Originally Posted by KeithL

It was more than the engine, the TL looks as big or bigger than the RL and had almost all the same or more features. Infiniti puts 3.7 in multiple cars, does not impact sales. Lexus has 3.5 in IS and GS and offers hybrids in ES and GS. Acura nees to do better model delineation and targets.

Originally Posted by Colin

This is not correct. There were differences that favored the RL, but they were subtle and even the enthusiasts here often miss them. The RL has a carbon fiber reinforced driveshaft vs. steel and a planetary gear setup allowing for up to ~5% overspeed vs a fixed ~1.7%.

Also in the drivetrain: RL used aluminum for steering knuckles, upper control arms, lower control arms up front. In the rear the control arms and subframe are aluminum but these components were all steel in the TL (maybe the TL had aluminum knuckles...).

The RL also used 4-piston aluminum calipers for the front brakes vs. 2-pistons for the TL and had vented rear rotors vs. solid.

Originally Posted by George Knighton

..a more up to date system of electronics, including the Navigation system.

Originally Posted by Edward'TLS

It was and still is engine+drivetrain issue. The 4G AWD TL had the exact same propulsion hardware (3.7L-V6 + SH-AWD) as the top-of-the-line 2G flagship RL.

Originally Posted by Colin

This is not correct. There were differences that favored the RL, but they were subtle and even the enthusiasts here often miss them. The RL has a carbon fiber reinforced driveshaft vs. steel and a planetary gear setup allowing for up to ~5% overspeed vs a fixed ~1.7%.

Also in the drivetrain: RL used aluminum for steering knuckles, upper control arms, lower control arms up front. In the rear the control arms and subframe are aluminum but these components were all steel in the TL (maybe the TL had aluminum knuckles...).

The RL also used 4-piston aluminum calipers for the front brakes vs. 2-pistons for the TL and had vented rear rotors vs. solid.

.....

Originally Posted by Edward'TLS

Note that I said "The 4G AWD TL had the exact same propulsion hardware (3.7L-V6 + SH-AWD) as the top-of-the-line 2G flagship RL.", but not "The 4G AWD TL was the EXACT SAME car as the top-of-the-line 2G flagship RL.

Originally Posted by Colin

That was another thing that was not quite correct in Edwards post. He said that the RL had better 'do dads' when the TL was actually better through most of the 4G product cycle.

Originally Posted by George Knighton

I sat in a 2010 model year RL when I was talking about my 2010 TL.

At that time, there was a very clear difference in the NAV screens, with the TL having better graphics and a visibly quicker response time.

In his CNET review of the RL, Brian Cooley remarked about the RL's Navigation being a little outdated for the year of production. I believe that Brian reviewed the 2011 model year RL w/Tech.

Originally Posted by 4cruizn

I posted some pics of the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD on my recent blog entry.