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What does the RL stand for in Acura RL?

The "RL" in Acura RL stands for "Road Luxury". The Acura RL was a full-size luxury sedan produced by Honda's luxury division, Acura, from 1996 to 2012. The RL was Acura's flagship model and represented the brand's commitment to providing a premium driving experience combined with advanced technology and comfort features.


The Acura RL Nameplate


The Acura RL nameplate was first introduced in 1996, replacing the Acura Legend as the brand's top-of-the-line model. The "RL" designation was chosen to represent the vehicle's positioning as a "Road Luxury" sedan, emphasizing its focus on providing a refined, comfortable, and technologically-advanced driving experience.


Over the three generations of the Acura RL, the model evolved to incorporate the latest advancements in safety, performance, and luxury features. This included the introduction of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which enhanced the vehicle's handling and stability.


The Meaning Behind "RL"



  • R - Stands for "Road", reflecting the RL's intended use as a premium, full-size luxury sedan for highway and city driving.

  • L - Stands for "Luxury", indicating the RL's focus on providing a high-end, well-appointed interior and feature set.


By combining the "R" and "L" designations, Acura aimed to convey the RL's positioning as a luxury vehicle designed for comfortable and refined road travel. This aligned with the brand's overall focus on delivering a premium driving experience.p>

The Discontinuation of the Acura RL


In 2012, Acura discontinued the RL nameplate and replaced it with the Acura RLX, which continued the brand's flagship sedan offering. The RLX maintained the RL's focus on luxury and technology, while also incorporating updated styling and additional advanced features.


While the Acura RL is no longer in production, its legacy as the brand's top-tier model and the meaning behind the "RL" designation continue to be recognized by Acura enthusiasts and automotive enthusiasts alike.

What is the best RL car?


The best Rocket League cars, ranked Top Trumps style

  • The Octane. There aren't many real cars out there like the Octane, the MVP of Rocket League.
  • The Merc.
  • The Breakout.
  • The Batmobile.
  • The Fennec.
  • The Dominus.
  • The Scarab.



Are Acura RL reliable cars?


Severity. The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 10% for the Acura RL, compared to an average of 14% for luxury fullsize cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.



Why was the Acura RL discontinued?


Some have suggested that the Acura RL's failure in the market was due to its initial pricing which was perceived to be out of its bracket.



Is the Acura RL a reliable car?


The Acura RL Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 1st out of 30 for luxury fullsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $539 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is low while frequency of those issues is average, so major issues are uncommon for the RL.



Is an Acura 3.5 RL a good car?


Vehicle overview
The 3.5 RL, Acura's flagship, is athletic, extremely quiet, luxurious and priced right: All of which makes it a serious contender in the luxury sedan market despite its V6, front-drive layout.



Which is more reliable Honda or Acura?


Most drivers consider both Honda and Acura to be great choices that aren't as hungry for auto service, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Acura vs. Honda reliability is a tie. That's not just our opinion: RepairPal.com gave both the Acura and Honda brands a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0.



Is the Acura RL or TL better?


When comparing the Acura RL's and the Acura TL's specifications and ratings, the Acura RL has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Acura TL has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency.



What does TL stand for on a Acura?


The TL, "Touring Luxury," debuted for the 1996 model year with the 2.5 TL available with the 2.5 L 176 hp (131 kW) SOHC 20-valve 5-cylinder engine from the Vigor, and the 3.2 TL using the 3.2 L 200 hp (149 kW) SOHC 24v V6 from the second-generation Acura Legend.



What does RL mean in Acura?


About RL. Making its first appearance in 1996, RL has served as the flagship sedan for Acura for 14 years. Replacing the Legend, the RL acronym stood for “Refined Luxury”. From 1996 to 2004, the vehicle was known as the 3.5RL based on its 3.5-liter V-6 engine.



Is the Acura RL and RLX the same?


The RL is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 463 miles. The RLX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 537 miles. This gives the Acura RLX the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Acura RL.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.