TL better than RL?
09-09-2011, 03:37 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
TL better than RL?
We're having a little debate over in the TL forum.
Would you say that the TL is better than the RL?
What's the difference?
Are you happy with your RL?
Would you say that the TL is better than the RL?
What's the difference?
Are you happy with your RL?
09-09-2011, 04:03 PM
#2
10th Gear
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hmm, I wonder what people in the RL forum are going to say....
Of course the RL is a better car. Japanese designed and built with higher quality materials and more advanced construction. The RL has many useful features like cooled seats, swivel headlights, and integrated sun shades that are not available on the TL.
I mean, what do you expect? People pay a 20% price premium over the TL for an inferior car?!
Of course the RL is a better car. Japanese designed and built with higher quality materials and more advanced construction. The RL has many useful features like cooled seats, swivel headlights, and integrated sun shades that are not available on the TL.
I mean, what do you expect? People pay a 20% price premium over the TL for an inferior car?!
09-09-2011, 04:05 PM
#4
Senior Moderator
Better is a subjective term that cannot be measured by any factual data so let's get that out of the way. Also, it should be clarified if we are talking about 3rd gen or 4th gen TLs. Let's assume both compared to 2nd gen and MMC RLs.
Here are some quick thoughts, mostly facts.
- The TL is quicker. It weighs typically 200 lbs less than an RL and has an available 6MT. Both have speed limiters so neither is faster overall, but the TL has a sportier suspension so it should be faster in corners (assuming both have SH-AWD).
- The RL is more luxurious. More wood grain, more bells and whistles, and a more luxurious ride.
- The TL sells MUCH more volume, probably due to a lower price tag. However, this makes the RL much more exclusive. You rarely see RLs.
- As a result of ^, the TL has much more mod options b/c of the wider customer base.
- The RL SH-AWD is standard and has been since 2005.
- The TL transmission seems to have common issues, and I have yet to see a handful of RLs with transmission issues.
- The RL is completely manufactured and assembled in Saitama, Japan. The TL is 70% manufactured (I believe) in the US and assembled in Ohio.
All that said, the RL is better than the TL.
Here are some quick thoughts, mostly facts.
- The TL is quicker. It weighs typically 200 lbs less than an RL and has an available 6MT. Both have speed limiters so neither is faster overall, but the TL has a sportier suspension so it should be faster in corners (assuming both have SH-AWD).
- The RL is more luxurious. More wood grain, more bells and whistles, and a more luxurious ride.
- The TL sells MUCH more volume, probably due to a lower price tag. However, this makes the RL much more exclusive. You rarely see RLs.
- As a result of ^, the TL has much more mod options b/c of the wider customer base.
- The RL SH-AWD is standard and has been since 2005.
- The TL transmission seems to have common issues, and I have yet to see a handful of RLs with transmission issues.
- The RL is completely manufactured and assembled in Saitama, Japan. The TL is 70% manufactured (I believe) in the US and assembled in Ohio.
All that said, the RL is better than the TL.
09-09-2011, 04:24 PM
#6
My wife and I have owned seven Acura's over the last 23 years. I am 100% convinced that one has made the right choice when they buy one. I have owned three TL 's and currently drive a 2007 Rl with 155,000 trouble free miles. I still enjoy everytime I get in the seat and start her up.
The TL is just different. The exterior shape and ride are much more sportier than the RL. The Rl for me has been the progression as I have gotten older (more experiened) to want a quieter and softer ride as has been stated above and to want a little more of the comfort features. I have many friends with the newer TL. They love the car. I have detailed them, something I enjoy doing. A few items that I do not like are the emergency brake sitting in the console. I have never used an emergency brake and to have to stare at it seems strange. Acura put a pedal down on the floor like the RL. I don't like the dark dash. They show every bit of lint and need constant dusting. My dash is a light gray. I also am not crazy about the chrome strips on the roof pillars.
Both are great cars but different.
The TL is just different. The exterior shape and ride are much more sportier than the RL. The Rl for me has been the progression as I have gotten older (more experiened) to want a quieter and softer ride as has been stated above and to want a little more of the comfort features. I have many friends with the newer TL. They love the car. I have detailed them, something I enjoy doing. A few items that I do not like are the emergency brake sitting in the console. I have never used an emergency brake and to have to stare at it seems strange. Acura put a pedal down on the floor like the RL. I don't like the dark dash. They show every bit of lint and need constant dusting. My dash is a light gray. I also am not crazy about the chrome strips on the roof pillars.
Both are great cars but different.
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09-09-2011, 04:56 PM
#11
Senior Moderator
Or you can ask yourself thaw questions:
Is a GS better than an LS?
Is a C-class better than an E-class?
Is an A6 better than an A7?
Is an M35 better than an M45?
