REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Coming Soon: The Next Generation

To encourage people to get behind the wheel of a 3.5RL, Acura’s sales pitch focuses on selling price and fuel consumption, two topics the competition prefers to ignore. Acura’s rational argument seems to be designed to get people to reflect on the price they’re paying and the real advantages they’re getting from the technology bidding war in which all manufacturers in this niche are engaged. Fine and dandy - but could this possibly be a trick to make us forget its current form? After all, it’s obvious that the 3.5RL doesn’t have the visual appeal it needs to stand up to the competition.

With the 3.5RL, Acura is betting on technical solutions that are diametrically opposed to those of its rivals, supposedly without sacrificing an ounce of luxury, comfort or sophistication. But it ’ s a lost cause, since Acura now depends on its new model, spirited by an 8-cylinder engine.Acura makes its intentions clear with the luxury appointments inside this model. Leather abounds on the seats and door panels, with (fake) woodwork added for warmth. The dashboard instruments are housed in three cylinders of different sizes, which is reminiscent of the Japanese cars of the 1970s. The ignition is also in the dash, crammed in between the steering column and the bulge in the central console. The main controls are easily accessed by the driver, and only the traction control and cruise control switches are hidden by the steering wheel rim. Four adults can sit comfortably in this car, but some models from the competition offer more room and unfortunately for Acura, more cargo space as well.On this level, the 3.5RL is more of a disappointment. Perhaps it should be judged more on efficiency, in which case its performance is staggering. This engine is so quiet, you’d think it was napping, but hit the pedal and it really kicks up its heels. The car accelerates well and has energetic pick-up (despite a bit of a hole between third and fourth). Basically, the 3.5RL zips along without showing the slightest sign of fatigue. The suspension absorbs bumps nicely, provided the road surface isn’t too badly deteriorated, in which case it loses face. Braking is reassuringly stable, and the steering, while a little light, is careful not to reveal which wheels are driving this car. In short, the 3.5RL is astonishingly agile (despite significant roll on tight corners) and its turning radius is ideal.

One small tip: go for the TL, which is more fun, more exciting and much less expensive.

PROS Comfortable ride Impressive agility

CONS
Unexciting handling
Limited passenger room
Automatic transmission ratio

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * *
Passenger: no data
New wheels
Onstar available
More power

 2003 Japan

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