Driving Impressions

The Acura RL is smooth, responsive and enjoyable in everyday driving. The ride is smooth and well-mannered over all but the most poorly maintained road surfaces, on par with the Mercedes E350 4Matic and the Lexus GS 350 AWD. The RL cruises easily and comfortably. On winding roads, it delivers agile handling and a taut, poised feel. It grips the corners, has excellent transient response and stops in a short distance. The ride is a nice balance, firm enough to feel expansion joints but not so firm as to be harsh. Wind and road noise are all but unheard. The 3.7-liter V6 is rated 300 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 271 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm, the former a benefit of its double overhead-cam, 24-valve V6. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 16/22 mpg City/Highway. Engine displacement, horsepower and torque put the V6-powered RL solidly in the mainstream of the competition, although the EPA pegs its fuel economy estimates below all but the Mercedes-Benz. Throttle response is prompt. The power curve felt linear to us save for a barely perceptible surge around 4000 rpm, when the engine's electronics transition between low-speed and high-speed algorithms. Shifts from the five-speed automatic are smooth and certain, whether left to the transmission's computer or managed by the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Using the Sequential SportShift can be fun, but we preferred to put the transmission in Drive and let it do the job it does so well, allowing us to concentrate on braking, steering and accelerating. Body lean is almost non-existent through tight turns and high speed sweepers. Acura's electronically managed all wheel drive system that vectors power to the outside rear wheel in corners contributes to remarkably responsive steering for a car of the RL's mass. Turn in is precise, and transit through a turn, from entrance to apex to exit, especially under power, is delightfully controllable. The driver can sense the front-wheel-drive bias of the RL. With its rear-wheel-drive architecture and taut suspension, the BMW 535xi feels livelier than the RL, making the BMW more fun to drive. However, the RL is easier to push to the limit in unfamiliar corners. The Collision Mitigation Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control systems work together and are impressive. Picture yourself commuting to work in heavy traffic: You glance away for just a moment. Then, for no apparent reason, everyone ahead slams on the brakes. The system senses this is happening and, in stages, warns the driver with audible tones and flashing indicators, then jerks the seat belt, then backs off the throttle, then hits the brakes. It won't completely stop the car, but it will apply the brakes hard enough to induce the ABS. The driver needs to step in and hit the brakes. But this is exactly what your instincts will tell you to do. We found the system works well, meshing perfectly with the driver's instincts, helping avoid an accident. The system can be fooled, however, and we saw one instance when it slammed on the brakes unnecessarily causing an unplanned moment. Of course, the driver can switch the system off. In more typical usage, the adaptive cruise control maintains pre-set following distances behind other cars by adjusting your speed with the throttle and the brakes.

Final Word

The Acura RL is a satisfying luxury sedan with a supple ride and ample power. Its cabin is comfortable and friendly and it offers seriously high tech features, making the RL one of the best buys in the class. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report based on his test drive of the Acura RL outside Sacramento, California; with reports by Mitch McCullough in Los Angeles.