Being I don't know yet much about the 2nd gen. RL (learning curve) I am curious to know something about the engines. The RL is made in Japan, whilst the Honda's are made in America. Having never driven a V6 Honda I will let those who know relate their experiences. Just how different is the RL engine from the V6 that Honda puts out for the top of the line Accords?

 

The J series engine was designed in the United States by Honda Engineers and is built in Anna, Ohio.

The current 8th generation Accord uses a J35 engine, which is more or less the same engine as what is used in the 2006 RL. As a matter of fact, the Accord engine is a J35Z2 which has variable cylinder management technology, so it is arguably a more advanced engine (the 05-08 RL uses a J35A3).

I don't personally own an 8th generation Accord, but I ride in my friend's Accord Crosstour often. As far as engines go, the Accord feels more powerful due to having less weight. Power delivery is smooth. They feel very close to one another. What really separates the two cars is interior refinement.

Honda Accord tends to be a step behind Acura's models. So the current generation Accord is using the J35 because the current RL has been bumped up to the J37.

 

Thank you for the explanation of the differences on the engines. How do they compare with hp? The RL has 3.5 liters, 300 hp with 265 ft/lbs of torque if I have my numbers correct. How does the Honda Accord engine stack up to that?

 

Just a slight clarification. The SAE horsepower measurement standard was revised in 8/2004.

The 05-08 RL J35 has 290 hp/256 lbs-ft based on the post 8/04 SAE revision. The numbers you quote above were issued with the 05 RL, before the 8/04 SAE revision went into effect. The numbers you quote are from the same RL J35 engine when using the pre-8/04 SAE revision protocol.

The MMC 09-10 RL J37 has 300 hp/271 lbs-ft, of course using the same 8/04 SAE revision. The increased torque is supposed to be available over a broader power band than the earlier J35.

According to Honda, the Accord J35 puts out 271 hp/254 lbs-ft with the automatic tranny and same hp, but slightly less torque (251 lbs-ft) with the 6 sp manual

 

The Accord V6 is also tuned for regular fuel and better economy.

As far as differences from engine just being interior refinement, that is a face value assessment.

The Accord is not SHAWD, much less structural and body aluminum, construction is closer to the TL (which is built at the same OH plant as Accord) whereas the the RL is built in Japan.

Many RL features and engineering attributes have trickled down to the Accord (as they should), but aside from simlar size, similar engine version and a few features, they are very, very different vehicles.

The TL is closer to the Accord (sans the engine) and I would still argue the TL thought overlapping the RL, is still not on par.

You can put the same engine in a Corvette, CTS-V and a GTO and have 3 very different experiences.