The Acura RL: A Safe Choice

The RL has many things to offer, including excellent reliability, lots of sophisticated technology features and a luxurious interior. But the Acura RL may leave some buyers wanting more, due to its rather bland exterior styling and a relatively uninspired driving experience.

If you are looking for a sedan with lots of safety and a plush interior, then the RL is a solid option. What's missing is heart-pounding acceleration from its V6 and a more agile feel when behind the wheel, which is something many other Acura models supply in spades. Maybe with the RL's higher price tag comes a different, more safety-conscious palette and buyer segment. But with a starting price around 46K, some buyers may expect some exhilaration too. The RL does have stand-out safety features such as the Super Handling AWD that really can reliably match any tough weather conditions. Also, there is an optional Collision Mitigation Braking System that uses a radar system to warn a driver of an impending collision and will even apply "light" braking if the driver doesn't respond.

For those who want more excitement for their luxury sedan, the Infinti M or the BMW 5 Series may be worth a longer look.