Used 2005 Acura RL Consumer Reviews
See 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.
185k and still going strong
Ok so Ive had this car since 2005 and have taken it to hell and back. I drive it hard and floor it at least a couple times a day. I spend a ton of time in it and I don't think the drivers seat could be better. Also the audio system is great as is the whole interior. Issues To date: Both side mirrors wiggling (48k) Rear sunshade rattle (55k) HID Bulbs Replaced (110k) Replaced Bank 1 & 2 o2 sensors (140k) Other then that I've only done the scheduled maintenance as recommended by the maintenance minder system. I can honestly say I will definitely buy the new RL when it comes out I assume in 2011... I might just take this one to the 300000 mile mark!
Great car... but
Leg room driver's side needs improvement. Large foot block left side prevents extending left leg unless you are less than 5 feet tall. Mileage not good in city driving. Highway mileage is good. Needs more insulation. Hard to carry conversation with back seat riders due to road noise.
GREAT CAR 14 YEARS LATER
I bought my 2005 Acura RL SH-AWD used in 2009 (10 years ago as of this writing). It was 4 yrs old with 56,000 miles. All I can say it's the most reliable car I've ever owned. It had a lot of standard features in 2005 that are still options in some cars today such as nav, voice commands, Onstar, XM-Sirius radio, Noise-cancelling Bose 10 speaker with subwoofer audio system, carbon-fiber drive shaft, every power option, genuine burlwood wood trimming, a V6 engine with 300hp, and the amazing torque-vectoring SH-AWD. Gas mileage is decent for this size car with AWD. Even with over 160k miles, I get 21mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway. If you live in snow country, this car is like a tank. In the 10 yrs I've owned the car, I've only spent $3500 on repairs. At 90,000miles, I paid the dealer $900 for a timing belt replacement. Last year at 148,000 miles, I spent $2600 for a transmission rebuild and radiator replacement. The transmission and radiator failure was my fault. I went 9 yrs+ without changing the coolant. The coolant could have been older as I don't know if the original owner had ever changed it. I learned an expensive lesson that old coolant is corrosive and it will destroy your radiator which in turn will destroy your transmission when coolant enters it. How does the coolant get into the transmission? This car as with many other cars has a transmission cooling chamber built into the radiator, so a rupture in the radiator causes the two fluids to mix causing catastrophic transmission failure. Had I changed the coolant every 3-4 years as recommended, I would have avoided this expensive repair. Everything else is original including mufflers. I highly recommend this car and I hope to see 300,000 miles in mine.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very Happy
One of the best cars I have owned and the Acura dealer is always nice. I have had Audi and Bmw and Acura is so much better overall in every category.
Extremely underrated
I don’t understand why anyone would buy a bmw, Mercedes, or Audi over an Acura. I’ve never had a problem since buying my rl. The navigation didn’t work when I purchased the vehicle (a known issue in older Acura’s) but I have my phone for that. The ride, handling, and engine are superb.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Value
170 K miles and still running great
I have put 170K+ miles on my 05 RL so I can confidently say I know this car. Still looks new and draws attention. Front tie rods replaced twice, once under warranty. Two sets of brakes and on third set of tires. Front head light adjusting warning light has been on for the last 100K, can't be turned off and I am not paying to replace the head lights. A few minor electrical problems but that has been it. I runs like new. I have driven 12 hours staight, great seats, quite, comfortable and reliable. Not good in snow even with AWD. Buy four Blizzak snows if you drive in the white stuff. Dealership service has been A+. The BEST GPS system made on earth. Waiting for the 2011. Best car ever.
A hidden gem.
