1996 Acura RL Base
All photo credits
- Photo: AcuraRL96-98 Front by The Wikipeadian guy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: AcuraRL96-98 Side by The Wikipeadian guy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1996 Acura 3.5 RL 2017.4.28 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1996 Acura 3.5 RL Front 2017.4.28 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1996 Acura RL Base is a 210-hp 3.5-liter with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $41,000 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.
It makes 210 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 224 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm, spinning to a 5,900 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).
The RL measures 195.1 inches long on a 114.6-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,660 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $41,000 ($84,927 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.5-liter, SOHC, V-6 |
| Displacement | 3.5 L |
| Horsepower | 210 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
| Torque | 224 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm |
| Redline | 5,900 rpm |
| Valvetrain | 4 valves per cylinder, with hydraulic lash adjusters |
| Bore and Stroke | 90.0 x 91.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Injection Type | PGM-FI with 3-stage variable induction system |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter (in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears) |
| 1st Gear | 2.458 (60 mph **) |
| 2nd Gear | 1.454 (101 mph **) |
| 3rd Gear | 0.948 (155 mph **) |
| 4th Gear | 0.652 (225 mph **) |
| Reverse | 1.88 |
| Final Drive | 3.133 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Combined | 19 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded, 91 octane |
| Tank Capacity | 18 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent double-wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Independent double-wishbone |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | 1.13 in (28.6 mm) |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | 0.67 in (17.0 mm) |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated, 11.0 in (280 mm) diameter, 0.91 in (23 mm) rotor thickness |
| Rear Brake Disc | 11.0 in (280 mm) diameter, 0.35 in (9 mm) rotor thickness |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 x 6.5 |
| Wheels Rear | 16 x 6.5 |
| Tires Front | P215/60R16 94V M+S |
| Tires Rear | P215/60R16 94V M+S |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 195.1 in |
| Width | 71.3 in |
| Height | 54.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.6 in |
| Front Track | 61.02 in |
| Rear Track | 60.63 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.9 in |
| Cargo Volume | 14 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,660 lbs |
| Weight Distribution (F/R) | 60% / 40% |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.8 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36.8 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.1 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.9 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.7 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 56.5 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1996 Acura RL Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Acura RL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
NHTSA campaign 06E049000
Aug 19, 1999 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
NHTSA campaign 99V227000
May 10, 1999 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA campaign 99V069000
22 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Acura RL
Owner Complaints
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Acura RL (2 mention a crash, 2 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Visibility | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Hydraulic | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 ACURA RL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.