2003 Acura RL Review
Price Estimate:Â $498 - $807





+35
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Quiet cabin, smooth ride, standardized features list, low price.
Cons
- Lackadaisical acceleration, some luxury features not available, little inclination for sport.
What’s new
For 2003, Acura's RL receives only a few changes, including a new taillight design, restyled wheels and different interior trim colors.
Edmunds says
A surprisingly tepid car, considering its flagship status.
For sale nearby
4 listings
- $5,500
- 117,661 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Driven Pre-Owned (330 mi away)
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Lenoir, NC
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JH4KA96543C001649
Stock: 001649
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-06-2025 - $4,995
- 211,337 miles
- 3 accidents, 4 owners, personal use
- 6cyl automatic
- Auto World of Chester (510 mi away)
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Chester, VA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JH4KA965X3C001137
Stock: 001137
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-28-2023
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.74 per gallon for premium unleaded in Georgia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Georgia
$250/mo  for RL 3.5
RL 3.5
vs
$186/mo
Avg. Large Car
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.
Acura RL Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(81%)
4(16%)
3(2%)
2(1%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Excellent Luxury Value
4.63 out of 5 starsAndy, 01/05/2010
2002 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
I purchased my 02 RL used with 36,000 miles and now have over 140,000. No issues except for regular maintenance. Have seen others with over 200,000 miles with no problems. I drive a mix of city and highway and this car is very predictable and secure. Very low cost of ownership. It has a logic layout to the controls. Although not as "sporty" has others in this class, it has one of the … best rides out there; smooth and quiet.
Best car I've ever owned
5 out of 5 starsRob, 12/24/2015
2002 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
My third one...
4 out of 5 starsMike, 08/15/2009
2002 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
I owned a Legend, then a 97 RL, and now the 02 RL which I bought in 06 with about 38000 miles on it. It now has 122,000 miles and has been trouble free except for the alarm actuator. It has been maintained according to the manual, mostly by the dealer, whose prices are competitive but whose service is better. He is not competitive on major expenses like timing belt changes. The car is … comfortable to ride in, is quiet, and feels safe. It handles most of Ohio's snow and ice as long as the tires are newer. The navigation system is helpful. I use mid-range gas with no problem. (It's what the dealer uses.) I prefer this body style over the 05 and would have replaced this car but for the style.
Real World Car
5 out of 5 starsJoe W., 02/28/2002
2002 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Sure, reviewers like a V8. But real people prefer reliability, value, comfort in traffic, low cost of ownership, dignified style, and performance that lasts for years past warranty. My RL has it all and gets compliments, too!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2003 Acura RL, so we've included reviews for other years of the RL since its last redesign.
2003 RL Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $43,150 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $250/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the RL include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
Related Used 2003 Acura RL info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Audi RS 7 2021 Review
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 2020 Review
- Mclaren 720S Spider 2021 Review
- Lexus LS 500H 2020 Review
- BMW X6 M 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Acura ILX 2015 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2016
- Used Acura ILX 2018 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2019
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2013
- Used Acura Integra 2021
- Used Acura Legend 2011
- Used Acura Legend 2020
- Used Acura MDX 2010
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 Lincoln Navigator
- New Lamborghini Huracan STO
- 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia
- 2024 Acura RDX
- New Audi SQ5
- Audi S5 2024
- 2024 Santa Cruz
- 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
- New Dodge Durango
Research other models of
- 2024 Acura ZDX
- Acura RDX 2025
- New Acura ILX
- 2025 Acura TLX
- Acura MDX 2025
- New Acura TLX
- 2024 MDX
- 2025 Integra
Other models
- New Audi Q8 for Sale in Decatur, IL
- Used Acura Integra in Ireland, IN 2025
- Used Lexus GS-430 in West Monroe, LA 2007
- New Volvo Ex40 for Sale in Lockport, IL
- Used GMC Sierra-Ev in Montclair, CA 2025
- New BMW X3 for Sale in Denham Springs, LA
- Used Lexus LX-450 in Las Vegas, NV 1997
- Used Lexus Is-500 in North Myrtle Beach, SC 2023
- Used Lincoln Corsair in Valrico, FL 2025
- New Genesis G80 for Sale in Shelbyville, IN