Is a 3-series better than a 5-series?
Although Acura has dramatically closed the TL-RL gap in the last year and some would answer yes to these questions, the majority of people would say no. Go to car talk and start a poll. That would give you a better idea.
Is a GS better than an LS?
Is a C-class better than an E-class?
Is an A6 better than an A7?
Is an M35 better than an M45?
Is a 3-series better than a 5-series?
Although Acura has dramatically closed the TL-RL gap in the last year and some would answer yes to these questions, the majority of people would say no. Go to car talk and start a poll. That would give you a better idea.
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#1 STUNNA (03-20-2012)
09-09-2011, 05:13 PM
#16
the RL is based off the flagship the LEGEND.
Please wikipedia Acura's History.
The LEGEND is the the flagship car. the best of the best. in Japan, the car is still called the LEGEND.
in the United States, they changed the name to the RL.
No matter what you think, the RL is the top of the line vehicle in Acura's line up.
Sure, they have closed the gap between the RL and the TL, but only because the TL is the bread and butter. it sells more.
Please wikipedia Acura's History.
The LEGEND is the the flagship car. the best of the best. in Japan, the car is still called the LEGEND.
in the United States, they changed the name to the RL.
Originally Posted by Wiki
The Acura RL is the flagship car for North America luxury brand Acura — marketed in Japan as the Honda Legend and manufactured in Saitama, Japan. The alpha call-sign "RL" is an abbreviation for "Refined Luxury."[2]
The first-generation Acura RL was a similarly rebadged version of the third-generation Honda Legend, and was first introduced into the North American market in 1996 to replace the second-generation Acura Legend. Previous to the 1996 introduction of the first generation Acura RL was the second-generation Acura Legend (1991–1995), equivalent to the second-generation Honda Legend, which in turn was preceded by the first-generation Acura Legend (1986–1990), equivalent to the first-generation Honda Legend.
The current second-generation Acura RL is a rebadged version of the fourth-generation Honda Legend and was introduced into the North American market in September 2004 as a 2005 model. This iteration of the RL received an extensive mid-generational facelift for the 2009 model year.
The first-generation Acura RL was a similarly rebadged version of the third-generation Honda Legend, and was first introduced into the North American market in 1996 to replace the second-generation Acura Legend. Previous to the 1996 introduction of the first generation Acura RL was the second-generation Acura Legend (1991–1995), equivalent to the second-generation Honda Legend, which in turn was preceded by the first-generation Acura Legend (1986–1990), equivalent to the first-generation Honda Legend.
The current second-generation Acura RL is a rebadged version of the fourth-generation Honda Legend and was introduced into the North American market in September 2004 as a 2005 model. This iteration of the RL received an extensive mid-generational facelift for the 2009 model year.
Originally Posted by Wiki
The Acura TL is a mid-size sports sedan manufactured by Acura. It was introduced in 1995 to supplant the Acura Vigor and was rebadged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber. The TL was Acura's best-selling model until it was outsold most recently by the MDX since 2007, and it has ranked as the second best-selling luxury sedan in the United States behind the BMW 3 Series.[1] Four generations of the Acura TL have been produced to date, with the latest fourth generation TL premiering in 2008 as a 2009 model. The current version is not sold in Japan.
TL stands for Touring Luxury
TL stands for Touring Luxury
No matter what you think, the RL is the top of the line vehicle in Acura's line up.
Sure, they have closed the gap between the RL and the TL, but only because the TL is the bread and butter. it sells more.
Last edited by justnspace; 09-09-2011 at 05:17 PM.
09-09-2011, 05:14 PM
#17
Senior Moderator
TL does not mean Top of the Line. 
The RL is Acura's flagship sedan. That means when all the makers get together and bring their best sedan, Acura will bring an RL, Lexus will bring an LS, Hyundai will bring an Equus, BMW will bring a 7-series, MB will bring an S-class, so on and so forth. Although the RL will barely hold ground with those players, bringing a TL to the show would result in a prompt shitting on for Acura.
The RL is Acura's flagship sedan. That means when all the makers get together and bring their best sedan, Acura will bring an RL, Lexus will bring an LS, Hyundai will bring an Equus, BMW will bring a 7-series, MB will bring an S-class, so on and so forth. Although the RL will barely hold ground with those players, bringing a TL to the show would result in a prompt shitting on for Acura.
Last edited by oo7spy; 09-09-2011 at 05:18 PM.
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09-09-2011, 05:36 PM
#20
Pro
Thread Starter
Quiet about what? I'm just saying that TL is top of its class of Acura, I called the dealer who sold me my Acura and he agreed I did very well for myself.
