Honda lags, then leapfrogs. The Japanese automaker studied minivans for a decade before cornering the market with the Odyssey. The Pilot, Honda's first SUV, was another latecomer that stole the show. And now the 2005 RL from Honda's luxury division, Acura, overtakes much of the competition, and certainly its predecessor, with knockout performance and some of the coolest electronics on the market.

For starters, the RL comes standard with a sophisticated all-wheel drive system geared for gripping, precise handling. That eliminates the jerky "torque steer" that's noticeable in otherwise stellar luxury rides like the Acura TL—the RL's baby brother—or the Lexus ES 330. And the AWD RL is even more stable under stress than most BMWs and Mercedes, driven by the rear wheels alone. What's more, an explosive 300-horsepower V-6 rockets the RL up to warp speed in seconds, with barely a groan. Acceleration and handling are so smooth that the RL almost seems to neutralize the effects of physics on your body during tight cornering or other lively driving.

The interior is pleasant and suave, with a handsome dash, tasteful wood and satin-nickel touches, and the obligatory leather upholstery. The sum of the parts, however, lacks the strong, impressive identity that some of the RL's competitors have achieved. A recessing power plug in the test vehicle repeatedly stuck, for instance, a tiny but telling imperfection you'd probably be hard pressed to find in a Lexus. And the RL lacks the stateliness of a Mercedes or the gallantry of an Audi.

It is also so loaded with gizmos that gearheads will spend weeks exploring its many electronic surprises. For others, however, the RL approaches the point of overkill. A navigation system comes standard, with a centralized touch screen that handles many other vehicle functions as well. In addition to a complex array of radio and climate controls, there's a real-time traffic monitoring system—the first of its kind—that works in 20 large metropolitan areas. That's an important development with huge potential, but it's currently limited by the availability of accurate data. And the RL comes standard with a "keyless" system that only requires the driver to have an electronic fob in his pocket to unlock the car and start it up. The first time I used it I failed to fully shut down the car's electrical system when I turned it off—since there's no key to remove—and I came outside the next morning to find the battery dead. But I'll take that as a sign that this car is simply more advanced than I am. Once other vehicles catch up, I'll know what to do.