2010 Acura RL Rumors
I disagree with the opinion that the current RL's build quality and craftsmanship equals the LS460. Yes it's definitely well built and the craftsmanship is good, but I feel it is one step below the LS. Having thoroughly examined the interiors of the current RL and LS460, you start to notice a difference with the little details. I feel that the LS has slightly higher quality plastics used in the interior. As for little details, IMO there is a difference in the tactile feel and "smoothness" of the buttons. I also feel the LS glovebox opens more smoothly with a more dampened feel. The center armrest console and the cover near the shifter on the RL I also feel do not open as smoothly as on the LS. Every cover and every button seems to have a consistent "smoothness" to it on the LS. I have not noticed that in the current RL.
Honda would need to go at least one step beyond the current RL interior in terms of quality and craftsmanship in order to equal the LS interior.
Honda would need to go at least one step beyond the current RL interior in terms of quality and craftsmanship in order to equal the LS interior.
I never said that. I think you guys are interpreting my post the wrong way. I said the next RL will probably be as high quality as the LS460. The current RL was merely an example of Honda's potential for build quality. Honda set out the RL to compete with the 5, E, GS, etc and it probably does have the best interior in its class. No way can it compete with the LS for $20k less, unless Honda cost cut everything else on the car.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: IL
I disagree with the opinion that the current RL's build quality and craftsmanship equals the LS460. Yes it's definitely well built and the craftsmanship is good, but I feel it is one step below the LS. Having thoroughly examined the interiors of the current RL and LS460, you start to notice a difference with the little details. I feel that the LS has slightly higher quality plastics used in the interior. As for little details, IMO there is a difference in the tactile feel and "smoothness" of the buttons. I also feel the LS glovebox opens more smoothly with a more dampened feel. The center armrest console and the cover near the shifter on the RL I also feel do not open as smoothly as on the LS. Every cover and every button seems to have a consistent "smoothness" to it on the LS. I have not noticed that in the current RL.
Honda would need to go at least one step beyond the current RL interior in terms of quality and craftsmanship in order to equal the LS interior.
Honda would need to go at least one step beyond the current RL interior in terms of quality and craftsmanship in order to equal the LS interior.
I've own a 2006 RL and of course for 30K MORE the LS460 has to have better materials, better hinges.. you name it, it would be unacceptable otherwise; but in its own class (GS, E, 5 series. A6) its pretty darn good.
Like Toyota, Honda is the only other Japanese carmaker that has mastered
the art of car craftmanship and build quality so I'm sure they can deliver the goods. It they want, that is.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I will agree with that, even as an Acura and RL supporter and someone who cancelled an order for an LS600hL. The RL is head and shoulders above everything else in its class, but not quite at the level of the LS in terms of interior quality and details. Then again, I found a couple of items in the LS that made me slap my head and wonder "Why?!" because they were details that were forgotten...
Having reviewed both cars, I would actually rate the RL's interior hardware and door solidness one step above the LS460's. The RL's matte-wood trim, IMO, also looks better than the LS' highly polished wood...but that is a personal preference, of course, and is subjective. The LS, of course, wrote the book when it comes to refinement and riding quietness.....King Tut would be content riding in the back seat.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
When most of you guys agree that current RL competes with E, 5, A6 , M and GS then I don't understand how can a redesigned 2010 model year RL will compete with S, 7, A8 and LS? Acura has to name it something else to compete with those flagship vehicles otherwise it will flop miserably again.
When most of you guys agree that current RL competes with E, 5, A6 , M and GS then I don't understand how can a redesigned 2010 model year RL will compete with S, 7, A8 and LS? Acura has to name it something else to compete with those flagship vehicles otherwise it will flop miserably again.
When most of you guys agree that current RL competes with E, 5, A6 , M and GS then I don't understand how can a redesigned 2010 model year RL will compete with S, 7, A8 and LS? Acura has to name it something else to compete with those flagship vehicles otherwise it will flop miserably again.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
I agree with what romnl said above. If they step up the RL in size, engine, power and price, it should compete against the higher end models as it will be too expensive in price to compete against the cars it does now, yet offer much more than the competition. It is the same thing Lexus did with the IS. The past IS300 was just an entry level car that pretty much competed against cars like the Acura RSX, Audi A3 and such. Now, with the newer IS350, it steps up into the Acura TL, Infiniti G35 and BMW 3, Mercedes C and such class.
Well, it failed then. Too me it came nowhere near a BMW 3 series. I thought the Acura RSX-S was more sporty than the old IS300, but whatever, the new one does a much better job. Anyway, the new IS350 now can top out over $40K, so that is still a large jump upward in price and class. And, if we talk about the IS250 specifically I still think that is TSX territory.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
Well, it failed then. Too me it came nowhere near a BMW 3 series. I thought the Acura RSX-S was more sporty than the old IS300, but whatever, the new one does a much better job. Anyway, the new IS350 now can top out over $40K, so that is still a large jump upward in price and class.
Likewise, the fact that the RL failed to compete with the E/5/GS doesn't mean it's not in very same segment.
BTW the IS300 is every bit as sporty as the RSX-S. It just loses in horsepower and creature comfort when compared to the 3. Have you driven one?
Last edited by XeroK00L; Mar 19, 2008 at 06:05 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
My point is Acura can't release 2010 model year RL and say that it is going to compete with S/7/A8/LS just because it is bigger and has 420hp V8. They have to give it a new name. The people who buy flagship cars have lot of money and they buy those cars for Status. So the name Acura RL doesn't fly in that segment because it used to be a mid level luxury car and it failed miserably to meet sales goals in both generations.
j/k