The 2011 Acura RL doesn't quite compete with the top tier of flagship sedans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz—mainly because it's neither as bold and stylish nor as dynamically satisfying.
It certainly is sportier than the Lexus ES 350, but in terms of driving enjoyment you might be better off in a Saab 9-5.
The Volvo S80 is roomier and brighter inside, with Scandinavian styling and lighter handling.
The Audi A6 will soon be redesigned and is expected to emerge even sportier and more sophisticated inside.
Meanwhile, you get more features for the money with the Lincoln MKS EcoBoost, and the there's a serious price chasm (of $10k or more) between the RL and a comparably equipped Hyundai Genesis or Volvo S80 T6.
Or for the same price, it's definitely worth keeping in mind that you could have slightly less well-equipped versions of the BMW 5-Series, Jaguar XF, or Mercedes-Benz E-Class—all of which either have more style and luxury cachet, more driving thrills, or both.
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 2011 Acura RLBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Audi A6Browse Used Listings |  2011 Hyundai GenesisBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Lincoln MKSBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Volvo S80Browse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2011 Acura RL lives up to its flagship status in the Acura lineup with top-notch tech features and long-haul comfort, but charm comes up missing. |
The 2011 Audi A6 is elegant and agile, although its cabin design is looking somewhat dated. |
For road or track, the 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is one of the best performance values on the market. |
The 2011 Lincoln MKS won’t win over the Town Car or the M5 crowd, but it’s blessed with smart performance, subdued good looks, and a roomy interior. |
The 2011 Volvo S80 is safe and secure, fashion-forward, and just right for affluent families. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $47,200 | $45,200 | $22,250 | $41,500 | $37,150 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 17 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Gas V6 | Gas I6 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Mid-Size | Midsize | Subcompact | Large Cars | Midsize |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan FrontTrak 3.2L Premium | 2-Door 2.0T Manual | 4-Door Sedan 3.7L FWD | 4-Door Sedan 3.2L FWD w/Moonroof |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 2 Door Coupe | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/OD | Continuously Variable Ratio | Manual w/OD | Automatic | Automatic, |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2011 Acura RL vs. 2011 Audi A6 | 2011 Acura RL vs. 2011 Hyundai Genesis | 2011 Acura RL vs. 2011 Lincoln MKS | 2011 Acura RL vs. 2011 Volvo S80 | |
