Acceleration

Base	Class Average
5	6.4

Barely class-competitive power, and lacks V8-style midrange punch. Test car did 8.1 sec 0-60 mph.

Fuel Economy

Base	Class Average
4	4.6

Test RL averaged 17.6 mpg in mostly highway driving. Acura recommends premium fuel.

Ride Quality

Base	Class Average
8	7

Smooth and solid on unblemished pavement, but irregular surfaces and sharp ridges can trigger unexpected impact harshness.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Class Average
7	6.8

Agile for a luxury sedan, but a step behind most rear-drive rivals. No undue body lean in turns. Steering responsive, though overassisted.

Quietness

Base	Class Average
8	6.7

Road noise, tire slap, detract from luxury-level ambience.

Controls

Base	Class Average
7	6.7

Handsome, intelligent dashboard design puts most controls within easy reach. Navigation system independent of climate and audio functions, but screen placement forces some of their controls to inconvenient locations. System among easier ones to use, but still demands a learning process.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Class Average
8	7.2

Roomy, comfortable seating easy to tailor to individual tastes. Visibility good all around.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Class Average
7	5.6

With front seats pushed fully back, leg and knee room only adequate. Head clearance tight for 6-footers.

Cargo Room

Base	Class Average
4	4

Trunk usefully shaped, easy to load. Good cabin storage space.

Value within Class

Base	Class Average
6	5.8

The RL is among the oldest luxury-car designs, and shows its age. Most rivals have more power, a more isolated ride, and the improved response of a 5-speed automatic transmission. Absence of curtain airbags is another significant shortfall in this class.

Total Score

Base	Class Average
64	60.8

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		60
High Score		71