I didn't get a test drive so I could only give an impression of how it feels like inside.

Positive

I love the center console. I like how they shrunk the center console down just enough to create more space for the dash. All the button has a soft rubber dinish to it which feels really luxurious.
The slab of wood is awesome and definitely adds to the overall plush looking quality of the dash.
Steering wheel is nice. The guage feels a bit oversized in comparison but that's fine. I like the size of the 2nd Gen TL dash guage so that's my perspective.
Love the guage lighting.

Negative

The interior space is too small. My bro drive a 96 Lexus LS and he thought it was cramped as well. And even though the RL is a different size car, I expected more space for the +45K price. Heck, I bumped my head trying to get out of the rear seat.
Speaking of the seats, they weren't too comfortable. I was feeling too much foam and not enough of the soft leather. Picky me, perhaps, but I was expecting plush and softness, not firm.

Overall, I'm sad to say that the the interior looks best when you're sitting in the driver seat, and viewing it through the web. It's certainly smaller than it looks and though that's not a bad thing, I wouldn't want to have anymore than 2 person in the car.

BTW, I've sat in the 04 Maxima and the space it gives you is more akin to what I really expected the RL to have.

Thank you for reading

 

I recently sat in an '05 RL as well. But I seem to remember that the older RL had about the same room as the new one, maybe a little less. But I agree, I was expecting a little more room. However, the head room is much better than in my CLS 6MT.

 

The '96 - '04 RL is actually smaller inside. Thought I believe the 1st gen RL had more front legroom due to the engine/tranny layout.

 

Hmm...I think the RL is just the right size. It's on par with its competition, yet doesn't feel as large as the E-class or A6 when driven. I guess everyone has a different perception of what should and should not come on a $50k car.

 

It's true.

But then the 2nd Gen layout benefited from the smaller center console, which I'M REALLY in love with. It free up so much leg room. If the car had more rear legroom, it'd be better. And more plush seating accomodation