Which Acura RL Version Should You Buy?
The Acura RL data presents a clear choice between two characters. The first generation and its restyling use the 3.5 AT with FWD, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, and outputs of 210 hp or 228 hp. The second generation and its restyling move to AWD, a 5-speed Automatic, and substantially higher outputs ranging from 294 hp to 305 hp.
The Acura RL data presents a clear choice between two characters. The first generation and its restyling use the 3.5 AT with FWD, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, and outputs of 210 hp or 228 hp. The second generation and its restyling move to AWD, a 5-speed Automatic, and substantially higher outputs ranging from 294 hp to 305 hp. For the strongest power-to-weight result, the 304 hp 3.5 AT is the standout: its 1,845 kg kerb weight equals about 6.1 kg per horsepower. For maximum torque and the quickest listed acceleration, choose the restyled 3.7 AT with 370 Nm and 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
Acura RL generations: what changed?
The first-generation Acura RL, produced from 1995 to 1998, is represented by one Sedan version: 3.5 AT with 210 hp. It combines FWD with a 4-speed Automatic transmission. The 3,474 cm³ Gasoline engine produces 304 Nm, while the car has a kerb weight of 1,625 kg and a power-to-weight figure of about 7.7 kg per horsepower.
The first-generation restyling covers 1998–2004 and contains two Sedan specifications, both named 3.5 AT. The 210 hp version largely follows the earlier specification, although its listed 0–100 km/h time is 9.3 seconds rather than 8.9 seconds. The alternative 3.5 AT develops 228 hp and 313 Nm from 3,494 cm³, but its kerb weight rises to 1,805 kg. It is quicker than the restyled 210 hp car by 0.7 seconds to 100 km/h and has a top speed that is 10 km/h higher.
The second-generation RL covers 2004–2008 and includes two Sedan entries, again both called 3.5 AT. Power rises to either 294 hp or 304 hp, AWD replaces FWD, and the transmission gains one ratio for a total of 5 speeds. Both versions have a 3,471 cm³ Gasoline engine, 347 Nm, and a kerb weight of 1,845 kg. The 304 hp specification reaches 100 km/h 0.1 seconds sooner and has a top speed 1 km/h higher than the 294 hp specification.
The second-generation restyling, listed for 2008–2012, has one Sedan version: 3.7 AT. Its 3,664 cm³ Gasoline engine produces 305 hp and 370 Nm, accompanied by AWD and a 5-speed Automatic. Compared with the 304 hp 3.5 AT, it adds 1 hp and 23 Nm while retaining the same 1,845 kg kerb weight. Its 0–100 km/h time improves by 0.3 seconds, although its listed top speed is 43 km/h lower.
Acura RL engine specs and version comparison
Every listed Acura RL engine is Gasoline, uses 6 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, has 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), and no boost. The main buying distinction is therefore not cylinder count or forced induction, but output, displacement, transmission, and drive.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, 3.5 AT | 210 hp | 304 Nm | 3,474 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 AT (210 hp) | 210 hp | 304 Nm | 3,474 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 AT (228 hp) | 228 hp | 313 Nm | 3,494 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation, 3.5 AT (294 hp) | 294 hp | 347 Nm | 3,471 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation, 3.5 AT (304 hp) | 304 hp | 347 Nm | 3,471 cm³ | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling, 3.7 AT | 305 hp | 370 Nm | 3,664 cm³ | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | AWD |
The power-per-litre comparison favors the second-generation 3.5 AT models. The 294 hp version develops about 84.7 hp per litre, while the 304 hp version reaches about 87.6 hp per litre. The restyled 3.7 AT produces about 83.2 hp per litre. Among the earlier cars, the 210 hp 3.5 AT delivers about 60.4 hp per litre, while the 228 hp 3.5 AT increases that figure to about 65.3 hp per litre.
The largest generational change is visible when the original 210 hp 3.5 AT is compared with the 294 hp second-generation 3.5 AT. The newer specification adds 84 hp and 43 Nm, changes from FWD to AWD, and changes from a 4-speed to a 5-speed Automatic, although kerb weight increases by 220 kg.
