large, and FWD to boot.

GSM
GSM
Silverstone Coupe

[justICE]

The RL is AWD but yeah the numbers are a bit slow. Also, is it just me or does this car not elicit the sense of "luxury car"? Maybe I need to wait until I see one on the road but from those pics something wrong with the styling. The car just looks cheap. Back to the drawing board

-JustICE

[bsgoren]

I believe it's AWD, but FWD biased (due to it's original underpinnings from the FWD platform)...they call it SH-AWD for "Super Handling" AWD system.

I agree the exterior styling is bland for $50k. I would take a loaded Acura TL for $15k less over the RL. But then again, I got the RWD G35 over the FWD Acura TL. ;-)



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

[dyenboy]

its really the same dynamics as the g35 AWD..

front wheel..den switches too 4 wheel or wa ever it needs..if you look at it from the side..its a luxurious 4 door accord..



GGG Member Signup

[bsgoren]

Yes, but the G35X is an AWD system biased to RWD...I think that makes a big difference in handling and feel.



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Sport Wheels, Alum. Pedals, Tint, Z Tube, K&N, Coupe Midpipe

[ColdFusion]

If you read the rl reviews from car mags, and on acura's website where they explain sh-awd, its stated that its one of the most advanced awd systems out right now. Its not fwd biased. The power shifts from whatever wheel necessary to stablize the car. When they tested it against the new M5 and a GT-R in germany, it outhandled both of them. Maybe not powerwise, but handling.

The RL looks 10 times better in person. I had the opportunity to look at one. Its not bland looking in person. It has alot of fine lines and it looks aggressive. The interior is really nice too. Great job to honda/acura. Its a car with obvious potential because there is already aftermarket support for it. Mugen made their own modified honda legend/acura rl

[SixFive]

Even if not front biased it's front heavy and transversely mounted - it is a FWD platform. The only reason it has that complicated SH system is to compensate for the fact that it isn't RWD biased.

2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner

[GX9901]

I don't think having a FWD platform automatically make it not handle. The Prelude SH basically had the same type of system working in its front wheels and some magazines actually wrote that it felt pretty much like a RWD car. And in the RL it's actually working the rear wheels. The SH system may be a form of compensation for not being RWD, but it's a pretty good solution, I think. Plus, no one seem to discount the performance of the Lancer Evo and Impreza STi, which are based on FWD platforms as well.

As for the looks. I think the RL looks fine. But for some reason it doesn't look "expensive". I mean, it looks better than say the Lexus LS430, but somehow the LS look like it's worth $60k+ but the RL doesn't look $50k. Maybe my opinion will change once I see on in person.

Overall, I think the new RL will prove to be a great car. It just needs to look more expensive, in my opinion.

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[ColdFusion]

either way, the RL won japans car of the year. It beat the 2006 M45 and the 2006 GS. Also, the Rl won first place in the popular science magazine for its SH-AWD system as being one of the most technologically advanced awd systems.

[ColdFusion]

In this, its 25th anniversary, the Car of the Year Executive Committee has yet again bestowed the COTY honor upon Honda and its break through Legend.
No stranger to the award, Honda has also previously received top ranking in 1983 (Civic), 1985 (Accord), 1991 (Civic), 1993 (Accord), 1995 (Civic), 2000 (Civic), 2001 (Fit), and 2002 (Accord).
This 9th crowning puts the firm comfortably ahead of sales juggernaut Toyota, as well as enthusiast favourites Nissan & Mazda.

There were a total of 1475 points. Results are as follows:

1) Honda Legend


3) Nissan fuga

[GX9901]

Who was number 2?

BTW, between the pictures of the Legend and Fuga, the Legend actually look more expensive/luxurious to me. Kind of weird. The opposite was true when I saw the pics of the RL & M45. I don't think I'm a badge snob or anything, but that picture of the Fuga has Altima written all over it.

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[ColdFusion]

heres the link to all the competitors

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1679800