Acura's sales are down, and rather than try to be all cars to all buyers, filling niches is more the game plan. Product planning manager John Watts intimated that Acura's looking at segments with a narrower appeal, such as the now-defunct CL, and the possibility of a retractable hardtop vehicle, too. The MDX does well, and the new RDX is the darling of everyone who drives it, but as far as cars go, Acura's not catching anyone's hair on fire. The top-dog RL sedan is a wonderful car – beautifully drawn, SH-AWD moves, and a powerful V6 make it a very pleasant way to devour miles, but it doesn't offer the flavor du jour for premium sedans with performance leanings. The engine layout is wrong, and it's missing at least two cylinders to truly be taken seriously by some buyers who are looking for a V8 and rear drive as prerequesites.
There's talk of a new 8 or 10 cylinder powerplant in the offing. The NSX is supposedly getting a V10, which could then propagate through to other Acura cars. Analysts have noted that there's a need for a flagship sedan above the RL to offer RWD and larger engines. While Acura gets its act together developing the new NSX and readying the new TL for launch in 2009, dealers are enviously eyeing Lexus and Infiniti stores, wishing they had a big V8 boomer to throw into the fray, as well.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ron @ Sep 25th 2007 10:13AM
The problem is that the Acura brand doesn't really do enough to distinguish itself from a really laid-out Honda.
I shopped the TL many times and ended up saying that the difference between it & a nice Accord isn't enough to justify the huge price difference. And yes, I'm an average driver who doesn't drive enough to need or notice the fine distinction between the 2 cars.
importjap @ Sep 25th 2007 10:15AM
I really have to wonder about the NSX. News is stale on the NSX front. Make with the leaks Honda!
Despite being very nice cars, they're too bland.
psarhjinian @ Sep 25th 2007 12:20PM
What, like the way GM whores out the Camaro (or Chrysler the Challenger) to keep people from noticing that their current lineup, well, leaves something to be desired?
No, Honda should play their cards close to their chest. When (if) a new NSX shows up, the "newness" factor will work for it. By comparison, we've already been saturated by the Camaro and Challenger to the point where people really aren't as excited as GM/Chrysler would like them to be.
Paul @ Sep 25th 2007 10:23AM
Acura seems to lack a consistent style, each vehicle in the lineup looks a lot different than the next. That said, if the TL was rear drive, you'd have something interesting. All that power through the front wheels is just way too much. I've driven German vehicles all my life and find it hard to take anything in the Acura lineup seriously, barring the TSX, which is a handsome, well balanced vehicle.
Taylor @ Sep 25th 2007 11:09AM
I would buy a manual V6 TSX or a diesel TSX in a heartbeat.
Stéphane Dumas @ Sep 25th 2007 10:26AM
Also, does this upscale move will force Canadian Acura dealers to drop the Canada-only model the CSX http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_CSX
David @ Sep 25th 2007 10:26AM
The RL beautifully drawn? I've been thinking amazingly bland. As much as I appreciate the idea of SH-AWD, the styling of this car is as exciting as the styling of the outgoing US Accord which it resembles far too much. It's neither big enough (barely more interior volume than a TL) or bold enough to be a range topping statement and it's road presence is nil. If had to choose between the two I'd take a TL right now and when the new TL bows with SH-AWD at a lower price point than the RL it's an even easier choice.
Honda should simply retire the RL and replace it with bolder, better looking car with the requisite V8 or V10
John @ Sep 26th 2007 11:08AM
On the RL I say back to the future. The RL was better positioned as a front drive luxury car alternative to the LS Lexus. Yes - the original needed more power. So use the new V-6. An 8 or 10 cylinder engine with gas going sky high gives it in the same drawback of every big lux sedan. The new RL should have been three inches longer than the original with most of that space in the rear seat. A 300+ hp V-6 with a 7 speed trans and legitimate 28+ MPG, the bigger front seat of the original, a more open cabin (loose the huge console), a legit trunk like the original (the new one is smaller that a TL). In short a Real Luxury (RL) car with front drive, great power to weight ratio, and real world fuel economy. FINALLY - THE CAR SHOULD'NT REQUIRE THAT YOU READ THE BADGE TO DISTINGUISH IT FROM A TL. That car would sell.
