Consumer Reports Releases Ratings

Honda's 2011 Fit won Best Value and Best Used Small Car

Honda topped Consumer Reports' annual rankings of automakers for 2011. No Honda product scores less than average in reliability and CR recommends 76% of Hondas it has tested. Recent Honda models including the CR-Z and Insight have been disappointing and have not been recommended due to their low score. The redesigned Odyssey is also down a couple of points compared to the 2010 model.

In other categories, the Honda Fit won Best Value for a Small Car along with Best Used Small Car, the Acura TSX 4-cyl won Best Value for Upscale Sedan, the Acura RL won Best Used Luxury Car, the Honda CR-V winning Best Used Compact SUV and the Ridgeline winning Best Used Pickup Truck.

2011 Acura RL First Road Test

" Ask any “real” housewife from Beverly Hills and she will no doubt tell you that a little nip and tuck can transform how the world sees you. But many of these plastic surgery devotees wind up taking it too far and the person they were disappears with all of the nipping and tucking.


Subtle balance is the key to most things in life and this is a notion that Acura stuck to very wisely with the newly redesigned 2011 Acura RL. Now, keep in mind that this is just a small “nip and tuck” so the 2011 RL still looks just as squat, purposeful and handsome as it ever did. It just has a smaller nose. Now do you see why I am using plastic surgery analogies? "

More @ http://www.examiner.com/honda-and-acura-in-national/press-launch-road-test-the-2011-acura-rl-adds-style-performance-and-luxury

Acura News - December 21, 2010

2011 Acura RL US Pricing Announced 

Acura's full-size sedan got a slew of upgrades for 2011 and it is now on sale, pricing starts at $48 060 for the base model, $52 210 for the Technology Package and $56 010 for the Advance Package. Prices include shipping.

2011 Acura ZDX US Pricing Announced

 Acura's flagship model is also now on sale for 2011, with pricing starting from $46 505 for the base model, the Technology Package is priced at $51 005 and the Advance Package is priced at $57 055. Pricing includes shipping. 

Half of Prospective Acura Buyers are turned off from styling

Acura has been definitely harshly criticized for its styling choices, since the debut of the "beak" on the 2009 Acura TL, but now a J.D. Power Avoidance Study cites that more than half of possible Acura buyers were turned off from the brand because of the styling elements. Interior styling was the second reason why they did not choose an Acura. Lately, it looks like Acura is listening with a massive redesign of its beaks starting from the 2011 TL/TSX models. However, damage has already been done to the overall sales and the current transaction prices sitting at an average price of $37 665, more than $5 000 less than its rivals. Initial quality and residual value remain strong despite the poor showings in styling. Acura/Honda would be wise to carefully pick out the styling direction of future Acura models.

Future of Acura

At the debut of the RL, the press asked questions on the future of the RL as well as what will come down the pipe for Acura. They most certainly said that the RL will remain as a conservative model no matter what kind of redesign will come (new model expected in about 12-18 months) and will most certainly not include a V8. They believed that the RL customer is conservative so the car most definitely has to be conservative as well. It looks like the next RL will continue to build upon and hopefully spur some momentum and excitement into the current vehicle's dying and sputtering image, expect a horsepower bump to around 350hp to make it competitive. The press was also told that something very Acura unconventional-like was to be introduced as well, in about 12-18 months when the new RL is introduced. Much of the technology already developed in previous NSX mules we're told, will be used in this new car. So whatever it is ... cross your fingers? Will it be an NSX? Will it be a compact sports car? What do you want it to be? Comment below! 

2011 Acura RL

If any Acura needs updating, the RL does. With styling and technology stuck firmly in the current decade, Acura has decided to give the model a nose job and a new six-speed transmission for 2011.

Up front, the 2011 RL's new snout is less bulbous than that of its predecessor - a styling change possibly aimed at helping to silence critics of the controversial familial front end. New 18-inch alloys are perched in the wheelhouses and house special technology to quiet road noise. No other cosmetic changes have been made.

The real news lies underneath the 2011 RL's skin, with a new six-speed SportShift transmission replacing the five-speed used in for the 2010 model year. The new gearbox is a welcome addition to the RL, and helps to boost fuel efficiency from 16/22 mpg city/highway to 17/24 mpg (combined fuel economy increases a full 2 mpg from 18 to 20). The additional cog could also make hilly driving a little less frantic than in the current car.

Pricing has not yet been announced for the 2011 Acura RL, though with the new transmission we expect a minor bump over 2010 prices. 

What's up with Acura come 2012+?

• Expect a more diluted TL version coming 2012 with a less aggressive front and rear ends. A new Advance Package with blind spot information system and other new technological features will be introduced. 
• The TSX is getting a slightly revised front end and other tweaks along with the new TSX wagon.
• A entry level compact luxury vehicle smaller than the TSX will be shown next year, being edgy and affordable (think Lexus IS). 
• Rumors are calling that the next RL will be somewhat in the form of a Mercedes CLS (4-door sports coupe) but with sufficient room and hybrid/advanced engine fuel efficiency technology being introduced.
• RDX may be losing its turbo engine. 
• ZDX will remain as the top flagship model pushing Acura forward for now. 
• For Canadians, the CSX will no longer be sold come the new entry level compact vehicle. 

