The difference between the TL, RL, and RDX

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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:19 PM
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The difference between the TL, RL, and RDX

Can someone break it down to me?

I'm really happy with my TL and wouldnt trade it for the world.

I'm guessing TL means top of the line?

RDX is sporty, not as luxury.

RL, is smaller than TL, but still nice.
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:34 PM
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The RL is actually supposed to be top of the line, the TL in the middle, and the TSX as the entry-level. Acura just never properly updated the RL and the TL is miles ahead of it (IMO). Don't think this generation will last much longer.

I think TL is Touring Luxury, don't know about the others though.
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:43 PM
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Oh so RL was supposed to be better from the beginning, but then they started to put more time and effort into the TL, so the TL is actually the better of the two? Interesting!
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:46 PM
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the RL is the flagship. The best one.

butt, the TL is the bread and butter. it sells more.

then there is the TSX.
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:53 PM
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How can something be better than the the TL?
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:54 PM
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^thats the way it is.
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:58 PM
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Is it bigger? more luxurious?
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by EazyRider562
How can something be better than the the TL?
Better interior materials, more features.

Sit in an RL, the leather is nicer. It has sunshades that are powered, the rear headrests fold down at the push of a button. Many features the RL has, the new TL recently acquired.

The car come out nearly 8 years ago though, so it's near the end for this generation.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 01:12 PM
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So would you prefer an older RL or newer TL?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 01:15 PM
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^they are two different types of cars.
it depends on what I wanted out of a car at the time of purchase.

the 2012 RL is not "older" at all.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 01:57 PM
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When I bought my 2012 TL I could have bought a really nice new RL for only $3,000 more. There are a couple more features, but it also gets worse gas mileage for some unknown reason (same powertrain) and I'm guessing it might actually have worse resale value because it sells so poorly.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 02:37 PM
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Is the TL faster is the thing?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 02:39 PM
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faster by a little.

but the main thing is, the TL is more sporty.
the RL is more luxurious.

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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 02:45 PM
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the RL looks more compact tbh
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 02:45 PM
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so basically you would take a TL over an RL? I think I would...
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 02:48 PM
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^it depends on what I needed in a ride.

i have an 06 TL. because I was looking for something sporty with 3 pedals. the RL is classier but doesnt come with 3 pedals.

Price also is a determining factor.
~40k+ is getting into better car territory.
I love my acura's but for 45-50k.....there might be something else.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Aman
The RL is actually supposed to be top of the line, the TL in the middle, and the TSX as the entry-level. Acura just never properly updated the RL and the TL is miles ahead of it (IMO). Don't think this generation will last much longer.

I think TL is Touring Luxury, don't know about the others though.
As far as i know RL stands for road luxury, wiki says its refined luxury but im 90% sure thats not right
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 03:12 PM
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Bear in mind that the current RL was launched in the time of the 3G TL. The difference between a 2005 RL and a 2005 TL is much more noticeable. The RL's interior is far more luxurious than the 3G TL's is. The current 4G TL kind of eclipses the RL. Recent sales numbers will back that up....only a few hundred RLs sold a month. It's in desperate need of a makeover.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 03:36 PM
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So the 4G TL is better than the RL? But the RL is more expensive??
I'm happy I decided on getting my TL then?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by EazyRider562
So the 4G TL is better than the RL? But the RL is more expensive??
I'm happy I decided on getting my TL then?
Depends on what makes it better for you. The TL is likely more fun to drive. Whereas the RL is a bit more luxurious.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 04:00 PM
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I see... Would you consider the TL a sports car?

I have an '09 Acura TL w/tech package? Any recommendations that you'd recommend? For a little more HP? Simple but effective improvements?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 04:06 PM
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Sports sedan, yes.


Hmm maybe a cold Air Intake (one of the most common performance mods on any car), and then a brand called ATLP has a custom exhaust system made for the Acura TL. I'm not too big into performance mods, but I'm sure others can chime in here.
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 04:07 PM
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Where do I get an intake? what would you recommend for an 09 Acura Tl w/Tech package?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 06:11 PM
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Easy, there are tons of stuff that you can do.

