Because Acura was the only manufacturer that refused to give us early information on what it was showing in Chicago, one might have anticipated big news. But Acura's debut turned out to be less than its super secrecy might have indicated.
Acura pulled the wraps off its 2009 RL, which to the naked eye, looks much like the current model. While the Japanese automaker is positioning it as a redesign, we prefer the term "refresh" for this one...
A bigger 3.7-liter engine provides more power and increased torque (300 hp and 271lb-ft); enhanced Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive will probably improve the sedan's driving dynamics; and the more aggressive grille is the forerunner to Acura's new "family look" which will carry over to the Acura TL and TSX later this year.
Additional cool new features which up the RL's news factor include a navigation communication system with real-time weather and traffic rerouting options, and 18-inch wheels and tires. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
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Wow!!!… This is one big design atrocity.
If that grille is on the new TSX, it'll officially be off my list...
...disappointing.
overall, it's not that exciting. but i do like the new direction acura is going with the oversized shield grill, and the batman tail lights look aggressive
they must have spend a lot on this redesign. it looks like a 10 panel change. why spend so much to revise this vehicle? i don't think that they will even recoupe the costs for changing this vehicle so much.
I love Honda. What the hell happened to Acura? I just can't keep defending these designs anymore. There needs to be passion in the way a luxury car looks and Acura just doesn't get it.
I was a pretty big fan of the RL when it first came out. The front grille is overdone and doesnt look good on the MDX either while the rear is like an Accord. I'm glad they keep the interior pretty much the same, it was always a strong point.
Ugh... That grille looks horrible. At least the rear looks better now.
my.... my.... my.... it looks ok from the side and then bam! It looks like it's got buckteeth. ouch...
"the more aggressive grille is the forerunner to Acura's new "family look" which will carry over to the Acura TL and TSX later this year."
Oh crap.
Dang, if it wasn't for that grille I could convince people that my Accord was an Acura RL!
Saturn Grill! Bangle's butt! Large, but ugly, dubs! What's wrong with buying G8, MDX, Accord, or M45x instead?
hummmmmmm... well i think the pictures dont do it any justice but still despite looking new and all as far as design goes nothing different from last gen... its not great nor is it bad... well ohh thats right its a honda... ohh okay now it makes sense ... still not a step up!
I thought the pre 09 RL was somewhat cool... Like that quiet kid in class, understated but like the smartest one in class.
But now... the inside gets its props as its still great, if smallish...
The exterior is a big miss... The rear is ok and I could live with it. The front IMO is the worst design of life. I mean bordering on Aztec... Yes IMO its that bad. The lines dont match up, the shield isn't so bad... Its the awkward shape of the headlights that kill me. I think the 07 Accords Grill with the chrome would be much more welcome than this craptacular nightmare. I'm sorry Its just plain bad. AND I LOVE HONDAS/ACURAS!!! Looks like a ES350 meets TL meets Saturn VUE meets BMW 5 meets Honda Accord Coupe... Like this paragraph, the front end is just a mess.
Honda/Acura needs a Chris Bangle. As odd as his designs are, you've got to admit, BMW do look great and just seem to get better as they are accepted.
Acura/Honda better not screw up the TL and TSX. They should send both the refreshed RL and Pilot back to the drawing boards... Then again... Hire a stylist!!
Luckily, you don't really see the exterior while driving so that great interior kind of helps... Kind of...
-Cj
Oh... and by looking at this, the thought of what's going to happen to the TSX and TL is scary.
If they were aiming for the look of the TL then they horribly missed. What gives Honda?
If they were aiming for the look of the TL then they horribly missed. What gives Honda?
The back end looks like a BMW 7-Series, even though that might not be a bad thing.
Given this is a MMC not a FMC Ill cut Acura some slack.
I will say that the "details" are overdone and that grill is just rediculously ugly. TOne down the grill A LOT and ....just do something!
Ive seen spy photos of the 09 TSX and (thank God) it didnt stray too far from the original. Its a little bigger and doesnt look anorexic anymore. It has MUCH more road presence and a much better stance.
With the new TL and TSX I think we will see where Acuras headed but we wont know entirely untill the FMC RL debuts for 2011. On that note we have to wait 4 to 5 years from now to see if Acura can reach its goal of becoming a tier 1 luxury brand.
Id really hate to leave the Acura brand but as of right now Acura isnt givimg me much choice.
Nice butt.
Crap front.
The grill on the red one looks completely out of place compared to the rest of the car. If this is what the new Acura design studio is churning out(ASC, MDX, RDX, 09 RL) then please liquidate the property and shut it down. If this is Honda Japan, then they definitely need to look for outside opinions before green-lighting things.
Truly sad.
I am in the minority in that I think the grille is an improvement over the current RL. The current RL has been criticized for having blah styling, well Honda heard you guys and they injected some pizazz (controversial to say the least). If you have a boring car, how do you make it edgier? MORE LINES/CREASES/CURVES OF COURSE! That is exactly what Honda did to the RL. The new grille is different all right, but at least it doesn't look like anything out there. I prefer avant-garde over conservative (i.e. Lexus). I admire Honda/Acura for thinking outside the box.
I myself think the RL is ok, but it is an improvement over the current one. I think this grille might look better on the TL and TSX...also if it were all chrome like the Sports4 Concept then it might look better.
Typical Acura/Honda mess. Why can't they find the person who designed the TL and Civic coupe and ask him/her to pen the rest of the line-up?
After examining the RDX and MDX very closely at the AutoShow, it's confirmed that they are two of the ugliest vehicles on the road. The MDX's grille is the worst styling element I've ever seen (just like this RL) and the RDX has way too many grilles, openings and intakes on its nose. Neither have attractive rims or nice aggresive stances. I agree with autoboy- they need Bangle
It had traffice at the launch, so what's new here?
The grille is overdone. I like those taillights, though.
Seems like a decent refresh, though I wonder if it's enough in a hyper-competitive segment.
I guarrantee you THE LINCOLN MKS is going to be a better car than this overhyped Japanese shrapnel.
Not to mention the Honda Accord has grown and all this car is is a high quality Accord.