Acceleration

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	6.2

Our test RL went 0-60 mph in 8 seconds. Impressive, though most V8 rivals are quicker.

Fuel Economy

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	4	4.6

Competitive but not exceptional, getting 16.4-19.8 mpg.

Ride Quality

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
9	9	6.5

Firm yet supple, rolling over most bumps without a shudder or rattle.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	6.3

Agile for a big sedan. Minimal body lean and quick reflexes, but the steering lacks road feel.

Quietness

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
9	9	6.8

Quiet engine snarls smoothly in hard acceleration. Minimal wind and tire noise.

Controls

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	8	6.2

Well-placed, simple, and intuitive, but the nav system's display smudges easily.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8	6.9

Ample space all around. Comfortable seats, but the slippery leather allows lots of sliding in turns.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	5.1

Adequate leg room, but head room is tight for those over 6-feet tall.

Cargo Room

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
3	3	3.9

Flat-floor trunk is usefully shaped, but not unusually roomy. Cabin has plenty of nooks for bric-a-brac.

Value within Class

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	4.1

The solid, luxurious RL merits a look as an intelligently designed car backed by a fine reputation for reliability. Though it still lacks features found on some rivals, such as a five-speed automatic transmission, Acura keeps adding equipment without huge price hikes. And because sales remain sluggish, you should be able to work a good deal on a fine car that tends to be overlooked.

Total Score

Base	Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
67	68	56.6

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		41
Average Score		56
High Score		68