1996 Acura RL Review
1996 Acura RL Review
View more photos
Used RL for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The replacement for the Legend arrives wearing Acura's new alphanumeric naming system: the 3.5 RL. The 3.5 refers to the Acura's engine size. The front wheels of the 3.5 RL are powered by a torquey V6 engine mated to an electronic four-speed automatic transmission. Other changes include 101 ways to isolate bumps, vibrations and road noise.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$213/mo for RL 3.5
RL 3.5
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Acura has decided to take the road more traveled. After suffering at the hands of Lexus for the last several years, the new Acura flagship is introduced. Sporting an extremely solid feel, the 3.5RL has dropped the sport-sedan pose of its predecessor in favor of a very restrained luxury orientation. Acura feels that those who want a sporting sedan can step into their TL-Series of cars. The RL is here to be the big kahuna, on the order of the Infiniti Q45, Lexus LS400 and BMW 750iL.
Which leaves us wondering why the 3.5RL doesn't offer a V8 engine. Every entrant in the luxo-barge segment has V8 power except for the 3.5RL. In typical Honda Motor Corporation fashion, the RL is equipped with a small engine that is supposed to feel big. This works fine on cars like the Integra or TL-Series where the lightness of a smaller engine can be a benefit to handling, but we think that people who are plunking down between $40,000 and $50,000 will want the comfort and feel of a larger engine.
Acura Engineers have worked overtime figuring out how to make this car quiet and vibration-free. Innovations like low-friction ball joints in the suspension, Teflon seals on the valves, a liquid-filled rear-trailing arm, foam-filled B- and C-pillars, honeycomb floor panels and vibration absorbing seats are just a few of the things the 3.5RL serves up to make you forget that you are in a car. Indeed, the entire purpose of the 3.5RL is to deliver passengers from point A to point B with minimal fuss and intrusion from the outside world.
Of course, to accomplish that goal Acura had to make things nice on the inside. The instrumentation and controls are first rate, nothing new for Acura. The very effective climate control system even offers rear passengers control over their environment. Seats are not just comfortable. They're like a feather bed. The driver's seat has an eight-way power adjustment that makes finding an exact fit easy. Supple leather, and firm but comfortable support makes long trips a breeze. Rear seat passengers won't suffer either. The RL has more foot and knee room than the Legend and the undersides of the front seats are carpeted to prevent scuffing the shoes of rear seat passengers. Of course the new Acura has all of the goodies standard on most luxury sedans but it would be nice to see the CD-changer added to the standard equipment roster of the base model.
If all of this doesn't have you reaching for your checkbook, consider Acura's Global Positioning System. This system, currently available only in California, offers drivers a virtual map that they can use as a real-time guide to finding their way around town. Unlike similar designs, the Acura navigational system offers verbal commands that will allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Wow, we may never get lost again.
While we are a little disappointed by the lack of a V8 engine, we are overjoyed with the car's price. Standard 3.5RLs have an MSRP of just over $41,000; premium models just under $45,000. Of rivals from Cadillac, Lexus and BMW, only the Cadillac has a lower base price, and that's without any options. The Acura 3.5RL comes fully equipped in a very tasteful package at a price that should make those missing two cylinders seem like a moot point. In fact, we've already forgotten about them.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Acura RL.
5 star(71%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
21 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Just close your eyes and hop into one
Ed, 03/15/2009
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
No need to repeat others and state that the RL is a great car. Bought mine 6 and half years ago with 89K miles (now the car has 192K). Best ride, very luxurious, other than maintenance (oil change break pads, etc..) close to no issues for the 6years: O2 sensor, intermittent ABS light and rear windows regulators. Best car value, costs nothing to own and enjoy. Will get another one in a … heart beat.
4 out of 5 stars
I love my 1996 Acura rl butt....
Lisha, 07/30/2015
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
I've only had my used Acura for almost 2 months now. Great car but the motor to adjust the steering wheel stopped working. My review mirror keeps falling off. On top of that my transmission is starting to make a weird noise. I'm scared to see what else is going to happen in another 2 months. On a better note it is good on gas, quiet, comfortable, beautiful interior, lots of space, great … speakers, and handles country roads beautifully. I really wish it wasn't falling apart on me i love car.
4.88 out of 5 stars
follow-up to 8/2002 review
prophet2, 03/28/2009
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
It's 6-1/2 years later and my '96 RL is going strong at 153K miles. Some issues: tach malfunctioning, dealer estimates $1400 repair. Also, $1420 to replace steering rack assembly; $1427 for leaking rear main seal/O-ring; $240 for re-sealing power steering pump; $500 to replace rear tail light assembly. That's $5000, exceeding the car's value. An independent mechanic found nothing … wrong with the steering mechanism. Fluid has leaked from a hose to the rack assembly and rear main seal area, making it appear that those items are leaking. His estimate is $675, saving me $2400. The dealer's service department has a reputation of up-selling service jobs.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Love the car
dianejersey, 07/16/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
The Acura RL was my husbands corporate
car. After driving a new BMW for 3
years (not the smoothest ride) I was
thrilled to purchase the RL from his
company. It is the most comfortable
interior of any car with the smoothest
ride.
1996 RL Highlights
3.5
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $213/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
Starting at $169,500 |
4.3 average Rating out of 40 reviews. |
Starting at $27,720 |
4.0 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $41,750 |
Related Used 1996 Acura RL info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2016
- Used Audi Q8 2022
- Used Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 2019
- Used Tesla Model Y 2021
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2020
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Acura Legend 2020
- Used Acura RLX 2011
- Used Acura RLX 2018
- Used Acura RLX 2010
- Used Acura Legend 2016
- Used Acura Legend 2017
- Used Acura RL 2014
- Used Acura Legend 2015
- Used Acura RL 2019
- Used Acura Legend 2012 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Convertible
- 2024 BMW 7 Series
- 2025 BMW X6
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe 2023
- BMW 2 Series 2024
- Kia Sportage Hybrid 2023
- 2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door
- 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- 2023 Escalade ESV
- 2023 Subaru Impreza
Research other models of Acura
- Acura RDX 2023
- Acura TLX 2024
- 2023 Acura Integra
- 2023 Acura TLX
- 2024 MDX
- Acura MDX 2023
- Acura SUV RDX
- Type S Acura TLX
- 2024 ILX
- Acura MDX
Other models
- Used BMW Alpina-B8-Gran-Coupe in Irving, TX
- Used Infiniti G37-Sedan in Cypress, TX
- Used Saturn Outlook in Cary, IL
- New Toyota Highlander for Sale in Bridgeport, CT
- Used Mazda CX-3 in Lake Jackson, TX
- New Chevrolet Blazer-Ev for Sale in Marion, OH
- New Audi A4-Allroad for Sale in Cumming, GA
- Used Lexus SC-430 in Villa Rica, GA
- Used Kia Sorento-Hybrid in Wallingford, CT
- Used Nissan Pathfinder in Poland, IN