The 2014 RLX luxury sedan is the most sophisticated Acura production car in history, topping even the Acura NSX sports car that’s still revered by auto enthusiasts.
Replacing the flagship Acura RL sedan this year, the RLX even has its own driving experience that comes from a new suspension and new all-wheel steering system that electronically adjusts toe-in and toe-out at the rear tires for improved tracking in curves and corners.
Designed by the man who helped craft the NSX suspension and who formerly worked on Honda’s Formula 1 race team, the new, standard Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) system makes the RLX feel as if it’s directly dialed in with the driver.
Also notable: Combined city/highway fuel economy for the RLX is more than 24 miles per gallon and bests Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW competitors.
The RLX’s direct injection V-6 comes standard with Variable Cylinder Management that automatically deactivates some engine cylinders when they’re not needed, thus saving gasoline.
Though it has the same overall length as the mid-size RL, the RLX has surprisingly generous rear-seat legroom—38.8 inches—which surpasses that in the Infiniti M and Mercedes E-Class sedans.
In addition, the RLX offers new safety features, including a system that gently steers the car back into its lane if it detects wandering over the center line. This works only if there is lane marking that is detectable by the system.
Meantime, adaptive cruise control with Slow Speed Follow can bring the car to a full stop in certain circumstances if the RLX is headed for the rear-end of a stopped vehicle in front of it.
But the RLX, like its RL predecessor, is front-wheel drive, rather than the rear-wheel drive that some sporty luxury sedan purists prefer.
Starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price is up only $250 from its predecessor Acura RL.
A base RLX has a starting retail price, including destination charge, of $49,345. All RLX models come with a 310-horsepower V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The RLX also is the first top Acura sedan to include jeweled-look, light-emitting diode headlights.
Other standard equipment includes leather-trimmed seats and stitched leather instrument panel cover, moonroof, push-button start, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, Acura/ELS premium audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, two sizable display screens in the dashboard and a rearview camera.
Buyers can move up through four trim levels to add navigation, lane keeping, a new Krell audio system with 14 speakers, sunshades and ventilated seats.
In comparison, the starting MSRP, including destination charge, for a rear-wheel drive 2013 Infiniti M37 is $49,605. The M37 has a 330-horsepower V-6 and seven-speed automatic, but the base audio system has six speakers and dual, not three-zone, climate control is standard. The M37 also comes with high-intensity discharge headlights, rather than LED lights.
While the federal government fuel economy ratings for the RLX are 20/31 mpg for city/highway travel, the mid-size M37 is rated at 18/26 mpg.
Another competitor, the Lexus LS 460, has a starting retail price of $72,885 and comes with a 386-horsepower V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. Classified as a mid-size sedan, the LS 460 is rated at 16/24 mpg in city/highway driving by the federal government.
The RLX still has some of the heavy Acura “helmet shield” design on its nose. But it’s mild, and the flowing lines on the sides and strong rear end give the car a luxury appearance.
The interior of the top-of-the-line RLX with Advance package was top-notch in fit and finish, with small gaps between trim pieces and everything lined up perfectly.
This RLX included additional acoustic glass that helped keep the interior so quiet, front-seat passengers conversed in light tones.
P-AWS wasn’t noticeable until the driver went around a curve at good speed and discovered how stably—maybe the word is magically—the 16-foot-long RLX tracked through.
The system provides more stable handling on slippery surfaces, too.
The most fascinating aspect during the test drive, perhaps, was how little the steering wheel had to be turned to keep the car on track in the curves and how balanced the sizable RLX felt.
Indeed, on mountain switchback roads, the RLX remained firmly planted and was so tenacious, its back-and-forth motions from one curve to the next created some carsickness for the driver.
The lasting impression: How the RLX molds itself to the driver’s capabilities and habits, rather than forcing the driver to learn the car.
It’s true the 3.5-liter V-6 is single overhead cam and only produces 310 horses and 272 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. This is less than what many competitors deliver. But the RLX is some 160 pounds lighter than its predecessor RL, and the test RLX felt plenty powerful, even if power delivery wasn’t race-car instantaneous.
Unleaded premium is the recommended fuel, so a fillup of the 18.5-gallon tank these days could cost more than $72.
Then again, with an average of 24.3 mpg during the test drive on mostly country roads and some highway travel, the RLX’s range on a single tank was a good 450 miles.
The sweeping design of the dashboard away from passengers gave an airy feel to the interior.
But seat cushions could be a tad longer to better accommodate long-legged passengers, and the two display screens take some getting used to.
There are no 2013 RLs as the RLX is arriving now in showrooms as an early 2014 model.
