Acura RL 0–60 Times
The Acura RL 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 11 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and MotorWeek and more.
The fastest tested production Acura RL is the 2011 Acura RL SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.10 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.70 seconds at 96.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested production Acura RL is the 2002 Acura RL 3.5 w/Nav Sedan, which took 7.90 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 16.10 seconds at 89.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
Across the 11 verified production tests of the Acura RL, the average 0–60 mph time is 6.91 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.34 seconds at 92.94 mph.
Fastest 0–60 6.10sec 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan · stock
Average 0–60 6.91sec Across 11 production runs
Avg ¼ Mile 15.34sec @ 92.9 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 7.90sec 2002 3.5 w/Nav
Across 11 verified production runs, the Acura RL ranges from 6.10 to 7.90 seconds 0–60, with a 6.91-second average.
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Acura RL Performance Overview
Acura’s RL served as the brand’s flagship sedan from 1996 to 2011, and across 11 independently verified tests it shows a consistent, gasoline-only performance profile built around naturally aspirated V6 power. The KA9 generation (1996–2004) used 3.5-liter V6s including the C35A1 and J35A8, with output ranging from 210 to 225 hp. Early results were measured rather than quick by later standards: the 1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the slowest recorded run came from the 2002 3.5 w/Nav Sedan at 7.9 seconds.
A clear step arrived with the KB1/KB2 generation (2005–2012), which moved to a 300-hp naturally aspirated J37A2 V6 and, in key trims, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. That change immediately cut acceleration times, with the 2005 SH-AWD Sedan posting 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. By the end of the run, the 2011 SH-AWD Collision Mitigation Braking System Sedan recorded 6.2 seconds, and the fastest RL tested, the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan, delivered 6.1 seconds to 60 mph and a class-best 14.7-second quarter-mile at 96 mph. That leaves the final KB1/KB2 cars as the quickest RLs recorded.
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Acura RL 0–60 Times by Generation: KA9 to KB1/KB2
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Production Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KB1/KB2 | 2005–2012 | 6.60s | 6.10s — 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan | 8 | The KB1/KB2 generation (2005–2012) averaged 6.60 seconds to 60 mph across 8 production tests, led by the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan at 6.10 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 3.5L V6, 3.7L V6 configurations. |
| KA9 | 1996–2004 | 7.73s | 7.50s — 1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan | 3 | The KA9 generation (1996–2004) averaged 7.73 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan at 7.50 seconds. Output ranged from 210 to 225 hp across 3.5L V6 configurations. |
KB1/KB2 2005–2012
Avg 0–60 6.60s
Fastest 6.10s
Tests 8
2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan
The KB1/KB2 generation (2005–2012) averaged 6.60 seconds to 60 mph across 8 production tests, led by the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan at 6.10 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 3.5L V6, 3.7L V6 configurations.
KA9 1996–2004
Avg 0–60 7.73s
Fastest 7.50s
Tests 3
1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan
The KA9 generation (1996–2004) averaged 7.73 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan at 7.50 seconds. Output ranged from 210 to 225 hp across 3.5L V6 configurations.
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Acura RL 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
11 production tests · 5 years ▾
2011 Acura RL
1 production run Avg 0–60 6.10 sec
Avg ¼ Mile 14.70 sec
Production Tests 1
#01
2011 Acura RL SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan
6.10sec 0–60
14.70s ¼ mi @ 96.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.10 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.70 sec
- Trap Speed
- 96.0 mph
- Engine
- 3.7L V6
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Transmission
- 6A
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
- Torque
- 271 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 4,379 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 14.6 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 24 H / 16 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Sedan
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 11 production runs
How we verify Acura RL performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Acura RL trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Acura RL 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Acura RL performance FAQs
11 questions The 2011 Acura RL SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan does 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. It also runs the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 96 mph. That makes the 2011 model the quickest RL on record, with 300 horsepower, 271 lb-ft, and Acura's AWD SH-AWD setup.
The fastest Acura RL on record is the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan, which reaches 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. It is also the quickest RL in the quarter-mile at 14.7 seconds with a 96 mph trap speed. No modified RL test is quicker, so it stands as the overall fastest example.
The fastest stock Acura RL is also the fastest RL overall: the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan. Its best verified 0-60 time is 6.1 seconds, and it covers the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 96 mph. All 11 RL tests on record are production vehicles, with no modified runs included.
Across 11 Acura RL tests, the average 0-60 time is 6.91 seconds. Average quarter-mile performance is 15.34 seconds at 92.9 mph. The quickest RL reaches 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while the slowest recorded run is 7.9 seconds, giving the model a fairly broad spread across generations and trims.
The KB1/KB2 third-generation Acura RL, sold from 2005 to 2012, averages 6.6 seconds from 0-60 across 8 tests. Its quickest recorded run is 6.1 seconds from the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan. Every tested KB1/KB2 RL uses a naturally aspirated gasoline V6 rated at 300 horsepower.
The KA9 second-generation Acura RL, sold from 1996 to 2004, averages 7.73 seconds from 0-60 across 3 tests. The quickest KA9 run is 7.5 seconds from the 1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan. Tested KA9 cars use naturally aspirated gasoline engines with output ranging from 210 to 225 horsepower.
The quickest KB1/KB2 RL trim on record is the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan at 6.1 seconds to 60 mph. That same car posts the best quarter-mile for any RL as well, running 14.7 seconds at 96 mph. Within the third generation, no other tested trim beats that mark.
The SH-AWD Advance Package is quicker. The best recorded 0-60 time for the SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan is 6.1 seconds, while the SH-AWD Sedan's best is 6.3 seconds. Across more runs, the SH-AWD Sedan averages 6.66 seconds over 5 tests, showing it is close but not the quickest RL trim.
The Acura RL SH-AWD Sedan has a best recorded 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Across 5 tests, it averages 6.66 seconds to 60 mph. That places it among the quicker RL variants, though it still trails the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan, which lowers the benchmark to 6.1 seconds.
The Acura RL 3.5 Premium Package Sedan records a best 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds and averages 7.65 seconds across 2 tests. That makes it noticeably slower than later SH-AWD RL models, which drop into the 6-second range. It is also the quickest tested trim from the KA9 second generation.
The fastest Acura RL quarter-mile time on record is 14.7 seconds at 96 mph, set by the 2011 SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan. Across all 11 tests, the RL averages 15.34 seconds at 92.9 mph. Those figures line up with the model's overall 0-60 average of 6.91 seconds.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
MotorWeek
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what an Acura RL can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Acura 0–60 times
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