Most would complain that the 70/30 is too fwd and it will feel like it however that is only true when cornering if your bias is fixed. 70/30 is perfectly fine for cruising (especially for mpg). You will not tell a difference between rwd, fwd, awd, etc when cruising. It's only when you start cornering where the 70/30 bias pales in comparison to 30/70. Fortunately, SHAWD takes care of that so 70/30 bias is a thing in the past

 

I stand by the original post and the EPA figures and my statement of course real world mileage can vary and also, owners will claim 60 MPG.

(ducks and runs for cover)

 

I agree. By the way I typoed it. I meant to say it rarely stays on 70/30 not starts on 70/30 That might make more sense now.

 

Anybody who claims 60 MPG in either an RL or a GS should be a politician.

 

While some people might be quick to bash Acura for (fill in any subject here), a simple search of the facts prove the bashing to be uncalled for and repetitive.

Lets look at the hard numbers:*


Car-MPG-Transmission -Weight

Compact Entry-Level Luxury SUV
EX35 AWD - 16/23 - 5 - 3,953
RDX - 17/22 - 5 - 3,933
X3 3.0 - 16/23 - 6 - 4,067

Niche Luxury SUV (Between Compact and Mid-size. 2 seating rows only)
RX350 AWD - 17/22 - 5 - 4,090
FX35 AWD - 16/21 - 7 - 4,299

Mid-size Luxury SUV
X5 3.0 - 15/21 - 6 - 4,982
MDX - 15/20 - 5 - 4,535
ML350 - 15/20 - 7 - 4,705
Q7 - 14/19 - 6 - 5,015

Entry Level 2WD 4-Door Luxury
TSX - 21/30 - 5 - 3,470
A3 - 22/29 - 6 - 3,307
IS250 - 21/29 - 6 - 3,435
328i - 19/28 - 6 - 3,406
C300 - 18/25 - 7 - 3,560

Entry Level AWD Luxury Sedans
A4 3.2 - 17/26 - 6 - Unknown
TL SH-AWD - 17/25 - 5 - 3,971
335xi - 17/25 - 6 - 3,825
C300 4Matic - 17/25 - 7 - 3,560
G35x - 17/23 - 5 - 3,704
IS350** - 18/25 - 6 - 3,527

Mid-Size Luxury Sedans
GS350 AWD - 18/25 - 6 - 3,965
A6 3.2 - 17/25 - 6 - 4,034
535xi- 17/25 - 6 - 3,902
RL- 16/22 - 5 - 4,083
M35X - 16/22- 5 - 4,041
E350 4Matic - 16/22 - 5 - 4,245


So now that the numbers are compared, one can clearly see that except for the RL, fuel-economy is not as horrible as some may make it seem. All while using an old 5 speed transmission with old-tech engines, while the competition has introduced brand-new engines and transmissions. The 2009 RL does get below average fuel economy in its class. However, it is equal to those in the class that have the same number of gears (M, E, RL), while offering the most power and has the largest engine. I will assume that when Acura does introduce a new line-up of engines and transmissions to meet the competition, fuel-economy will improve further.


*Each class is ranked from best MPG to worst. If two or more cars had the same combined MPG, then factors such as weight, transmission and HP were considered to decide ranking.

**Just for comparison. IS350 weighs 444lbs less than the TL, has a 6sp transmission versus 5 speed for the TL, an engine that has only 1 horsepower more and is a couple of years old while the TL J series is over ten years old. IS350 is 2WD while the TL is 4WD. All this considered, the IS only gets 1 mpg more in the city than the TL and both get the same on the highway.

 

But most of those cars, not all, listed are putting down more power than their Acura counterparts. 335, IS, GS, and so on.

And Acura ha a new 5 speed automatic in the RL.

 

The car with the most HP in the class of cars you have mentioned has only one horsepower more than the TL.

The RL's transmission is not new. It is the same transmission with just a couple of the gears revised. 2nd gear has been changed from a 1.57 ratio to 2.70 ratio and 5th gear has been changed from 0.48 to 0.49. The final drive ratio has also been changed from 4.60 to 4.53. All the other gears have remained untouched.

 

Really good factual information, thanks for posting. Good discussion here for sure. Mike, your a trouble maker my friend.

 

I am slowly reforming!! Yes, good discussion.

 

The X3 with an auto is actually rated 17/24 mpg, which basically would make it class leading in this case.

Just as an FYI: A comparison of the these three engine output...

The EX HP/Torque is 297/253
The RDX HP/Torque is 240/260
The X3 Hp/Torque is 260/225

 

6-speeds already offered in the following more pedestrian:

Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Avalanche
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Crossifre 6MT
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Sebring Limited
Chrysler Town & Country minivan
Dodge Avenger R/T
Dodge Grand Caravan minivan
Dodge Nitro 6MT
Ford Edge
Ford Escape
Ford Explorer
Ford Fusion
Ford Taurus
Honda Accord coupe 6MT
Honda Civic Si 6MT
Hyundai Veracruz
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Wrangler
Mazda CX-7
Mazda CX-9
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda 6
Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper Clubman
Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Altima coupe 6MT
Nissan XTerra
Pontiac G6
Pontiac G8
Pontiac Torrent
Saturn Aura
Saturn Vue
Saturn Outlook
Toyota Camry
Toyota FJ Cruiser
VW EOS
VW New Beetle
Volvo C30

 

Wow Mike , you are just simply not going to let it go. OK, Acura sucks. I bet your super curious what I am going to buy next?

 

Yes, show us how SMART you are.

 

Sorry, no 6 speed.

 

Mike, in the highlighted Honda 6MT for the Accord and Civic, those are 6-Speed manual transmissions. Acura had those since 1993