But when a car's character is founded on subtle, exquisite refinement, it isn't always noticed. That's been the problem for the Acura 3.5RL, a technically and aesthetically excellent automobile that is perhaps too refined for its own good.

The 3.5RL debuted late in the 1996 model year as the replacement for the Acura Legend, a luxury car with a sporty edge. When Acura adopted the alpha-numeric 3.5RL designation for its flagship luxury sedan, it took its new name seriously. The initials stand for "Refined Luxury," and that is precisely what it offered: a smooth, cosseting and deeply luxurious experience.

For 1998, Acura has returned some of the sportiness to the RL. Disappointing sales in recent years have persuaded the company that some of its past successes can be attributed to the sporty handling offered by the old Legend. Sporty handling and engineering excellence, after all, are areas where Acura shines. For these reasons, the suspension settings on the RL have been revised for 1998, bringing a welcome crispness to handling response without introducing harshness.

A few more features have been made standard and the optional navigation system has been improved for this year, making the 1998 RL a more visible member of the luxury class.