NSXRguy

i currently have a 2009 rdx tech which i bought brand new, only has 65xx miles on. i bought it as a daily beater, but the piss poor mpg is starting to get to me (15/16 city, 19/20 highway)

i thought about trading in for a higher mileage 06/07 rl tech, which i read gets pretty good gas mileage for what it is. being more luxurious is also a plus.

what do you guys think??? i love the rdx, it drives like a raised "car", but i hate the piss poor gas mileage.

for those with experience on both vehicles, please chime in.

ReverendOlaf

I own an '05 RL (tech by default) and a '10 RDX Tech SH-AWD. I love them them both, but I prefer the RL due to it being a sedan rather than a SUV (the subtle refinements are nice too), but drop the RDX an inch and it could be interesting.

As for mileage, my wife gets better than you're experiencing (22mpg hwy) with the RDX (her daily driver), but I'm coming in closer to your figures. My RL comes in around 18 (mixed), but I drive it hard (frequently downshifting with the paddles and flooring it). The RDX is slightly more responsive (owing to better tranny logic), but the RL sticks to the road like a Dyson (your choice of the vacuum cleaner or race car, both apply). The RL also has a better SH-AWD setup, wider ultra high performance car tires (summer tires in my case), and a better sounding engine. Add A-spec shocks ($600 or so plus straightforward install) to the RL, and it goes from being an underrated handler with awesome AWD to a truly great handling car.

Inside the RL is ultra refined (I can do without all the wood) and full of over the top features (power sun shade in back, rear seat ash trays, power rear headrests, headlights that steer with the car, and a better memory function, which includes the steering wheel too).

Anyway, you'll likely love the RL, but as for the gas mileage, it won't be a huge difference (unless you simply drive less aggressively due to enjoying the RL's luxury).

ReverendOlaf

I forgot to mention that the RL seats are more comfy than the RDX) but a tad less supportive). Leg room is amazing in the RL! I'm 6'7" and the RL is like no other Honda product (it must have been some bad metric conversion error). I bought it for that reason alone (plus my wife loves the seats--she's a seat engineer).

kingofire

The new TL has more leg room than the RL. I measured

NSXRguy

hows the acceleration on the rl? is it slow to response due to the drive by wire? is the power adequate for the weight?

i dont like how the rdx, if i floor the pedal, it hesitates for almost a good second before it goes

23109VC

the RDX has lag b/c it's turbocharged.

the RL won't have that kind of lag. i wouldn't call the RL acceleration sluggish, but the power comes on gradually. the responsiveness to gas pedal inputs is less abrupt at lower speeds, so the car doens't jerk you around, but once it gets moving, then it keeps going and going.. it has plenty of power, but the way the power is delivered ism ore refined/luxurous vs a sports car. i think this may be what they call "throttle tip in"..when you mash the gas, teh car doens't lurch, it sort of swooshes away and keeps going... smooth and fast.... not jerky/fast.

ReverendOlaf

The RL is much more smooth, and it feels very effortless and robust. It becomes wild when you get it up in the revs, but its not necessary to really move.
Back to the original point, the RL can be a great deal used. I'd watch out for cars that still have PAX, but otherwise it's a solid car with no real significant issues (many minor ones that were fixed in 2005 via TSBs). Some have issues with the keyless not working based purely on proximity (a feature most cars lack).

pimpin-tl

If you don't get good gas mileage in the RDX, you definitely will not in the RL. Our RL saw around 16-18 mpg normally. You might want to look at your right foot.

NSXRguy

I just checked my rdx, 14.5 mpg city driving! City i mean nyc style city driving. Yes i try to stay off boost as much as i can

i might check out a few dealers this weekend for the rl.

What model years are highly recommended and why over others? What features are problematic and should be avoided if any?

I know the 05 is the first year and any issues usually get resolved in the following years. Im mostly interested in the navi package but i read that the special cruise control and auto braking features are nice to have too?

pimpin-tl

Going from a RDX to a RL just for 2 mpg doesn't make any sense financially at all. You will take more of a loss trading it in vs the difference in costs for MPG by a long shot.

NSXRguy

Unless i can find an even trade... Might be worth it

ReverendOlaf

People have mixed reviews for the braking bits, but that was added in 2006+

I love my 05, and from a cost standpoint its a great value, as there is little that was added before 2009 (besides CMBS/ACC and PAX--which you don't want). I'd focus more on finding the right car (ie mileage, condition, options, color, etc...) rather than the ideal year (there aren't that many RLs out there).

Even if its a wash in terms of transaction costs vs small mileage gain, the RL is a better car to be stuck in traffic. I frequently take conf calls in my RL, and the Active Noise Canceling really works. Plus its a very comfy car and rides much smoother. Besides, you seem to be quite interested in the RL, and you should at least check them out for yourself.

NSXRguy

Which features would i not want? The pax or all 3 of those features?

armashi

You don't want the PAX. Much more headache than it's worth.

ReverendOlaf

yeah just the pax, the others you can turn off. I wouldn't specifically seek out CMBS (which is bundled with adaptive cruise control), but its not universally evil like PAX.

Chas2

PAX is not universally evil, more universally expensive to replace, and because there is a small dealer support network, not universally convenient, even if you live in a large city. PAX tires ride and handle nicely compared to the standard 17's, but you will be incentivized to replace them with non-PAX tires if you happen to get them. ACC and CMBS add a nice touch to the car, otherwise, comfort, convenience and added safety.

NSXRguy

do they sell the rl without the pax only? or it automatically comes with ACC and CMBS. are these 2 features a "must have" feature?

ReverendOlaf

For some years 06-08 if I recall, it came as part of the tech package. Sadly models with CMBS/ACC likely had PAX when first sold, but many have been de-paxed. Check the trunk to make sure they didn't forget to get a spare (PAX didn't need or include one).

I wouldn't considered them must have features. I know a couple people who rarely use ACC (the more useful feature) and find CMBS annoying.

NSXRguy

what is the real world gas mileage on the rl???

armashi

So they never use their cruise control? That actually kind of bothers me about Acura's active cruise control: you can only use it in that guise, there's no option to use just regular cruise. In my Infiniti I was able to choose one or the other.

BTW my 2006 tech was de-PAXed but the previous owner neglected to get a spare. Anyone know what those run?

zRLmarine

truly depends on the person....
mines a tank around town like most others, i did get 30 mpg on the highway 2 days ago, going 70. no a/c also. but i get about 17-18 mixed and when i say mixed thats short lengths on the highway and more streets.

do u have a lead foot or not. that is the question.
and i agree, i wouldnt trade in your rdx to an rl for gas mileage, you wouldnt see much of a difference.

ReverendOlaf

The factory spares aren't cheap, $600 if I recall. The RL uses a weight saving alloy rim on the spares.

Chas2

This is not true. You can use it in regular cruise control mode. Page 251 of the manual.

To switch from ACC to cruise
control, press the distance button on
the steering wheel, and hold it for 1
second.

When you press the button, you will
see CRUISE MODE SELECTED on
the multi-information display for 2
seconds. To switch back to ACC,
press and hold the distance button
again for 1 second.

When the cruise control is selected,
ACC does not sound a beeper or
display a message on the multiinformation
display. Make sure to
keep a safe distance fromthe vehicle
ahead of you.

Always be aware which mode is
selected.

Richbum

you wouldn't happen to live near Los Angeles.. or anywhre in california would you? I have a 06 RL with 60k miles still under warranty, and I wanted to trade in for an RDX because I want to go snowboarding more often.. lol

armashi

Thanks for that! I was just coming to terms with the lack of standard cruise but this post certainly brightened my day!