1996-2004 Acura RL Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Acura RL. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Acura RL.

1996-2004 Acura RL Review

Replacing the departed Legend sedan, Acura's flagship model debuted after the 1996 model year began. Larger outside and roomier inside than the Legend, the 3.5RL retains front-wheel drive and a V6 engine.The 3.5RL powertrain consisted of a 210-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment included dual front airbags, antilock brakes, and leather upholstery. Traction control, heated front seats and outside mirrors, a Bose audio system with CD changer, and burled walnut interior trim were included in an optional Premium Package.

Year to Year Changes

1997 Acura RL: The 3.5RL saw no change for its second season.

1998 Acura RL: Suspension revisions for 1998 promised sportier handling, without loss in ride quality. Standard alloy wheels displayed a new design, and a 3-point rear-center safety belt replaced the prior lap belt.

1999 Acura RL: Acura claimed "more than 400 modifications" for 1999. None substantially changed the V6/automatic powertrain, but side airbags arrived as a new standard feature, along with brighter high-intensity-discharge headlamps; suspension retuning claimed to provide sportier handling, and larger brakes. There were also minor cosmetic alterations inside and out.

2000 Acura RL: All RL models got a Vehicle Stability Assist system, which applied individual brakes to keep the car on course in changes of direction. Seven sensors in the front passenger seat measured the size and position of the occupant to determine whether to deploy the side airbag. Acura's optional in-dash navigation system got a larger (7-inch) touch screen with matte finish designed for easier reading, plus a digital-video-disc (DVD) database.

2001 Acura RL: An in-trunk emergency opener was added, along with no-cost carpeted floormats for 2001.

2002 Acura RL: RL gained 15 horsepower and a standard General Motors OnStar assistance system in 2002. Other changes included wider tires, larger brakes, and more sound deadening.

2003 Acura RL: Changes for 2003 include clear-lens taillamps, new-design wheels, revised color choices for paint and interior, and adoption of LATCH-system child-seat anchors.

2004 Acura RL: No significant changes as Acura prepared to take the wraps off a completely new flagship in 2005.

1996-2004 Acura RL Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Rear head room

Handling	Steering feel

Ride	Navigation-system controls

Quietness

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Despite the fact that the RL does not feel as snappy as the lighter-weight Legend, this sedan is much more luxurious. It also feels markedly stronger at low speeds, though overall acceleration ranks as good rather than great for a premium sedan. Our test RS accelerated to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds--swift for a relatively heavy sedan. The V6 engine is hushed at cruising speeds and emits a subdued, rich-sounding snarl during hard acceleration. Wind and tire noise also are modest. Gas mileage isn't bad, though the RL demands premium fuel. We averaged 19.8 mpg, with half of our driving on the highway. On-the-road performance is generally a pleasure. The RL simply sails over potholes, ruts, and other irregularities with impressive solidity and no hint of shudder or rattle. Ride quality is firm yet supple and comfortable. The RL is agile for a large sedan. Despite its abundant exterior dimensions, the sedan handles like a smaller automobile. Steering is quick and precise, but it's too light and lacks feel around the center position of the wheel. Body lean is modest in tight corners. Brakes produce short, straight stops from high speeds. The driver gets a comfortable, easily tailored-to-suit position with a clear view all around. Controls are large, well-positioned, and intuitive. Rear leg and knee room are greater than in the Legend. In the back seat, 6-footers will find their heads just brushing the roof, but front head space is ample. The interior offers plenty of spaces for odd items, and the flat-floored trunk is usefully shaped. Acura's optional on-board navigation system is accurate and easy to use, but fingerprints and certain light conditions can render its display almost unreadable at times. GM's OnStar assistance system is standard on '02 models.

Value for the Money
All told, the 3.5RL is a pleasant luxury sedan, solid and well-constructed, which does everything quite well. Few would ask for anything more on a lengthy journey. Though filled with luxury touches too, the RL does not feel particularly ostentatious.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acura RL base	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	4

Ride Quality	9

Steering/Handling/Braking	7

Quietness	9

Controls/Materials	8

Interior Room	8

Room/Comfort (rear)	7

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	7

Total:	68

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1996-2004 Acura RL Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: Transmissions may fail due to lack of thread-locking compound on nut for low clutch. Honda/Acura has extended warranty on affected vehicles to 7 years or 100,000 miles. (1999-2003)

Seat: The driver's seat may rock because the bolts in the motor that controls the up/down movement come loose. (1996)

Seatbelts/safety: The button that prevents the seatbelt tongue from sliding to the floor breaks. (1996-98)

Speedometer: The speedometer may read higher than actual speed. (1996)

Vehicle noise: Knocking noise from the front of vehicle is likely due to a worn bearing in the upper suspension arm(s). (1996-98)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$765

Alternator	$490

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,020

Brakes	$180

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$715

Constant Velocity Joints	$1,010

Exhaust System	$360

Radiator	$610

Shocks and/or Struts	$460

Timing Chain or Belt	$230

NHTSA Recall History

1996-98: Ball joints on certain cars could wear out prematurely and, in worst case, separate and cause front suspension to collapse.

1996-99: Bolt can loosen and fall out, allowing transmission to disengage from differential. Not only would the vehicle lose power to drive wheels without warning, but shifting into "Park" would not lock the wheels.

2000: Brake master cylinder may have internal corrosion, resulting in reduced braking performance and increased stopping distances. Dealers will replace the master cylinder assembly, reservoir, and brake fluid.

2000-02: Oil applied during manufacture can leak into the brake stop switch and contaminate the electrical contacts.

1996-2004 Acura RL Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1996
3.5 RL	$4,500-5,200	$3,700-4,300	$1,600-1,900
3.5 RL Premium	$4,700-5,400	$3,900-4,500	$1,800-2,100

1997
3.5 RL	$5,300-6,000	$4,600-5,200	$2,200-2,500
3.5 RL Premium	$5,500-6,200	$4,700-5,300	$2,300-2,500

1998
3.5 RL	$6,400-7,200	$5,600-6,300	$2,800-3,200
3.5 RL Premium	$6,600-7,500	$5,800-6,600	$3,000-3,500

1999
3.5 RL	$7,700-8,500	$6,900-7,700	$3,900-4,300

2000
3.5 RL	$9,000-10,000	$8,100-9,000	$4,700-5,200

2001
3.5 RL	$11,000-12,000	$9,900-10,800	$5,900-6,500

2002
3.5 RL	$13,800-15,000	$12,600-13,700	$8,300-9,000

2003
3.5 RL	$16,500-18,000	$15,000-16,400	$10,600-11,500

2004
3.5 RL	$19,500-21,000	$17,900-19,300	$12,700-13,700

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1996-2004 Acura RL Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	114.6

Overall Length, in.	195.1

Overall Width, in.	71.3

Overall Height, in.	56.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	3660

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	36.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Just one powertrain has been employed in the 3.5RL sedan: a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. In 2002, horsepower jumped to 225 and torque climbed to 231.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc V6	3.5 / 212	210-225	213-231	4-speed automatic: 19/25	4-speed automatic: 19.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 3.5 RL

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1996-2004 Acura RL Review:

Acura RL

Acura RL Road Test

Acura RL Reliability

Acura RL Prices

Acura RL Specs & Safety

Acura RL Photos

Acura RL Full Review