Road testing the Acura RL

After spending a week driving the new RL in all road conditions, Bankrate can report that Acura hit its marks in almost all respects, turning the RL into a sedan that has a pleasing driving personality and some of the most interesting features of any car on the road. And it comes only one way: fully loaded for a sticker price of $49,470.

But it's doubtful that buyers with their hearts set on a Lexus LS 430, or a Mercedes-Benz S Class or even an E Class will find what they are looking for in the Acura RL, even though the RL costs less than similarly equipped competitors.

It's smaller inside and out than those vehicles, making it really a car that seats four comfortably, five in a pinch. Also, it lacks a V8, relying instead on a very smooth and powerful 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.

Those missing two cylinders under the hood may not seem important, particularly in the face of fuel prices of $2 a gallon and up -- way up in some cities. But when many buyers shell out $50,000 for a sedan, they expect, perhaps irrationally, that there will be a V8 under the hood.

So based on size and engine configuration, the Acura RL just doesn't come to the table with the right stuff to be a top contender with many people shopping luxury sedans.

That's too bad, because the RL is a sweet ride that's quite innovative.

Interior, Acura RL Click image for larger view

For starters, it has all-wheel-drive, which can provide added stability and traction in wet conditions. In our test of the RL, it handled rain-slick freeway exit ramps with supreme confidence, aided in part by Acura's vehicle stability control. In dry conditions at reasonable speeds, the system is invisible. But it will help make the car go where it's pointed in less-than-perfect conditions.

All-wheel-drive is an up-and-coming luxury and sport sedan feature that in the near future is likely to be a feature buyers expect. That could give the RL a value boost at resale time.

Beyond its driver system, the Acura's V6 and five-speed automatic -- which can be shifted manually using steering wheel paddles -- produced solid acceleration, with 0 to 60 mph coming up in a shade less than seven seconds.

Handling was very good without generating a ride that transmitted bumps to the passengers. It ranks somewhere between the cloudlike ride of the Lexus LS 430 and the sportier ride of the BMW 5 Series.

In the cockpit, the seats are trimmed in leather with wood accents on the dashboard. Power assists are everywhere, and the entertainment system plays everything from CDs to audio DVDs to MP3 and XM satellite radio through a 10-speaker system.

Acura RL navigation system Click image for larger view

A center dash-mounted screen is the control center for most cabin systems, from audio to climate control to the satellite navigation system. A large control wheel that is more user-friendly than similar systems in other cars, particularly BMW, manipulates it.

Some functions can be operated by voice, and the Acura system is much improved over early efforts at the technology. The RL also comes with Bluetooth technology that can sync up your similarly equipped cell phone for hands-free operation.

The RL has two features unique to it at this time. One is a noise-canceling system that uses sound waves to counteract any intrusive exterior noise, such as wind and road hum. It operates even with the radio off and renders the RL's cockpit bank vault quiet.

The other breakthrough is active traffic monitoring using a service of XM radio that in 20 major cities will show highway flow and hazards on the car's navigation screen.

All of this makes the RL an incredibly attractive package and a worthwhile buy for consumers who don't absolutely have to own the biggest sedan on the block, and don't care that there are just six cylinders under the hood.

Specifications:

Base list price, including delivery charge:	$49,470
Engine:	3.5-liter V6
Horsepower:	300 @ 6200 rpm
Transmission:	5-speed automatic
Chassis:	Full-time all-wheel-drive
Basic warranty:	4 years/50,000 miles
Fuel economy:	18/26 mph EPA est., 19.5 mpg observed
Special factory lease/finance	None