A generation back, people were bitching that Acura styling was way too dramatic. Now they're bitching that it's not dramatic enough. :-/ This will probably be my next car, replacing my 2010 TL 6-6 SH-AWD, with 85K trouble free miles already on it!
Great review. But the car could use some flare. But it seems no matter what Honda does people bash them. The 08 accord coupe was a beautiful car, the TL was a beautiful car before all the whiners said the design was to extreme. Now they dial it back and people still complain. This car is absolutely amazing but when your one of the best cars made your always going to be surrounded by hatters !!!!
Acura should've debuted this version. Now they've buried the car in a perception hole it has to dig itself out of. The styling missteps are mind boggling to say the least. The old RL was a more cohesive design if a little reserved
The RLX actually stands out on the road, believe it or not. But I agree with you that Acura should have debuted this version before the FWD one, but with the right marketing and advertising campaign, especially with the SuperBowl coming up, they can change the perception. And there are plenty of folks who buy car regardless of dynamic styling. Lexus has been doing it for decades as has Honda/Acura. And, no, Lexus' current attempts at "dynamic styling" aren't successful. The GS is possibly the MOST anonymous and bland looking car in the segment.
The RLX looks really good on the street. As bland as it appears on paper, it really has a presence on the road, much moreso than a Lexus GS. And, let's face it, Honda/Acura has never been known for its dynamic styling. This was a good review, though, I wish he would have described his feeling about the steering feel.
Push button transmissions and heads up displays are really nothing new. Chrysler introduced push button transmission controls way back in 1956. Head up displays were available on the Pontiac Bonneville back in the mid 1980's.
I just want to confirm that in the production model, the delay going into R was addressed. A lot of us were afraid that it would lead to minor parking lot incidents, and it had to be fixed.
A big meh on your assessment of the "tame" styling. I don't want my car mutedly screaming for attention with overwrought and dramatic curves that come and go nowhere (à la Infiniti bloatedness / beached sea mammal style language of the past decade) or with overly aggressive styling that is downright ugly (I'm looking at you, Lexus Predator fascia). This RLX is stately, understated yet still possesses some presence and packs a wallop. This design will age and resell well.
I agree, the style will also look good in 10-15 years. Just like the 05 RL, I see them on the road now than then. And when i see them they still look good, small but good.
this car is perfect for those who do not like to be in the spotlight unlike, the s class that screams look at me. I would definitely buy a lightly used one if I had the money.
Wow, the RLX finally has decent specs for once. Just wish they would take interior leather a bit more serious, as well as the wheels. No Acura has ever had a good squat in their stance.
Definitely agree with you that Acura continues to disappoint with the stance and wheel/tire combinations of it's cars- ...two relatively easy issues which would instantly improve the visual impression of their cars. For whatever reason, they seem to never get around to addressing this.
Acura doesn't have the status symbol to sale a car for 65k. After a certain price level people are just going to look else where. That's the biggest problem with this model the price makes it DOA. This looks like a good car... on the inside and spec wise.. outside not so much. This could be a really good car so good beyond what you expect of Acura that people wont even notice or care.
Price is only $55K for a fully equipped package for a RLX Sport Hybrid AWD sedan; it sound like a buy to me! I don't care for the bland look of the interior, exterior and ugly looking beak grill but it has close 400 hp and is new too so I not complaining for the price. I cannot wait to see it and buy the full loaded RLX. I think it pretty well price for $55K! A German sedan with this full loaded would be close to $75-$80K! It a buy for me!
nigmosh65 good to know- thanks, but i wouldn't be surprised if it would still be cheaper to import it from the states, especially if the dollar keeps falling, here in Bulgaria you can save over $10,000 after shipping costs and duty on a new infiniti by importing it from the US. We are getting majorly ripped off in Europe.
Like the review but hate the car. Current Acura's and Honda's are complete snorefests. Bring back the s2000 and nsx and you got something to talk about!
What I don't understand is their reasoning for removing the SH-AWD from the gas only model but you're forced to pay $10K more to get the hybrid version just to get the peace of mind of AWD in the snowy regions. If you do much highway driving where the hybrid is useless this car is pretty much useless. It makes no sense to me at all and maybe I'm missing the point here.
Thats why they made it an option, since 2005 it was standard. One thing Honda/Acura does is listen to their consumers. People complain in the hotter regions that they didnt need the SH-AWD. So they brought out the front wheel drive RLX for those reasons. They also did the same for the first time on MDX (a front wheel for those who do not want to pay for SH-AWD for what ever reason). Thats the point. Aslo SH-AWD isnt just for snow, the torque vectoring helps with performance on dry road as well.
That's a load of rubbish. Because one thing customers have been telling them for ages is they hate that stupid beak they stick in front of their cars and yet they refuse to get rid of it as if it's the coolest thing in the world. They also don't listen when people wanted the dual exhaust ports in the rear and didn't listen when people wanted a manual transmission but rather they ended up eliminating it altogether from the only model that had it, the ILX. Acura is the one luxury brand that severely ignores their customers and does whatever the hell is convenient for them.
Also, it's not about it being optional or standard. It's about me having to stomach the premium that comes with a hybrid just to have the peace of mind of AWD. If I do a lot of highway driving, the hybrid powertrain is useless as it benefits from stop and go traffic.
Ok, thats your opinion on their consumer pleasing. Well you said you dont see the point. That is exactly why they made a front wheel only. For the people who find awd useless, so they made it an option instead of being standard. And they did it because thats what consumers asked. They are not going to change everything. And alot dont like the beak and alot does. Their still selling.
I love the tech in this car and the front end but the rest is a flop! Its dull boring and doesnt even have rear exhaust tips. If im spending that kind of money i rather have a lexus
