In appearance, the RL aims for an upright, conservative look. The lowlines and sharp edges of the Legend have been replaced by a more formal profile, and the extra inch and a half in height yields a more traditional shape reflecting a sober elegance. The new front-drive sedan is about the length of a Lexus LS 400, with a little more headroom and a little less legroom in the rear. The average-sized trunk has a packable square shape, with a handy niche molded into the side to keep briefcases from skidding. A narrow pass-through in the center of the rear seats lets you fit skis in the trunk. (The uplevel RL Premium includes a ski sack at the pass-through.) One of the hallmarks of luxury is quietness, and Acura has gone to great lengths to create the hushed environment that you'll find inside the RL. The exceptionally rigid body helps reduce noise and vibration, and several clever exterior bits do the same. The side mirrors have tiny spoilers that deflect air downward, reducing wind noise. Another spoiler below the front bumper diverts air to flow more quietly and has the added benefit of reducing front end lift at high speeds.
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