Upmarket sedans offer a great blend of luxury, power, and tech in a practical package. While they aren't as popular as they used to be, some manufacturers still offer them to customers not interested in driving around in yet another bloated SUV. The trouble is that luxury sedans are extremely pricey, and older ones can be expensive to maintain. Unless you know exactly what to look for.We scanned through all the top luxury sedans from major manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Acura, and BMW, and found the one car that delivers the perfect blend of luxury, reliability, and performance, at a very affordable price point - the 2010-2012 Acura RL.Our aim here was to find the best value used luxury car that is old enough to be affordable, but new enough to be reliable and usable day-to-day. The Acura RL AcuraSome of the best luxury sedans aren't flashy or overtly sporty, they just blend into the background and get the job done. The second-generation Acura RL epitomized this trait. It looked suitably upmarket without shouting about it, and with up to 300 hp on tap, it was rapid when it needed to be. The interior was a master class in restrained opulence. Some of the plastics and switchgear may have borne some resemblance to lesser Acura and Honda models, but everything had a pleasing feeling of solidity to it, and the fit and finish were exemplary.Introduced in 2005, the RL was the flagship model in Acura's lineup, and with prices starting at a few dollars below the $50,000 mark, it was up against a whole host of very accomplished alternatives. It may have looked subdued compared to more aggressively-styled rivals, but under the hood was a capable 3.5-liter V6 and an all-wheel-drive system that made it sure-footed all year round. Contemporary road testers complimented it on its impressive handling at the limit, although the engine needed a bit of revving to extract the best from it.AcuraIt was also packed with some decent tech and luxury features. Satellite navigation was standard, as was a Bose audio system, sunroof, and xenon headlights. Updates throughout the years introduced a larger 3.7-liter V6 with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves, an improved AWD system, adaptive cruise control, and the five-speed auto gained an extra gear in 2011.The Acura RL was never a class leader, but it also never fell short in any one area. This made it a great all-rounder, and one that was praised for its long-distance cruising ability and superb ride quality. Of them all, the later 2010-2012 model years are the ones to look for. They benefited from the regular model updates, and were considered to be very reliable and solidly built. NHTSA data shows very few recalls or customer complaints across all model years.AcuraThese are the traits that make it such a great used luxury sedan purchase today. Comparisons to contemporary rivals on metrics like performance and unique features become less relevant 13 years after production ended. What matters is how expensive it is to run, whether it is still suitable as a daily driver, and if it is affordable to buy. The Acura RL scores higher than just about any other rival on these points. Acura RL Alternatives 2013 Lexus GS 350 Silver Front View DrivingLuxury sedans were still a big deal in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and the Acura RL faced a host of accomplished alternatives during its production run. The Lexus GS 350 and Audi A6 were the most logical alternatives, both being competent in many areas, rather than excelling in one specific aspect. The GS 350 was similarly reliable, and could be had with a V8 engine as well, but features like AWD were optional. Prices are slightly higher on the used market compared to the Acura.The posh Audi A6 was pricier when new, and this remains the case today. It was available with a wider range of engines, but was smaller inside and didn't have as smooth a ride over rough surfaces. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was the benchmark in this class for opulence and comfort, while the BMW 5 Series was the most dynamically capable of the lot, but they were both more expensive than the Acura RL, and none of these German marques can claim the same level of reliability and affordable running costs today. Should You Really Invest In A 15-Year-Old Luxury Car? 2005-2008 Acura RL Gray Front Angled ViewCrypto investors, lion tamers, and buyers of old luxury cars all have one thing in common; they never know when disaster will strike next. In most cases, experience, knowledge, and a bit of luck can make all the difference. The Acura RL wasn't most buyers' first choice when it was new, and used prices suggest that it's still less appreciated than flashier rivals from the same era. But digging beneath the surface reveals that the Acura RL was and remains an underrated luxury sedan, and one that has proven itself to be reliable and affordable to maintain.Our money would go on the last two years of RL production, these models came with all the updates and refinements that had been introduced over the years, and they are still superb cruisers perfectly capable of being used daily. It is always worth bearing in mind, though, that even the newest Acura RL is now 13 years old, so keeping some money aside from unforeseen maintenance is always a good idea. With prices for good ones starting from $9,000, it hits the sweet spot for those looking for an understated luxury barge. And always make sure you get one with a full service history - even an Acura will eventually break down if it hasn't been properly maintained.Sources: Acura, AutoTempest, Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, RepairPal, NHTSA.
