I have to admit that one of the main reasons I bought my 2006 TL was for looks, the other is reliability. The driving experience is not there at all, nothing like my old BMW 5 series or even in the same universe. This new RL is really just kinda boring and almost ugly, hopefully it drives nice and doesn't break, if not it is doomed.

As far as the Honda car division, I don't see myself buying anything they offer now. That is an important statement considering I currently own 3 honda vehicles (2 cars and a bike) and if someone like me that HAD brand loyalty enough for that many purchases now doesn't, they have really screwed the pooch.

 

The RL has a nicer interior, the SH-AWD system is more advanced, the car is less polarizing (in the looks department) and it has more/better standard features. It is also more quiet on the road.

Also, the RL can be had with huge discounts and they have poor resale, so getting a new or barely used example is relatively inexpensive compared to MSRP.

The TL with SH-AWD and 6MT is far more sporting and it's a quicker car but again, some people don't like the looks and the interior is less refined, overall.