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What is the successor of the Acura RL?

The Acura RL was a luxury sedan produced by Honda's premium brand Acura from 1996 to 2012. In 2015, Acura introduced the TLX as the successor to the RL, offering a more modern and refined driving experience for luxury car buyers.


The Acura RL: A Brief History


The Acura RL was the flagship sedan of the Acura lineup, competing with other luxury sedans like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It was known for its smooth powertrain, comfortable ride, and premium interior materials. However, the RL struggled to gain traction against its German rivals, and sales declined over the years.


The Acura TLX: A Worthy Successor


In 2015, Acura introduced the TLX as a replacement for both the RL and the smaller TSX sedan. The TLX was designed to offer a more engaging driving experience while still providing the luxury and refinement expected of an Acura.


Key Features of the Acura TLX



  • Powertrain Options: The TLX is available with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting automatic transmission.li>
  • Sophisticated Suspension: The TLX features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, providing a comfortable yet responsive ride.

  • Luxurious Interior: The TLX's cabin is well-appointed, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system.

  • Advanced Safety Features: The TLX comes standard with a suite of advanced safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.li>

Overall, the Acura TLX has proven to be a capable and well-rounded successor to the Acura RL, offering a compelling blend of luxury, performance, and technology.

Is the Acura RL and RLX the same?


Based on this comparison of the Acura RL's and the Acura RLX's specifications and ratings, the Acura RLX is a better car than the Acura RL. Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura RL's base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Acura RLX base engine makes 310 horsepower.



Is Acura TL or RL better?


The main differences are that the Acura RL is Acura's flagship, full-size, all-wheel drive luxury sedan (sold until 2012, replaced by the RLX), while the Acura TL is a sportier, mid-size, front-wheel drive sedan (though later models offered AWD). The RL is more focused on luxury and refinement, with standard AWD and a larger, more spacious interior. The TL is generally considered a better value, as it was more affordable and has more aftermarket support, while still offering a powerful engine and sportier performance, particularly in the Type-S models.
 
You can watch this video to see a comparison of the Acura RL and TL: 52sTraveling Car GuruYouTube · Jun 27, 2023
Acura RL

  • Positioning: The top-tier, flagship luxury sedan, considered the successor to the Legend. 
  • Drivetrain: Comes standard with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). 
  • Engine: Typically featured a larger V6 engine (e.g., a 3.7L V6 in later models). 
  • Luxury Features: Often equipped with more high-end features, such as advanced collision mitigation systems, adaptive headlights, and cooled seats in later models. 
  • Interior: Has more interior volume and cargo space, though some specific areas like front legroom are smaller than the TL. 
  • Value: Was significantly more expensive than the TL, and its higher price point combined with the availability of AWD in later TLs made it a less compelling option for many buyers. 

Acura TL
  • Positioning: The sportier, mid-size sedan, built on a more affordable platform and considered a "sportier, more luxurious version of the Honda Accord". 
  • Drivetrain: Primarily front-wheel drive (FWD), but later models offered SH-AWD as an option. 
  • Engine: Used a V6 engine (e.g., 3.2L in earlier models, a 3.7L in the Type-S) but was generally less powerful than the RL's engine. 
  • Luxury Features: Offered luxury features in its technology package, but did not have the same level of standard luxury as the RL. 
  • Interior: Had more front legroom and rear shoulder room than the RL. 
  • Value: Was a much better value, especially given its lower price point and strong performance capabilities. 
  • Aftermarket: Has significantly more aftermarket support than the RL, making modifications and part replacements easier and cheaper. 

This video explains the history of the Acura RL and why it was overlooked: 56sAcura AdviceYouTube · Sep 24, 2023



What car replaced the Acura RL?


Acura RLX
The RL was the flagship of the marque, having succeeded the Acura Legend, and was replaced in 2013 by the Acura RLX.



Did Acura discontinue the RL?


The RDX. And MDX crossovers. As well as the upcoming performanceoriented 2021 TLX so that will just leave four models in the lineup for Acura the ILX TLX the MDX. And the RDX.


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Kevin Bennett

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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.