2001AcuraRL-SeriesAcura RL-Series2001 Acura 3.5RLSedanSedanFWDSaitama, JapanAcura decides dinging luxury car buyers for floor mats is a bad idea, and so makes them standard for 2001, leaving the DVD-based navigation system alone on the factory option list. Also new is an emergency trunk release located on the inside of the cargo area.Full load of equipment, DVD navigation system, reputation for quality and reliability.Front-drive with a V6 in a sea of V8 RWD competitors, bland exterior styling.The 3.5 RL, Acura's flagship, is athletic, extremely quiet, luxurious and priced right: All of which makes it a serious contender in the luxury sedan market despite its V6, front-drive layout. We're most impressed by the efforts taken by Acura engineers to make the RL as quiet, smooth and solid as possible. Mission accomplished. The RL rides like a cloud on greased rails. This welcome feat was accomplished by adding low-friction ball joints in the suspension, Teflon seals on the valves, a liquid-filled rear-trailing arm, foam-filled B- and C-pillars, honeycomb floor panels and vibration-absorbing seats. Their efforts, however, would have been for naught if the interior designers had slipped even a little. No fear. Switchgear and controls possess the same Acura quality we've counted on for years, the seats are a utopian dream of comfort and the multi-zone climate-control system allows all passengers, including those in the rear, control over their environment. And don't worry about the sticker being run up when you select a few options -- the RL is available in one trim level only and includes everything you'd expect in a luxury sedan, including safety equipment such as high-intensity headlights, side airbags and a new, highly advanced handling control system called Vehicle Stability Assist. And, for 2001, Acura decided it was a bad idea to ding its luxury car buyers for floor mats (well, duh!), so they're now standard. The automaker also added an emergency trunk release located on the inside of the cargo area. The only thing still optional is the navigation system. We loved it when it was redesigned last year and we still think it's one of the best systems out there. It covers the entire continental United States on a single DVD and supplies verbal instructions that allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Last year we wondered why a V8 engine wasn't included with all the 3.5RL's other advancements, especially considering most of its competitors do offer eight cylinders. We will continue to ask until we are satisfied. It's important to note, though, that we're not complaining about the RL's 210-horsepower V6 - it's an athletic and spirited drive, but we figure a V8, coupled to proper rear-wheel drive, would put the RL over the top. Cadillac SevilleLincoln ContinentalSaab 9-5Volvo S80450,000450,000450,0005UnlimitedNANANA63.5 litersV6210 hp @ 5200 rpm224 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm196.6 in.71.4 in.56.5 in.3858 lbs.114.6 in.38.8 in.36.8 in.56.9 in.56.9 in.55.7 in.56.5 in.42.1 in.35.4 in.14 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested18 gal.18 mpg / 24 mpg324 mi. / 432 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$37,109$42,1507.35%$480N/A2% of the Base MSRP3.5 (4A): 3.5L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine (requires premium unleaded fuel); 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 110 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, traction control, 3.13 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; electronic stability control, front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 18 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front express open sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite high intensity fully auto headlamps; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's andpassenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" machined alloy wheels; P215/60VR16 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo, seek-scan feature, cassette player, trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer, 8 premium speakers, theft deterrent, window grid antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release, remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener, ashtray; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval;driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats with adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 4-way power adjustment; rear bench seat with tilt headrests, center pass-thru armrest with skibag; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, genuine wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuine wood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes 2 settings forexterior mirrors, steering wheel; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console with storage, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.