Acura RL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Acura RL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 8 model years, from 2005 to 2012. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (2011) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2009). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #36 of 56 (36th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2006 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #39 of 61 (37th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2007 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #41 of 68 (40th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2008 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #45 of 70 (36th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2009 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #51 of 66 (23th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2010 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #52 of 63 (18th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2011 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #51 of 71 (29th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2012 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #59 of 76 (23th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Acura RL placed highest in 2005 at #36 of 56, and lowest in 2012 at #59 of 76. It spent 0 of its 8 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 8 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3.7L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.7L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2011 | 3.7L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.7L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2010 | 3.7L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.7L 6-cyl | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2009 | 3.7L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.7L 6-cyl | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2008 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2007 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2006 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2005 | 3.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 → 2009 | 19 → 18 mpg | -1 mpg | 639 gal |
| 2010 → 2011 | 18 → 20 mpg | +2 mpg | 575 gal |
What RL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2012 Acura RL burns 575 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,725 | $1,725 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,013 | $2,013 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,300 | $2,300 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2012 model year is $3,900 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 20 mpg the Acura RL is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $403 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Acura nameplates
Every Acura model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.