People should probably test drive it before writing it off. The V8 G80 Genesis 0-60 is 5.2 secs. This is 4.9- 5.0 secs. That isn't much I agree but can it do 29-30 mpg at the same time. At 4400lbs I drove to Monterey, Ca from Hollywood at 44.2 mpg. As far as competition I can't speak for the Volvo S90 but I have driven the Bmw 5 series and the G80. The ride quality is no where near this. It feels like driving a bank vault on whip cream but it corners confidently even with 3 other passengers and all there carry on bags. I previously owned the non hybrid model. My company owns 2 2015 hybrids and we run them hard. Brand value is the problem with this car. Honda isn't interested in selling these to Americans so they don't run ads on it. The Honda Legend sells quite well on its home soil. Test drive one at the dealership then walk away and tell them you have a offer in writing for a 5 series. Watch them pull massive rebates out of thin air.
Enrique Ortiz When Acura was first created, they only had 2 models: Legend and Integra. Acura owners focused more on the model of the car instead of the brand. Legend owners didn’t have much in common with Integra owners. People would say “I drive a Legend.” Instead of “I drive an Acura.” Acura decided to change the names to numbers and letters to focus on the name brand: Acura.
I'm liking that Acura is actually starting to take some initiative. I would, however, like to see them do something with their infotainment system. Volvo completely redesigned theirs, and I would like to see something like that in my next Acura
foxial 44 have a 2016 RDX and that will be one of my main considerations when I️ refresh my lease. It works well but is definitely not up to modern tech standards.
I've owned Acura's since 1990, and Honda's prior to that! People who are routine Honda/Acura buyers, normally buy them for reliability, resale and all of the other things that makes a Honda/Acura product, what it is! Sure there are other better looking cars in this range, but I dare to compare the resale of a 200,000 + mile Honda/Acura product to any other vehicle and see which wins in resale, cost to drive, cost to maintain and dependability! When making a long term comparison, there will be very little competition! BTW, 90 Integra 263,000 miles, 04 MDX 246,000, both still running with no problems! Do the research, as this isn't uncommon for Acura's or Honda products! Also, current owner of 2014 RLX.
Really Really good review by Alex on the RLX.... watched before and re-watched again given 2020 is the last year of production for RLX for US market. I have to say, definitely a contender for someone who does not need SUV, but wants that 5sec performance (to 60mph)
If anyone is actually interested in buying these HONDA low key practically gives these away far below MSRP. You can turn 62k sticker into 52k out the door quite easily with a 20% down like I did.
I'm glad that Acura/Honda is taking a move to make their cars bolder than before. I heard that they hired back the Designer who designed the 2004 generation of TL for the upcoming gen. Hopefully, the next-gen vehicles will blow us away in terms of exterior and interior! Things are looking good so far.
I wanted to commend you Alex on your reviews you are truly the most factual and comprehensive auto reviews I was looking at this car to make a decision whether to go this route or another route and after your in-depth review I agree totally I believe this car is the best bang-for-the-buck in the segment nicely done thank you for all your hard work.
Sorry to see Acura give up on the RLX and put so little effort into updating the last 3 years of production. I can understand the market moving towards Suv/truck; but, don't do a half-A$$ job on your flag ship. One thing no-one complains about is the 377hp/341tq hybrid powertrain. Really wishing this powertrain would stick around longer in the +22 MDX or even add it to the MDX Type-S 3.0T to make a 420hp/420tq MDX Type-R that gets 21-24 mpgs always.
I agree, but it seems like they were caught in no man’s land with the RLX. It was too pricy, at that point people would shift to the Germans, or new comer Genesis (which is making more luxurious cars than all of the Japanese competitors). They shifted their focus into the MDX, RDX , and TLX platforms instead.
