Acura accepts RL is a sales flop

amit · 1st March 2006, 23:15

Acura has accepted that it's flagship RL model needs help. Sales are down 25% and customers don't seem too enthusiastic about the recently redesigned model. Problem areas are absence of a V8 and the avaliablity with only one model option which comes fully loaded with sat nav and even AWD. Expect correction in model range and maybe even price in the next few months.

The reason for the poll is that one of the reasons cited for the sales meltdown is that Acura doesn't have the brand image to sell a 50K product. Lets leave the Germans out of this. If having to choose between the two Japanese luxury cars, which would you choose? The Acura RL or the Lexus LS. North Americans seem to have answered this question. Which of these has the brand pull for you?

Samurai · 1st March 2006, 23:51

My boss in USA has the 2005 RL and I had a 2001 TL, so I am voting for Acura.

nitrous · 2nd March 2006, 00:21

A honda engine does it for me,anyday!

Sahil · 2nd March 2006, 07:52

I'd pick the RL coz of its sportier looks,younger appeal and features.
Interiors of both cars are very plush but the RL has a much fresher look to it with the aluminium inserts,sport dials,etc.
On the exteriors the the Lexus looses out coz of its "old-man-luxury-car"look where as the Acura looks sport and aggresive.
Besides the RL packs 12 more horses and last but not the least Paddle Shifters!!

Ajay · 2nd March 2006, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

I'd pick the RL coz of its sportier looks,younger appeal and features.
Interiors of both cars are very plush but the RL has a much fresher look to it with the aluminium inserts,sport dials,etc.
On the exteriors the the Lexus looses out coz of its "old-man-luxury-car"look where as the Acura looks sport and aggresive.
Besides the RL packs 12 more horses and last but not the least Paddle Shifters!!

Actually I also like the TSX as well coz of its sporty stance. But having owned an GS before ,I would opt for the Lexus.

nitrous · 3rd March 2006, 19:39

Quote:

last but not the least Paddle Shifters

Wow. Seem to be quite common, these days.

Few years down, Tat will bring a sports Indica variant with paddle-shifters.

sridhar24 · 3rd March 2006, 22:30

When it comes to Japanese Luxury cars i would choose a Lexus anyday.
Though the Honda(Acura) might make better engines and may look sporty, but it can't match a lexus as a luxury car.

Shan2nu · 8th March 2006, 21:08

"Acura RL" has to be the baby for me man. 3.5 ltr V6 with 300bhp n SH-AWD.

Who cares if it isn't selling. The NHC has been by far, the highest selling Honda in India but ask an enthusiast and he'l tell you that it would be the last Honda, he'd choose for a track day or a fast drive.

Shan2nu

1Day · 9th March 2006, 06:44

RL is crap...the new LS is far far out of its league and let me not even get into the Infinit M45 sport which is a far better drive than the RL..so RL is thumbs down..and a bad looker at that..LS and M get thumbs up.

View Poll Results: Acura RL or Lexus LS : Which one has the brand pull for you?
Acura RL	11	52.38%
Lexus LS	10	47.62%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

1st March 2006, 23:15	#1
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	Acura accepts RL is a sales flop Acura has accepted that it's flagship RL model needs help. Sales are down 25% and customers don't seem too enthusiastic about the recently redesigned model. Problem areas are absence of a V8 and the avaliablity with only one model option which comes fully loaded with sat nav and even AWD. Expect correction in model range and maybe even price in the next few months. The reason for the poll is that one of the reasons cited for the sales meltdown is that Acura doesn't have the brand image to sell a 50K product. Lets leave the Germans out of this. If having to choose between the two Japanese luxury cars, which would you choose? The Acura RL or the Lexus LS. North Americans seem to have answered this question. Which of these has the brand pull for you? Last edited by amit : 1st March 2006 at 23:17.
	() Thanks

1st March 2006, 23:51	#2
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,824 Thanked: 45,511 Times View My Garage	My boss in USA has the 2005 RL and I had a 2001 TL, so I am voting for Acura.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2006, 00:21	#3
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	A honda engine does it for me,anyday!
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2nd March 2006, 07:52	#4
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	I'd pick the RL coz of its sportier looks,younger appeal and features. Interiors of both cars are very plush but the RL has a much fresher look to it with the aluminium inserts,sport dials,etc. On the exteriors the the Lexus looses out coz of its "old-man-luxury-car"look where as the Acura looks sport and aggresive. Besides the RL packs 12 more horses and last but not the least Paddle Shifters!!
	() Thanks

3rd March 2006, 22:30	#7
sridhar24 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,046 Thanked: 88 Times	When it comes to Japanese Luxury cars i would choose a Lexus anyday. Though the Honda(Acura) might make better engines and may look sporty, but it can't match a lexus as a luxury car.
	() Thanks

8th March 2006, 21:08	#8
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	"Acura RL" has to be the baby for me man. 3.5 ltr V6 with 300bhp n SH-AWD. Who cares if it isn't selling. The NHC has been by far, the highest selling Honda in India but ask an enthusiast and he'l tell you that it would be the last Honda, he'd choose for a track day or a fast drive. Shan2nu
	() Thanks

9th March 2006, 06:44	#9
1Day Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago/Delhi Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	RL is crap...the new LS is far far out of its league and let me not even get into the Infinit M45 sport which is a far better drive than the RL..so RL is thumbs down..and a bad looker at that..LS and M get thumbs up.
	() Thanks