Acura RL 1996-2004
| Years Produced | 1996 - 2004 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5 liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 210 hp @ 5200 |
| Torque | 224 lb-ft @ 2800 |
| 0-60 Mph | 7.9 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 16.4 sec @ 85.7 mph |
| Top Speed | 130 mph |
| Fuel Economy | Not Added Yet |
| Transmission | Not Added Yet |
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Acura RL 1996-2004
Acura RL 1996-2004
In 1996 Acura unveiled the 3.5RL, the RL stood for “road luxury.” The 3.5RL is Acura’s flagship model and the very first Acura RL rolled off the assembly line on January 4, 1996. The automotive world expected the RL to be a true competitor to the Lexus LS but it fell short. The problem with the Acura RL was a lack of a V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. The 3.2 liter V6 used in the previous generation Acura Legend was used as a foundation for the new RL 3.5 liter V6.
In 1999 the Acura 3.5 RL received a facelift that included new HID headlights along with new taillights, bumpers and hood. The suspension was stiffened up and the RL cam with new alloy wheels. The 1999 RL came standard with front side airbags. All RLs of this year came with the same options. The only option that could be added was the navigation.
The interior of the car is very comfortable and has the typical Honda charm. Everything feels right and is put in a functional place. Compared to it’s competition the RL was bland and lacked any real excitement or sophistication. Sales for the car were never what Acura expected.
In 1998 the Acura RL came with many features that were previously only offered with the luxury package. The eight-speaker Bose audio system came with both a CD changer and a cassette player. The steering wheel glides out of the way when the ignition is turned off for easy entry and exit.
The instrument cluster and dashboard are very well illuminated and all of the necessary information is displayed clearly. The leather seats are soft yet supportive and car itself feels very solid. However, it still lacks the fit and finish that allowed it to compete with the Lexus LS.
The engine was tweaked to produce 210 hp at 5200 rpm and 224 lb-ft of torque at a very low 2800 rpm. The 3.5 liter V6 is paired with a four-speed automatic that seems out of place for the car. The car gets to 60 from a standstill in 7.9 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 16 seconds. In addition to lacking in performance, the four-speed automatic also means the car gets very poor fuel mileage respective to its power output. The EPA estimates 19 city and 25 highway but the engine seems to be a little more on the thirsty side.