If Honda (read Acura) does decide to move that high up the scale then indeed their V8 engines will be top notch unmached by anyone. But unless they do so, a V8 TL/RL or even MDX just doesnt make sense.

 

Car and Driver editors don't like it, Road and Track editors don't bother with it. Wasteful Americans complaining about 2.50 per gallon wants V8 to get 15mpg.

And ultimately, ALL of Honda/Acura's competitors have V8 or more (Toyota/Lexus and Nissan SUVs and trucks, for example, Lexus and Infiniti sedans, for example).

 

it's a worthy ideology, but apparently this line of thinking isn't shared by the masses. vehicles with V8's are still selling very well, despite the ever rising gas prices in the US. people have demonstrated that they're still willing to trade off fuel efficiency for more size, power and torque in their SUVs and luxury cars. as long as the market stays this way, honda is going to keep losing out with the absence of a V8 in their lineup.