The first-generation Acura RL was a similarly re badged version of the third-generation Honda Legend, and was first introduced into the North American market in 1996 to replace the second-generation Acura Legend. The current second-generation Acura RL is a re badged version of the fourth-generation Honda Legend and was introduced into the North American market in September 2004 as a 2005 model. This iteration of the RL received an extensive mid-generational face lift for the 2009 model year.
In 1996, Acura introduced the Acura 3.5RL, known internally as "KA9," to replace the Legend. Acura dropped the Legend name when market research showed that consumers knew Acura products by their model names, "Legend" and "Integra", and did not necessarily associate the names with the manufacturer, Acura.
The 3.5RL's longitudinally mounted V6 engine had its center-line mounted in-line with the car's axis, and not transversely like most other front-wheel-drive cars. This longitudinal placement allowed for a smaller turning radius and easy in-town maneuverability, as well as 56/44 front/rear weight distribution. In 1999, the 3.5RL received a front and rear face lift with xenon HID headlamps, integrated fog lights, revised bumpers and hood, as well as driver and front passenger side airbags. The suspension and chassis were stiffened, and new alloy wheels were offered.
In 2000, a larger navigation system screen was added. Along with that larger screen came the conversion to easy-to-replace DVD map databases. In 2002, the 3.5RL received painted lower trim and mudflaps along with redesigned alloys and a newer, sportier suspension setup. Perhaps the more important change was the engine, which was upgraded to produce 225 hp and 231 lb·ft of torque. More insulation was added in the engine compartment, and On Star was added in 2002. The 2003 and 2004 RLs received clear turn signal lenses in the rear lights, another new alloy wheel design, and various interior upgrades including new color schemes. For 2004, the navigation system became standard, along with a redesigned center console and chrome door lock pulls.
The first-generation RL was powered by a 225 hp 90° C-series V6 non-VTEC engine. The second-generation RL uses a newer design 60° J-series 3.5 L V6 SOHC VTEC engine delivering 300 hp. To give the car a more sporty feel, the car featured drive-by-wire throttle control and a five-speed sequential sport shifting automatic transmission with shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
A first for the RL was the use of aluminum 4-piston front brake calipers over 12.6-inch cast-iron ventilated front rotors. These multi-piston calipers derived from racing applications, are extremely rigid. In the rear, 12.2-inch cast-iron ventilated discs attached to their hub with lightweight aluminum collets and were gripped by one-piston aluminum brake calipers. The RL was equipped with unique five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot HX MXM 4 245/50-R-17 98V all season grand touring tires. These wheels were one inch larger in diameter, and the tires 20 mm wider in section, than those found on the first-generation Acura RL.
New features on the 2005 RL included a key less entry system which allowed the driver to both lock and unlock the car by touching the door handle, without having to use the remote control, and a key less start system. A new 260 watt, ten speaker Bose DVD-Audio 5.1 sound system equalized for the RL cabin featured several Bose technologies. Bose Audio Pilot is a noise compensation technology which analyzes background environmental cabin noise and uses an algorithm based on cabin acoustics to boost certain portions of the musical signal so that it may be heard more clearly above environmental sound "clutter" without any apparent change in volume. Bose Center point processes stereo and matrix surround sound recordings to allow play through the 5.1 sound system even though the source may only be a stereo sound track. Bose Active Noise Cancellation rounded out the suite. Always on, whether the stereo was on or not, ANC took input from two microphones placed in the cabin to analyze drive train-related low-frequency sound waves entering the cabin. The ANC sent information to the sound system to create a precisely shaped and timed reverse-phased audio signal from the door speakers and the sub woofer. The result was a dramatic reduction in engine and exhaust noise.
The 2005 RL was also the first Honda vehicle to use the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, which has since proliferated throughout every newly introduced Honda and Acura vehicle design. The ACE structure features extensive use of high-tensile steel and lightweight aluminum components in a front-mounted polygonal main frame, designed to engage vehicles of differing size and weight in a frontal collision and spread the forces through multiple structural pathways, while preventing or minimizing cabin deformation. In practical terms, this means in an SUV versus ACE structure car collision, there is a greater chance that the ACE body structure will engage with the SUV's frame and dissipate collision forces around the passenger compartment. In more conventional non-ACE car structures, the SUV frame has a much greater chance of missing or over-riding the conventional car's major structural components and a greater chance of deforming the passenger compartment.
The Technology Package plus CMBS/PAX trim level had no 2005 equivalent, though it was most similar to the 2006 Technology Package that had also included ACC/CMBS and PAX technologies. While the label "CMBS/PAX" might appear to indicate ACC was dropped as a feature, in reality, ACC was an extension of the CMBS system, and so was included.
As noted above, the MP3 audio player feature was added to all trim levels. An integrated rear view camera was added to the top two trim levels. An integrated rear view camera could be added to the non-navigation Base model as a dealer installed option. The Base model optional rear view camera was installed in the same manner and position as on the 2006 models, mounted dead center in the trunk trim, with the trunk release button displaced to the right of center. The difference was subtle, but the factory rear view camera installation on the Technology Package and the Technology Package with CMBS/PAX is to the left side of the center-mounted trunk release.
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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| 2013 Acura RL |
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