The Acura 3.5 RL performs to the 90th percentile in every important luxury-car category; a large share of potential buyers will probably never miss that last 10 percent. In the rare air of luxury sedan prices, the RL comes with an exceptionally handsome window sticker.A Lexus LS 400 is a bit smoother, quieter and quicker than the Acura RL, perhaps. But with its own navigation system and comparable equipment, the LS 400 retails for nearly $15,000 more. History suggests that a V8-powered Mercedes E430 will hold its value better than the RL. Yet that E430 costs at least $10,000 more at the outset. Even six-cylinder competitors like the Mercedes E320 can cost $3,000 more than the RL, without as many amenities. In such terms, the RL is a mighty attractive alternative. You might say that, without a V8 engine or the class-standard rear-wheel drive, the 3.5RL couldn't compete with the best luxury sedans. Or you might ask, given its overall balance of luxury and performance, why anyone would pay a dime more for anything else.
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