pedro @ Sep 25th 2007 10:31AM
The TL is not very successful because it looks like a giant Honda Accord. It is easily one of the most anonymous looking cars on the road. All of its siblings have at least a more class and style in their designs. If the TL were dynamic and gorgeous, I'm sure it would find more sales success, especially people who want a high-technology car with an efficient engine, rather than a thirsty V8.
pedro @ Sep 25th 2007 10:32AM
ooops, I meant *RL*. The RL looks like a giant Accord. The TL looks pretty great.
Rick @ Sep 25th 2007 10:44AM
Well if Acura designers actually designed a car and not simply repurposed a Honda and charged a premium for it's bigger engine and nicer materials, maybe they'd sell more. How's Mercury doing for Ford? Toyota at least gets it seeing most Lexus' look unique from thier Toyota counterparts.
cheezwiz @ Sep 25th 2007 10:54AM
Your statement only captures the TSX. The TL and RL are pretty unique to the lineup.
Gardiner Westbound @ Sep 25th 2007 10:51AM
The RDX may be "the darling of everyone who drives it," but I rarely see one on the road. The TL and MDX are doing well. The RL is dead in the water. Too little car for too much money. The severe quality problems Car & Driver reported with its RL long-term tester was probably the coup de grace.
http://www.caranddriver.com/longroadtests/10770/long-term-test-review-2005-acura-rl.html
DKB_SATX @ Sep 25th 2007 2:21PM
Actually the TL has more in common with the North American Accord than the TSX has in common with any car HondAcura sells in the States. The TSX is the Euro Accord, judged to be too small for fatass Americans, so they created the bigger, less-attractive US Accord. I'd consider a TSX Wagon with a manual transmission (like the European Accord Tourer.)
Jason @ Sep 25th 2007 11:04AM
I love my Acura. I didn't want a crazy outlandish car that stuck out all over like a sore thumb, or one that would draw unnecessary attention. My 205hp TSX can seat myself and 3 friends comfortably, is built VERY well, is trimmed nice, and gets 30+ mpgs combined - which was a must for my hour long commute one-way each day.
Plus I think it looks classy. I don't need something with a billion cylinders and 50 hood scoops and spoilers and whatnot. I don't need a car to make up for something I'm lacking or to be the showboat of the neighborhood. Believe it or not, some people actually like understated cars that serve their function with comfort and quality, while still being able to entertain with a rich amount of features.
PG @ Sep 25th 2007 11:08AM
The problem is they got rid of the RSX, one of their best selling cars!
Robert112 @ Sep 25th 2007 2:06PM
The problem is they got rid of the RSX, their best car!
psarhjinian @ Sep 25th 2007 12:28PM
I'd agree. Dropping the RSX was foolish: it was a great entry-point into the Acura brand (buy an RSX, get married, have kids, buy a TL or MDX). Without the RSX, the introductory step is much higher (the TSX).
The Canadian CSX is an adequate replacement, but it really does look exactly like a Civic. It's a good car, but it's raison d'etre in the face of the Si sedan is puzzling. It helps get people in the door, but it's not unqiue enough.
naggs @ Sep 25th 2007 12:31PM
its called the civic si
they droped 5k off the price, tweaked the engine a tad and made a limited slip standard
Derek Kreindler @ Sep 25th 2007 11:12AM
Honda's go-it-alone pig-headed attitude has helped the company stay true to its roots , but has harmed. They feel that there is "no need" for a V8 or RWD and would rather develop high-powered low displacement powertrains and high-tech AWD systems, and that's the end of the discussion. Hopefully they'll come around; they once thought that offering a minivan, SUV or pickup was unnecessary.