Acura RL vs. Acura RLX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura RL and Acura RLX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Acura RL and the Acura RLX.
When comparing the Acura RL's and the Acura RLX's specifications and ratings, the Acura RL has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Acura RLX has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Acura RL's and the Acura RLX's specifications and ratings, the Acura RLX is a better car than the Acura RL.
Pricing: A used 2012 Acura RL ranges from $9,666 to $17,233 while a used 2020 Acura RLX is priced between $26,981 to $35,960.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura RL’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Acura RLX base engine makes 310 horsepower. The RL is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 463 miles. The RLX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 537 miles. This gives the Acura RLX the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Acura RL. The RL uses gasoline, and the RLX uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Acura RLX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Acura RL has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Acura RLX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$48,200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$54,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$87,679
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$46,305 - $138,600
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,240
Price Range:
$9,666 - $17,233
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
52,705
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$31,809
Price Range:
$26,981 - $35,960
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$59,916
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$31,809 - $111,938
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
12
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
45,094
# Good or Great Deals:
2
Acura RL Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Acura RLX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura RL
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura RLX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
3.7 - 10.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.7
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.6 - 36
Acura RL Rankings
Not yet available
Acura RLX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
5 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
18 out of / 24Ranking
23 out of / 24Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Acura RL Trim Levels
SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Tech
Acura RLX Trim Levels
w/Tech
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
271 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.073 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
310 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
272 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.078 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 24 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
328 / 463 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 29 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 537 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
13.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
14.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4099 lbs
Width:
72.7 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
195.8 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3977 lbs
Width:
74.4 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
198.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Gray
Forged Silver Metallic / Graphite Luster Metallic
Red
Pomegranate Pearl
Silver
Platinum Frost Metallic
White
Alberta White Pearl
Beige
Not available
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Gray
Lunar Silver Metallic / Modern Steel Metallic
Red
Brilliant Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Platinum White Pearl
Beige
Gilded Pewter Metallic
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Seacoast
Black
Ebony
Gray
Taupe
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Seacoast
Black
Ebony
Gray
Graystone
Brown
Espresso
