2005 Acura RL, a hit or a miss?

[5vz-fe]

Production pics and media first drive are finally out:
Here is a few from Vtec.net
http://img89.exs.cx/img89/1089/05rlpr-017.jpg

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/4491/05rlpr-019.jpg

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/9045/05rlpr-022.jpg

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/7199/05rlpr-031.jpg

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/4223/05rlpr-040.jpg

I was reading the Toronto Star today and they are doing a review on it too and let me just say, I am not impress at all. $70,000Cdn for a V6 is not a big sellling point. Like the TL most of the money has been put into technology and interior. Things like Active Lighting, power sunshade, keyless ignition, Active Noise Cancellation, Navigation system with integrated traffic monitoring, SH-AWD...etc. I don't want to start another G35 VS TL war here, coz this has been going on for along while in different forums but I must say the I for one would prolly want an V8 when I am shopping in this market. Yes, 300HP does sound enough, but coming from a 3.5 means you won't be getting generous torque down at the bottom which most car owners on this segment will be using. As much as I like the AWD feature, it is still front biased... Stylingwise, it is too conservative, since it is the first time they really try to push the RL into the luxury (instead of the mid-luxury) segment, I think it need more spice to it and not make it look like a pontiac G6. As a result, as much as I like the interior and it's tech gimmics, I still think it is a miss.

[BADMIHAI]

I like it but I's never pay 70 G for it.

[crazidude]

Hrm... I'm not too big of a fan of the exterior look, it looks too much like the damn accord. But the interior looks pretty damn nice. Depending on its competition, it may be worth it to shell out 70k for this. Little expensive, but I can't stop looking at the interior!

[SL55 AMG]

the purple/blue dash is pretty gay and for 70 grand id go european anyday

[5.7 V10]

Looks really good! Thx for the pictures and info!

[dutchmasterflex]

definately a rather boring design for the car.. I like the new TL and TSX(Accord in japan) much much better.. even though its $70,000 canadian (about $54,000 USD), I still would not buy it for that money..

[5vz-fe]

Pontiac G6
http://img90.exs.cx/img90/6597/Pontiac_G6.jpg

Acura RL
http://img89.exs.cx/img89/9045/05rlpr-022.jpg

:mrgreen:

but of course, interior wise, Acura designers will be in heaven while Pontiac designers will be in hell getting beat up by their own cheap plasitc shit. (pls don't flame me for the 2 cars in different segment, this comparison exist only becoz the 2 exterior looks similar)

Pontiac G6
http://img12.exs.cx/img12/1227/Pontiac_G6_GT_2005_023.jpg

Acura RL
http://img89.exs.cx/img89/1089/05rlpr-017.jpg

[ae86_16v]

Looks good. Pretty classy looking save the indiglo lights.

[Gnome]

I agree with you all. Nice interior, but the exterior should have been more original. It's just amazing how similar it is to that Pontiac. Why do these designers do that? I mean even though this is an extreme example, there are a lot of cars that looks like some of their competitors.

[FoxFour]

The interior looks nice, and I agree with 5zv, most American car companies need to seriously improve interior quality, especially that picture of the Pontiac interior. When I saw the Acura exterior, I was not moved at all. Too bland. A good girl's car though.

[CMonakar]

It looks like a rental car. That is their best shot at the Lexus LS?? Every full size car they have made after the Legand name was retired has looked progressively smaller and cheaper. I don't think those are good qualities for a 70 grand piece of hardware.

[Toronto]

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/1089/05rlpr-017.jpg
looks like a wanna be benz, isn't that lexus' job?

anyways i don't like it, it look so.... not nice?

[racingfreak]

Dont like it :(

[TransAm]

As SL55 said, for $70k most people will buy European. I am sure it'll be a quality product but not for me. I'd stick with a Honda. Oh, silly me, IT IS a Honda with a wood trim kit and leather seats!!

Edit - that pontiac G6 interior is grim by the way

[5vz-fe]

I would go for a Lexus GS430 if they are gonna charge 70k, for one their service and build quality is top notch.

[ae86_16v]

As SL55 said, for $70k most people will buy European. I am sure it'll be a quality product but not for me. I'd stick with a Honda. Oh, silly me, IT IS a Honda with a wood trim kit and leather seats!!

Edit - that pontiac G6 interior is grim by the way

I would go for a Lexus GS430 if they are gonna charge 70k, for one their service and build quality is top notch.

That's 70k Canadian which equals to about 54k US. Still a tad bit on the expensive side, but it is targeted directly at the LS430. Maybe they should kept it around high 40k instead.

[SilviaEvo]

dead on hit for the RL

[DjPtsatsot]

Im not sure anyone can really answer this question until the car actually comes out and people have seen it in person. But from pictures alone i hate it, same reason i hate the new CLS, it looks like a big Clump mountain :( .

[pzgren]

very boring car, i would never buy one of these

[wickeddeus]

I like it! The rear could have been a bit better but for 54k USD thats a steal with all those features. The LS430 may start out at around the same price but if you opt. it out its in the 70k USD range and remember that Acuras pretty much comes fully loaded. In its price segment, there is really nothing that offers the power, control, and luxery that this RL offers.

300hp@6000rpm
260lb-ft@5000rpm(with what is claimed to be a board/flat curve but not dyno sheet yet)
SH-AWD(yeah, front bias <70%front/30%rear most of the time> but fwd is usually smoother and safer in most road conditions and it can transfer up to 70% of the power to the rear and 100% of the torque from side to side)
Active Front Lighting System
Nav with XM NavTraffic
Active Noise Cancellation System
and more......

[Gnome]

I think most people replying here have spoken about the looks. Equipment wise it might be a different story. And I think I would rather have a Honda(Acura) engine than a Toyota(Lexus) engine. I'm sure I'd like this car, but it's too bad it looks like that Pontiac.