Excellent and realistic review. I remember you reviewed the 2016 RLX SH and was impressed. I own a 2016 RLX SH and love this car. So few are built and so few know about the RLX or know how different the SH is from the PAWS model. My car has been flawless. The RLX SH offers such a range of driving behavior from high 20s mpg economy to a Sport mode beast. The RLX SH was launch in 2014 (the 2015 model year was skipped), but that makes the RLX SH the launch of Sport Hybrid drive train. The NSX came later - but Acura Marketing loves to tie the RLX to the halo NSX.
Purchased a CPO red/ebony 18 RLX Sport Hybrid back in Dec/2019 with 7,200 miles (+20,000 miles after +2 years). Very comfy ride (me 6'3", wife 4'11"), tons of power (even at my elevation of 5000-7200 feet), never seen below 28 mpg city, range between 30-34 mpg hwy at 70-80 mph, and zero issues other than a TSB to update the 7DCT odd gear problem I never experienced with the 7DCT. The RLX does turn heads and I get a lot of people asking about the RLX or commenting on how beautiful the RLX looks (PPF/ceramic coating on entire painted surface, chrome delete, dark tinted windows, black gloss rims, rear spoiler, and black painted calipers). Also have a 19 MDX Adv Sport Hybrid and love driving both vehicles and gas savings compared to my 11 MDX and 08 RDX. Downsides: - very soft suspension tuned for comfort instead of for 377hp/341tq, needs electronic dampers like my MDX hybrid - no IDS modes like my MDX (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+), only get normal and Sport (Sport in RLX = Sport+ in MDX hybrid) - no Carplay and info-tainment isn't updated like the 18-20 MDX with Carplay (updated graphics and auto heat/ventilated seat controls) - plastic interior trim instead of real wood like my 19 MDX - no electronic auto climate control for 2nd row like MDX - no trunk close button (you can easily scratch the paint on trunk trying to close the trunk) - small 15 gal gas tank - 19" rims are not pot hole friendly (already had on pinch flat and had to replace a tire from a winter caused pothole)
Not sure why you’d misrepresent the car as roughly 6 seconds 0-60. Do your homework - the car is rated at 4.9 seconds - big difference. You weren’t even in Sport mode using brake hold to launch. I own the RLX Sport Hybrid and it’s a very quick sleeper for a big heavy car.
I just love my 2014 RLX. Did a ceramic pro, looks brand new! don't mind the bland look, it only means it will age gracefully. They haven't cheaped out anywhere in the car, unlike every other honda/acura models.
I have this car in the 2015 version. I purchased it becasue of the incredible 377 Horsepower due to the electric back tires. Three years later, i still cannot get enough of the incredible torque. Now, as far as the entertainment system, that is one huge irritant. it's SO obnoxious due to the multiple pushes of a button, to get to a feature such as bass adjustments on the stereo. (The stereo's sound is by far, the best stock stereo that I've heard though) Acura caved to the critics about the multiple buttons of previous cars, BUT THAT IS one of the things I loved the most about them!!!!! Bring the damned buttons back!!!!!! Buttons only suck when you don't know the system, but after you learn them, they're the only way to go! I absolutely hate the new, consolidated system.
The Acura haters will NEVER understand the appeal of this car, and i'm OK with that. We can't all like the same things, but imagine picking a 4 cylinder Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5-Series over this....I couldn't!!!
I Like it a lot and I like your review. This car is pretty amazing with all that tech to give power and I love the refresh of the styling. I'm a huge Acura fan.
That's the point, car nav's suck, especially Acura's. Watch Brian Cooley's CNET review on Acura nav systems for the RLX how it drives him crazy. Apple car play, and Android Auto solve that, especially Android with Google Maps.
@@joemcdonough7509 I hate that guy he gets on my nerves. That guy talks too much about the tech when originally most of us got these cars because of its performance and reliability.
@@djmixin1 I hate the dashboard tech in cars too, but Cooley is from CNET, which is a tech site, and they don't exactly hide the fact they do tech reviews. But their recent reviews focus much more on the car itself.
@@joemcdonough7509 Would you please clarify on what you mean as to the reason why you believe the Acura Navigation sucks? I had it in my 2010 TL and loved it, especially the doppler weather radar and the traffic monitoring. I have in my 2019 TLX and the I can compare the Acura system side by side and one thing I can tell you is this: I've been in areas with no cell reception and no cell reception equals no navigation. I've never had that issue with the Acura system because the satellite system always has a signal for reception-even through tunnels. My 2010 TL was so EASY to use and I never read the directions on how two use it. The Apple Car Play is okay, if you have no other options, but with an Acura, you do.
