Acura RL History
Acura's flagship sedan from 1996 to 2012 — successor to the Legend, notable for introducing SH-AWD torque-vectoring all-wheel drive in 2005.
Photo: “2002 Acura 3.5 RL in Shoreline Mist Metallic, front left” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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The RL succeeded the Legend for the 1996 model year as Acura's range-topping four-door, initially sold as the 3.5RL with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. Despite strong features and reliability, the first generation lagged behind German competitors and the fast-rising Lexus GS in sales. A redesigned second-generation RL debuted for 2005 and introduced SH-AWD — Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, a torque-vectoring system that became a hallmark of the brand — as a standard feature. The RL was discontinued after the 2012 model year and replaced by the RLX.
Generations
First generation (3.5RL) · KA9 (1996–2004)
Photo: “2002 Acura 3.5 RL in Shoreline Mist Metallic, front left” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
3.5L V6; FWD; inherited Legend's flagship role; modest sales against German rivals.
1996 Photo: “1996 Acura 3.5 RL Front 2017.4.28” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1997 Photo: “1997 Acura RL 3.5 front 5.18.19” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1998 Photo: “1998 Acura 3.5 RL Special Edition, front left, 09-10-2022” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1999 Photo: “1999 Acura RL 3.5RL, 02-28-2026 1” by 2000chevymontecarlo / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
2002 Photo: “2002 Acura 3.5 RL in Shoreline Mist Metallic, front left” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
2004 Photo: “2004 Acura 3.5RL V6 (facelift), front 7.7.19” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Second generation · KB1 (2005–2012)
Photo: “Acura RL -- 08-16-2010” by IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
Introduced SH-AWD as standard; 3.5L V6; replaced after 2012 by the RLX.
2009 Photo: “2009-2011 Acura RL -- 06-06-2011” by IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
2010 Photo: “Acura RL -- 08-16-2010” by IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
2011 Photo: “2011 Washington Auto Show (5403611748)” by David from Washington, DC / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Body styles
- Sedan
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