2008 Acura RL Consumer Reviews

Artfully Subtle Luxury and Performance

Written by: Paul J on 03/27/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Does everything well instead of compromising one performance area to excel in another. For example, corners as if on rails but preserves quiet, comfortable ride. The engine is smooth and quiet around town but makes operatic noises at the top of the rev range. This is the perfect luxury car for with enough confidence to eschew driving a visible status symbol. I drove Audis before they went upscale to compete directly with Mercedes and BMW. This Acura now fills that niche of artful, understated luxury that makes one look smart, not status conscious.

Favorite Features

Super-handling all-wheel-drive; build quality; engine precision; excellent satnav; intuitive voice commands; killer audio system; nighttime cabin lighting; excellent safety and crashworthiness

Suggested Improvements

Rear fog lights; headlamp washers; auto-dimming side mirrors

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Former Collector-Had Ferrari, Lotus, Jag

Written by: Dr Al on 03/11/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Great handling, feels like the vehicle is glued to the road due to the SH-AWD. Requires high test although gas mileage is reasonable. Excellent acceleration for a 4000 pound vehicle. Roomy, high tech voice command system, fabulous 5.1 surround sound and backup camera which I wanted. Also has manual shift via paddles on the steering wheel, and Acura reliability. Everything works as intended. Drive one, you'll buy it.

Favorite Features

Backup camera, voice command system, rotating headlamps and the audio 5.1 surround sound system.

Suggested Improvements

More horsepower, better gas mileage and regular gasoline. From an engineering perspective, these suggestions are mutually exclusive, so take your pick.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best luxury value

Written by: Kanthi Rameswaram on 11/19/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

A co-worker of mine gave me a ride to work one morning. She picked me up in her Acura RL. By the time we reached work I believe I repeated the phrase - "this is a great car" - about 5 times. Well I own one now, just completed one year of ownership. Let me tell you folks there is no better value for money in the luxury category. I compared the RL to the BMW 5 and the Audi A6 and I saved about $15k easily. The best car that I have owned bar none. You are surrounded in luxury and comfort. The AWD, steering and handling are superb. I wonder how I ever survived the LA labyrinth without my Acura nav system - it is amazing. The only negative is the rear middle seat, it is uncomfortable.

Favorite Features

Navigation, AWD, steering, handling, Bose stereo system. The exterior design of the 2008 is better than the 2009 in my view. It is conservative and will stand the test of time easily. Love my optional wooden steering wheel - the right size and very easy to control.

Suggested Improvements

Improve rear middle seat, make it a comfortable 5 passenger vehicle, right now it is more a 4 passenger than a 5. Improve choice of colors - exterior and interior. Market it better.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good for your money

Written by: Acuraman on 10/26/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I got my RL (top of the line) by the end of Nov. 2007. So far it's fine. It drives well with very good highway mileage considering AWD. The average mileage rate was over 30 mi/gal in long distance driving. Before I purchased it, I searched the market well. For about $50K Mercedes/BMW/Audi were some offering their stripped versions. If you own the top of the line luxury car, your dealer treats you like a king for maintenance calls (your loaner there if need be). One thing was bad about these sports cars, they are so low. Even cement divider on parking lots touches your fender if you are not careful. Tires are so expensive (PAX system). If you damage it, prepare to pay $500 per tire change.

Favorite Features

Well handling. I am happy with the agility. When I touch the gas pedal, it moves. It is a good feeling after driving heavy American cars. It has every possible amenities and electronic gadgets. Good mileage is very important in these days as well. I liked auto adjusting headlights when cornering.

Suggested Improvements

Voice recognition stinks. You cannot enter a phone number by telling it while moving. I gave up on that. The only method is to put all possible numbers into phone book (after trying many times). It must be designed for Japanese accent. Using the electronic features is not intuitive for same reason.

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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).

1 out 2 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

7 out 11 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.

5 out 18 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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