Exhaust mods:
PCD's (being developed)
Jpipe
test pipe
catback

Intake mods:
intake
port and polish manifold and runners(only do this if you have exhaust mods)
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 07:45 PM
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Would you recommend that I go to a car shop and get some recommendations?

How much do you think I need for the first step? $500? I'm in love with my TL and would love to invest some more money in it!
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by gibbyisgibby
As far as i know RL stands for road luxury, wiki says its refined luxury but im 90% sure thats not right
I was working for an Acura dealership when the RL first appeared. We referred to it as the "Replacement Legend"
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 08:53 PM
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LOL really? you'd think they would've come up with a better name than that.....

That might just be what your dealership cronies called it, a nick name they came with and it stuck with the newbies who came in? Possibly?
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Old Sep 9, 2011 | 10:53 PM
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That's just what we called it at the dealership. At the time we were not too keen on cars being named just by letters. The Legend was top on the line before the RL appeared. When the RL came out to replace the Legend, that's where the "replacement Legend" term came from. Frankly, I still like names better than the letters. Except in the case of the Acura Vigor. What kind of name was that?
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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As I was waiting for my salesman I sat in the RL, and I love the car's leather seats. They remind me a lot of the leather I used to have in the Lexus ES350. Also, I found the layout of the gadgetry a little less confusing. Aside from those two things I liked the TL in every other aspect.
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Linmk2
That's just what we called it at the dealership. At the time we were not too keen on cars being named just by letters. The Legend was top on the line before the RL appeared. When the RL came out to replace the Legend, that's where the "replacement Legend" term came from. Frankly, I still like names better than the letters. Except in the case of the Acura Vigor. What kind of name was that?
Renamed Legend too. I've heard a couple Acura people call it that.

Vigor? Vigor and vim. Vitality and energy. I actually liked the name and the car
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by EazyRider562
So would you prefer an older RL or newer TL?
Tough decision and it is based upon preferences and budget. I needed room so I got a TSX wagon. I've owned 3 TL's and an RL.

I do like the 2012 TL quite a bit and like how it drives. The RL rides a little nicer. The TL does come in a 6 speed manual so I'd probably go for that.
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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 07:45 PM
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^6MT ftmfw!
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by EazyRider562
Oh so RL was supposed to be better from the beginning, but then they started to put more time and effort into the TL, so the TL is actually the better of the two? Interesting!
An argument might very well be made that the RL's version of SH-AWD is slightly more advanced than the TL's, even in the 2012 model year.

The 2014 TL might change that, but by then the RL might be a completely different car.

The RL might end up being a hybrid based on the new V6 replacement for the J Motor, or it might be an iteration of the V8, or it might even be rear-biased with a new SH-AWD.

Rumors are all over the place and this is one of the few secrets that Honda's been able to keep the past few years.

Originally Posted by mikemannj
Also, I found the layout of the gadgetry a little less confusing.
Well. The "gadgetry" is less confusing because it is a generation behind. Once you experience both RL and TL in motion, I can virtually guarantee you that you're going to prefer the experience of the TL.

The navigation system of the TL is much superior to the RL's. The screen is better and the voice command resolution is better.

The RL just got left behind because of the economic changes and a change in priorities at Honda. Its proposed revisions went on the shelves while Honda changed directions and worked out what exactly it was that they wanted to do.

Next year might bring us a very impressive RL. We'll see. :-)

Originally Posted by EazyRider562
Where do I get an intake? what would you recommend for an 09 Acura Tl w/Tech package?
Don't start tacking things onto a J37.

Think a complete package through all the way, or don't do anything.

Otherwise you're just going to be spending money to make more noise.

Last edited by Steven Bell; Sep 12, 2011 at 06:42 PM. Reason: Merged Posts.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 10:51 AM
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At least some people at least agree now that the TL is top of line of its class!
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 10:55 AM
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^no.

people agree that the 4G stole features from the 2G RL.
wait till the 3G RL comes out....
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 10:57 AM
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if dealer offered RL at the same price as i bought my TL, id have no problem going for a RL lol. but TL was cheaper and did the job just as the RL did so initially i went with the TL
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