2009 Acura RL Will Get a Major Makeover...Will it Help?

Nothing beats the replaced version of the RL. The previous version had been on sale in the states for more than 8 years or so it seemed that long...

The traditional styling is what made that car popular. The current RL dares to change that by sub par styling, youthful appeal and non-competitive power and drive trains....

It is safe to say that people have spoken and they want something that is worth $49,000.00 +

The RL should be Honda's best looking, best equiped, best everything they could find vehicle. Hyundai should not be on someone's mind when they compare it....

Honda/Acura really screwed themselves up by producing this car.

I have been in this car and it is not awe inspiring. It is a yawn... I mean a realy yawn not just words on a post.

Honda needs to design an LS equivelent vehicle. At this point they have a Semi - "GS" type model and Lexus doesn't sell that many "GS" Models......

I agree a potent V8 engine in this car would do it wonders. Even borrowing a V12 from they test labs would be something. Make this car something that people will look at....

At this point in time Honda has turned Acura into the Basement Luxury series where as GM has a notch up on them with Buick...

acura RL is a dog, I own a TL and it might be acuras best car they make, i get all sorts of nice comments by passangers and friends so i know its not a race car but i didnt need a race car i wanted a reliable car theat holds its value well and i think i got exactally what i paid for with a few extra bells and whistles.

To keep the RL alive it needs 3 things. A V8, more size, and better looks. If anyone of those 3 are missing in the next version than I have a feeling they'll be stuck selling like 4000 a year.

This car just doesn't offer anything over a TL to the average buyer, and can't even try to compete with any of the Lexus top offerings.

I posted something referring to this car under another article.

I thought the RL was actually a very competent car, with some very attractive standard features, that are offered on other vehicles as extra cost options.

However,
As others have mentioned already... the sportier Acura TL is equally as well equipped with standard features for thousands less.

IMO Honda/Acura dropped the ball in terms of it's marketing for the RL.
I live in Canada, and the vehicle sits ~$70k

They offered up a remarkable product, but at the price point offered, you have the likes of the Mercedes E class, BMW 5 series, Audi A6, Jaguar S-type...

To compete successfully in this price category, it really does require at least a V8 option (or heck bring on the full electric powered engines!!), and some sort of exterior design that sets it apart from the others.

People don't buy these vehicles because they "need" it, they buy them because they "want it!!"
And are generally very passionate about their purchase, and the aspect of high power/high performance (*cough... RWD cough...*).

Honda has an amazing race heritage, here's hoping they lend the next generation RL some of that expertise.

The new RL has good looks IMO, it's just the powertrain that needs a makeover. The SH-AWD system seems like a good idea, but with the same V6 that's used in the TL, NSX, Accord, Ridgeline, MDX, and that's been around for about a decade.. it doesn't seem enticing anymore. The flagship car should be exclusive, yet subtle. No need for outward appearance changes, just change what's underneath.

Honda's never been a company to screw up with design, but they may if they choose to change the looks too much.

The RL is essentially a victom of the TL's success. The TL is sportier, just a well equiped, and priced right. The RL is mired by a bland design and a poor price point.

I test drove the current RL when it came out. I found it to be truly excellent in terms of handling, braking and interior appointments. The exterior is kind of bland and could use some more bling... for a flagship model, it should. But what struck me the most was, with the 290HP V6, it didn't feel that fast. But I did know I was going fast because I was leaving *all* other cars in the dust when the traffic light turned green. It felt like the chassis and suspension was set up so well that it could easily handle an extra 100-200HP.

In my view, they need give the interior more space (although I found it to have more than enough space, but then, I'm not overweight or over 6 feet tall), give it a more special powertrain (either a V8 or maybe add DI and a couple of turbos to that V6) and change the name back to "Legend". If they do these things, then they might have something that, if it doesn't sell, at least it will have a better halo-effect for the Acura line than the current RL.

