05RL Media Archives/Reviews
05-09-2005, 09:10 PM
#41
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Ward's Auto World, Apr 1, 2005...
05-12-2005, 12:45 PM
#42
Racer
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FortWayne TESTDRIVE & REVIEW: The future is now for 2005 Acura RL
May. 08. 2005
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journal...s/11596544.htm
Edit by MOD rets
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journal...s/11596544.htm
Edit by MOD rets
05-12-2005, 04:27 PM
#43
office monkey
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wow, the last reviewer thinks the ignition is tough to figure out. How...you turn it all the way forward to start the car and all the way back to turn the car off. A friggin MONKEY could turn the car on/off. How does a person who find this tough manage to get through life?
Also, it bugs me when people complain about the joystick and using it to adjust stuff like the climate control...just use the voice control if you want to adjust the fan or whatever... "fanspeed 3" bam, there it is.
Also, it bugs me when people complain about the joystick and using it to adjust stuff like the climate control...just use the voice control if you want to adjust the fan or whatever... "fanspeed 3" bam, there it is.
05-13-2005, 10:53 AM
#44
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Detroit Free Press:
MARK PHELAN: While it's loaded with features, new Acura RL isn't a standout
May 5. 2005
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=6498#post6498
http://www.freep.com/money/autorevie...e_20050505.htm
May 5. 2005
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=6498#post6498
http://www.freep.com/money/autorevie...e_20050505.htm
05-13-2005, 03:17 PM
#45
Instructor
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05-16-2005, 03:58 PM
#46
Racer
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05-18-2005, 07:22 PM
#47
The extra b is for byobb
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05-31-2005, 12:17 PM
#48
Racer
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07-15-2005, 09:47 AM
#49
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Very positive new review: http://www.motorage.com/motorage/art....jsp?id=170450
08-09-2005, 08:44 PM
#50
From Crown Acura of Richmond
2005 Acura RL - Initial Impressions
http://dealer.webmakerx.net/Images/S...MPRESSIONS.pdf
2005 Acura RL - Driving Impressions
http://dealer.webmakerx.net/Images/S...mpressions.pdf
2005 Acura RL - Initial Impressions
http://dealer.webmakerx.net/Images/S...MPRESSIONS.pdf
2005 Acura RL - Driving Impressions
http://dealer.webmakerx.net/Images/S...mpressions.pdf
09-06-2005, 03:13 PM
#51
Instructor
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acura rl review includes test of collision mitigation braking system (CMBS)
From San Diego Source: The Daily Trascript
http://www.sddt.com/Commentary/artic...e=20050829tbh#
COMMENTARY | COLUMNISTS | PHIL BAKER
Car tech:
Great technology abounds in new Acura RL
By Phil Baker ,
Monday, August 29, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where can you experience some of the most amazing technology of all consumer products? It's not personal computers and it's nothing you'll find at BestBuy or CompUSA. It's the technology you'll find in some of the new automobiles coming to market.
How well does it work? How easy is it to learn? You can't just take a spin around the block with the car salesman to get the answers; you really need several days to try it out. I did just that with one new model, looking at it from the perspective of a technology columnist, not an automobile reviewer.
The 2005 Acura RL (sticker $49,470), Honda Motors' (NYSE: HMC) top-of-the-line sedan, has transformed from a previously boring car to a sleek, all-wheel drive sports sedan chock full of some of the most technically advanced features. It stands head and shoulders above most cars for its gadget quotient.
Sit in the car and at first it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the dials, buttons and screens. But after a day or two, everything became a breeze to use. There were often several ways to accomplish the same task, a sign of excellent interface design that eliminates frustration. Here are some of the specifics:
Control and command -- The RL has three digital displays used to communicate with the driver, a multi-information display below the speedometer, a vivid 8-inch color screen in the middle of the dashboard, and a single line display on the top center of the dashboard used to show the time, temperature and radio information.
Most functions are accessed by a big control knob in the middle of the dash. Surrounding it are a few large buttons that switch the screen's display between audio, GPS, air conditioner and information. Most screen options are chosen by turning the knob, often to navigate through a list, and then pushing it to make a selection. It's simple, intuitive and a big improvement over the maligned BMW 7-series.
The audio controls can be accessed from the screen, as well as by using familiar pushbuttons and a real volume knob. There are buttons for features you need right away, such as the rear-window defroster, AM, FM and XMS satellite radio (standard). No need to navigate through menus.
Of course, all this momentarily takes your eyes off the road. If you don't want to fidget with the knobs while driving, you can use Acura's excellent voice recognition system. Touch the talk button on the steering wheel and speak your request, such as "fan speed 6" or "AM 600," and most of the time the command is carried out. While the request occasionally was misinterpreted, it worked well enough that I used it often, not only because it avoids taking your eyes off the road, but also because it's cool.
