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Why did they stop making Acura RL?

The Acura RL, a flagship luxury sedan from Honda's premium brand, was discontinued in 2012 after a 15-year run. The decision to end production of the RL was a strategic move by Acura to realign its product lineup and better compete in the evolving luxury sedan market.


Reasons for the Discontinuation of the Acura RL


The Acura RL faced several challenges that ultimately led to its discontinuation:



  • Declining Sales: The RL struggled to gain traction in the luxury sedan segment, with sales declining over the years. In its final year, the RL sold only around 3,000 units, a far cry from its peak of over 30,000 units in the early 2000s.

  • Competitive Landscape: The luxury sedan market became increasingly crowded, with strong competition from established players like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. The RL failed to stand out in this competitive environment.li>
  • Changing Consumer Preferences: Consumers were gravitating towards larger, more spacious luxury SUVs and crossovers, a trend that the RL, as a traditional sedan, could not capitalize on.

  • Lack of Differentiation: The RL was perceived as lacking a clear identity and distinctive features compared to its rivals, making it difficult for Acura to justify its premium pricing.li>

These factors, combined with Acura's desire to focus on other models in its lineup, led to the decision to discontinue the Acura RL.


The Replacement: The Acura RLX


In 2013, Acura introduced the RLX as the successor to the RL. The RLX was designed to be a more competitive and distinctive luxury sedan, with a focus on advanced technology, improved performance, and a more refined design.


However, the RLX also struggled to gain traction in the market, and Acura eventually discontinued it in 2020, further shifting the brand's focus towards its SUV and crossover models, such as the MDX and RDX.


The discontinuation of the Acura RL and its successor, the RLX, reflects the broader changes in the luxury automotive industry, where consumer preferences and market dynamics have evolved, requiring automakers to adapt their product strategies accordingly.

How long does Acura RL last?


Engine and Transmission will last 250k+ easy, if you take care of it you could see even over 300,400k.



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.



How reliable is an Acura RL?


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.



What does RL stand for on Acura?


Refined Luxury
The model name "RL" is an abbreviation for "Refined Luxury." Acura RL.



Why did they stop making Acura?


The Acura ILX has been discontinued because the company plans to focus on the Acura Integra for the sedan market in the United States. The Acura NSX, on the other hand, has been discontinued due to declining sales and the company's focus on electric vehicles.



Is Acura TL or RL better?


In 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.



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.



What replaced the Acura RL?


The Acura RLX is a mid-size flagship luxury car manufactured by Honda and sold under their Acura division, released in 2013, succeeding the RL.



Is the Acura RL fast?


"Acceleration also stays essentially flat, with the 0-to-60-mph run taking 6.5 seconds." "Acceleration also stays essentially flat, with the 0-to-60-mph run taking 6.5 seconds." "Despite having only a five-speed automatic, the RL turns about 3,000rpm at the century mark and feels very solid and composed."



How long will Acura engine last?


MotorAsk.com – “Acuras can last anywhere from 250,000 to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. According to Acura owners, some of the brand's vehicles can even last 400,000 miles or more in ideal conditions and with a responsible owner…


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.