2009 Acura RL Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$46,280 to $53,700

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.5

avg user rating

(2 reviews)
2009 Acura RL Preview summaryImage

Acura's premium sedan, the luxury RL, sits at the pinnacle of the Japanese automaker's lineup, but seems to stay under the radar of upscale drivers. It has always offered a wide array of innovative technology combined with interior plushness, but its rather bland exterior and lack of a V8 engine may be turning consumers towards BMW and Mercedes-Benz (RL sales are down 45%). To that end, the 2009 Acura RL goes through a moderate makeover, gaining a more muscular build, bigger engine, and tweaks to its cutting-edge technology.

As gas prices stay high, the desire for V8 power continues to drop, so the fact that the RL still does not offer one may be to its advantage. Instead, Acura has upped its V6 to 3.7 liters. The V-TEC engine features variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust (for better fuel economy, Acura says). It boosts horsepower by 10 to 300 hp and torque by 15 to 271 lb-ft. The sequential-shifting 5-speed automatic gets revised and offers both paddle-shifters and a regular gearshift. The package delivers a smoother, quieter ride overall.

The proven Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, which distributes torque as needed between front and rear axles and also to each wheel individually, is now quicker and more responsive, with a tendency to favor rear-wheel drive ( a nod to rear-wheel-drive cars offered by many of the RL's rivals). It provides solid traction control during cornering and in slippery road conditions and is helped by an updated suspension that receives larger stabilizer bars and higher-rated coil springs. ABS brakes, traction and stability control, dual front-side curtain airbags, and new active head restraints earn a precedent-setting five stars in every category of the NHTSA crash tests. The optional Collision Mitigation Braking System uses radar to detect oncoming collisions and warns the driver. If there is no response, it applies the brakes and tightens the seat belt. The technology can be a lifesaver, but drivers report it can also be uncomfortably jolting.

On the outside, the 2009 Acura RL gets a front facelift, receiving the traditional Acura grille with its chrome bar “plenum.” A boxier nose and wider hood give the luxury sedan a more aggressive profile. The new RL looks bigger, but is actually the same dimensions on the inside, and the trunk is still disappointingly small at 15 cubic feet. But the interior gets refreshed with updated wood and alloy accents, a new 10-way power passenger seat, easier-to-read gauges, added sound insulation, and heated and cooled front seats. Also added is the first-ever real-time weather information in any car, joining the real-time traffic reports on the RL's navigation system. The 10-speaker Bose sound system receives upgrades and includes a USB port and Bluetooth. Another technological wonder is the sun-sensing climate control, which warms and cools the interior of the car according to the position of the sun.

Improvements to the 2009 Acura RL only enhance its already solid reputation for precise handling, driver control, and a smooth and quiet ride. The AWD system performs expertly, and the interior does not skimp on upscale luxury materials or the creature comforts required by drivers desiring high-end treatment. With its lack of V8 power becoming a less-important disadvantage and Acura's concerted efforts at jazzing up the exterior, the RL may soon become a growing blip on more buyers' radar screens.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2009 Acura RL

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User rating:
by Jamall F
Sep 09, 2021
It’s not missing anything this is a great car oh only thing it’s missing is me Sep 09, 2021
by Anonymous
May 12, 2021
I love the car I just think it is overpriced May 12, 2021

2009 Acura RL Pricing

Original MSRP
$46,280 to $53,700
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 260 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.53 · Limited slip differential: rear

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Rear spoiler color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: with wind deflector

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 260 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.53 · Limited slip differential: rear

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Rear spoiler color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: AcuraLink

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: with wind deflector

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 260 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.53 · Limited slip differential: center

Exterior Features

Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Rear spoiler color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: AcuraLink

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: tilt

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

See all trims (3)