2008 Acura RL Rivew

Great car, if you're not picky about powertrains.

What's new for the 2005 Acura RL: Redesigned; new model.

What's new for the 2006 Acura RL: A new Technology Package includes run-flat tires, adaptive cruise control, and a Collision Mitigation Braking System that alerts the driver of potential collisions, and tightens the seatbelts and applies the brakes if one is avoidable.

What's new for the 2007 Acura RL: No changes.

What's new for the 2008 Acura RL: No changes.

What's new for the 2009 Acura RL: A stiffer suspension, an enlarged 3.7-liter V6 with 300 horsepower, and more aggressive styling are added to infuse the RL with some excitement.  The interior gains a USB port, seat coolers, and active front head restraints.

Remember how everyone used to dog on the original Acura RL of the mid-90s?  The critics cried for more power, a different look, and something else besides front-wheel-drive.  The RL got all that (and much more) in its 2005 redesign, yet Acura's flagship continues to sit on the sidelines, remaining as ignored as ever.  Why?

It sure isn't the fault of the car's quality or engineering.  The RL feels every bit a luxury car, whether through its silence and composure, or its performance and technology.  Acura's 300-horsepower V6 measures up to many V8s, and its "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive system knows a few tricks that make the RL handle better than expected for a two-ton sedan.

And the RL certainly feels special on the inside.  Acura put an emphasis on technology, features, and flashiness -- something that might frighten fans of simplicity -- but anyone who can get used to the sheer number of buttons should be won over by the Acura's intuitive interface, stirring Bose 5.1 surround sound stereo, and great navigation system (with traffic and weather updates).  Seating is also comfortable (despite merely adequate room in back), and finally, the RL has been awarded pretty much the highest crash test scores in the automotive universe.  This could be the safest car on the road.

For 2009, the RL got a new facelift that degraded the styling a bit and modified the engine and suspension for performance -- strange, given that the RL was better off emphasizing comfort.  But really, as long you can live with six cylinders and all-wheel-drive (most competitors offer a V8 and rear-drive), you can count on being fine with the rest of the car.

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