Later this calendar year, Acura will introduce a gasoline-electric “sport” hybrid version of the RLX that promises to generate more than 370 horsepower.
At some point I know for sure I’ll end up buying a used 11-12 RL Advance or RLX. A nice interior is one of the things high up on my list (I could really care less about all the latest Tech features which I’ll probably barely use). For those who have driven or sat in both. which one has the more upscale interior. Based on pics alone, the RL seems to be the winner (real vs. fake wood, better instrument panel, and the quality of leather seems better, also not a fan of the dual screen setup that can also be had on the Accord). Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like Acura interiors are not as solid as they used to be and they’ve started to cut noticeable corners (probably to offset the cost of some of the higher end tech and safety features).
08-17-2014, 07:39 PM
Připojit Datum: srpen 2013
Místo: Toronto, Ontario
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I own an 11 RL Advance, and I recently drove a 14 RLX tech. I figure if you are going to get an RLX slightly used, or new, most people probably buy the tech car. Here’s my quick and dirty comparison.
The RLXh most likely won’t sell many, so you should be able to get one heavily discounted on the used car lot. I’m planning on keeping my RL until 2020-2021, I’m confident the car will last. I’d be loosing too much if I went from an RL to RLX.
However, I was very tempted to buy a used RLX Tech P-AWS. This particular car, it would cost me about 10k to upgrade, when you factor in tax, and I could sell my RL for about 30K. Here’s a pro and cons list to upgrade to RLX from RL.
Pros of RLX over RL adv.:
-More Presence on outside/ LED head and tail lights
-19″ Rims/ RL has 18s
-Better MPG/ VCM/ DI
-Nicer dashboard design
-More rear seat space(don’t really care, at max. 2 people in car)
-Newer AcuraLink System(Dual Screen)/ 3D View and a bunch of new tech. features
-Color MID
-+10HP(car feels slower than RL)
-BSI, LDW, FCW
-ELS Audio 14 speakers(vs. RL with 10 and less watts)
-Acoustic Side Glass
-4 Way Lumbar
-Bigger Trunk
Pros of RL over RLX tech.:
-RL has a much nicer instrument panel
-RLX has much more complicated controls
-RL has cooled seats
-RLX has Less comfortable Ride Quality
-RLX has Slower 0-60
-no Genuine Wood Trim in RLX
-no E-pretensioner seat belts in RLX
-no ACC in RLX
-no CMBS in RLX
-no SH-AWD(RLX can’t compete with RL)
-RL is far better to drive than P-AWS
-no Active Front Lighting system in RLX
-no rear park sensors in RLX
-no rear sunshades in RLX
Last edited by Terry RL; 08-17-2014 at 07:42 PM .
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08-18-2014, 07:07 AM
tři kola
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Now compare an Advance to an Advance and your observations change drastically. You are doing what the car magazines do: compare different levels of models and reach skewed conclusions.
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08-18-2014, 07:12 AM
Instruktor
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^^^
Yep. For example, RLX Advance has ACC with Low Speed Follow and CMBS.
08-18-2014, 10:05 AM
tři kola
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Terry, about 85% of what you listed as NOT being in the RLX tech is available in the RLX Advanced.
IMHO, if you’re going to buy an RLX, you need to buy the Advanced to really appreciate what the car was built and designed for.
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holografique
08-18-2014, 10:44 AM
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I think that the RLX Advance has one of the very best interior designs available in a car that is available.
But having said that, I have noticed some minor ways in which my 4G TL 2010 was superior to my 2014 5G Legend (RLX Advance).
Two things that come to mind immediately are the eschewing of artificial materials in the 4G TL, and the superior feel and smell of the leather in the 4G TL.
Much of these kinds of things are subjective, of course. But I think that most people who look for a leather interior to look like and smell like a leather interior are going to like the 4G TL a little better.
And am I the *only* person who remembers the hype around the 4G TL when it came out, the way that Hargett discussed in several venue the lack of formaldehyde exuding material, and the use of recycled materials?
You’ll notice they stopped talking about that now.
I guess it was not as good a selling point as anticipated.
Perhaps I’m in the minority, but it was something to be proud of if you had a 4G TL.
George Knighton
08-18-2014, 02:31 PM
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Původně odeslal holografique
Terry, about 85% of what you listed as NOT being in the RLX tech is available in the RLX Advanced.
IMHO, if you’re going to buy an RLX, you need to buy the Advanced to really appreciate what the car was built and designed for.
I agree, if you get the advance car, you solve a lot of the things I previously mentioned. However, if I were to buy an RLX, I would buy a CPO with low miles. I figure most RLXs will depreciate quite fast, so I actually believe that most people would get the tech. car. That’s why I compared them.
