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What is the Acura RL called in Japan?

The Acura RL, a luxury sedan produced by Honda's premium brand Acura, is known as the Honda Legend in Japan. The Acura RL and Honda Legend are essentially the same vehicle, with the only major difference being the name and branding used for their respective markets.


What is the Acura RL?


The Acura RL is a full-size luxury sedan that was produced by Honda's Acura division from 1996 to 2012. It was the flagship model of the Acura lineup, positioned above the Acura TL and Acura TSX. The Acura RL was known for its premium features, advanced technology, and refined driving dynamics.


The Honda Legend: Acura RL's Counterpart in Japan


In Japan, the same vehicle that was sold as the Acura RL in North America was marketed as the Honda Legend. The Honda Legend has been in production since 1985 and has gone through several generations, with the Acura RL being the sixth generation of the model.


The Honda Legend and Acura RL share the same platform, powertrain, and many of the same features and design elements. The primary difference is the branding and marketing approach used for the two models in their respective markets.


Key Differences Between the Acura RL and Honda Legend



  • Branding and Positioning: The Acura RL is positioned as a premium luxury sedan in North America, while the Honda Legend is marketed as a high-end, flagship model in Japan.

  • Exterior Design: The Acura RL and Honda Legend may have slight differences in their exterior styling, with the Acura RL often featuring more aggressive and angular design cues to appeal to the North American market.

  • Trim Levels and Options: The available trim levels and optional features may vary between the Acura RL and Honda Legend, depending on the preferences and regulations of their respective markets.


Despite these minor differences, the Acura RL and Honda Legend are essentially the same vehicle, offering a similar driving experience and level of luxury and technology to their respective customers.

Is Acura TL or RL better?


When we compare 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.



Why is Acura not in Japan?


Acura sells cars in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and Kuwait. The company has also previously sold cars in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Russia, and Ukraine. Plans to introduce Acura to the Japanese domestic market in the late 2000s did not eventuate due to the financial crisis of 2007–2008.



What is Acura called in Japan?


The word “Acura” doesn't mean anything in Japanese.
Unlike Honda, which gets its name from its founder Soichiro Honda, Acura doesn't have a deeper definition in Japanese.



Why did Acura stop making the RL?


Acura has announced it is discontinuing its top-end sedan after the 2020 model year. Why? you ask. One reason could be that the RLX, which starts at $55,925, found only 179 buyers in the first quarter of this year.



What do they call the Acura TL in Japan?


The Acura TL is a car that was manufactured by Acura, the North American luxury division of Honda. It was introduced in 1995 to replace the Acura Vigor and was badged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber.



Is 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.



What is the Acura RL in Japan?


Honda Legend


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.