Acura RL has luxury and power
Acura combines luxury and power in the RL, their flagship sedan. The RL receive a lot of cutting-edge performance and safety technology, Despite RL’s V6 engine, it is surely not lacking in power.
Noticeable in the vehicle’s back end is the “SH-AWD” badge, which refers to Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive technology. The said technology sends increased torque to the outside rear wheel when powering through a curve. The altered dynamics help push the car around a turn rather than through it. Critics say that the RL handles very well as a high-end sports sedan.
The RL has a 3.5 liter V6 engine that is supported by four 17-inch wheels to deliver optimum performance. Thanks to its DOHC, 24-valve VTEC design, it smoothly spins out 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 256 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Critics have also said that in terms of fuel efficiency, the RL is more in line with an economical V6.
Drivetrain refinement isn’t limited to the RL’s engine. Its five-speed automatic transmission only powers up the V6 engine. When the occasion calls it, Acura’s Sequential Sportshift paddle shifters, modeled after Formula 1 technology, enable greater driver input.
RL styling is attractive, but its drivetrain is inspiring for its nicely-weighted, responsive steering. One critic views the Acura flagship as an optimal blend of ride comfort and handling ability, matching his “real world” driving preference. The critic also found the cabin comfort of the sedan outstanding with some problems on manipulating the complex electronic controls. Nonetheless, Acura RL should not be overlooked for it can go side by side with more-expensive Europeans and similarly-priced domestics in the premium sedan market.