2011 Acura RL Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The fun-to-drive 2011 Acura RL offers power and high performance and an interior deemed worthy of the $50,000 neighborhood in which it resides, experts report. In general, though, they decline to give Acura’s flagship rave reviews.
They love the way the all-wheel-drive 2011 Acura RL handles and rides, and it can compete in the luxury car market, they note, but overall it struggles to stand out in a field that includes such heavy hitters as the BMW 528i, the Infiniti M37 and the Mercedes-Benz E350. Indeed, it’s a classy, crowded and competitive league.
The Acura takes hits for aging and being a bit dated, but it takes a step or two forward for 2011, too. Updates have added to an interior that already scores well, and a new wheel design has cut down even more on road noise, which was really not a problem anyway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift paddles replaces the RL’s old five-speed and gives the 2011 Acura a little boost when it comes to acceleration and fuel economy.
A 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 300 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque powers the 2011 Acura RL, and by most accounts, that’s plenty of engine to keep the sporty and agile car tooling along the highway. The RL also gets Acura’s “Super-Handling” all-wheel-drive system that automatically parcels out power to the appropriate wheels to enhance traction and handling in the toughest of conditions and on the twistiest of roads.
Though they don’t find fault with the 2011 Acura RL’s V6, critics note that the car’s main competitors do offer even more power with their V8 option. The V6 gets 17 mpg city/24 highway.
Acura makes up a bit for other shortcomings by packing the RL with an assortment of interior goodies. A sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, heated 10-way power front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, voice command for audio and climate systems and rear-seat climate controls top a long list of standard features.
The manufacturer lists three trims for the 2011 Acura RL, but the second two are, in effect, packages that can be added to the base model. The Technology package features a back-up camera, rear parking sensors, front seats that are ventilated as well as heated, upgraded Bluetooth phone and a navigation system with real-time traffic, weather and voice activation. The Advance setup gets adaptive cruise control and Acura’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). CMBS is designed to provide warnings to the driver or even apply emergency braking if a collision seems inevitable, thereby minimizing the effects of a frontal collision or even preventing it.
Attention to detail and the quality of design and materials earn the 2011 Acura RL generally high marks for its cabin. Reviewers especially like the voice-activated system and controls on the steering wheel, along with the sound out of the 10-speaker Bose audio system. The RL comes up a little short, though, in trunk space and legroom in the rear.
A stability control system, antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are among the safety features for the 2011 Acura RL. Acura’s touted and standard AWD system comes into play in avoiding accidents. So, too, does the CMBS, which continually monitors road conditions, but it does not come standard in the base RL.
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2011 Acura RL Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 260 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.72 · Limited slip differential: center
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 260 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.72 · Limited slip differential: center
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 260 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.72 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation