Entering its final year of production, with a successor expected to make its debut at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012, the 2012 Acura RL has not undergone any changes from the previous model year.
Mechanically, the 2012 Acura RL comes standard with all-wheel drive and is available in three trim levels: Base, Advance and Tech. The Base comes standard with a 300-hp, 3.7-liter, 24-valve, SOHC VTEC aluminum alloy V6 engine that's rated for 271 lb-ft of torque. All trims also come with a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift operated via paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control. Its Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) puts power to all four wheels through the use of a double wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension. The Acura RL takes premium unleaded gas and is rated to get 17 mpg city/24 highway.
Standard for all 2012 RL trims are automatic climate control (a dual-mode, dual zone system that allows driver and passenger to create their own microclimates), rear-seat climate controls, heated 10-way power front seats with driver memory functions and 2-way power lumbar support, keyless ignition/entry, a power rear sunshade and manual rear side sunshades, sunroof, auto-dimming mirror, perforated leather-trimmed seats, wood-grain-trimmed gear shift knob and steering wheel, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, xenon high-intensity discharge headlights and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Additionally, all trims also come standard with HandsFree Link, a 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with a 6-CD changer and active sound control, Sirius XM radio, an auxiliary audio jack, USB/iPod audio interface and a security system.
Those opting for the Technology trim receive all of the Base equipment along with 6-level heated and ventilated front seats, a back-up camera, rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights and GPS-linked solar-sensing climate control with a voice-activated navigation system. All equipment is available for the Advance trim, which also includes power-folding side mirrors, real wood cabin accents and adaptive cruise control. Options for all trims include a deck lid spoiler, front and rear splash guards, and an engine block heater.
Numerous safety features are standard in all 2012 RL trims, including 6 airbags (2 front, 2 front-side and 2 full-length side curtain airbags) with an occupant position detection system, active head restraints, antilock disc brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist systems, vehicle stability assist system and tire pressure monitoring. A collision mitigation braking system is standard for the Advance trim.
Exterior colors available for the 2012 Acura RL are Crystal Black Pearl, Platinum Frost Metallic, Pomegranate Pearl, Alberta White Pearl, Forged Silver Metallic and Graphite Luster Metallic. Interior leather colors available are Ebony and Taupe, with Seacoast available only with Pomegranate Pearl and Alberta White Pearl exterior choices.
A number of 2012 Acura RL owners have noted how smooth the vehicle's ride is and how agile it is when asked for more power. The SH-AWD system gives the Aura RL extra grip when cornering and great traction in all weather conditions.
Sales of the Acura RL have slipped in recent years, as the model has lost favor with consumers who favor sportier models, such as the Audi A6, Infiniti M37 and the Hyundai Genesis. With a replacement for the RL looming for 2013, Acura hopes to regain footing it has lost in the midsize luxury sedan market in recent years.
Right now for a bunch of reasons, a last-year top-trim RL is top of our list of possible luxury cars for a couple years down the road. Would appreciate thoughts from those who have actually owned the car or had extensive driving experience in it.
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 · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · 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 · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Sunshade: power rear 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: 3.72 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · 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 · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · 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 · Floor Mat Material: carpet · 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: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition 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: 3.72 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: perforated
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
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 · 6 disc in-dash CD · 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 and rear · 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: audio system · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · 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: 3.72 · Limited slip differential: center
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: AcuraLink · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · 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