This may just be my opinion but I prefer my vehicle not to stand out too much. If I had the money to put on this car I would simply because most will overlook it. So less people staring or possibly trying to steal it. If I get reliability and gas mileage on top of it more the better. (I know it is unlikely to be stolen where I live even in I had a 5 series. I just prefer to be in the background)
Chances are you can get up to 12,000 dollars off at select dealerships. However, this car isn't going to be worth much at resale and they dropped the ball with the 2014 infotainment system.
Alex, Great Review as always! This would be a great car to pickup used for $20-$25K after an older and wealthier person has driven it gently for 40-50K miles. That's how I picked up our 2002 RL. I actually like the "older" style entertainment system. It reminds me of my 2015 Accord Hybrid Touring that I absolutely still LOVE with not the slightest squeak or rattle. But still I can see from your TLX A-Spec review that the newer entertainment system also still has the physical buttons and joystick (that again is similar to the 2014 & 2015 Accord Hybrids). I like not having to look away to have to look & touch a touch screen on the 2016 and up Accords So while I'm really liking the new looks of the RLX makeover; the "go juice" of its acceleration; yummy black interior...it would hard for me to part with my 2015 Accord Hybrid which is now the 6th longest vehicle I've owned out of the 33 I've been blessed to have. Thanks again for all you do!
@@pinkisforpimps As @john taylor mentioned...it has been 33 vehicles over my lifetime. No way would I ever be able to afford 33 at once ha ha 😇Right now I/we are down to one (1) my wife's '17 Ridgeline. Longer story shorter...I sold my beloved Accord Hybrid Touring last Jan. as we were thinking of moving to Idaho where we'd be visiting friends in areas with much more snow...so my plan is to eventually get two (2) vehicles back in the stable with SH-AWD / iVTM4 AWD...otherwise I would not have sold my Accord.
@@godawgs88100 You got it! No way would I ever be able to afford 33 at once ha ha 😇 As you might notice from the comment above...sold my Accord and I have been checking around looking for an RLX Sport Hybrid...but the more I think about it...I think I'm getting old and need something a lil' taller like the MDX Sport Hybrid now. ha ha 😉
Wait?! This car was first introduced in 2014? The tech in this car is so old school, especially w the dual screen infotainment that I had always thought it was a much older design - maybe 2010.
I agree w/ you. I'm a fan of old school buttons. I prefer to have physical buttons for my stereo and climate control. But the Honda/Acura dual screen set up is very slow to respond (at least in the past). Honda got rid of the dual screen set up in the 2016 accord refresh. And w/ the new 2018 Accord, it has android auto, car play and HUD, which is not available in the RLX.
Ironically, 2007-era Acuras (e.g., MDX) were highly criticized for "too many buttons". So Acura replaced the physical buttons with a touchscreen, giving birth to the current "2 screen" design. I guess we all got what we asked for, and we're still not happy with it. Lol.
allierogers exactly, the beak was removed, they added exhaust tips, fake or not, it serves aesthetic purposes and they made all the lights led, yet no one gave them any credit for the improvements. And this model while not having an updated head unit with Android auto and Apple carplay, does have hud.
Those electronic transmission and e brake controls are an answer to a question NO customer ever asked, indeed they are fussy to use and the lack of a true mechanical e brake could end up being deadly if you ever lose your brakes.
I am shopping for a car and I am between the Lexus ES300h 2019 and this Acura RLSH Hybrid. I would like to have an AWD as it is cold in her. But I would love to hear a comparison between the 2. Please Alex make a comparison one.. Please
Please ask Honda to lend you a Type R! I've been waiting seemingly forever for your review, hopefully it won't take as long as it took Chevy to lend you a Bolt! Your Si "Stuck in the Middle" review was the best that I've watched - and I watched many - and your Type R preview was excellent ... besides, a Type R with SH-AWD and a DCT/Torque converter is ... what an ILX should become, and you love Acuras -).
Alex, I just watched your 2014 review of the RLX. It was a much more critical and unfavorable review - which is pretty much in line with the commenters here. However, your new 2018 review of the RLX is more positive and favorable. This is surprising consider the 2018 model is just a mild refresh.
