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2018 Acura RLX

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Make
Acura
Model
RLX
Year
2018
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Acura RLX OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
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OEM Exterior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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2018 Base w/Technology Package 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $54,900
2018 Sport Hybrid Base w/Advance Package 4dr SH-AWD Sedan Price:   -  From $61,900

Overview

Acura’s flagship RLX full-size luxury sedan represents two very distinct models. The standard sedan offers a V6 engine and front-wheel drive, while the other model features a hybrid drivetrain and is all-wheel drive. Either way, the 2018 Acura RLX is a large, comfortable sedan equipped with the latest technologies and safety features.

What's New for 2018

For 2018, the Acura RLX features an updated design, including a new front fascia with a patterned grille and new LED lights. The refreshed taillight design includes a new LED pattern. Inside, the RLX offers updated materials and technologies, along with improved handling and ride comfort. A 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous six-speed automatic on front-wheel drive models.

Acura RLX

Choosing Your Acura RLX

Acura RLX

The Acura RLX is like a fork in the road. Turn left and you have a front-wheel drive model powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 310 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. Now paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this model makes an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Turn right and you’ll find the RLX Sport Hybrid with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). It's powered by the same engine, but gains three electric motors, including two at each rear wheel. Total system output rises to 377 hp and 341 lb.-ft. of torque. This model makes an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Standard features include jeweled-eye headlamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, power leather front seats, a 14-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch color display, and navigation. You’ll also find the AcuraWatch safety system, which bundles collision mitigation braking with forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and road departure mitigation paired with lane departure warning. Trunk space measures 14.9 cubic feet in the standard model and 12 cubic feet in the Sport Hybrid.

Pricing for the base 2018 Acura RLX starts at $55,865 (including the $965 destination charge). Moving up to the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD model bumps the starting price up to $62,865. The Sport Hybrid adds unique 19-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, sunshades, and a surround view camera system. There are no options offered on either other than dealer-installed accessories.

CarsDirect Tip

Upgrading to the Sport Hybrid brings many benefits, including a more powerful drivetrain and improved fuel economy. It's also the only way to get most of the amenities customers want in a roomy luxury sedan.

Get your price on a Acura RLX »

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Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Automotive Editor

From Kia to Cadillac, every automaker needs a flagship. This is doubly true for luxury marques – and yet Acura still persists with the milquetoast RLX as its top offering (barring the limited production halo-car NSX). While there's nothing wrong with the RLX per se, it has always lacked that something special; that je n'ais se quoi which makes a flagship not merely an expensive car, but an object of desire.

In an attempt to inject some persona into its big sedan, Acura has bequeathed to the RLX some notable updates, including ditching the controversial beaked front end and using a new ten-speed automatic for the non-hybrid model. Is it enough to transcend the stigma of being a nice, expensive Honda?

Best Value

For the most part, the RLX eschews trim levels and option packages, and instead is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get deal. While the Sport Hybrid does come with a few additional creature comforts as well as the notable NSX-derived mechanical tech, the standard model is stuffed with nearly every gizmo and gadget expected in a car of this caliber. Even the brand's AcuraWatch suite of active-safety features is standard on the "base" model – unusual indeed, but wholly welcomed. Because of how well-equipped a non-hybrid RLX is, we wouldn't bother paying the $7,000 surcharge required for Sport Hybrid privileges. Here's our RLX on delivery day:

  • Model: Acura RLX P-AWS
  • Engine: 3.5-liter V6
  • Output: 310 horsepower / 272 lb-ft of torque
  • Transmission: Ten-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel-drive
  • MPG: 20 City / 29 Hwy
  • Options: N/A
  • Base Price: $55,865 (including $965 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price:$55,685

Performance

Acura RLX

Some luxury sedans tout how adept they are in spirited driving - the regular RLX does not. Rather than a corner-carver or track star, it is a pleasantly competent and smooth-riding machine. The soft and supple underpinnings smooth out any bumps in the road, yet the ride isn't floaty like a 1980s land yacht. Impressively, it pulls this off without resorting to pricey air suspension, something many competitors offer as an extra charge.

Some buyers may find the base RLX's cornering and acceleration lacking – both traits are unhurried and casual. While more power and handling prowess would be welcomed, the RLX is adequate considering its unsporting pretensions.