Acura RL performance and mpg
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, 3.5 AT | 8.9 s | 214 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 AT (210 hp) | 9.3 s | 224 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 AT (228 hp) | 8.6 s | 234 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation, 3.5 AT (294 hp) | 7.1 s | 257 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation, 3.5 AT (304 hp) | 7.0 s | 258 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second-generation restyling, 3.7 AT | 6.7 s | 215 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 3.7 AT is the acceleration choice, reaching 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The 304 hp 3.5 AT is only 0.3 seconds behind and records the highest listed top speed at 258 km/h. Buyers prioritizing maximum listed speed over the strongest torque figure therefore have a reason to choose the 304 hp 3.5 AT rather than the later 3.7 AT.
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure was measured for any listed version. Consequently, the supplied data cannot establish an mpg advantage for either generation. Carbon-dioxide output is also not measured for every version. The 3.7 AT is the only specification with a listed emissions classification, Euro 4; the classification for every 3.5 AT is not measured.
Acura RL dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
No exterior length, width, or height is measured for any listed Acura RL version, so a dimensions-based comparison is not possible. Wheel sizes are also not measured across the range.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, 3.5 AT | 1,625 kg | 2,130 kg | 125 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 AT (210 hp) | 1,625 kg | 2,130 kg | 125 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 AT (228 hp) | 1,805 kg | 2,400 kg | not measured | 68 L | not measured |
| Second generation, 3.5 AT (294 hp) | 1,845 kg | 2,400 kg | not measured | 73 L | not measured |
| Second generation, 3.5 AT (304 hp) | 1,845 kg | not measured | 110 mm | 73 L | not measured |
| Second-generation restyling, 3.7 AT | 1,845 kg | not measured | 110 mm | 73 L | not measured |
The 210 hp cars are the lightest at 1,625 kg, which is 220 kg below each second-generation specification. Their weight-to-power figure is about 7.7 kg per horsepower. The 228 hp restyled 3.5 AT carries 180 kg more than the 210 hp specification and works out to about 7.9 kg per horsepower, so its additional power does not produce a better weight-per-horsepower result.
Both second-generation 3.5 AT versions and the restyled 3.7 AT weigh 1,845 kg. Their results are about 6.3 kg per horsepower for the 294 hp car, 6.1 for the 304 hp car, and 6.0 for the 305 hp car. The later cars also have 73 L tanks, an increase of 5 L over the first generation’s 68 L capacity. Where clearance is measured, it decreases from 125 mm on the 210 hp first-generation cars to 110 mm on the 304 hp 3.5 AT and the 3.7 AT.
Which Acura RL version should you buy?
Choose the second-generation 3.5 AT with 304 hp if you want the strongest all-round numerical case. It pairs the highest listed top speed, 258 km/h, with 7.0-second acceleration, AWD, a 5-speed Automatic, and about 87.6 hp per litre—the best specific output in the supplied data. It also uses fuel labeled 92, whereas the other listed versions use 95.
Choose the restyled 3.7 AT if acceleration and torque matter most. Its 305 hp is only 1 hp above the 304 hp 3.5 AT, but torque rises by 23 Nm and the 0–100 km/h time falls from 7.0 to 6.7 seconds. The trade-off is its 215 km/h listed top speed, which is 43 km/h below that of the 304 hp 3.5 AT.
Choose the first-generation 3.5 AT with 210 hp if lower kerb weight and greater measured clearance are the priorities. At 1,625 kg and 125 mm, it is 220 kg lighter and 15 mm higher than the second-generation versions for which clearance is available. It is nevertheless slower, uses FWD rather than AWD, and has a 4-speed rather than 5-speed Automatic.
The restyled first-generation 3.5 AT with 228 hp offers 18 hp and 9 Nm more than the 210 hp version, along with a 0.3-second advantage over the original first-generation car. However, it is 180 kg heavier than the 210 hp restyled specification. On the available numbers, it makes sense primarily for a buyer who wants the stronger first-generation engine specification without moving to the AWD second generation.
Prices and cars for sale are not included in the data, while reliability, problems, engine-oil requirements, engine codes, engine mounts, and engine-swap compatibility are not measured. Those factors cannot be used here to rank one Acura RL version above another.