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2011 Acura RL

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Acura RL

Overview

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2011 Acura RL Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.8

As the successor - in both market position and nomenclature - to Acura's Legend, the RL has large (albeit not legendary) shoes to fill. And with this current design iteration (at least at its 2005 model year launch) the RL did just that, providing a uniquely Honda take in its mid-premium segment. Sticking with a V6 powertrain may seem conservative, but in the context of today's Mideast unrest and $100/barrel oil, it has proven to look strategic. And while there are a host of all-wheel drive options now on the market, in its luxury niche' Acura was among the first - and certainly among the first to popularize the benefits of all-season traction with the promise of improved handling. What we have for this model year is a continuously improved platform and updated sheetmetal in almost (but not quite) desperate need of a thorough redesign.

You'll Like This Car If...

If, because of region or driving patterns, all-wheel drive proves to be a benefit, Acura's RL is a credible luxury take on that particular drivetrain. Audi has quattro, and both BMW and Mercedes employ some variant of all-wheel drive in most of their respective lineups, but Acura offers a simple way to buy and - equally important - a comparatively hassle-free ownership experience once you've written the check.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Without the availability of a V8/rear-wheel drive platform, Acura may never fully scale the top of the luxury automotive heap. However, with the escalating cost of fuel the world may be coming to Acura. Regardless of fuel prices, if you prefer to take your luxury in expressive doses, today's RL may go about its business entirely too quietly.

What's Significant About This Car?

Outside, the 2011 Acura RL enjoys a revised front grille, power folding side mirrors and available back-up sensors. Inside, interior tweaks include a new interior color, Dark Burlwood textured trim and more noise damping insulation. A more substantive mod is the addition of an all-new 6-speed automatic backing up the RL's 3.7-liter V6.

Driving the RL

Driving Impressions A look at the RL spec sheet suggests a vehicle well-equipped to compete in the mid-luxury, mid-sized segment, despite the lack of an available V8. Its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive...

offers a distinct advantage in inclement weather and aggressive driving, its 3.7-liter V6 - at 300 horsepower - doesn't lack for power or usable torque, and its all-independent suspension provides a viable balance between responsive and comfortable. Again, the emphasis here is on smooth sedan rather than sport sedan; those with fantasies of racing a Touring Car - rather than simply touring in a car - will be happier elsewhere.

Favorite Features

Resonator Wheel Technology
A modification of the Acura wheel assembly - via a polypropylene Helmholtz resonator - significantly lowers middle frequency noise, allowing for a quieter cabin.

AcuraLink
Within the AcuraLink umbrella are real-time traffic updates, weather forecasting and up-to-the-minute info on traffic congestion. It's but one of several amenities that underscore Acura's commitment to useful - rather than superfluous - technology.

2011 Acura RL Details

Interior

Again, in the absence of a complete redesign no number of tweaks - and no amount of added technology - can disguise an interior now seven model years old. The tech, of course, is as new as tomorrow, with an Acura/Bose 10-speaker Surround Sound system, XM Radio, USB port connectivity, Active Sound noise cancellation and a GPS-linked, solar sensing automatic climate control system. Available packages - Technology and Advanced - add even more tech to the RL's almost nostalgic ambience.

Exterior

Despite various updates over successive model years - including this one - there's no disguising one irrefutable fact: The basic architecture for this luxury sedan dates back to 2005. To its credit, the updates have been carefully integrated into what had gone before, but in model year 2011 an argument could be successfully made that - after 6+ years - it should all be gone. New 18-inch wheels help to keep the platform visually planted, and tweaks to the RL grille may temporarily quiet the blogs, but the overall impact is one of little impact. That is, of course, until you take note of the "blow-formed" aluminum hood, which we just did...

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Acura's marketing team is to be commended for its take on merchandising; they keep it simple. Unlike the Germans, where the MSRP can - in a heartbeat - be increased by some 20 percent, Acura prefers to build in a comprehensive list of standard equipment, supplemented by a thankfully short list of factory packages. Among the notable standard items are a Bose 10-speaker sound system, a comprehensive menu of airbags and - not incidentally - Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Optional Equipment

As noted, the standard equipment menu is comprehensive. Above and beyond that is the Technology Package, which includes Acura Navigation, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Real-Time Weather, rearview camera system, rear parking sensors and Active Front Lighting System (AFS). The Advance Package takes all of Technology and adds Collison Mitigation Braking, Adaptive Cruise, a genuine wood instrument panel and power-folding side mirrors.

