2012 Acura RL Base
All photo credits
- Photo: 2011 Washington Auto Show (5403611748) by David from Washington, DC, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Auto Show (2273745638) by George Panos from Skokie, U.S.A, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2009 Acura RL, rear right, 05-16-2026 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2011 Acura RL SH-AWD rear view by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Acura RL II facelift China 2015-04-14 by Navigator84, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2012 Acura RL Base is a 300-hp 3.7-liter with a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $47,700 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.
It makes 300 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 271 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm, spinning to a 6,800 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).
The RL measures 195.8 inches long on a 110.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,099 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $47,700 ($67,520 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $48,595 ($68,786 *) |
| Destination Charge | $895 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.7-liter, 60-degree V-6 |
| Displacement | 3.7 L |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6,300 rpm |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Redline | 6,800 rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 24-valve, Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) |
| Bore and Stroke | 90 mm x 96 mm (3.54 in x 3.78 in) |
| Compression Ratio | 11.2:1 |
| Injection Type | Dual-stage intake manifold with Drive-By-Wire throttle system, PGM-FI multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | AWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift, Grade Logic Control and Hill Start Assist |
| 1st Gear | 3.359 (43 mph **) |
| 2nd Gear | 2.095 (69 mph **) |
| 3rd Gear | 1.485 (98 mph **) |
| 4th Gear | 1.065 (136 mph **) |
| 5th Gear | 0.754 (192 mph **) |
| 6th Gear | 0.556 (261 mph **) |
| Reverse | 2.269 |
| Final Drive | 3.72 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 24 MPG |
| Combined | 20 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium Unleaded |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent double-wishbone with coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | Independent multi-link with coil springs |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | 1.18 in (30 mm) diameter hollow, 0.25 in (6.5 mm) wall thickness |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | 0.75 in (19 mm) diameter solid |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Calipers | 4-piston aluminum |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated 12.6 in (320 mm) diameter |
| Rear Brake Disc | Ventilated 12.2 in (310 mm) diameter |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 18x8-inch, 15-spoke cast aluminum alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 18x8-inch, 15-spoke cast aluminum alloy |
| Tires Front | P245/45R18 96V Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 |
| Tires Rear | P245/45R18 96V Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 195.8 in |
| Width | 72.7 in |
| Height | 57.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 in |
| Front Track | 62 in |
| Rear Track | 62.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.7 in |
| Cargo Volume | 13.8 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 4,099 lbs |
| Weight Distribution (F/R) | 58% / 42% |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.5 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.2 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.4 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.3 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58.5 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.1 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.1 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 54 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2012 Acura RL Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (9.7 % risk) |
Recalls
6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura RL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jun 27, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
NHTSA campaign 19V501000
Jun 27, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
NHTSA campaign 19V500000
Sep 27, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Lastly, if not included above, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2011 Honda Element, 2010-2012 Acura RL and 2010-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are H2H and S2I.
NHTSA campaign 18V662000
Jan 9, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010 Acura RL, 2010-2011 Honda Element and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." If not included in zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura RL, Honda Element, and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are U0H, and G0I.
NHTSA campaign 18V041000
Jan 10, 2017 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
NHTSA campaign 17V029000
Feb 3, 2016 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
NHTSA campaign 16V061000
1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 2012 Acura RL
Owner Complaints
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura RL. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
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 2012 ACURA RL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.