2023 Acura RL
The Acura RL is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Honda’s Acura division. The Acura RL is technically a mid-size luxury sedan available in three trim levels, but the two top trims are truly a double tech package. The standard equipment on the Acura RL includes 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, a sunroof, keyless start/entry, heated eight-way power front seats with driver memory function, electric tilt telescopic steering wheel, leather upholstery, and dual-zone, automatic climate control, rear seat climate controls, auto-dimming mirror, electric rear sun visor, and manual rear side sun visors.
The Acura RL is a good choice for a mid-size luxury sedan, and only the Hyundai Genesis and Infiniti M35 can match or better Acura’s value proposition. But whether for prestige, image, or ultimate V8 performance, many people will still be happier with cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. And if the RL’s specs really appeal to you, the less-expensive Acura TL SH-AWD offers pretty much everything its older brother had in store for wood trim, plus a few extras.
Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice commands for audio and air conditioning systems, and a 10-speaker Bose surround sound system with six-CD changers, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack, and USB/iPod audio interface are also standard. . The RL Acura with Technology package adds adaptive headlights, a backup camera, heated and ventilated front seats, a wooden steering wheel, and gear knob, upgraded Bluetooth phone connectivity, solar-sensing climate control with GPS and a real-time navigation system. traffic, real-time weather, and Zagat restaurant ratings. With technology and CMBS packages, the 2012 Acura RL adds radar-guided adaptive cruise control and Collision Avoidance Braking System (CMBS).
Acura RL : Interior
The interior of the 2010 Acura RL is beautifully crafted and attractively designed. Convincing or real wood trim flows into a clean waterfall center stack that integrates the car’s numerous electronic functions. The standard 10-speaker Bose surround sound system is so perfect that you could swear Gladys Knight drives a shotgun with Pips crammed in the back. Unfortunately, they can find just as much room on the cheaper Acura TL, which has a pretty good stereo.
Even without the optional Technology package, key functions such as audio and air conditioning systems can be controlled via voice commands, buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, or a multi-purpose control knob and LCD display. These redundant controls may seem confusing in the explanation, but they allow the driver to choose how to access commonly used functions. The luggage capacity is 13.1 cubic feet, a small number for this class.
Acura RL : Engine
The only engine available is a 3.7-liter V6 that generates 300 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Five-speed automatic transmission with manual paddle shifters is standard. In performance testing, the RL accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The fuel economy estimated by the EPA is 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.
Acura RL : Safety
Standard safety features include anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, and a stability control system. Optional CMBS can help prevent or minimize a frontal crash by warning the driver or actually applying emergency braking if a collision seems imminent. All RLs receive a top five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for front and side impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Acura RL a good rating in the forward stabilization and side crash tests. In our own brake test, the Acura RL delivered a lackluster stop of 131 feet from 60 mph. Most competitors are at least 10 feet shorter.