It would be nice to have:

- a "mute" button for the stereo - preferably right on the steering wheel - so when rolling up to drivethru, etc you can just kill the volume

- speed control volume, I find I am always adjusting volume up and down

- the stereo automatically pause any CD you are playing when you place or receive a handsfree call

 

The RL does have a speed control volume, it's just not as obvious as others. the one in my Mustang is very obvious when it's compensating for road noise. Then again the Mustang is A LOT louder than my RL.

While it's not automatic, you can pause a CD by pressing the Station preset button that corresponds to the CD playing.

 

I agree with OP on all 3 points. GoHawks, my 05 does not have speed controlled volume. My 10 MDX has and there is a menu to adjust the gain. Do you have it on your 06?

 

I have an 05 and I'm pretty sure that the 05's have the speed variant volume, but it just does not work that well. I may be wrong, but I thought I remember seeing it in the manual.

 

I think I was mistaken. I was referring to the Bose Audiopilot that cancels out the outside noise. That's a different feature.

 

The RL adjusts radio volume depending on the ambient noise level, rather than speed.

I've noticed the volume changing while driving around town, particularly at lower listening volumes. While noise may increase with speed, it isn't the only variable that could affect listening pleasure (such as road surfaces, gusty winds, tail- or headwinds, heavy rainfall, volcanic eruptions, and thunderstorms).

 

However it is supposed to work, it does not work well at least in my 05. The San Mateo beidge is one of the noisiest road surfaces around and I have to manually turn the volume up at least 3 levels.

 

In my opinion the volume does not change under any circumstances except when I change it myself. ANC is noise cancellation and has nothing to do with the volume, in fact, it even operates when the radio is turned off. Bose Audio Pilot is just a DSP to simulate 5.1 from stereo and I think that is is bypassed when listening to MP3 discs.

 

This is correct. The RL doesn't adjust volume to deal with higher speed or noise. The ELS system in some of the other Acura models (TL for instance) does do this.

 

Since you mentioned ELS - It is a very impressive system. I am a proponent of Bose and a lot of people thought that it was a good OEM system but the ELS is a big step above it and no adding of a boom box woofer in the trunk is going to fix it.

 

POWER FOLDING MIRRORS

I hate coming out and closing the mirrors with my hands!

 

 

They did think of them.

Power folding mirrors have been on the LEGEND since 2005. Just the packaging mystery model that Acura follows for the RL, they don't appear for North American spec RLs until the 2011 model.

***Greetings from 2,818 nautical miles ENE of Ft. Lauderdale***

 

A different location for locking the drivers seat belt. That has to be the worst of any car. The 97 was that way and I didn't like it, and it is that way on the '06. It is down in the corner where it is a tight fit. A many time I have been really ticked off because it is such a hassle to fasten the seat belt. An inch or two higher would be a welcome relief.

 

I think that folding mirrors would be a nice touch but I have never found the need nor have I ever manually folded them. I do admit, however, when you park on narrow streets or in the "Compact" parking space, it does get a bit tight but Acura thought that the American roads are so wide that we do not need them.
Alfadoctor: I am surprised by your comment. I buckle up without looking first time every time, every day it's always in the same place as before.

 

That was actually an improvement they made in the 2009 MMC. Apparently others complained it was difficult to buckle.

 

There is no underhood light? I can't believe Acura left that out on their top model.

Plastics
05 RL silver

 

A light? They almost didn't include a hood because they never break down.

I would had appreciated auto up windows from the key fob (yes I know it works from the key), a louder stereo(max volume aint enough for my jams) , T-tops, a vented hood, side exit exhaust, a trailer hitch, and a five point harness.

 

a supercharger or turbo... I vote for THAT!

 

Fold down rear seats would be handy.

Heated steering wheel.

 

twin turbo! Supercharger running about 6-9 psi.

 

Remote starter, power folding mirrors (love BMW for that), a sequential gearbox, 350HP+347 ft/lb Torque, thicker steering wheel with a tad smaller diameter. Besides that the RL is amazing!

 

How about a softer steering wheel? The steering wheel even covered in leather feels hard to the hands after a long drive. I vote for remote starter and folding mirrors.

 

Cupholders that keep warm drinks warm, cold drinks cold.

Power mirrors should have an option where both dip down when putting the car in reverse (say when you leave the switch in the center), instead of selecting only one or the other.

And fold-down rear seats!

 

Having both side view mirrors tilt to street view would be illegal in the US. One can tilt down, the other must remain fixed to augment the rear view mirror (even with a backup cam).

The rear seat back fixed adds to the body rigity. Honda went through many pains to reduce the RLs portly weight (aluminum structure components, body panels, etc.). Further structural weight would be required should the rear seats fold. Nor does the TL have fold down rear seats. The TSX does, but keep in mind, the TSX serves as the European Accord.

 

That mirror reg must be a US only thing, because every Lexus I have driven in Canada that has tilt down mirrors has a setting that dips both down at the same time.