Honda Legend Japan

Honda's refresh of the Legend in Japan for 2011 has added a couple of new things. Expect to see the 6-speed automatic transmission make its way on the Legend as well as revised styling for the wheels. The big update is that there is a new noise reduction technology being added to the Legend/RL in the form of an in-wheel resonator that suppresses rough road sound by a mechanism that absorbs resonance. On the inside there is a change of colors and a tweak of button placement and an upgraded NAVI/HDD resolution/display is also on its way.

Watch for these changes to make their way onto the 2011 RL here in US/Canada.

Acura Canada Car Deals

33 Acura RLs sold so far in 2010 in Canada

It's a feat that no automaker, especially Honda, wants to achieve. But it did. In Canada's 10 worst selling cars list, the Acura RL listed number 1 having 33 RLs sold to date in 2010. US sales are definitely moving better than Canada, but at no rabbit pace, as they're about 2000+ units sold.

Compare that to 44000+ units of the Honda Civic sold so far in 2010 making it Canada's best selling car to date.

Is it finally time for Acura to axe the RL?

Acura RL problem

In October 2010, it is reported that Brake Defect from Honda Honda Legend (Acura RL) were delivered to customers before the problem is discovered. Honda says that it doesn‚ know how many of its vehicles have suffered a faulty brake system. The U.S. Honda outfit says it will replace the faulty seal and, if leaking has occurred, the brake booster will be replaced as well. At least some owners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries are likely affected. Honda told that no stop-sale is issued.

Acura RL


Acura RL




Acura RL


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All Review videos and more of:• Infiniti• Mitsubishi• Aston Martin• Isuzu• Nissan• Audi• Jaguar • Pontiac• Bentley• Jeep• Porsche• BMW• Kia• Rolls Royce• Buick• Lamborghini• Saab• Cadillac• Land Rover• Saturn• Chevrolet• Lexus• Scion• Chrysler• Lincoln• Smart• Dodge• Lotus• Subaru• Ferrari• Maserati• Suzuki• Ford• Maybach• Tesla• GMC• Mazda• Toyota• Honda• Mercedes-Benz• Volkswagen• HUMMER• Mercury• Volvo• Hyundai• MINI.and MORE....

Acura RL problem

In October 2010, it is reported that Brake Defect from Honda Honda Legend (Acura RL) were delivered to customers before the problem is discovered. Honda says that it doesn‚ know how many of its vehicles have suffered a faulty brake system. The U.S. Honda outfit says it will replace the faulty seal and, if leaking has occurred, the brake booster will be replaced as well. At least some owners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries are likely affected. Honda told that no stop-sale is issued.

Acura RL


Acura RL




Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL


Acura RL





All Review videos and more of:• Infiniti• Mitsubishi• Aston Martin• Isuzu• Nissan• Audi• Jaguar • Pontiac• Bentley• Jeep• Porsche• BMW• Kia• Rolls Royce• Buick• Lamborghini• Saab• Cadillac• Land Rover• Saturn• Chevrolet• Lexus• Scion• Chrysler• Lincoln• Smart• Dodge• Lotus• Subaru• Ferrari• Maserati• Suzuki• Ford• Maybach• Tesla• GMC• Mazda• Toyota• Honda• Mercedes-Benz• Volkswagen• HUMMER• Mercury• Volvo• Hyundai• MINI.and MORE....

2009 Honda Legend: Euro market Acura RL says no to front-shield

Ever wonder how the North American market 2009 RL (see here) would look like without that gaudy ‘armor shield’ that Acura likes to call a front grille? Then check out the European market Honda Legend facelift that was unveiled at the Moscow International Auto Show. The new grille fits nicely to the revised front-end giving the luxury sedan a more classy appearance. Other than that, the Legend is nothing more than a rebadged 2009 Acura RL. On the outside, the most noticeable changes of the facelifted version are the new lights, bonnet, front wings, boot lid, bumpers and the adoption of standard 18" wheels. -Continued

Mechanical changes include the new 3.7-liter V6 VTEC engine that replaces the previous 3.5-liter V6 unit and is coupled to an all-new 5-speed gearbox with revised steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters and new gearbox software. According to Honda, the new Legend can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than before. Fuel economy and CO2 figures have also been improved over the previous model. In terms of chassis upgrades, while the Legend’s SH-AWD system remains unchanged, the settings for the suspension have been altered to improve the ride and handling.

Honda also refined the Legend’s cabin by equipping it with a suite of NVH reducing technologies, the most advanced of which is the Active Noise Cancellation system (ANC), which cancels out low frequency noise by playing the opposite wave form through the Bose sound system. The 2009 Legend also gets new Active Head Restraints and heated rear seats while the Bose Audio system now has a USB socket enabling the connection of an iPod.

Opening picture edited by Carscoop