The leather used on the highly comfortable and supportive seats is supple and almost snugly. They are ventilated and heated for ultimate well-being in summer or winter. The many adjustments from the power seats and power tilt and telescopic steering wheel make finding a relaxed driving position easy. Front and rear legroom is generous.
Standard features include a Navigation system and ke
yless access. The Navigation is flawless as expected from Acura. This one is not touch-screen, however the "joystick" is very simple to use. The monitor is also higher up in the dash for easier consultation. A tactile screen would be difficult to reach because of its location. The keyless access works through a key-fob that is recognized by the car. As long as the key is on you, the car will automatically allow you to unlock the doors by placing your hand around the handle and start the car without physically using the key. Just don't forget where you put it...
Technical
There is only one engine available for the RL. It is a 3.5L SOHC V6 that
develops 300 hp at 6 200 rpm and 260 lb/ft of torque at 5 000 rpm. Power is transmitted to all 4 wheels through a 5-speed sequential shift automatic transmission. Its SH (Super handling) AWD system is very sophisticated. It can transfer up to 70% of the power to either the front or rear wheels. When entering a curve, it can send power to the outside rear wheel to generate additional turning force. Braking is handled by four large discs and four-piston callipers. The suspension consists of a 4-wheel independent double wishbone with rear multi-link setup.
On the road
The car feels solid and tight. Off the line, acceleration is impressive thanks to the AWD drivetrain. Passing is a little disappointing principally because the car lacks a little torque. The engine displays good power from the mid-range all the way to the redline. It does not help that the transmission is a little lazy. The automatic gearbox works well and can be controlled by steering-wheel mounted paddles; however response time for a kick down or a downshift is unnecessarily long. During the test, my best average fuel consumption was of 13L per 100 km. T
he worst numbers hovered around 16.5 L per 100 km.
The SH-AWD system is fantastic. I often read about how great varioussystems are and I rarely notice a real difference when I test-drive the cars. The SH-AWD is obvious the first time you throw the car around a bend. It seamlessly transfers torque to the wheels that have the most grip. On a dry or mildly wet surface, the car will not deviate from its trajectory, will not over or under-steer. This basically means that it is nearly impossible to loose control. I have never driven a car of this size that corners so perfectly and is so confidence-inspiring: it can turn a regular Jane or John Smith into a Michèle Mouton or Michael Schumacher.
Steering is impressively precise but lacks the all-important on-center feel. Otherwise, it is perfectly weighted. The brake pedal is unfortunately spongy
and devoid of progressiveness. Initial bite is deceiving which means more pressure on the pedal is required to really brake hard. For everything that Honda does well, they seem to have a hard time with pedal feel and response.
The new RL is much more involving to drive than the previous generation. Its ride is taut and controlled. It is not so much that the bones get jarred; it is more like a communicative reminder of the road surface.
Standard features include a Navigation system and ke
yless access. The Navigation is flawless as expected from Acura. This one is not touch-screen, however the "joystick" is very simple to use. The monitor is also higher up in the dash for easier consultation. A tactile screen would be difficult to reach because of its location. The keyless access works through a key-fob that is recognized by the car. As long as the key is on you, the car will automatically allow you to unlock the doors by placing your hand around the handle and start the car without physically using the key. Just don't forget where you put it... Technical
There is only one engine available for the RL. It is a 3.5L SOHC V6 that
 |
On the road
The car feels solid and tight. Off the line, acceleration is impressive thanks to the AWD drivetrain. Passing is a little disappointing principally because the car lacks a little torque. The engine displays good power from the mid-range all the way to the redline. It does not help that the transmission is a little lazy. The automatic gearbox works well and can be controlled by steering-wheel mounted paddles; however response time for a kick down or a downshift is unnecessarily long. During the test, my best average fuel consumption was of 13L per 100 km. T
he worst numbers hovered around 16.5 L per 100 km. The SH-AWD system is fantastic. I often read about how great varioussystems are and I rarely notice a real difference when I test-drive the cars. The SH-AWD is obvious the first time you throw the car around a bend. It seamlessly transfers torque to the wheels that have the most grip. On a dry or mildly wet surface, the car will not deviate from its trajectory, will not over or under-steer. This basically means that it is nearly impossible to loose control. I have never driven a car of this size that corners so perfectly and is so confidence-inspiring: it can turn a regular Jane or John Smith into a Michèle Mouton or Michael Schumacher.
Steering is impressively precise but lacks the all-important on-center feel. Otherwise, it is perfectly weighted. The brake pedal is unfortunately spongy
and devoid of progressiveness. Initial bite is deceiving which means more pressure on the pedal is required to really brake hard. For everything that Honda does well, they seem to have a hard time with pedal feel and response.The new RL is much more involving to drive than the previous generation. Its ride is taut and controlled. It is not so much that the bones get jarred; it is more like a communicative reminder of the road surface.