TSX69

For a MMC, it does not look that bad to me. It is not the breathtaking design that they needed to revive sales but I think it looks OK: not good or bad but just OK. Everyone but me seems so disappointed, maybe it is bc I predicted something like this would happen so I did not get my hopes up for anything groundbreaking.

I realize that on these types of boards car enthusiasts are harder to please so I am not shocked by the response everywhere but I ponder how the general public will feel about it. I remember all the bashing the 2007 CR-V & the 2006 Civic received & both are selling just fine -- so far the new 2008 Accord is sell well despite the criticisms. Granted, those were big sellers to begin w/ so they had a following; the poor RL will probably continue to sell the same unless all the added features attracts customers.

Hopefully this version will only last 1 or 2 years & then the complete redo will be done & hopefully then, Acura will bring something that enthusiasts like.

Has the MPG been mentioned anywhere yet?

Ganplosive

you know my initial reaction to this was, "OMG Acura... what have you done to the RL..? Why.... why... why....?" but now that you mention it, I'm glad they did this change because

1. The older RL's WILL sell like hot cakes compared this MMC
2. Seeing the public reaction to this vehicle will prompt Acura to get a entire new staff of designers for the NEXT generation of RL
3. It's not too late to go back to the drawing board and take this "new bold sophisticated front styling" OUT of the TSX's and the TL's.

Funny I was just on subaru.com and looking at how ugly their cars were before I came to Acurazine.com only to find SIMILAR looking cars....








*pst Acura, this design will not put you ahead of Audi if that's what you're thinking*

kirbyflorida

I think it is fine.

cai06

I think it's fine, but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm glad the chrome is gone from the bumpers and sides, the car looks more aggressive and massive overall. I like a lot the rear 3/4 view.

Just found the new RL microsite (go to acura.com -> future vehicles). The silver
RL looks very very nice, it definitely tones down the grill sides.

LuvMyTSX

The only thing I really have a problem with is the grille. It's just so huge and awkward looking. The rest of the car is ok for an MMC.

pnoi521

I agree, I think it looks OK.
I KINDA like the back, but not the front. It kinda reminds me of the Accord.
I hope the 'bold new styling' will be better implemented in the new TL.
To me the 2008 RL looks much classier. Just my

khannie112

With the huge chrome grill - I think this car will look better with a contrasting color rather than the silver press release photo that Acura used.

I'd look into buying one 2-3 years down the road CPO

GoHawks

Like someone else said, with me it's mostly about the grille, but the more I look at it, I wonder if I could grow to tolerate it. I'll have to see one in person.

Mike_TX

I think the key here is that people on this forum were nervously hoping for something that looked kinda like the current RL .... but better. What we've gotten is something that looks like the current RL, but worse.

IOW, take the current RL, graft on an overly-heavy grille, weld an extension onto the rearend to make the trunk bigger, and replace one of the best tail light designs in the industry with a set from the cheaper Accord ... and voila!, you have the new RL.

That's what's driving RL owners right now, and we may have to wait until the 2011 FMC to pull out of this nosedive.

.
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vluu

The more you look at it, it grows on you. I think it will probably look even better when you see it on the road. I think Acura is trying to make it look totally different so that people who don't know the RL name will think it's a totally new redesign. Who knows, it might work?

neuronbob

The rear and the interior features are fine. I like the muscular hood.

Just FIX. THAT. GRILLE!

And maybe even up the hood with the fenders for a symmetric look. Then it'll be better.

I hope this can be fixed before release.....

CL6

I think the main problem is that it is a mish-mash of styles. There is no theme going. It looks like Acura took the MDX grill, the Civic underbody on the front, the TL ASPEC prototype and made the front of the car. The back has some weird styles going on with an 03 BMW 7 Series and whatnot. Those wheels scream Accord.

TMQ

"it grows on you.." like a tumor.

Acura needs fresh ideas. After all these years, still can't get the RL design language appealing.

change that grille, please. just because the MDX uses it, doesn't mean RL should. on the MDX, there's chrome on top and bottom of the A logo, making it more coherent. and the lines of the grille flows to the headlight smoothly. Not so on the new RL.

The rear actually looks good - the taillight shape is refreshing. However that horizontal chrome bar should be left out. almost like a bandage.

gavine

I think it looks pretty good in the photos but I think it'll look much better in-person. The grille is definitely "unconventional" but the 05-08 grille isn't all that great either. I have a feeling this new grill will be a success in the long-run for Acura as a company.

getakey

I think it looks good for a MMC as well and would like to see what it looks like in person

CarbonGray Earl

You know, the execution of this grill might be better in other models that have it in mind from the outset. Here, its obviously tacked on. That's what irks me. It would be nice if the grill was carbon fiber or gunmetal so it was more subtle and not so "striking" in a bad way.

Qatar

i thought the car is a concept and not actual production.
I hope Acura fixes the grill

getakey

Have you looked at the pics on the acura web site (future cars)?
I did not mind the grill that much to begin with and it is growing on me the more I look at it.
I just hope navtraffic is improved by then. I'd hate to be rerouted based on inaccurate data.

Chas2

If they had to go with that grill, I think I actually liked the photoshop job done in another thread, where the MDX grill was grafted on to the current RL. Maybe it will be better in person.

larrynimmo

I agree with Mike TX...the old rear is really great...however, the new rear is even better. Now the front grille is different. The technology & performance is improved, but the most important astectic of the car (front grill) has taken a nose dive.

evantec

I like the new front better, but I don't like the new rear.
I guess they save money copying the mistakes of the 2008 Accord's rear!

Re: the front, maybe they are NOT going to recycle the new MDX hood on everything. Just to keep is guessing!

jwaters943

I don't care for the grille, but I have a feeling this design will look better after seeing it in person. I've aleady warmed up to the rear and side after seeing more pics. If it handles noticeably better and manages consistent sub-7 second 0-60 runs in testing, I would definitely consider leasing a new one depending upon how good of a deal I could get on one.

gcook

It is ok.. just like the 2007 I have. They exterior style is ok..

123456SPEED

Different strokes, I thought the front of the 05 RL was the best exterior feature of the car. surprised so many did not like it, the headlights are kinda big. the taillights were too big too.
Now to the 09, how many model years before the MMC, 2009 and 2010- 2 years?

I do think that the average RL shopper does not frequent online Acura forums and will not care that much about the grill. If they don't buy it, it will be for other reasons IMO.