2006 Acura RL Test Drive

A must-have for the Chic Geek

I have waded my way through Acura. I have reviewed the RSX, TSX, TL and MDX this year. After that alphabet soup of models, I figured that the RL would hold few surprises. I was wrong. The 2006 Acura RL is loaded with high tech luxury features and several performance bonuses. For a list price of $53,100 ($53,715 as tested), the 2006 Acura RL carries Acura's 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty and 6 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty. It's a literal showcase for Acura's technology and quality.

First Glance

Luxury comes in several forms – there's understated and there's overt. The Acura RL bears the kind of luxury appearance that demands a second look to uncover its opulence. The RL's lines are kind of ordinary, reminiscent of a Mercedes from some angles, of a BMW from others. There's a family resemblance to the TL and TSX, with an open-mouthed grille decorated with horizontal chrome louvers, accented with a polished Acura "A" at the center. The RL's gently raked windshield lends a sense of forward motion even in repose, and the rising beltline gives the car a hint of the hot rod stance. Flared wheel wells reinforce the RL's muscularity. Big, detailed projector beam HID headlights and sculpted taillights dress the corners. Add up all of the features, and you have an attractive, tasteful car.

Look closer, and the RL stands out from the crowd. The RL's paint is deep, rich and lustrous, a beautiful, glossy coat of color. Every panel fits like it was machined individually in place. Trim pieces are solidly affixed to the car, and polished to a high sheen. There's no mistaking the high level of fit and finish on the RL – it has the kind of luxury that true connoisseurs will appreciate, and that other manufacturers should emulate.

In the Driver's Seat

Keyless entry still impresses me. It's a great parlor trick. Amaze your friends. Leave the Acura's key fob in your pocket, and the car automatically unlocks when you grasp the door handle. Then sit in the comfortable, supportive driver's seat, and turn on the ignition -- once again, no key necessary. Such a simple trick, and yet so fascinating and addictive.

The RL is equipped with just about every doodad you could possibly want in a luxury car. Premium leather, power heated seats, DVD-Audio with surround sound, DVD navigation, dual zone climate control, electronic tilt and telescoping steering column -- I could go on and on. It would probably be easier to talk about the options that the RL doesn't have -- but I can't think of any.

I have heard people complain about the complexity of modern cars. I'm not one of the whiners. I love technology, and I don't mind a little bit of a learning curve. After a week in the RL, I felt like I had a pretty good mastery of the major functions, and I was starting to integrate some of the RL's more specialized abilities into my daily routine. You can just get into the RL and drive, or you can dig in and partner with the car's tech package to make your driving experience more personal.

On the Road

The RL is equipped with a high tech all-wheel-drive system that can vary the distribution of torque from the front wheels to the rear wheels and from side to side as required by driving conditions, all in the blink of an eye and transparently to the driver. The effect of this slight of hand act is to reduce any handling quirks to a minimum, and to deliver a composed, predictable ride. You can really toss the RL into corners and rush out of them without drama -- for a change, a little more body roll might be more fun. But if you're looking for a smooth, comfortable ride that still delivers good road feel, the RL has it dialed in.

It's a good idea not to try to unravel the mysteries of the RL's tech package while you're rushing through the curves – and Acura has provided a solution to help keep your eyes on the road. Voice Recognition can trigger nearly every electronic function on the RL, from audio to climate controls to navigation inputs to hands-free cell phone. Learning the voice commands takes a little time and experimentation, but is a very rewarding process, especially if you've ever been a Star Trek fan. The RL will appeal to the geek in you -- and we've all got a little geek in us, haven't we? Let's not dwell...

Journey's End

With a V6 under the hood sending 290 hp and 256 lb-ft of torque through a five-speed automatic transmission, the RL is EPA rated to get 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway. The competition at this price range is tough, and several cars are available with V8s with more grunt. If high performance is your goal, the RL is going to lose out on the straightaways to the bigger-engined cars. With great lateral grip and all-wheel-drive, the RL will make up ground in the corners and deliver a remarkably composed all-around ride.

If you're considering an Acura RL, you have to take a BMW 5-series for a ride before you buy. The BMW has long been the benchmark for quality, luxury and performance – though the RL can delivers more standard equipment for the price. Mercedes-Benz E-class is also worth considering, as is the Audi A6. Lexus' GS 300 and Infiniti's M35 are great 6-cylinder luxury cars, or you can choose the 8-cylinder GS 430 and M45 for a few dollars more. Cadillac is nipping at the Japanese and European heels with the STS, which has a few more rough edges than the competition but can deliver a fun ride. Don't forget Jaguar's S-type either -- even though I almost did.

For a balance of geek and chic, it's hard to beat the 2006 Acura RL.