GPS -- This car's GPS system is one of the best I've tried; it's comprehensive, accurate and easy to use. However, I'd like the option of a 3-D view, not just a top-down view. Unlike the Lexus, which deactivates its GPS while moving (you can follow a route you set, but not make changes), the Acura GPS can be used while in motion. That means you or your passenger can change your routing without stopping the car. You can also control it using voice recognition.
The built-in AcuraLink satellite communications system retrieves and overlays traffic data onto the GPS map to show you congested areas. There's a huge listing of businesses and other attractions, as with most GPS systems, but unique to Acura, you can search for highly rated Zagat restaurants and read their reviews.
Phone -- Once your Bluetooth phone is paired with the car's Bluetooth, calls made or received come through the car's audio system. You can dial by voice command (speak the numbers or name) and talk over the car's built-in speakerphone while the audio mutes. It worked well with my Treo 650 phone, but I preferred using a wired headset to the car's speakerphone to avoid the typical echo chamber effect.
Audio -- The 10-speaker, 5.1 channel Bose audio system sounded good, but at times a little too boomy. Sound quality was best playing discs on the combo DVD/CD/MP3 6-disc audio player. Active noise-cancellation takes care of some road noise. But there's no plug for an iPod or other MP3 player.
Gadgets -- A perforated rear shade can automatically be deployed with a push of the button, which is great for blocking sunlight or nasty headlights at night. The steering wheel has buttons for controlling the radio, phone, voice recognition, cruise control and paddles for shifting up or down using the auto transmission's manual mode. And there's no need for a key. Just carry a fob that lets you unlock, start and lock the car by touching the door handles and turning the ignition switch.
No need to worry about flats. Sensors in your tires monitor and display air pressure. A clever two-cup holder between the front seats has a two-position elevation adjustment, for both tall and short cups. The rear headrests retract to improve driver visibility when there are no rear-seat passengers. The headlight beams expand as the car turns corners. The RL sends messages on the display offering advice such as "tighten your gas cap" and service reminders. If there's a problem, it will tell you where the nearest Acura dealer is located and call it for you.
All-wheel drive -- Called SH-AWD (super-handling all-wheel-drive), the car's computer increases power to the wheels to improve turning and cornering ability. As you go through a turn, up to 70 percent of the torque goes to the rear wheels, and the outside wheel rotates 5 percent faster than the inside wheel. This is graphically displayed in real-time on the multi-information display below the speedometer.
Not resting on its laurels, the new 2006 Acura, due out in October, will offer a technology package option at an estimated $3,000 to $4,000. It adds Michelin PAX run-flat tires that can travel 125 miles at 50 mph when flat, and two new features, CMBS and ACC.
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) -- Radar located behind the grill monitors the distance and closing rate between the RL and the car in front. Should you be closing in too fast, a warning light and buzzer will flash telling you to brake and the seat belt tugs at you, while beginning to brake slightly. If you don't respond the car will brake much harder, and if looks like you're going to crash, it will try to stop to minimize impact. I tried it out by driving 60 mph into a test target traveling down the middle of the road. As I sped toward the obstacle, the car braked to a stop all by itself before I could hit it. This feature will surely save lives.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) -- Using the same radar, the car will adjust speed to maintain a constant following interval (measured in seconds) with the car ahead of you. This eliminates the need to keep engaging and disengaging the cruise control system.
If you're a lover of technology and gadgets, the Acura RL may be one of your best choices. It not only provides the advanced features, but makes them easy to use. I'll be looking at the technology in other makes and models in future columns, but it will be hard to beat the Acura RL.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baker has developed and marketed consumer and computer products for Polaroid, Apple, Seiko and others. He is the holder of 30 patents and was named San Diego's Ernst & Young Consumer Products Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. Send comments to phil.baker@sddt.com. Comments may be published as Letters to the Editor
http://www.sddt.com/Commentary/artic...e=20050829tbh#
COMMENTARY | COLUMNISTS | PHIL BAKER
Car tech:
Great technology abounds in new Acura RL
By Phil Baker ,
Monday, August 29, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where can you experience some of the most amazing technology of all consumer products? It's not personal computers and it's nothing you'll find at BestBuy or CompUSA. It's the technology you'll find in some of the new automobiles coming to market.
How well does it work? How easy is it to learn? You can't just take a spin around the block with the car salesman to get the answers; you really need several days to try it out. I did just that with one new model, looking at it from the perspective of a technology columnist, not an automobile reviewer.