At this point in time Honda has turned Acura into the Basement Luxury series where as GM has a notch up on them with Buick...-Andrew

That has to be on the of most retarded things I've read.

Not GM's Cadillac above Acura, but Buick? Pass what you're smoking...

"Pass what you're smoking..."

lol

The TSX is the only attractive car Acura makes. I would much rather have the Enclave then either of the DX's (particularly considering how small both of the DX's are for the price). However, none of the cars works for me. Though the TSX is attractive, it's too small for me so it's a draw. The first TL was attractive, the new one is awful. The RL has never been attractive, the 2nd generation Legend was the last attractive "big" car Acura has made.

Drop the whole Acura brand. Rebrand it Honda. Make Acura a performance (BMW-like) version/execution of Honda cars.

Noya:"

At this point in time Honda has turned Acura into the Basement Luxury series where as GM has a notch up on them with Buick...-Andrew

That has to be on the of most retarded things I've read.

Not GM's Cadillac above Acura, but Buick? Pass what you're smoking..."

Buick is GM's basement luxury brand... There is a reason I choose to use that as an example...

Buick is offering a lot of new features that Honda is not even looking at. Camera sensitive motion detection technology.. Ever heard of that?

Before I pass what I am smoking to you, you need to lay off the other crap you're using....

Current RL: Booo creepy people who drive it.

V8 RL with RWD: Hooray.

Just Hooray. I'd still rather have a E Class.

As stated by others, the RL is a dog! First and foremost while it is bigger thana TL it does nto look it. Its lines make it look much smaller than it is. This thing should be the size of a Lexus GS or Infiniti M, it does not LOOK nearly as big. The TL is a more fun car all around for liek $8K less! The RL competition is all RWD, Honda needs to get over it and start adopting RWD for Acura.

One more thing most everyone here had ignored, unless I missed it. Acura should finally admit they shot themselves in the foot when they changed the name of their flagship sedan.

Acura, please, please please, drop the RL name and bring back THE ACURA LEGEND!!!

First of all who the he11 said Buick is nicer than an Acura!?!? Buick is like the high end of crap. The RL is sweet.

The RL design for 2009 (AutoShow) is terrible. It looks too much like a Chevy Impalla. It is without a doubt NOT a 50k car. The entire design department at Acura should be put on notice,.

No one who has ever seriously driven an RL would say it's slow. In fact it's scary fast, especially for the size of the car. But you have to be willing to put your foot down and get the revs up so vtec and other tricks can do their thing. The thing roars and flies at the same time. Now before you think I moved to this car from a Yugo or Pinto I drove an Eclipse GSX and an Audi S4 before this car. I know what reasonably fast cars feel like. While the S4 had a better suspension (heck, it's a German car) the RL isn't much, if any slower. And the wonderful thing about the RL is that the car doesn't break every few months like the S4. This car does not need a V8 at all. Good grief. The V6 moves the car with authority while having decent millage. Acura should be congratulated for not bowing to 'gotta hava V8' pressure. If they wanted to make a statement, stick a smaller V6 with hybrid in there and really save some gas.

Every time I walk up to my RL I think it's a gorgeous car. Superb lines and stance. The interior is reasonably well done and comfortable. Need more bling? Give me a break. It's bad enough they use blue lighting. Car interiors need to have red lights wherever possible to preserve night vision. Everything else is secondary. This is not a car for the 'bling' crowd and not for the 'rice' crowd either. This car is about functional, understated luxury. The TL is nice but doesn't hold a candle in class compared to the RL. Really. The only people who claim otherwise are the ones who couldn't afford an RL.

Well said Sander.
I have been shopping for a luxury sedan. I want decent gas milage, all wheel drive, and a luxurious feel.
I want a car I can keep for a long time and drive on long road trips in comfort.
The RL meets my needs better then the competition.
These blogs have helped me make my mind up to purchase the RL.
Thanks!

I would prefer the rename the RL the Legend though.