I stopped watching this about Acura’s “flagship” when you got to the part about the fake wood and how they’re still using the old craptastic infotainment system (I know exactly how bad it is, I own an MDX with it). Honda’s dragging Acura along on the ground like a half-dead dog on a leash. They need to either cut it loose or actually pay attention and breathe some real life into it. No one’s going to buy this, just like no one bought the last one, because even though it has some good things going for it, there’s also too much half-assing and there are better choices for the money.
7:59 I wish u would evaluate toe space too. That’s a huge factor as well. Comfy rear seats also entail being able to fully stretch my feet under the front seat.
The Sport Hybrid AWD is an intriguing concept. While great in the NSX, the rear motors at 36hp & ~50lb/ft a piece is too weak to have any significant advantages to handling. Given EV sporting ~150hp can be had for cheap now, what is stopping Acura from slapping on larger rear motors in the RLX & MDX sport hybrids?
So the issue this vehicles has is despite its performance and tech you still have to do a timing belt change. That would wipe out all the fuel savings in one go.
FWD based luxury sedans like the RLX, S90, and the Lincoln Continental shouldn't be compared to RWD based luxury sedans. Those transverse oriented engines may provide "packaging" advantages, but there's a huge trade-off in driving dynamics.
But those trade-offs go largely unnoticed by nearly every potential customer. While some options are surely more dynamic, to me that doesnt necessarily mean they shouldnt be compared since there is much more to consider.
too bad almost no one who buys luxury cars cares about driving dynamics. they either buy on brand recognition, meaning they buys as a status symbol or they buy for the comfort and features
Todd Medium Wellington III Actually the engine in an A4/A5 and A8 is oriented longitudinally (not transversely) so the torque balance and xfer occurs normally.
Wow, that front end does not work on this car at all - yet there it is. :P I think the TLX looks pretty great though. I wonder if international market Legends get this front end as well? :)
As far as exterior design, most competitors in the luxury and near-luxury "E" and "S" classes are fairly conservative. There is no stand out design, unless you include perhaps the coupe variants like the Audi A7. This Acura is no more or less bland (or exciting) than Genesis, Lexus or even BMW 5, Audi 6 or Mercedes E. This Acura is similarly tasteful, but also conservative. The interior, however, is a total FAIL in all regards: design,, materials and infotainment. I think the Honda Accord has a superior interior. I'm not sure why Acura did not spend the money to update the interior to at least the level of the refreshed MDX.
Mike Lee would not touch the ES with a 10 foot pole. There was a Christmas sale from Acura dealers that you can get this for below $50k. Way below 50k.
what so they didn't add the thigh extender to the new seats, the apple carplay ,and the ambient interior lighting is absent, all which the Tlx has? not sure why but that is a big oversight. makes no sense at all acura WTF, other than that the car is sick.
Nice job as always. Don't care for lower chrome accents, without those this car would be almost handsome. Thank the stars the acura beak is dead. Now it's Lexus' turn to be ugly.
Sorry sir you spent the first 10 minutes of this video advertising old Acura technology. I'm only here to see what is new that Acura did not have on their old cars.
It just doesn't look very upscale w/ that big front overhang. There's a reason why the S90 looks good even though it's still FWD-based; Volvo managed to move the front axle forward.
Acura claiming this car has NSX dna, is like Lexus claiming the ES 350 is LFA related. Just because there is a hybrid option doesn't mean its going to bring you any closer to an NSX. And of course Acura will market a 3 row crossover and a big heavy ass sedan as NSX inspired vehicles. Come on Acura....
Well from a power-train perspective the RLX does indeed have a good portion of what drives the NSX, granted the Carbon tub really does make a world of difference for the NSX.
super big household light bulb size headlamps looks funny and I would prefer smaller matrix LED or laser lights. Lack of panoramic sunroof, lack of digital cockpit, old fashion small GPS screens. interior noise needs to be improve. all of the above needs to be taking care of. Right now, I will stick with my Honda accord. Thank you!
