2008 Acura RL Consumer Reviews

Almost Perfect

Written by: Scott Davis on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This car is so good, I wouldn't want to know the person dissatisfied with it. Too spoiled. Excellent reliability. Excellent safety. Excellent road holding in bad weather. The quietest car I've ever experienced. Excellent stereo. Comfortable seats for me. Pleasant styling. Like most Acuras, will probably look fine in 10 years. Cadillacs and BMWs will probably look silly/dated. The only thing you get in 2009 is an ugly restyling, 10 more hp and a significant loss in economy. 2008 is a optimal year. It doesn't feel like a toss around car. Too heavy. Reasonable back seat. Everything about it inspires confidence: quality, road manners, rubber on the road, balance. It does everything well

Favorite Features

Safety, reliability. Value was excellent when they were closing out. Compares well with BMW 535xi and Mercedes E350 4Matic, but at a street price about 25% less.

Suggested Improvements

Doesn't have a fold-down back seat. Doesn't have HD radio (in fairness that wasn't broadly available in 2005 when it was new).

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Acura RL the best automobile

Written by: caborchitra wilson on 06/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

After I saw my friend's beautiful RL I didn't hesitate to buy one for myself. This car has everything you can ask for. The 290 horsepower engine is too powerful for my needs (got 2 speeding tickets with this Acura). I love my Acura RL, it has 10000 miles already and has no signs of any problems. Averaged 31.8 mpg on a 2000 mile roadtrip which is the best of other cars.

Favorite Features

Ride, power, fuel economy and solidness, and everything else.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing except the combinations of ultra smoothness and extreme power which results in speedining tickets

6 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Acura RL beats all competitors

Written by: podrapadda on 06/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/CMBS, PAX Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I bought a 2008 Acura RL in March and it's by far the best car I have ever bought. The Acura RL is very powerful, very smooth and quiet, has great handling. Acura (Honda) cars have excellent quility and are reilible. If you are looking for a new luxury car give the Acura RL a chance.

Favorite Features

Everything

Suggested Improvements

Nothing

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The best there is

Written by: Super Acura Fan on 05/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/CMBS, PAX Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I love my new Acura RL fully loaded. I've owned all of the major players including Lexus, BMW and MB. You really owe it to yourself to go test drive this amazing car if youre looking at 40-50K cars.

Favorite Features

I love all the technology inside my car. Usable and user friendly. Amazing sound system and four wheel drive system is superior to others. Nothing safer on the road in my opinion.

Suggested Improvements

Door handle on the inside needs to be closer to the middle. Exterior appearance is a little too conservative although very classy.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Stay away from the RL... not worth it

Written by: jcshma on 05/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought the RL Tech pacakge. 2nd day noticed major quality problems. Rattling noise from all over the place. Owning the car for 6 weeks so far and several parts are replaced. Windshield and headliners are all taken apart due to major manufacturing defect. Honda corporate really doesn't care about customers, the only thing they care is talk nicely, but no action to solve issues.

Favorite Features

Exterior design

Suggested Improvements

Design quality cars for their lines or stay away from the luxury business.

3 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Best of the Luxury Sedans

Written by: Andy Acura on 05/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have had them all. Audi, BMW 535, Infinity, Lincoln, MB E350. I couldn't believe the RL when I drove it somewhat reluctantly. Incredible road hugging and plenty of power with 300 hp for a v6. You can punish this car and it keeps coming back for more. I almost went for the Lexus GS 350 but felt it was rough riding and a little noisy compared to the RL. The GS 460 would have been more fun but much more expensive. Great technology and maybe the best GPS and Bose stereo with noise abatement. Cabin is whisper quiet. I got 26 mpg on 160 mile highway trip. Not bad. Fit and finish among the best. I will enjoy this car for 36 month lease, I know.

Favorite Features

The 4 wheel drive, gps, voice command, Bose stereo, noise suppression in the cabin, fit and finish is great. I love the dessert sand paint and matching interior.

Suggested Improvements

Let you know in 6 mo. The driver's seat seems a little low even at the highest setting. All Honda's have this characteristic.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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A good as them all

Written by: dado on 05/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have had all the luxury sedans. You name it and I have had it including BMW, MB, Jag and Infiniti. I leased the RL with a few doubts but it is a driver's machine. The 4 wheel drive is really amazing and you can push this car hard on the curves and it comes back for more. Fit and finish is superb. I look forward to the office commute every day.

Favorite Features

The high tech features are amazing and easy to use. The GPS is excellent and the stereo is well amazing. Fit and finish is superb.

Suggested Improvements

None... this thing feels like a v8 but is fuel efficient

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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An Outstanding Car

Written by: rob on 04/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I've only had my new RL for three days, but, so far, I love it. I previously had an Acura TL, which I liked a lot, but wanted an AWD vehicle which was a little smoother on the road than the TL. I hesitated a bit on the RL because of both its cost and the exterior design, which I liked okay, but not as much as the TL. I test drove an Infiniti EX and G35X, a Toyota Highlander, Volvo S60 and S80 and looked at a number of other cars. I also drove the Acura RDX. The RL is the most enjoyable car I've ever driven and I recommend it fully. Buy it!

Favorite Features

Smooth ride, responsive handling, beautiful and comfortable interior, great stereo, many standard features which are options on other vehicles.

Suggested Improvements

I think the exterior could be slightly more stylish, but the car is such a dream to sit in and drive, that this is a minor issue.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Where's the Road?

Written by: BlindedByTheLight on 02/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD w/Technology Package (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

An excellent car except for the ability to see the road at night. Excellent quality, handling and comfort. However, the HID headlight aiming system is way too low - a law suit waiting to happen. It is pure terror driving downhill on a windy country road at night. The headlights are aimed into the ground, but the dealer claims they are aimed correctly. I would rate this car a 10 during daytime driving, but a 2 for nightime. If I had test driven this car at night, I wouldn't have bought it! On the plus side, I am getting near 28 mpg highway, which is much better than the EPA sticker rating. Excellent steering and road performance.

Favorite Features

Handling, comfort and solid feel is the best I have driven, including BMW, Audi & lexus. Tech Package is very convenient as well.

Suggested Improvements

Change the headlight system, regular gas, more trunk room.

27 out 28 people found this review helpful

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Nice car

Written by: CNJ31Vtec on 02/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Acura RL 4dr Sedan AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We cross shopped Audi A6, Q7, Infiniti M35x, Cadilac CTS4, Acura TL and RL, after we returned a 2006 BMW 530xiT. We finally decided to lease an RL because it has all the basic elements of being a luxury car. This is the 4th Honda/Acura we had owned so far. And probably the most conservative Honda/Acura we ever have. Having said that, the RL is still a wonderful car to drive. Only hope 3 years later, Acura can have another face lift base on the coming 2009 RL (it is NOT attractive at all) plus a RWD-biasd AWD. Then I think we will continue to be in the Honda's family.

Favorite Features

Quiet ride, comfortable seats, and top quality of the material used for its interior.

Suggested Improvements

Acura's SH-AWD cars are heavy. That extra weight not only hurts RL's MPG but also its performance, which both should be Honda's advantage. The keyless operations should extend to both rear doors, not just to the front doors.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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