World's Best Cars of The Year Award 2005 - 3rd Place - Acura RL

3rd Place - Acura RL

Review
The latest RL sports a face-lift that shows off Acura's latest controversial design language. The front grille, in particular, has been described in rather unflattering terms, as a bagel slicer and the snout of an elephant seal.

Better news is under the skin, where a 3.7-liter V6 makes 300 horsepower and an advanced all-wheel-drive system gives the RL enhanced traction and handling abilities. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Although it doesn't offer the posh reputation of other luxury vehicles, the Acura RL nevertheless features a classy, sumptuous interior adorned in high-quality materials, leather and real wood trim. The dash is awash in buttons, but they serve a welcome alternative to the navigation system's iDrive-like control knob and voice commands. The RL's 10-speaker surround-sound stereo with six-CD/DVD audio changer, satellite radio and optional iPod integration is one of the best in the business. An optional Technology package includes a voice-activated navigation system.

In road tests, we found that the Acura RL gets better the harder it's driven thanks to the SH-AWD system that tenaciously maintains traction. The ride is tuned more on the cushier side of the spectrum, so despite offering notable handling abilities, it is still principally designed to be a comfortable cruiser. Our chief complaint has been a lack of low-end grunt. Unlike its competitors, the RL is not offered with a V8.

Specification
2005 Acura RL Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 3,471 cc 3.5 liters V 6 front engine with 89 mm bore, 93 mm stroke, 11 compression ratio, overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel 91
- Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 26 and EPA city (mpg): 18
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 19.3 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
- Power: 224 kW , 300 HP SAE @ 6,200 rpm; 260 ft lb , 353 Nm @ 5,000 rpm

2005 Acura RL Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
- Four-wheel ABS
- Brake assist system
- Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
- Immobilizer
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Stability control
- Wishbone front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs , multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2005/acura/rl/specifications/index.html#ixzz0cPNApP75