I traded an 05 Lexus GS300 for this car. I found the GS extremely comfortable, quiet, and with solid build quality. But I wouldn't go back to that because it was just a bore to drive. Now to the RL. I could care less that this looks or is often mistaken for a Honda Accord. I'll readily admit Acura doesn't have the prestige factor of a Lexus or Audi, both of which I've owned. It's not why I buy cars. The RL is really a hidden gem, a sleeper of sorts. It might not look special, it might not be the fastest, most luxurious nor the best driving car. It ccomplishes what I both need and desire in a car - AWD (sh-awd is no gimic, this system should be the AWD standard. I've owned a few Audi's and while Quattro is great in its own right especially in snow, Honda has something great in SH-AWD), reliability, sportier driving dynamics, luxury features, decent style in/out (nothing flashy, not overstyled, something that will age well, which conservative styling typically achieves) And honestly, I think it's a great looking car. There are a couple things I'd change which I know Acura has in newer models. The 5 speed tranny is slow to shift in manual mode. It also seems more geared toward fuel economy over sport, which I'd get but the fuel economy isn't the greatest. There are bigger cars with V8's that get better mileage. I don't like that I have to switch to a different menu to control the climate. The voice commands are helpful but not always practical (like if a passenger is trying to sleep)
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car but needs more quality control
The SH-AWD is very fun to use around turns, but I doubt most people will ever push this car hard enough to experience it. When you go into turns you really just have to push it and let the computers take over which is a bit unnerving at first, but you can really feel it pivot as the car overdrives the outside wheels. The dash is controls are very easy to use and pretty intuitive and I love that everything can be done through the Navigation screen which is large, easy to read and sits high in the dashboard. My biggest complaint with this car are the rattles and creaks. That is a deal breaker for me, but fortunately it doesn't bother my wife who drives it.
The Best car overall
I searched for a luxury used car after my BMW 525 totaled by an accident. Acura rl was the answer. Its interior is beautiful and comfortable. I wasn't impressed by exterior first but it keeps growing on me. Navigation system is the best so far. My wife and baby daughter love back seat sunshades. It doesn't drive like a BMW but its awd really works. The cabin is Lexus- quiet and stereo sound is the best I ever heard. RL's unpopularity, price is more reasonable which was good for me. Unfortunately, fuel economy is pretty bad in city. For luxury used car for a price, rl just can't be beat. Last, I am happy with acura's reliability which I had suffered from BMW.
my acura
this is our 5th acra 6th coming up as i just viewed the 2005 and loveeeeeeeeeeeee it! we find it a great driving car- very good on gas- very comfortable-- great all around performance
Overall great car - a lot of technology for 2005.
Been a great car, great in snow.. On the downside - too many recalls, nearest dealer 80 mioles away, has been an issue.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent Car
This is an excellent car. Very well designed with all the features you need or want. Even better all the technology works and is easy to use. This is vastly different than so many of the other cars in its class. The BMW and Mercedes NAV Systems are hard to use and inferior, the Lexus GS has no back seat or trunk space, and the AWD puts all of them in the shade. It is a quality car for the real world, not a special use vehicle that can only be used part time for some things. The only thing I would add would be some additional torque since the AWD will allow it to be used effectively.
Ultimate Driving Machine
The ride and the drive are EXCELLENT. Drive 65 mph and you get 30+ mpg Road handling in rain & snow ? Handles without pain. The radio (XM) and the Bose!! Feels like you are in a concert hall.
A wise choice
Drives like a Mercedes and has more features at a lower price point. It took me a while to adjust after years of driving BMWs but I have grown to appreciate this vehicle, its comfort and outstanding reliability.
I loved my RL
I bought my RL on February 2018 with 105k miles. The previous owner had done a lot of work including replacing the carbon fiber drive shaft which is a $3k repair. This has been one of the best cars I've ever owned. Unfortunately I was hit in the rear by an SUV going 35 mph and the car was totaled. It did however hold up very well and protected us in my opinion. I used this car for my job as a sales rep and put 60k miles on in less than 2 years. My only repairs other than maintenance was an AC compressor and a ball joint on 1 side. I am looking for another 2005-2007 RL to replace this one I liked it so much. Things to remember are to change the transmission fluid every 30k miles and never flush, always drain and fill. The transmissions in these cars can fail if not properly maintained. Expect around 21-23 mpg combined driving as they are AWD and are essentially performance sedans. They do not really require premium fuel even those the manual recommends it. This is a bargain in the luxury sedan market, especially if you can find a low mileage example.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great Cat
Great car, had it for 2 years and no problems at all. I was looking at Lexus, as i had Es300 for 6 years when i went to school, but wanted something more sporty. G35x was another possibility, but it was too small for me. Car is very reliable and comfortable for long rides. This is the car you can take for skiing trip in the winter and feel safe during any weather. Its 5 years old now, but i still get compliments how nice it looks. Mine is blue metal, tinted. I drove my roommates Mercedes E550 many times, and RL is very similar to E550. It doesn't have as much toque but picks up speed as quickly as E550. Its a keeper for the comfort, AWD and BOSE system sounds great with XM by the way.
