Other techno-goodies include adaptive cruise control, adaptive HID headlights and a collision mitigation braking system, which detects an imminent collision and starts applying the brakes if the driver doesn’t react.
In an effort to make the RL look more like an Acura and less like an oversized Honda Accord, the car’s reskin gives a little more character. Lower-body side sills, more-detailed taillights, shapelier headlights as well as Acura’s silver-painted signature grille that unfortunately doesn’t give the RL a prestigious corporate face as seen on other luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz.
And that reflects the car’s general appearance. It just doesn’t stand out as a high-end vehicle, a car that makes your neighbours jealous and think that you’ve made it big. It lacks that striking design that could make it become a classic.
What your neighbours will know, however, is that you’re a rational and logical person, one that appreciates refinement and the reputation of Japanese build quality. In addition, maybe an anonymous design is better because you can blend into the scenery and drive a little faster without getting noticed by the men and women in blue.
Inside, the RL sports a very well-finished cockpit, which includes wood trim on the dash, the door panels and the steering wheel, high-quality plastics and, an Elite exclusivity, cooled front seats. The center stack isn’t a mess, but the amount of buttons in all shapes and sizes looks downright complicated, and it is. You’ll definitely get used to it after a while, but after a week, we didn’t.
The rear bench is comfortably snug for two adults, which also benefit from a large fold-down armrest and heated seat cushions. A fifth passenger won’t be very happy if the trip lasts for more than a few minutes, though, as the seat is clearly stuffed for two people.
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| Lower-body side sills, more-detailed taillights, shapelier headlights as well as Acura’s silver-painted signature grille that unfortunately doesn’t give the RL a prestigious corporate face as seen on other luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz.(Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
In an effort to make the RL look more like an Acura and less like an oversized Honda Accord, the car’s reskin gives a little more character. Lower-body side sills, more-detailed taillights, shapelier headlights as well as Acura’s silver-painted signature grille that unfortunately doesn’t give the RL a prestigious corporate face as seen on other luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz.
And that reflects the car’s general appearance. It just doesn’t stand out as a high-end vehicle, a car that makes your neighbours jealous and think that you’ve made it big. It lacks that striking design that could make it become a classic.
What your neighbours will know, however, is that you’re a rational and logical person, one that appreciates refinement and the reputation of Japanese build quality. In addition, maybe an anonymous design is better because you can blend into the scenery and drive a little faster without getting noticed by the men and women in blue.
Inside, the RL sports a very well-finished cockpit, which includes wood trim on the dash, the door panels and the steering wheel, high-quality plastics and, an Elite exclusivity, cooled front seats. The center stack isn’t a mess, but the amount of buttons in all shapes and sizes looks downright complicated, and it is. You’ll definitely get used to it after a while, but after a week, we didn’t.
The rear bench is comfortably snug for two adults, which also benefit from a large fold-down armrest and heated seat cushions. A fifth passenger won’t be very happy if the trip lasts for more than a few minutes, though, as the seat is clearly stuffed for two people.
 |
| The RL sports a very well-finished cockpit, which includes wood trim on the dash, the door panels and the steering wheel, high-quality plastics (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |