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2008 Acura RL Safety Review

November 3, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, all crash tests
NHTSA

Good," frontal crash offset
IIHS

worthwhile safety and convenience features
ConsumerGuide

child-friendly safety measures include 'anti-pinch' power windows and retractable rear sunshades
ForbesAutos

The 2008 Acura RL is close to perfect in crash-test performance.

While this year's RL earned a solid five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in all crash tests as well as rollover resistance, it doesn’t get the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rating of “Top Safety Pick,” due to poorly performing headrests.

Nonetheless, ConsumerGuide reports the RL has plenty of "worthwhile safety and convenience features" that include "side-impact and side curtain airbags and an electronic stability system"--all standard, according to Cars.com. ForbesAutos reports "child-friendly safety measures include 'anti-pinch' power windows" as well.

Among optional safety features is "an optional Collision Mitigation Braking System [that] uses a radar unit to measure distance to objects in front of the RL"; it "alerts the driver and, if necessary, applies brakes" when something is too close. ConsumerGuide also notes this system "tightens the front seatbelts if it determines a collision is unavoidable."

Cars.com reports "visibility is very good." ForbesAutos notes an optional "rear-view camera to help with parking" is available with the Technology Package.

Conclusion

The 2008 Acura RL provides exceptional protection for its occupants.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, all crash testsNHTSAGood," frontal crash offsetIIHSworthwhile safety and convenience featuresConsumerGuidechild-friendly safety measures include 'anti-pinch' power windows and retractable rear sunshadesForbesAutos The 2008 Acura RL is close to perfect in crash-test performance. While this year's RL earned a solid five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in all crash tests as well as rollover resistance, it doesn’t get the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rating of “Top Safety Pick,” due to poorly performing headrests. Nonetheless, ConsumerGuide reports the RL has plenty of "worthwhile safety and convenience features" that include "side-impact and side curtain airbags and an electronic stability system"--all standard, according to Cars.com. ForbesAutos reports "child-friendly safety measures include 'anti-pinch' power windows" as well. Among optional safety features is "an optional Collision Mitigation Braking System [that] uses a radar unit to measure distance to objects in front of the RL"; it "alerts the driver and, if necessary, applies brakes" when something is too close. ConsumerGuide also notes this system "tightens the front seatbelts if it determines a collision is unavoidable." Cars.com reports "visibility is very good." ForbesAutos notes an optional "rear-view camera to help with parking" is available with the Technology Package. ConclusionThe 2008 Acura RL provides exceptional protection for its occupants. 2008 ACURA RL STYLING | [7 out of 10] Autoblog: "anonymous face and rather bland overall styling" J.D. Power: "fundamentally good-looking car, but it is bland" Kelley Blue Book: "from the front and side, the RL is unmistakably Acura " The 2008 Acura RL sports clean but not ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

When it's time for you to step out of the smaller entry-level premium sedans, the 2008 Acura RL doesn't really stand out among the excellent competitors it faces. It's probably because the Acura RL is V-6 powered and uses all-wheel drive. The balance of competitors is either larger or more powerful, or it offers a V-8 or rear-wheel-drive--or some combination of the four. The Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac STS, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class come in super-performance editions, while the Lexus GS is offered as a hybrid.

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See the Acura RL in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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