Acura RL vs. Honda Accord
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura RL and Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord.
In comparing the Acura RL's and the Honda Accord's specifications and ratings, the Acura RL has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Honda Accord has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Acura RL's and the Honda Accord's specifications and ratings, the Honda Accord is a better car than the Acura RL.
Pricing: A used 2012 Acura RL ranges from $9,666 to $17,233 while a used 2012 Honda Accord is priced between $6,969 to $15,997.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura RL’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Honda Accord base engine makes 177 horsepower. The RL is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 463 miles. The Accord is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 629 miles. This gives the Honda Accord the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Acura RL. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Honda Accord has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Acura RL has the advantage in the area of front shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Honda Accord 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:
$21,480
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,030
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$18,995 - $34,200
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:
$11,179
Price Range:
$6,969 - $15,997
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$8,931
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$7,324 - $11,588
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
561
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
133,302
# Good or Great Deals:
172
Acura RL Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Honda Accord Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.3 / 10
Reliability:
9.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 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 Honda Accord
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:
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:
14.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.9 - 23.8
Acura RL Rankings
Not yet available
Honda Accord Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
10 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Coupe, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura RL Trim Levels
SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Tech
Honda Accord Trim Levels
Not yet available
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
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:
177 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
161 foot-lbs @ 4300 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 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:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 34 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 629 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
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:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
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
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:
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
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:
41.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
106.0 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:
3216 lbs
Width:
72.7 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Gray
Forged Silver Metallic / Graphite Luster Metallic
Red
Pomegranate Pearl
Silver
Platinum Frost Metallic
White
Alberta White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Gray
Polished Metal Metallic
Red
Basque Red Pearl II
Silver
Alabaster Silver Metallic
White
Taffeta White
Interior Colors
Beige
Seacoast
Black
Ebony
Gray
Taupe
Interior Colors
Beige
Ivory
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