The 2005 Acura RL (sticker $49,470), Honda Motors' (NYSE: HMC) top-of-the-line sedan, has transformed from a previously boring car to a sleek, all-wheel drive sports sedan chock full of some of the most technically advanced features. It stands head and shoulders above most cars for its gadget quotient.
Sit in the car and at first it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the dials, buttons and screens. But after a day or two, everything became a breeze to use. There were often several ways to accomplish the same task, a sign of excellent interface design that eliminates frustration. Here are some of the specifics:
Control and command -- The RL has three digital displays used to communicate with the driver, a multi-information display below the speedometer, a vivid 8-inch color screen in the middle of the dashboard, and a single line display on the top center of the dashboard used to show the time, temperature and radio information.
Most functions are accessed by a big control knob in the middle of the dash. Surrounding it are a few large buttons that switch the screen's display between audio, GPS, air conditioner and information. Most screen options are chosen by turning the knob, often to navigate through a list, and then pushing it to make a selection. It's simple, intuitive and a big improvement over the maligned BMW 7-series.
The audio controls can be accessed from the screen, as well as by using familiar pushbuttons and a real volume knob. There are buttons for features you need right away, such as the rear-window defroster, AM, FM and XMS satellite radio (standard). No need to navigate through menus.
Of course, all this momentarily takes your eyes off the road. If you don't want to fidget with the knobs while driving, you can use Acura's excellent voice recognition system. Touch the talk button on the steering wheel and speak your request, such as "fan speed 6" or "AM 600," and most of the time the command is carried out. While the request occasionally was misinterpreted, it worked well enough that I used it often, not only because it avoids taking your eyes off the road, but also because it's cool.
GPS -- This car's GPS system is one of the best I've tried; it's comprehensive, accurate and easy to use. However, I'd like the option of a 3-D view, not just a top-down view. Unlike the Lexus, which deactivates its GPS while moving (you can follow a route you set, but not make changes), the Acura GPS can be used while in motion. That means you or your passenger can change your routing without stopping the car. You can also control it using voice recognition.
The built-in AcuraLink satellite communications system retrieves and overlays traffic data onto the GPS map to show you congested areas. There's a huge listing of businesses and other attractions, as with most GPS systems, but unique to Acura, you can search for highly rated Zagat restaurants and read their reviews.
Phone -- Once your Bluetooth phone is paired with the car's Bluetooth, calls made or received come through the car's audio system. You can dial by voice command (speak the numbers or name) and talk over the car's built-in speakerphone while the audio mutes. It worked well with my Treo 650 phone, but I preferred using a wired headset to the car's speakerphone to avoid the typical echo chamber effect.
Audio -- The 10-speaker, 5.1 channel Bose audio system sounded good, but at times a little too boomy. Sound quality was best playing discs on the combo DVD/CD/MP3 6-disc audio player. Active noise-cancellation takes care of some road noise. But there's no plug for an iPod or other MP3 player.
Gadgets -- A perforated rear shade can automatically be deployed with a push of the button, which is great for blocking sunlight or nasty headlights at night. The steering wheel has buttons for controlling the radio, phone, voice recognition, cruise control and paddles for shifting up or down using the auto transmission's manual mode. And there's no need for a key. Just carry a fob that lets you unlock, start and lock the car by touching the door handles and turning the ignition switch.
No need to worry about flats. Sensors in your tires monitor and display air pressure. A clever two-cup holder between the front seats has a two-position elevation adjustment, for both tall and short cups. The rear headrests retract to improve driver visibility when there are no rear-seat passengers. The headlight beams expand as the car turns corners. The RL sends messages on the display offering advice such as "tighten your gas cap" and service reminders. If there's a problem, it will tell you where the nearest Acura dealer is located and call it for you.
All-wheel drive -- Called SH-AWD (super-handling all-wheel-drive), the car's computer increases power to the wheels to improve turning and cornering ability. As you go through a turn, up to 70 percent of the torque goes to the rear wheels, and the outside wheel rotates 5 percent faster than the inside wheel. This is graphically displayed in real-time on the multi-information display below the speedometer.
Not resting on its laurels, the new 2006 Acura, due out in October, will offer a technology package option at an estimated $3,000 to $4,000. It adds Michelin PAX run-flat tires that can travel 125 miles at 50 mph when flat, and two new features, CMBS and ACC.
