Test Drive: 2009 Acura RL
The 2009 Acura RL has a split personality. On the one hand, the RL is a luxury sedan packed full of features and yet it still comes off like little more than a super-size Accord. But a loaded Accord is easily $20,000 less than this Acura; that’s not really good company to be keeping for a luxury-minded sedan. The Acura RL has just been updated for 2009, although aside from its aggressive chrome grille, it still looks a little generic. Also, Acuras are typically affordable compared to other luxury brands, but the RL’s $55,000 price tag is bordering on excessive. There are other great choices for that price. Granted this is the top RL that includes a sophisticated collision braking system, but even Acura’s own TL is a better performer, a better value and is just as plush. The new Hyundai Genesis is another example of a sedan that’s better in many ways.
Ford Flex Limited
Performance
As always, we drove the Flex on a wide variety of roads and, not surprisingly, it was most happy out on the highway. Around town and in parking garages, the wide boxy front end can give the impression that you’re about to hit every mailbox and pedestrian around. Nose-in parking can be a pain and smaller drivers in particular should take note of this on a test drive. On the upside, the steering is reasonably precise for this type of vehicle, being light enough at parking speeds and weighting up well at higher ones. The Flex quite competently handled the winding, rolling roads of Ontario cottage country. If, however, you find yourself taking ski vacations into mountains, something more involving like the Mazda CX-9 is a much better choice.
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