The 2012 Acura RL is a luxury four-door sedan that offers a decent amount of interior space and seating, as well as appreciable performance (although it’s limited to just a V6 engine). The RL ended production after the 2012 model year.
Key Features
There are plenty of important features with the 2012 Acura RL, although the 300-hp V6 engine is probably the most important. It also offers an advanced all-wheel drive system, and both the interior and exterior fit and finish are excellent (as you might expect from an automaker with Acura’s reputation). The handling is quite athletic, and the car excels at holding corners.
Changes for This Model Year
There were no changes for the RL in 2012.
What We Like
There’s a lot to like about the 2012 Acura RL. The excellent on-road and cornering performance provided by the all-wheel drive is definitely one of the things we like the most. We also like the power from the engine, although it would be nice to have a V8 as an option. If you’re an audiophile, you’ll also appreciate the high-quality sound system (standard equipment). The voice-command system is also easy to use, and allows you to operate a lot of the controls in the cabin.
What Concerns Us
We’re not particularly keen on the price, considering the less expensive TL is the same size and offers almost the same handling capabilities. The brake system is also somewhat lacking, and doesn’t offer the same performance as some rivals.
Available Models
There is only one trim level available for the 2012 Acura RL. It comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that pushes out 300 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is 17 mpg in town and 24 mpg on the highway, which is a little less than what some of its competitors can offer. The car uses a 6-speed automatic transmission (there is no stick shift option available).
Major Recalls
No recalls have been issued for the 2012 Acura RL.
Common Issues
There are no real complaints surrounding the RL, although many drivers do cite the body style as being a little dated. The same applies to the engine and transmission – they’re not bad, but they’re not particularly competitive with some of the more recent competitors on the market.