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) -- Radar located behind the grill monitors the distance and closing rate between the RL and the car in front. Should you be closing in too fast, a warning light and buzzer will flash telling you to brake and the seat belt tugs at you, while beginning to brake slightly. If you don't respond the car will brake much harder, and if looks like you're going to crash, it will try to stop to minimize impact. I tried it out by driving 60 mph into a test target traveling down the middle of the road. As I sped toward the obstacle, the car braked to a stop all by itself before I could hit it. This feature will surely save lives.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) -- Using the same radar, the car will adjust speed to maintain a constant following interval (measured in seconds) with the car ahead of you. This eliminates the need to keep engaging and disengaging the cruise control system.
If you're a lover of technology and gadgets, the Acura RL may be one of your best choices. It not only provides the advanced features, but makes them easy to use. I'll be looking at the technology in other makes and models in future columns, but it will be hard to beat the Acura RL.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baker has developed and marketed consumer and computer products for Polaroid, Apple, Seiko and others. He is the holder of 30 patents and was named San Diego's Ernst & Young Consumer Products Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. Send comments to phil.baker@sddt.com. Comments may be published as Letters to the Editor
09-18-2005, 03:46 PM
#52
Cruisin'
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The Safest Cars 2005
09-18-2005, 05:20 PM
#53
Originally Posted by Jbro
this is the exact reason why I bought the RL over any other car. Highest crash test ratings from both IIHS and govt crash test ratings.
12-27-2005, 05:56 PM
#55
Black
Main Story:
http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/15/Auto...paro/index.htm
Popup Comparison:
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2005/aut...n.exclude.html
http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/15/Auto...paro/index.htm
Popup Comparison:
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2005/aut...n.exclude.html
12-27-2005, 06:44 PM
#56
Three Wheelin'
I have to disagree with Money magazine. For one thing, the RL is actually bigger than the TL. Two, looks are subjective. Three, how DARE they rank the Audi A6 over the Infiniti and the BMW?
12-31-2005, 09:49 PM
#57
Racer
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Originally Posted by jhr3uva90
I have to disagree with Money magazine. For one thing, the RL is actually bigger than the TL. Two, looks are subjective. Three, how DARE they rank the Audi A6 over the Infiniti and the BMW?
Lexus GS = 19 (design was 8)
Acura RL = 20 (design was 5)
BMW 5 = 24 (design was 7)
Audi A6 = 26 (design was 10)
Infiniti M = 27 (design 6)
06-12-2006, 10:05 AM
#59
Intermediate
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Review from the UK on 06 Honda Legend
Here is a nice review from the UK on the 06 Honda Legend:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...onda-legend-uk
http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...onda-legend-uk
06-12-2006, 10:30 AM
#60
Three Wheelin'
Funny how the British like the Legend/RL's styling and the Japanese like the styling, but folks in the U.S. don't.
09-22-2006, 12:44 PM
#61
Three Wheelin'
Quick Blog Blurb
"Acura Should Sing About Safety"
http://blog.wired.com/cars/#1560795
This is something Acura should hype up, but I don't think Acura really wants to sell the RL (Friday cynicism).
http://blog.wired.com/cars/#1560795
This is something Acura should hype up, but I don't think Acura really wants to sell the RL (Friday cynicism).
01-05-2007, 07:37 PM
#62
I'm currently a TSX owner thinking of an upgrade.
After reading a lot... looking at BMW, Lexus, Acura.
I guess it just comes down to what you are buying the car for. Some people have a car to impress, some people have it to for self comfort, whatever...
Acura RL seems to be a great buy, but doesn't seem to turn heads. In other words, I'd get an RL if you just care about bang for your bucks. $40k for a 06 new RL.. what a killer deal. Comfortable as heck in there too and as someone said.. seems to be safe.
At $40k+, I want people to be wowed.. that's where I start to wonder off into BMW 5 series or something /w power/class/youth like a BMW 335i.
Still haven't decided... rar
After reading a lot... looking at BMW, Lexus, Acura.
I guess it just comes down to what you are buying the car for. Some people have a car to impress, some people have it to for self comfort, whatever...
Acura RL seems to be a great buy, but doesn't seem to turn heads. In other words, I'd get an RL if you just care about bang for your bucks. $40k for a 06 new RL.. what a killer deal. Comfortable as heck in there too and as someone said.. seems to be safe.
At $40k+, I want people to be wowed.. that's where I start to wonder off into BMW 5 series or something /w power/class/youth like a BMW 335i.
Still haven't decided... rar
01-05-2007, 11:33 PM
#63
Three Wheelin'
If I want people to be wowed, I'll just drop my pants. I don't need to compensate with a car.
11-29-2007, 04:06 PM
#64
Safety Car
2008 RL Review by AutoBlog
Review written 11/12/07 on a 2006 Acura RL with ACC/CMBS/PAX option package. Appears to be a fair and accurate review.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/i...2008-acura-rl/
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/i...2008-acura-rl/
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