Review and specifications
2009 Acura RL
The second-generation Acura RL is very pleasant, but wasn't quite luxurious enough to justify its $50,000 as-new price tag. The 300-hp V6 engine delivers strong performance and decent fuel economy, impressive given the standard all-wheel-drive. A six-speed transmission arrived for 2011. Handling and ride quality is sound but doesn't measure up to equivalent German sports sedans; a 2009 update helped some on both fronts. Stability control is standard. Interior noise is relatively hushed, especially for a Honda product. Cabin fit and finish is impeccable, and the front seats are supremely comfortable. However, for such a large car, rear seat space is snug; the smaller Acura TL has almost as much interior room. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking was optional beginning in 2006, making the RL one of the first cars to offer this safety technology.
- Market value
- $5,275
- Fuel
- Conventional
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Seats
- 5
At a glance
Model data
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- sedan
- Drive type
- AWD
- Transmission
- Automatic, 5-speed
- Category
- Luxury midsized cars
- Generation began
- 2005
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $5,275
- Retail value range
- $4,825 - $5,725
- Original MSRP range
- $46,680 - $54,100
- Trade-in range
- $1,805 - $2,590
Ratings
- Road test score
- 80/100
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 16 MPG
- EPA highway
- 22 MPG
- EPA combined
- 18 MPG
- Tested city
- 12 MPG
- Tested highway
- 29 MPG
- Tested overall
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,540
- Cruising range
- 370 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 2.9 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 6.9 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 131 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 52.5 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 194 in
- Width
- 73 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 110 in
- Weight
- 4,085 lb
- Maximum load
- 850 lb
- Towing capacity
- 1,000 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 4 in
- Front leg room
- 42.5 in
- Rear head room
- 2.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 29 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Brand context
About Acura
Most Acuras are more luxurious and higher-priced versions of vehicles made by Honda, its parent company, similar to Lexus and Toyota or Infiniti and Nissan. In Acura’s case, the formula usually works well. Its sedans and SUVs have earned Consumer Reports’ recommendations for cabin comfort, handling, above-average reliability, and engines with smooth power delivery. Like Honda, Acura’s lineup is mainly SUVs, but includes some sedans. The Integra is an upgraded version of the Honda Civic, and competes with the most affordable vehicles from manufacturers like Audi and BMW. The TLX is similar, but slightly larger and more expensive. Acura’s SUVs range from midsized and three-row down to compact and two-row. Across the lineup, fuel economy is usually average. Despite Honda’s success with the technology, Acura sells no hybrids. For both new and used, reliability can vary between models, but the better options often near the top of our rankings.
Vehicle ID: 2418 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: December 4, 2025
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
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