AWD power
Acura has retained the services of a marvellous 3,7-litre, V6 mill that deploys 300 impressive ponies. Good thing for the all-wheel drive, or the torque effect would be unbearable. Acceleration is good, but with only five gears the transmission doesn’t bring out the engine’s best.
A sixth gear would be needed, firstly for the sake of performance, secondly because Acura is supposed to be synonymous with sporty and lastly in order to reduce fuel consumption, which averages around 11.7 litres per 100 km. Yes, there are steering wheel paddles, but they don’t get the job done. Despite all this, the gears are well spaced and smoothly dispatch power to the wheels.
It’s no secret that Acura products currently benefit from one of the best all-wheel-drive systems on the market. The instigator? The last majorly updated RL. One can only applaud the initiative, as despite substantial weight the car handles superbly, especially in corners where it seems to become one with the road. Forget about off-roading, but in winter it must be a blast to drive.
Steering is a bit too assisted, but well adapted to the style of the car. With a good grip and feel, the steering wheel deftly increases driving pleasure. The ride is comfortable and straightforward. The suspension is stiff enough and controls rolling well. Together with the all-wheel drive it ensures excellent handling, especially on twisty roads.
Competition
With the RL, Acura is mixing with cars that define automotive competence. And as the list demonstrates, the brand’s pedigree makes a big difference in sales. Its rivals include the Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro (from $62,700), BMW 535xi (from $68,900), Cadillac STS4 V6 (from $64,090), Infiniti M35x (from $55,200), Lexus GS350 AWD (from $53,900), Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC (from $74,500) and Volvo S80 T6 AWD (from $56,495). The Acura RL Elite tops the list in terms of pricing, with a base price of $69,500, exceeded only by the Mercedes E350.
Conclusion
The RL is a surprisingly competent and very pleasant car. Offering a good deal of luxury, it also boasts a stunning dash board. Performance is worthy, as is overall quality. However, it doesn’t have the refinement or prestige of its rivals and is more expensive – it’s a matter of taste more than anything else.
photo:Bertrand Godin
Acura has retained the services of a marvellous 3,7-litre, V6 mill that deploys 300 impressive ponies. Good thing for the all-wheel drive, or the torque effect would be unbearable. Acceleration is good, but with only five gears the transmission doesn’t bring out the engine’s best.
A sixth gear would be needed, firstly for the sake of performance, secondly because Acura is supposed to be synonymous with sporty and lastly in order to reduce fuel consumption, which averages around 11.7 litres per 100 km. Yes, there are steering wheel paddles, but they don’t get the job done. Despite all this, the gears are well spaced and smoothly dispatch power to the wheels.
It’s no secret that Acura products currently benefit from one of the best all-wheel-drive systems on the market. The instigator? The last majorly updated RL. One can only applaud the initiative, as despite substantial weight the car handles superbly, especially in corners where it seems to become one with the road. Forget about off-roading, but in winter it must be a blast to drive.
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| Acura has retained the services of a marvellous 3,7-litre, V6 mill that deploys 300 impressive ponies. |
Steering is a bit too assisted, but well adapted to the style of the car. With a good grip and feel, the steering wheel deftly increases driving pleasure. The ride is comfortable and straightforward. The suspension is stiff enough and controls rolling well. Together with the all-wheel drive it ensures excellent handling, especially on twisty roads.
Competition
With the RL, Acura is mixing with cars that define automotive competence. And as the list demonstrates, the brand’s pedigree makes a big difference in sales. Its rivals include the Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro (from $62,700), BMW 535xi (from $68,900), Cadillac STS4 V6 (from $64,090), Infiniti M35x (from $55,200), Lexus GS350 AWD (from $53,900), Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC (from $74,500) and Volvo S80 T6 AWD (from $56,495). The Acura RL Elite tops the list in terms of pricing, with a base price of $69,500, exceeded only by the Mercedes E350.
Conclusion
The RL is a surprisingly competent and very pleasant car. Offering a good deal of luxury, it also boasts a stunning dash board. Performance is worthy, as is overall quality. However, it doesn’t have the refinement or prestige of its rivals and is more expensive – it’s a matter of taste more than anything else.
photo:Bertrand Godin
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