AskMen.com’s review of the 2009 Acura RL fair as far as we can tell. Typical to AskMen.com form, they summarize their review with a number between 1 – 100 and a variant of some symbol we all learned in 7th grade biology class. There are a total of 3 scoring categories; performance, design and overall.

While the RL is the flagship for Acura, it’s also the most outdated vehicle in the 5 car line up. It is now smaller in stature and provides less horsepower than its “lower-level” 2009 TL sibling. However, the RL still packs enough new features and technology to keep it fresh. And what’s more, it proves that Acura can take a clean-sheet design and build a proper luxury car.

In the performance category, AskMen.com gave the RL a 75. According to Justin Kaehler, “Pressing the “go” pedal results in a lazy yet quick shove of acceleration. The car feels more alert should the gear selector find its way into sport mode, but the transmission has obviously been tuned more for smoothness than speed.”

In the design category, AskMen.com gave the 2009 RL a 55. As we mentioned earlier, the RL is the oldest car in Acura’s line up, so its design is a bit dated. Though it was slightly refreshed this year with the new Acura standard issue grill and sweeping taillights, the RL blends in to a sea of nondescript sedans.

AskMen.com concluded the review of the 2009 Acura RL by saying, “It may not have devastatingly good looks or track-worthy performance, but the RL is one of the nicer sedans we’ve ever been in.”

[Source: AskMen.com]

Acura usually offers new incentives on the third of every month.  Listed below are all Acura marketing incentives for every vehicle effective March 3, 2009.

2009 Acura RL

2009 Acura RL Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$569.00 per month for 36 months. $3,799.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura RL Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura TL

2009 Acura TL Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$399.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2008 and 2009 Acura TL Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing (March 3, 2009 – May 4, 2009)

2.90% APR for 24-36 months or 3.90% APR for 37-60 months

For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura TSX

2009 Acura TSX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 — May 4, 2009)

$299.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura TSX Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura MDX

2009 Acura MDX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 — May 4, 2009)

$499.00 per month for 36 months. $2,899.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura RDX

2009 Acura RDX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$399.00 per month for 36 months. $3,399.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura RDX Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

[Source: Acura]

In all, the Automobile Mag sixsome of reviewers (Jennifer Misaros, Evan McCausland, Rusty Blackwell, David Zenlea, Joe DeMatio, Phil Floraday) provided a lengthy and fair assessment of the 2009 Acura RL SH-AWD.

To sum it up everybody was pleased with the SH-AWD system as most people are. Having the ability to test it on dry asphalt as well as snow-cover roads, Acura’s all wheel drive system again reminded them why it so boastfully earns the moniker of “super handling”.

Joe DeMatio commented “Price complaints aside, the RL has a spectacular all-wheel-drive system. I had a blast drifting around corners last night on the snowy roads, and there was a lot of power going to the rear wheels. The chassis still isn’t as brilliant as a BMW, but an all-wheel-drive 5-series would be a lot more money with a comparable engine.”

The exterior styling, sans Acura’s new power plenum grille, didn’t offend anyone, however, it didn’t excite anyone either. Unlike the RL’s TL sibling, the RL truly blends in with all of the other blandly styled sedans on the road. Evan McCausland summed it p by saying, “I’m not the biggest fan of Acura’s latest design DNA, but the RL’s exterior is the least offensive to my tastes. Then again, as Phil mentioned, it’s also a bit generic. Remove the ungainly proboscis, and it’s there’s little that identifies the car as being an Acura.”

Jump over to Automobile Mag to read the review in detail. It’s a very fair assessment of the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD

[Source: Automobile Mag]

[Photography by Evan McCausland]