Původně odeslal George Knighton
I think that the RLX Advance has one of the very best interior designs available in a car that is available.
I agree George, the RLX really has a very nice interior. I recently drove my friends 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL550, the interior of that car was very disappointing compared to the RLX. The RLX has a gorgeous interior in my opinion only bested by the 14 BMW 740i, 14 Mercedes S550, 14 Bentley Mulsanne & Flying Spur, and Rolls-Royce Phantom and Ghost. Not kidding.
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08-18-2014, 04:36 PM
AcurAdmirer
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Given the french-stitched leather-swathed dashboard and better integration of controls, I think it’s hard to say the RLX’s dash is somehow inferior to the RL’s. But that’s just me. Yes, plastic wood, but real wood in a car is an overrated thing anyway. And the wood in 99% of cars is a paper-thin veneer glued to a plastic or metal base, in case you don’t know.
I have had both, and I think the RLX’s interior is the winner.
Last edited by Mike_TX; 08-18-2014 at 04:38 PM .
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08-18-2014, 09:35 PM
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^^ Sweet looking interior on the RLX!
JM2010 SH-AWD
08-18-2014, 09:35 PM
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Původně odeslal Mike_TX
When you put it that way.
George Knighton
08-18-2014, 09:38 PM
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Původně odeslal George Knighton
I think that the RLX Advance has one of the very best interior designs available in a car that is available.
But having said that, I have noticed some minor ways in which my 4G TL 2010 was superior to my 2014 5G Legend (RLX Advance).
Two things that come to mind immediately are the eschewing of artificial materials in the 4G TL, and the superior feel and smell of the leather in the 4G TL.
Much of these kinds of things are subjective, of course. But I think that most people who look for a leather interior to look like and smell like a leather interior are going to like the 4G TL a little better.
And am I the *only* person who remembers the hype around the 4G TL when it came out, the way that Hargett discussed in several venue the lack of formaldehyde exuding material, and the use of recycled materials?
You’ll notice they stopped talking about that now.
I guess it was not as good a selling point as anticipated.
Perhaps I’m in the minority, but it was something to be proud of if you had a 4G TL.
I really like the interiors of the RLXs I have sat in, but I agree with you George, the interior of the 4G TL is very, very nice. The smell and feel of the leather, the textured aluminum trim on the doors and dash, it all speaks to a level of attention to detail that is getting harder and harder to find in cars under 100K (actually, probably 150K). My only complaints (from day one) are thinner/cheaper carpeting/mats and too much plastic on the lower parts of the doors, but those are minor misses in my book.
JM2010 SH-AWD
08-19-2014, 12:35 AM
I Drive Like A Dick 8≈
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Původně odeslal Mike_TX
Given the french-stitched leather-swathed dashboard and better integration of controls, I think it’s hard to say the RLX’s dash is somehow inferior to the RL’s. But that’s just me. Yes, plastic wood, but real wood in a car is an overrated thing anyway. And the wood in 99% of cars is a paper-thin veneer glued to a plastic or metal base, in case you don’t know.
I have had both, and I think the RLX’s interior is the winner.
Easy there, I think you’re guilty of the same skewed comparison as the OP. Yes the RLX has a nicer interior compared to a 2015 RLX but if you look at the last year they made that body style of the RL it was nicer IMO
Sorry for the shitty picture.
08-19-2014, 02:43 AM
tři kola
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as cool as I think the RL interior looks, the RLX interior is just something you can’t really explain other than sitting in it. I have the seacoast interior (which at times I’m still convinced it’s actually greystone), and there is just something elevating about the experience every time I get in my RLX to drive, without even turning the car on.
It is an experience I have only felt driving a 7 series, and I feel it surpasses the 7 series (short of some of the more advanced tech features the 7 series has. e.g. HUD, DVR functions for XM/Sirius, adjustable suspension, etc)
holografique
08-19-2014, 07:45 AM
Bezpečnostní auto
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I have owned a 2006 RL , 2010 RL Tech, and my current ’14 RLX Adv. The 2014 is by far the best interior of the three. I absolutely love this car and can look past the minor issues I have had. Thanks to the low sales volumes I was able to get a top-level automobile at a decent price.
08-19-2014, 09:14 AM
Připojit Datum: srpen 2014
Obdržel 3 To se mi líbí u 2 příspěvků
I would certainly wait for the SH-AWD version. The refined interior, and tech gadgets are just icing on the cake. To me, the core awesomeness of the RL series is its unique AWD system. Even the SH-AWD in other Acura models, like the TL, MDX, RDX, is not as robust as the RL. Living in Indiana, where weather can be «Canadian» at times, I just don’t find P-AWS appealing.