Electronics are a problem
Drives great, but watch out for too many gadgets. Battery drain is a common problem, especially since awkward 2nd key position issue leads to frequent battery drains. Make sure you carry a jump box, I've owned the car for about 1.5 years and have had to jump it 20+ times.
Dissapointed with my RL
I have purchased my last few cars (all used) and I've tried to move up with each purchase. I traded an Infiniti I35 and purchased this used RL (which had 16.7K miles on it). The car has been a pleasure to drive, but the amount of money that I have had to put into repairs has been a major disappointment. In the 16 months that I have owned the car I've had to replace the driver's side power mirror, a major repair to the air conditioner and replace one of the motors in the passenger's side seat. The total repairs cost $3,000 and the car has 50K miles on it. I've owned used Mazda's and Infinit's and never had these type of major repair issues. I am very disappointed in the RL's reliability
Acura the luxury of the future
a very good car
great car
my 1 concern about this car is the cheap leatherette used inside door pannel and centre console they bubble up then tear.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Luxury does not need to cost more...
When you determine the price you wish to pay for a luxury sedan and compare features with peer groups the choice is a snap especially with the all the "ginger bread" tech features. Will drive this car for many years to come... and style it's a beauty.
MY RL
A great car. Driven weekly and often for short trips. No issues. One trip, Chicago to Orlando. Pleasure to drive, navigation system works well. Climate control and audio flawless. Would recommend this auto to anyone including grandmother.
Great Car, Great Deal
Just got Black RL w/Tan interior. Got a great deal. Upgraded to wood trim steering wheel, shifter knob, 18in wheels and spoiler. Looks great, handles perfectly and is so fun to drive. Can't beat this car for value and performance.
Great, but needs improvements
The Good: The RL is a technological marvel that offers a superb value in its segment. Most of the options that you would pay extra for in other makes are standard in this car. Keyless Access, Navigation, Surround Sound, Hands Free Link, Xenon Adaptive Front lights, Rear Sunshade, Onstar, XM Satellite Radio & Real Time Traffic, etc... The list goes on and is quite extensive. The ride is quiet and smooth. Complemented with the superb SH-AWD system with 290HP, the RL is fun to drive. This is not a sports car, but it has plenty of 'go' to help you pass other people in the left lane. The Bad: The paint is thin and chips easily. Others have posted problems with the battery.
Undervalued
I have driven this brand for 6 years with excellent reliability. I rate this vehilcle fully capaple of holding it's own. The RL adds style and the right package of "standard equipment" that meets your needs. The power from the high perf. V6 is awesome with respectable MPG. Clearly undervalued in my book. Enjoy yours!
My Golden Chariot
I am 82 years of age and I am the one who furnished rides to all my friends day and night. I appreciate the headlight turning feature. I am a golfer and often take three friends on out of town trips so appreciate the size of the trunk. Also the sun screens in the back area are great.
Gets it Done
Probably the best riding car I've ever owned.
Best Value in the Market
I looked at the Lexus & Infiniti, and by far nothing compared to the RL. The Acura is so loaded with stuff I couldn't ask for anything else! The all-wheel drive is seamless and absolutely incredible around turns. I love the Voice-Activated Nav system, I can say "temperature 57 degrees", it's crazy. If you want the best bang for the buck go with the Acura.
