The Acura RL luxury performance sedan was today awarded the highest rating given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for side impact crash protection. The GOOD rating validates Acura's extensive efforts and commitment to vehicle safety.

According to the information released by IIHS today, their announcement shows a range of performance for various large cars in the institute's side impact crash test. IIHS reports that side impacts are the second most common fatal crash type after frontal crashes.

The latest GOOD rating in Side Impact Collision Evaluation (SICE) adds to the existing GOOD rating for IIHS' frontal offset crash test for the Acura RL. Further evidence to RL safety performance is the 5-Star rating* (the highest rating possible) in all three of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) governmental ratings tests that include frontal and side impact crash tests, as well as a rollover rating.

The IIHS' rigorous SICE test is expressed with performance ratings of good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on a crash test in which a barrier designed to represent the front end of a typical SUV or pickup truck strikes the tested vehicle in the side at 31 mph.

Key components to the RL's outstanding NHTSA and IIHS crash test ratings includes its Advanced Compatibility Engineering ™ (ACE ™) body structure for added protection and improved compatibility in frontal crashes along with the latest generation of dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus side curtain airbags for all outboard occupants.

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 268 dealers within the United States. The 2008 Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.