2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Acura RL

• Competes with: Infiniti M35, Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series
• Looks like: Last year's RL with a new grille — wait, that's exactly what it is
• Drivetrain: 300-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 with five-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2008

Acura's RL is an underrated luxury sedan that has been hobbled by the perception that it's underpowered and a dud in the styling department. While the competition offered distinctive looks and optional V-8s, the RL stuck to a V-6 and a meek demeanor. Acura hopes to change that with the slightly revised 2009, but it doesn't seem like too much has been done.

Outside, the RL has a new grille with a small "shield" similar to the large one adorning the MDX crossover, along with slightly altered headlights. The look is certainly bolder, but we're not sure it's more cohesive than the old design. Inside, the company says it's upgraded things, but besides a new shifter it all looks the same to us. The optional navigation system, however, will now come with live weather updates; the RL was also one of the first cars to offer live traffic updates.

The biggest changes come to the engine, which grows to a 3.7-liter V-6 pushing out an even 300 hp, up from a 290-hp 3.5-liter. Acura has also upgraded the suspension and steering and added larger 18-inch wheels and "aggressive" tires as standard. All-wheel drive remains standard and, yes, Acura still calls it Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive.

Expect prices to remain close to the current $46,280-$53,700 range when the RL goes on sale in a few months. We have many more photos below of the new Acura, but we'll ask you if you think the changes are enough to make the RL a stronger player in the segment. 

Comments

[Jeff]

Yawn.. .. Please wake me when Honda decides to get serious about building a flagship vehicle. I may be sleeping for awhile.

I was at the houston auto show and i sat in the current RL- there was no line for that one, and while the interior is beautiful, it felt too small. I didn't even get in the back seat. In my oppinion, if honda wants to sell this, it needs to grow because the TL looks better, is cheaper, and (feels like) it's almost the same size. Nissan has the same prob with the maxima and altima.

And that grill. Well that is just awful.

Broq

[umair]

Nice interior improvement. 05-08 RL had a much nicer grill. I hope the 09 TSX does not get this grill.

[umair]

Nice interior improvement. 05-08 RL had a much nicer grill. I hope the 09 TSX does not get this grill.

[Tony]

This is Honda Legend

[Questions]

Is it me or does it just look like another bloated Accord?

[L.S.]

As an Acura owner and fan, I'm disappointed. I was expecting a more radical improvement like on the MDX, but all I can see is just another bloated Accord. I actually like the current design better. If they're gonna keep the same direction with the new TL and TSX, my next car's probably gonna be a German one.

[Jack]

All wheel drive with 300hp, priced thousands less than the competition...what's there not to like? I currently own a TL and would buy it again in a heart beat. I've owned 3 series, Saab's, and Lexus and still think that the over all value of the Acura line cannot be matched. I was surprised to find out that the TSX is their best seller. Given that it's the European Accord I guess I shouldn't be. I now see why Acura has so many repeat customers. They offer a ton of value.

[EVR]

Fugly Grill!

[jon]

The grille looks really crappy

This is da best Acura RL ever!! It looks so awesome.

[matt]

i love honda/acura

but what the hell did they do to this RL ???

it somewhat looks like a 2008 honda accord and the 2008 acura tl had a baby and made this RL

[matt]

i love honda/acura

but what the hell did they do to this RL ???

it somewhat looks like a 2008 honda accord and the 2008 acura tl had a baby and made this RL

[Liger]

Wow.

Honda can really design some ugly vehicles lately. First the Accord, then the Pilot and now this gangly RL. It's almost like they want to see how far they can go, and still sell cars.

The new grill on the RL is atrocious.

Why would I buy this over a CTS? Even the new Lincoln MKS looks better than this.

[Kevin]

The grille looks very out of place on the RL...

[Happymantis]

Hate the grill, makes this $50K luxury car look like a 1980's American economy car.

[Adam]

That is the ugliest grill I have ever seen on a car. What is wrong with Honda?! It's almost as if they want Acura to fail.

[Paul Jacobson]

Great car, but that grill looks like the face of a Proboscis Monkey.

[Tim]

I love the look, very bold, very different. When the lease on my 530i ends in four months I will definitely look into the RL.

[Tim]

I love the look, very bold, very different. When the lease on my 530i ends in four months I will definitely look into the RL.

[Hollywood]

This RL is big enough. The German cars have bloated looks and they're the ones that aren't big on the inside. This all-new Acura RL doesn't look like the TL or the TSX. Neither do Nissan Altima and Maxima look alike. Don't wear them blinders on that you don't see how all Chrysler cars look alike and don't have room on the inside. They're the ones that are bloated and look like balloons and have a grille that resembles a furnace. That's what you guys don't point out in your comments how Chrysler, Toyota, and Hyundai look alike, but are manufactured by different companies, if I am not mistaken.

This isn't a bloated Accord!!!!! The VW Passat is just a bloated Jetta and you don't see how German cars are bloated versions of each other. Whenever Honda/Acura and Nissan/Infiniti present a new car, you guys are always oriented to censor. So stop being oriented how you're gonna criticize Honda and look at other cars and how they're the ones which are truly bloated.

[Hollywood]

All Audis are Extra-Bloated Volkswagens and it is so obvious. Being a racist against honda doesn't make you a better person by praising your beloved German cars!!

[Tony]

The grill, oh - the grill!

[Maizolevsqui]

Aw! Aw no! What kind of glaucoma affected idiot design this piece of garbage? It looks even worse than a used yugo made in Bangladesh! I dont have a clue what this guys had in mind when they concocted this four wheeled mounstrocity. No doubt! The ugliest vehicle my wattery eyes have ever seen. Nuttn more to say bout that,...

[2005 RL Owner]

These are the big changes Acura expects current owners and potential buyers to swallow . The grill looks like the front of an Edsel . Remember what happened to that brand of vehicles ? My 2005 was supposed to have 300 hp . A computation error reduced the hp to 290 . Yikes . Perhaps we should buy two Accords instead ?

[Frank]

I read the WSJ article. Bloated Accord, Bloated Gm. The word "bloated" is all over the internet now and attached to the Accord.

Ruppert Murdock sure knows how to get his point across, doen't he folks?

Lest we forget:
Bloated Accord= Wall Street Journal, owned by Ruppert Murdock, who owns Sky Satelitte, who merged with Direct TV, who is owned by General Motors

Propaganda at it's best! Cheers for your efforts WSJ!

[B. QUINTANA]

I have owned a 2004, 2005 TL and 2005 RL. I believe these cars are more capable than my current E500. I plan to return to Acura soon. When I viewed the new RL, I spent hours looking at every angle. I believe Acura is headed in the right direction. Acura includes options that actually perform as opposed to my E500 with all of the additional options. I paid $20,000 more than the RL, only to be unsatisfied. For those of you who down talk Acura, possibly have never owned one. Try it, you might have a different opinion.