09-09-2011, 05:46 PM
#21
Senior Moderator
09-09-2011, 06:02 PM
#22
Instructor
I don't understand how you can blanket statement say that the TL is better than the RL. they are two different cars with multiple facets that allow them to be marketed far differently from one another. As already stated, the RL is Acura's top positioned vehicle; there is no debate here on that fact.
I think what you want to say is that you absolutely love your TL and there is nothing that would top it (as it applies to you and only you), and there is no problem at all with that. But when you want to branch outside of your personal opinion you're seriously stepping on people's toes, and going against the marketing and positioning of Acura's vehicles.
Now that my logistical arguments have been made, i reserve the right to speak my mind about your posts in this thread:
grow a pair, swallow your pride and for fucks sake, respect fact alike the opinions of others...
I think what you want to say is that you absolutely love your TL and there is nothing that would top it (as it applies to you and only you), and there is no problem at all with that. But when you want to branch outside of your personal opinion you're seriously stepping on people's toes, and going against the marketing and positioning of Acura's vehicles.
Now that my logistical arguments have been made, i reserve the right to speak my mind about your posts in this thread:
grow a pair, swallow your pride and for fucks sake, respect fact alike the opinions of others...
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09-09-2011, 06:12 PM
#23
Coming from owning a few Civic's, 3G TL-S, and now the RL. To be honest the RL is in a different category than the TL. TL is still sporty, not as Luxurious as the RL. the ride is so much more comfortable. the interior in the TL just feels cheaper compared to the RL.
IMO RL>TL
IMO RL>TL
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justnspace (09-09-2011)
09-09-2011, 07:27 PM
#28
Racer
I just purchased a 2012 TL Advance. IMO, the RL is a nicer vehicle.
The reasons that the TL made it into the garage ... 1) The fuel economy rating was much higher on a TL FWD; 2) The RL cost more to purchase and maintain and; 3) The average residual value, as a percentage, was higher on the TL.
I could have written the larger check, but I chose not to. The 4G TL is more than satisfying. Give me a few more years, and another back injury, and I might not see things in the same way.
The ONLY thing that the RL did have that I would have liked to see on the TL ... adaptive cruise control. However, I can appreciate Acura's position in keeping some items for the exclusive enjoyment of those that purchase "the flagship" sedan.
The reasons that the TL made it into the garage ... 1) The fuel economy rating was much higher on a TL FWD; 2) The RL cost more to purchase and maintain and; 3) The average residual value, as a percentage, was higher on the TL.
I could have written the larger check, but I chose not to. The 4G TL is more than satisfying. Give me a few more years, and another back injury, and I might not see things in the same way.
The ONLY thing that the RL did have that I would have liked to see on the TL ... adaptive cruise control. However, I can appreciate Acura's position in keeping some items for the exclusive enjoyment of those that purchase "the flagship" sedan.
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oo7spy (09-09-2011)
09-09-2011, 07:44 PM
#30
Safety Car
The RL really should be compared to the 3rd gen TL because the TL got a complete model change whereas the RL has only been freshened since essentially 2004. When comparing my RL to my friend's 2008 TL-S (that has the RL engine), the interior is significantly cheaper quality. The car also feels very cramped for some reason.
Another thing is that I think a lot of people confuse platform sharing with rebadging. Yes the Accord, TL, TSX, and RL use Honda's Global Midsize Platform. But Honda has really mastered the art of saving resources by platform engineering. You can tell that the Toyota Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES are based on the same platform. But Honda has mastered the art of using a single initial platform to make virtually their entire lineup.
Even the wheelbases between the RL and 3G TL are different (110.2" vs 107.9"). So it should be obvious that Honda's platform sharing is vastly different from other manufacturer's version of platform sharing.
09-09-2011, 08:01 PM
#31
Racer
The TL does have a very nice interior, exterior, navigation system, sound system, etc. I also judged it as a better value. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say the TL is a nicer car - it isn't IMHO.
The TL Advance suits my needs and tastes, that's all that really matters.
Of course, had the TL not been offered in the Advance trim, I would have purchased the RL. I wanted the blind spot indicators and ventilated seats and wouldn't have comprised. In the same respect, I opted not to get the SH-AWD this time around, since I didn't care for the contrasted stitching and 19" wheels (rougher ride and more costly to replace).
Everyone has different needs, tastes, budgets, etc. That's why Acura makes different models and trim levels.
09-09-2011, 08:09 PM
#32
Pro
Thread Starter
Well said!
I'm thinking of doing a few modifications to my car as well. It's pretty fast but I wouldn't mind a few extra horse power.
What do you think? new intake? exhaust. I'm looking to spend about 1K for the first upgrade.
I'm thinking of doing a few modifications to my car as well. It's pretty fast but I wouldn't mind a few extra horse power.
What do you think? new intake? exhaust. I'm looking to spend about 1K for the first upgrade.
09-09-2011, 08:56 PM
#38
Senior Moderator