Truly A Drivers Car
Wow what an amazing car. This car has got everything and I mean everything from SH-AWD the only AWD that transfer torque from the front and the back and also right and left. From the sun sensors when you have your AC they sense where the sun is to make everyone equal temperature even when the suns beating down. Two sunshades one on each rear window and one power one on the rear that when you have the sunshade up and you pop it into reverse it lowers. From keyless entry to the voice activated DVD and when you want fast food you click the button and say "Nearest Fast Food" and it brings up the nearest fast food place to where you are. Very comfortable seats and very quiet inside. BEST CAR EVER
Acura RL, the best choice in its class
Since the purchase of my Acura RL I have enjoyed many miles of user friendly technology, and exhilerating performance. The Acura RL offers the best interior styling of any of its competitors hands down. The graceful lines of the dash are carried through into the trim throughout the cabin. The ride is exceptionally quiet and smooth with just enough feedback from the tires to make for a fun drive. The performance from their superior V6 engine is exceptional when coupled with the RL's advanced SH all-wheel-drive system. Also, the navigation system has been flawless, the voice recognition is precise, and the bluetooth interface for my cell phone is beautifully simple.
HAPPY
This is the best car I've ever driven. It holds the road better and driving at night is a joy. The navigation system works like a dream and the transmission is like silk in changing gears almost seamlessly.
Great Car At A Great Price
I moved from an 02 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro w/ sport package into an Acura RL. All I can say is that I love this car. It's loaded with just about every option you would expect from a luxury car. It handles great considering the size of this car and sharp turns aren't dramatic and feels well planted. The ride quality is great although some might consider it a bit harsh, as for me, it's a huge improvement compared to the A4. Coming from an Audi, I'm used to expecting good material and build quality and this car doesn't disappoint. Just drive the cars you are considering and see which you like better. There's not much to complain about the RL, it's a fine automobile and you can bargain on price.
Does the Acura Link really work?
The car is great! I enjoy the voice commands, the power and stability. The navigation and futuristic dash make driving fun. It really holds the turns.
Bob's Car
After much research and thinking between Toyota and Acura plus several test drives I decided on the Acura. I must say I am very happy. I have taken several trips from Chicago to Florida with no issues. I have navigation and it is a help and comfort. I once got lost in Milwaukee and the navigation system got me right out of trouble. I highly recommend this automobile.
Acura RL Luxury Bargain
My 2005 Acura RL is state-of-the-art with a superior navigation system, live traffic alerts, and terrific voice command design. All of my luxuries come standard. The ride is terrific and wow does it ever take corner well. I have owned Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW in the past - I am now a permanent convert to the Acura RL. Best buy for the money, and, sexiest car I have ever owned. If you want luxury and performance at a bargain price get an RL!
Well Worth the Money
I looked seriously at Lexus and Mercedes and Infiniti. For the money there was no comparison. Very reliable, all the high tech items work (BlueTooth, XM, Navigation, Voice Commands, etc. Gas Mileage better than I had anticipated, 28 mpg at 75-80 mph. The ride and interior are first class with much more room than the E Class MB and Lexus GS. So far I have had no problems with the car. I had the Ground Effects added to the car and it greatly enhances its looks and gives it a much sportier stance. The only issues that I do have are: The trunk is too small and poorly shaped; the auto on/off feature on the headlights rings a chime when you turn off the ignition and exit the car.
Great Overall Car
I have found the new RL to be a pleasure to drive. The technology is outstanding, with Voice Control that is superb. You can control the Nav system, Climate Control system, Radio, Information screens and Bluetooth enabled phones WITHOUT removing your hands from the steering wheel or your eyes from the road. The interior is well laid out. Controls are located logically, where you expect them to be. The halogen headlights with the adaptive front lighting system and fog lights produce excellent night visibility. No more fumbling with a remote, since the Keyless Access System does all the work for you. I do a fare amount of driving and enjoy every minute of it behind the wheel of my RL.