As for the Sport Hybrid, the three electric motors – one up front and two out back, the rearward duo turning the RLX into an all-wheel-driver – manage to speed things up but don't change the car's intrinsic character. It's more responsive than the regular version, owing to the 377 horsepower and 341 lb-ft of torque put out by the hybrid setup. Because of the grip afforded by all-wheel-drive and the system's ability to send power to the wheels with the most traction, driving in inclement conditions is not as difficult an endeavor as it might otherwise be in cars with lesser technology. Despite its all-wheel-drive and torque-vectoring talents, the Sport Hybrid is still not one for enthusiastic driving.

Style

Oh boy. Where to begin? The biggest foible of the RLX is the sheetmetal. It's vanilla ice cream or store-brand shredded-wheat cereal. It's plain, pure and simple. And in the RLX's segment, the only thing worse than a bad design is no design at all.

One redeeming point is that for this year the front-end has lost the much-maligned beak which has been around for about a decade or so. In its stead is a black diamond-pattern grille, which brings it in line with the de-beaked MDX and TLX. There are also new LED taillights and more character lines stamped into the hood, all of which try to bring a bit of flair to the otherwise staid RLX.

Unfortunately, it hasn't really done the trick. The RLX still has all the character of a roll of paper towel. There's no elegance, or sportiness, or allusion to heritage, or anything else that might bestow it with distinct design. It is just too inoffensive, and for a $55,000 car, that's a problem.

Inside, the same trend of generically nice continues. If you're willing to look past that, there is a fairly impressive list of standard features. These includes navigation, heated and 12-way power front seats, tri-zone climate control, and voice recognition for the infotainment and climate controls. Sport Hybrid models add to that a heated steering wheel and rear seats, head-up display, and a surround-view camera. Notably, all models include the AcuraWatch suite of active-safety features. It bundles adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, road-departure mitigation, and traffic-jam assist.

The front seats are quite comfortable, and there's plenty of room for legs and elbows. However, the back seat headroom was disappointing; the scalps of taller rear-seat passengers will be rubbing the headliner. Also underwhelming is the dual-screen infotainment setup, which isn't intuitive or as easy to use as typical single-screen systems. A final nitpick of ours is that there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto - a surprising omission for a 2018 luxury car.

The Best and Worst Things

With a smooth and supple ride, the RLX floats serenely along. That it can deliver this nice a ride without resorting to expensive active dampers or air suspension is a pleasant surprise.

The salesman's tie has a more impressive design than the RLX. Considering its position as Acura's flagship sedan, this is unsuitable and lamentable.

Right For? Wrong For?

Acura RLX

For those who want conservative and quiet luxury, and prioritize features over flash, the RLX would do the trick. It is well-equipped and has a luxury-car ride, and should please buyers whose demands don't go further than that.

Those who appreciate performance or aesthetics won't find much of either in the RLX. If those traits are on the shortlist, look elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

With tepid performance and no distinctive style, the RLX comes off as an uninspiring and anemic caricature of a luxury automobile. It has the price tag of a flagship and it has the features of one – but it doesn't have the emotion so crucial to what inspires people to plunk down money on a top-tier vehicle. Being wholly average might sell a Camry or Accord, but it won't move a $60,000 sedan. Until Acura puts in serious effort with the RLX rather than dismissively phoning it in, it will continue to collect dust on dealer lots, forever mediocre.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.5L V-6 / 310 HP / 272 ft.lbs.
Transmission
10-spd Sequential SportShift w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
20 / 29 / 24 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.5L V-6 / 310 HP / 272 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
20 / 29 / 24 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$71
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
14.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
102 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
198.1 "
Exterior Width
74.4 "
Exterior Height
57.7 "
Front Headroom
37.6 "
Rear Headroom
36.9 "
Front Legroom
42.3 "
Rear Legroom
38.8 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.6 "
Rear Shoulder Room
57.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,977 Lbs.
Wheel Base
112 "
Turning Radius
20.2 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
19.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 19.0 " Dark Chrome Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote W/tilt Down Heated, Convex Spotter Driver
Bumpers
Body-colored With Chrome Insert
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Sport Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Acura/els Studio Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
14 Acura/els Studio
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Power Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Smartvent Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Smartvent Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Mitigation Braking System Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Information System Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keeping Assist System (lkas) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles

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