My wife just got a new Subaru Outback, and their Symetrical AWD is one of the best all wheel drive versions out there. SH-AWD is some next level stuff though, that I think goes beyond even Audi Quatros, or anything else to date, by being able to send power to specific wheels. The one thing I do wish the RL had was some more ground clearance though.
08-19-2014, 10:24 PM
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I had a 2008 RL and I also believe my RLX’s interior is much nicer. The seats alone are much more comfortable, with much nicer leather. Just a more upscale feel to me all around.
11-09-2021, 07:03 PM
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Obdržel 2 To se mi líbí u 2 příspěvků
Na the rl interior is more luxurious. This car won awards. The rlx has not won 1 reward. The critics praised the rl interior and not the rlx
11-10-2021, 07:46 AM
Pinky all stinky
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holy thread revival. I like the rlx interior but I think Acura could have done a much nicer interior by using better materials. My other car is a GX460 and the real wood tone that Lexus uses is a richer experience. When the light hits it the grain of the wood is highlighted and it�s really beautiful. I�m one of the few who appreciates wood in car interiors, so I like these discussions. Also think a wood steering wheel would�ve elevated the RLX interior.
11-10-2021, 09:11 AM
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I’ve always felt Acura only compares its line-up to other Acura/Honda models like the MDX, TLX, ILX, or Honda Accords. The RLX is a step up compared to those other lesser models; but, several steps below with MB, BMW, Audi, or Lexus levels. Imagine what the 2021-2022 RLX would have looked like with the +22 MDX interior updates, 3.0T+hybrid powertrain, and all other tech/mechanical upgrades.
11-10-2021, 04:56 PM
Hořící brzdy
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I think any comparison between fairly different models will always be super-mix of all sorts of thoughts and opinions. Given that, here is my 2 cents.
I had my 2006 RL for 10 years and recently a few months ago jumped on ’18 RLX SH.
Do I miss my RL? No. and contributor to this feel is all-encompassing: performance, interior, exterior, options, etc.
Do I think RLX is better interior-wise, not necessarily. does it do its job for me, it does. I did not like the dual-screen setup, but it works very well for what my needs are. I find myself having a more functional interior in RLX vs RL. but that does not make RL a bad guy in this story.
As far as the quality of the interior, keep in mind that RL was 55k when it was released. RLX a few grand more. 13+ years after. so, expectedly, interior materials would be a bit on a cheaper side when two are compared.
I think RLX has a little bit more rattles vs RL, but at the same time, we all know that RL had issues with arm-rest, early years with car seat leather ripping and falling apart, etc.
I would say think about the switch from RL to RLX from the angle of: features, options, overall lux feel, etc. I think if you switch, you won’t regret it, I know I do not.
On the other side, if you get a 2012 RL, you are getting ultimately an older car, with a 3.7 engine and 6spd auto. not sure how they drive, but pretty sure it is 99.99% the same as the early 05-08 version of it. Another thing to keep in mind is: the old car is an old car no matter how great it is, cars get old, and sooner or later you will need to replace it .
11-10-2021, 07:39 PM
2020 Acura RLX Advance
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Místo: Severní Virginie
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I had a 2006 RL and a 2012 RL, now a 2020 RLX Advance. To me the RL was a very special car in the same way my 1st Honda purchase was, a 1988 Accord LXi. Between my 2 RL’s I put 350k miles on them. Overall the RLX is a superior car in many ways including a more a luxurious feeling interior. I can nit pick apart several areas where Acura cut costs on the RLX interior coachwork, but at the end of the day as a person that spends many 6+ hours in a single day in my cars, the RLX just feels very Lexus like in luxury and really makes long distance driving very luxurious and pleasurable. The RLX cabin is also noticeably quieter.
I had driven my RLX to visit my parents in Florida last month. My dad had factory ordered a new 2021 Mercedes E450 earlier this year and spec’d it out to over $80k. A very nice car, but I was appalled when I sat in the back seat. Rear seat looks and feels like very hard plasticky vinyl and complete mis match from the front seats. Leather is an option even on the E450 and my dad ordered it with the articulating heated and cooled seats. The front seats are perforated leather and really look and feel premium. The back seat is a complete mis-match, looking like it came out of a bare bones Kia. The door panels also have a lot of hard plastic trim and the floor carpet is bare bones thin and cheap looking. The Merc E450 really made me appreciate the RLX interior and most of all highlights the extreme value of the RLX when comparing real dollar transaction costs between these 2 cars and many others.