Under the Hood

The bump in displacement - from 3.5 to 3.7 liters - resulted in a bump in both horsepower (300) and torque (271). New for 2011 is a 6-speed Sequential SportShift automatic with paddle shifters, making it easy to wring out every one of the RL's 300 horses. Not only is the RL more responsive, but also more efficient, with EPA ratings of 17 (City) and 24 (Highway), roughly five percent better (city) and 10 percent better (hwy) than in 2010. Beyond the improved functionality is an under-the-hood cover which minimizes the visual distraction of plumbing and wiring, while allowing the aesthetically pleasing V6 to effectively hold center stage. This is a nice contrast to the propensity of other manufacturers to simply cover the whole engine area with generic plastic.

3.7-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
271 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24

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2011 Acura RL Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.0

Out of 10

Based on 124 Ratings for the 2005 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

9.3/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.1/10

Magnificent Auto

By Ashegal (NC) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 137,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Loce the 6 CD player"

Cons: "exterior paint job should have been better"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Purchased new in 2006-ours is white-exterior paint job is my only complaint- not a quality job as an Audi or Benz- the interior is lush and roomy- ours has 137,000 miles on it all road as we travel for a living. Purchased with the wood interior-on geer shift-sides and front-very classy. Not one moments worth of problem!! We service it like all our autos at the dealership- put great tires on it and it is a complete joy for all our long distance travels. Only complaint is Acura itself- only coming out with a new RL this fall after 3 years or so. What are they thinking so changing from it=not the cars fault the manufacturers!"

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My favorite car- just edging out my 73 Torino

By 5underafter3 (CA) on Monday, April 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 95,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Tops in class in ride, noise, and reliability"

Cons: "Looks too much like accord."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Would have never paid the price for an RL, but got the deal of a lifetime for one in 2007 and now I really doubt I could ever buy anything but an Acura. My main goals were smooth, quiet and reliable. My friends with BMW's and Mercedes all say mine is the nicest ride and quietest. 95K miles and so far it has cost me about 12 oil changes and a set of tires and still drives like new. 2 suggestions- redesign body a bit and scrap the manual paddle shifters-car is too quiet so I drive my 65 mustang for that."

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I'm having a hard time justifying a new ride

By Casual (PA) on Sunday, January 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 96,300

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "SH-AWD, build quality, runs like a champ"

Cons: "19 mpg, console components wearing"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I bought my 05 RL certified used almost 6 years ago for a reasonable price relative to all that it has. Now close to 100k miles I face the dillema of putting $3k into it for the tune up and new tires or trading it in. Thing is, I'm having a hard time finding a new car out there that matches what this car offers, particularly as I'd likely get another 100k miles out of it. The combination of 300hp, SH-AWD (why this system is not in every Acura including the upcoming RLX is a mystery, it works like magic), roominess, and bullet proof reliability is practically impossible to find out there. My one dissapointment is the failing of some of the interior trim pieces around the console including bubbled leather on the arm rests. This is a minor inconvenience when everything else looks as good as the day I bought the car. The greatest complement I can give is that I have considered just buying another used RL with fewer miles, assuming I can find one that is. Honda hasn't sold that many. Too bad, it's a great product."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Love this car.

By Susan (TX) on Tuesday, August 07, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 80,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"If you travel a lot then this is the car for you. Great handling, comfort and fair gas mileage for how you feel at the end of the trip. This car has all the bells and whistles so pay attention to the person who talks you through the ownership process. Down side of owning this car is high maintenance and low MPG on city driving."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Beautiful car. Best value of the Luxury cars

By JINX (WI) on Thursday, August 02, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 69,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Price, quality, exhaust note, comfortable, fast"

Cons: "Acura does poor job advertising. What's an RL?"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my third Acura in the past 8 years. Wonderful cars. I traded an 08 Mercedes E350 in for this 07 RL. The Acura RL is superior in everyway to the Mercedes E Class except for the prestige factor. The 09, 10 RL has an ugly front grill piece that looks like a buck tooth. Other than that the lines are beautiful. My 07 is perfect. The only car I would consider as a replacement would be the Lexus LS. If you love quality and value in your car, you will love the Acura RL. If you want to impress the neighbors, pay extra and get Mercedes, BMW, or Lexus. The neighbors will be impressed buy you won't be as satisfied."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Great RL my 3rd!

By Jim (VA) on Thursday, July 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 85,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Fast, Fub and very Comfortable"

Cons: "interior room could be better"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I really enjoy this car. The SHAWD is great, poor condiction or great driving condiction it makes its presence known. The AIM headlamps are really good too!"

5 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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See all 124 reviews