2009 Acura RL - Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews from Around the Web
We have scoured the web for expert reviews of this car and found the best ones for you to read. Found 8 reviews. This list is displayed in ranked order based the reviews we think are the best.| Ranking | Details |
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| #1 |
2009 acura rl Professional Edmunds ReviewSource: Edmunds...This allows a 0-60 time in the 6-second range, just above par for six-cylinder large luxury sedans. A five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control sends power to the SH-AWD system. That system has the ability to send varying degrees of torque to each individual wheel to improve handling and wet-weather traction. In terms of fuel economy, the RL has an EPA rating of 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined, which is a little below average for the V6-powered luxury sedan segment. Safety: Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat... |
| #2 |
2009 Acura RL Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...In the outboard seats especially my booster seats fit perfectly with no tilting or sliding. While my 8-year-old had no issues at all with the seat belts, my 5-year-old struggled with finding just the right angle to push his belt into the receptor. I had to turn around more than a few times to get it for him, and it required some hand strength to do. Still, most things were a breeze in the back of the RL. A fold-down armrest provides two pop-out cupholders but no additional storage. There's a power sunshade on the rear window and manual, retractable sunshades in the rear doors. Vents in the... |
| #3 |
Flash Drive: 2009 Acura RLSource: MSN Autos...The primary gauges are also stylish and noteworthy. But Acura would be wise to replace the irritating copy of BMW's much maligned i-drive with something easier to use. As long as 18 mpg is enough for you, I'm sure you could be happy owning an Acura RL for many years. – Paul HaggerThe redesigned 2009 Acura RL feels like the ultimate Honda Accord — the accountant's dream car. It is totally competent in every way, yet does not transcend the sum of its parts. It's as if the RL is the perfect car for a person who doesn't like cars, because it does everything a car should to do and, in most... |
| #4 |
2009 Acura RL OverviewSource: CarGurus...If there is no response, it applies the brakes and tightens the seat belt. The technology can be a lifesaver, but drivers report it can also be uncomfortably jolting.On the outside, the 2009 Acura RL gets a front facelift, receiving the traditional Acura grille with its chrome bar “plenum.” A boxier nose and wider hood give the luxury sedan a more aggressive profile. The new RL looks bigger, but is actually the same dimensions on the inside, and the trunk is still disappointingly small at 15 cubic feet. But the interior gets refreshed with updated wood and alloy accents, a new 10-way... |
| #5 |
2009 Acura RL Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...Standard features include 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery and a Bose surround-sound stereo. The Technology Package adds six-level heating and ventilation for the front seats, as well as wood dashboard trim. High-tech additions for 2009 include real-time weather information and navigation rerouting based on traffic conditions; both require the Technology Package and a monthly subscription for the information feed. Under the Hood A 3.7-liter V-6 delivers 300 horsepower, slightly more than last year's 290-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. However, gas mileage drops slightly, from 16/24 mpg... |
| #6 |
2009 Acura RL Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...Other nice touches include keyless start, a power plug in the console that stays hidden until you need it, a USB port and another power plug under the center armrest, a compartment for the owner's manual in the glove box, though that will render invisible a book that's least likely to be read. There's also a button that allows the 12-ounce cupholder to accommodate that 64-ounce Big Gulp and voice activation for up to 70 items, though we couldn't get a word in with about 68 of them. A rear-window sunshade powers up or down, as do the rear headrests for clear vision when no one's there. Lower... |
| #7 |
2009 Acura RL Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The RL's cabin is well designed and comfortable. The instrument panel is punctuated with a handsome sweep of wood accented by brushed silver trim. The center stack is divided into specific sections for climate control, audio and navigation. Each system can be operated by hard buttons or with a knob that works like a computer mouse. The knob is intuitive and its operation is easy to understand, unlike some of the systems found in other luxury models. Acura's voice-activated navigation system is one of the best. For example, if you ask for the nearest French restaurant, it lists the restaurants... |
| #8 |
2009 Acura RL Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...I must say, though, either the layout or the number of buttons or the small space into which the RL crams them is enough to change my mind. It's further frustrated by the presence of a multifunction controller knob that clearly isn't improving matters. Though I prefer a touch-screen, I recognize the desire to put the display up high, close to the driver's line of sight where it's likely to be out of reach. But if you're going to go the controller route, it should be closer to the driver than the RL's is. Then there's the steering wheel, which has more buttons and switches than any I can... |
Acura RL Related News
2011 Acura RL: Driven
What makes the RL distinct or alluring among luxury cars? How is it much different than the same-sized TL? And shouldn't a brand flagship feel a little more exclusive, a... May 27, 2011 by Bengt Halvorson 1
2011 Acura RL Priced From $47,200
As Honda and Acura continue to grope around in the dark, trying to find their way back to their former position of design leadership, the 2011 models are basically treading... December 21, 2010 by Nelson Ireson
2011 Acura RL Preview
The current-generation Acura RL has been on the market since late 2004 and since then has only undergone one major facelift to keep it looking fresh amongst a sea of strong... December 14, 2010 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran 5
Acura RL Safe, No Phase-Out Planned
Earlier this morning, reports emerged that the Acura RL, bawdy bionic beavertooth grille and all, might soon be headed to the scrap heap of history, but Acura has released a... July 16, 2010 by Nelson Ireson 4
Week-Long Test Drive: 2010 Acura RL Brings Divine Comfort To Affordable Super-Luxury
Sometimes after a long, hard and invariably stressful day at the office you just want to get into a car that will cosset and calm you on your drive home. Divinely smooth ride... February 17, 2010 by Jim Hamel 2
Why should I also consider these?
When it's time for you to step out of the smaller entry-level premium sedans, the 2009 Acura RL doesn't really stand out among the excellent competitors it faces.
It's probably because the Acura RL is V-6 powered and uses all-wheel drive.
There are some sedans that match its drivetrain; the Cadillac STS is more crisply styled, but its rear seat is truly cramped.
The Volvo S80 is light and airy inside, with a Scandinavian look to the cabin and a light touch to the controls.
The Audi A6 suffers from the same overwrought styling up front as the Acura RL, but its backseat seems roomier.