They Keep Getting Better
This 2005 model replaced an earlier RL 3.5. It is roomier, faster, adds all wheel drive, adds all the electronics and voice commands you can imagine, the Bose 5 channel surround sound is the world's best. Nice car!
absolutely love this car
extremely well handling and fun to drive car---super GPS. No problems thus far but still bought the 100,000 mile warranty---would hate to think something would go wrong with this complicated system after the regular warr. expires. Get 18MPG combined city/highway---but worth it.
The Best Car Ever Owned
I have owned 6 different cars including 2 Acuras and have driven at least 5 different types of cars owned by my husband. This is the best car I have owned or driven. I would highly recommend it because of its reliability, technology, and styling. Thank you.
Love this Car
I love my RL. It gets better with age. I put RonJon Legend 19" wheels on my car and get many compliments. Celestial Silver and Taupe. Love it!
The AcuraTaxiCab
Just keep 5 words in mind..HONDA ACCORD WITH BIG PRICETAG - thats what it is. I've given this vehicle about a year. Initial quality seemed okay. Since then it's a horror show. Rattles, squeeks, noises from windows, dashboard, back panels, seatbelts ...everywhere.. make it sound like a NYC taxi. I heard this before buying but didn't believe it. Now I do. Customer care is NON EXISTANT. Dealer is clueless and can't fix anything, even after bringing in new service mgr...car not fixed when returned, not ready when promised, etc. etc. Headquarters also seems unconcearned and is not responsive. Overall a major waste of money and miserable ownership experience compared to my prev. 2 Lincolns.
My Acura
The Acura is a decent car. It should have rain-sensing wipers but hey, not every car is perfect.
Honest and thorough review
This is one unbelievable automobile. It is probably one of the most technologically advanced vehicles out there! However, I expected much better acceleration for a 300hp car!! My cousin's TL feels much faster. Handling is also a couple notches below the German vehicles, but overall very good. Ride and comfort are great and it is very quiet, though not as quiet as my friend's LS 430. Seats are ultra comfy, and interior materials are first class!
Best value in its class
Coming from a 1997 Mercedes E420, the Acura RL is a "downgrade" from a V8, but it's an upgrade in every other way. I was sick of the repair bills on the Benz ($500 to fix a outside mirror motor!), and so far, the RL has been without fault. I miss the torque of a V8, but I appreciate the improved fuel-economy, and for 90% of driving, the RL has plenty of power. However, if they had offered a larger version of this car with a V8, I would have bought that. One of the biggest reasons I bought this car is price. I paid $44,100 for it, before taxes, which is a bargin for all the content the RL includes as standard. With the same features, BMW, Mercedes, and even Lexus are much more $$$.
Nice but not perfect
This care is really comfortable and has some great technology that could use just a bit of tweaking. Love the sound system. Mine came with loose battery cable, sunroof & door gasket damage, and a problem with the starter switch that left me stranded in my garage and still is not resolved after 3 visits to dealer. Bluetooth phone is great but not fully functional with Verizon phones. Turning radius a bit wide. Rear visibility is not terrible compared to other new models, but overall visibility is still a bit restricted. Lots of the features (auto door lock, displays, etc) are easily programmed to suit your prefs. Overall I love this car -- it's a pleasure to get in and drive somewhere!
2005 Acura RL
I purchased my Acura RL two months ago and love it. I read the owner's manual twice to learn all the features of the car. Handles good and wonderful brakes.
Happy New Owner!
...just crossed the one week mark of ownership on a 2005 RL. I am extremely happy with it. I am a bit surprised at the gas mileage but in speaking to other RL owners, gas mileage should improve steadily and level off at about 4,000 - 5,000 miles. The NAV system features are incredible. The voice command system works flawlessly although there are a lot of commands to memorize if you want to control everything by voice. The sound system is AWESOME.
big bang for the buck
I have driven a lot of different vehicles from Cadillac to Jaguar and this vehicle is all around one of the vehicles that is most fun to drive. It is a great trade off for the gas mileage and creature features.
Great Car
I choose the RL over a 5 series BMW because of value & reliabilty. I priced a 530 BMW w/ the same options and its over $5k more. I love all the electronic gagets. The AWD allows to to drive the RL like a sports car with out all the road noise and bumps. Acura did a great job.