Because its their flagship car. The tlx should be competing with the a6, gs, 5 series and e class... This car should go after the a8, continental, g90, k900 and all the respected flagships. If they make this longer with reclinable rear seats and sh-awd it will widen its market, not just the honda enthusiasts
@@Lemaj420 Agreed. When Acura gets back to their roots of simply doing their own thing instead building cars that are meant to compete with segment leaders, they will be much better off. Forget what the analysts say. Similar things were said during latter production of the 4th generation TL. The TSX had long been out of production. Automotive writing critics, after the introduction of the TLX were saying that the TL was too big and did not compete with the 3 series, and that by killing the TSX and TL, the TLX was created for just that purpose: to better compete with it's German rivals. Who cares?!. Acura would be better off by following it's own mind and creating their own following, just like they have in the past. Does every car being built have to fit the status quo? Please Acura, keep the exhaust finishers fully exposed, design a better front end and bring back the column shifter. In the phrases "Sport Sedan" and Sport Utility", "sport" comes first, so make the vehicles "sporty" first; never boring inside nor out.
5 seconds flat is what most videos are posting. What a great, underrated car. Though Acura if you are looking for feedback: Give it Andriod Auto & Apple Carplay, there is no reason the ILX & TLX should get it before the RLX...
Always enjoy your video, but there is one thing really bothers me in this episode. It's the position of the seat bel, and your are doing it wrong. Always remember to adjust the seat belt positioning before you drive off.
This is a great car, unfortunately underrated. But that design doesn't standout, It looks chunky too much like any other Japanese car.But the front look is ok
if this competes with 5 series and a6, what is the purpose of the TLX then... shouldn’t this be geared to compete with cars like the 7 series or the a8?
Reviewers always compare Acura to European. I think Acura is achieving their vision of a reliable, well performing luxury car that can be be repaired ( if needed) without exorbitant cost.
Love the review, I am really considering buying this car next year. Acura need to add Android auto and Apple car play to these cars. Hopefully buy the time I'm ready to buy they will have added it. I currently drive an Acura TL SH- AWD and enjoy it but mileage is starting to get up there so looking for an addition.
I used to have an Audi A4. Loved it. But i am getting a Nissan Frontier. I like to camp, bike, and play paintball. I need a 4wheel drive and some ground clearance.
wow no apple or android connectivity? Even the basic hondas have that. I've also heard the reverse is a PITA when trying to park or navigating in a parking lot.
Almost getting it but they still have work to do. The 377hp is getting to where is needs to be. The two displays needs to be updated. The Accord looks better inside now. Seems like they are confused with both divisions. We all know though that they sell a ton more RDX and MDX than their sedans. Probably the only reason why they still exist.
Just a little larger TLX. Same stupid push button shifter and annoying dual stacked screen. This doesn't even have a full digital screen behind the wheel like it's competitors. Low tech analog dials. What's up with using the key to open the trunk through the rear arm rest?? Odd! Are there that many people getting locked in their trunks when the power runs out of the battery?
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The hood, front fenders, and lower area below side mirrors of all 4 doors are aluminum. I got hail damage on my 18 RLX a few years ago and had zero damage on the aluminum areas (pea sized hail damage dents on steel areas of the roof, upper doors area near the roof, chrome trim pieces around windows, and trunk lid).
Don't get me wrong... this is a nice car, but it just looks so much like the Accord. Maybe it's because Honda has made the Accord too good compared to say 20 years ago. And what's with the infotainment system? They have been using that for years with no real updates/ improvement. It just doesn't make sense how most if not all new Honda come with Apple carplay, but their "premium" brand Acura doesn't.
Acura still doesn't drive like a lexus or a mercedes and continues to have front wheel drive as a base. The sales figure remains low because it cannot prove it is different from a honda.
I watched some videos on the legend version of this car... It's has more tech than the Acura version. Especially in the back seat, the back seat passengers have some control in the their armrest in the legend weird. Thought they'd all be the same. Hmm...
The RLX is an outstanding value used, the battery in the trunk is the reason the seat do not fold down, the large battery pack and small 15 gal gas tank keeps the RLX from being a traveling car for more that two people, some have added GROM carplay to update the info-tainment system. Major plus sides are the excellent mpgs, all weather/all season sh-awd, under 5 second 0-60 mph times, smooth 377hp powertrain with 7DCT, and very easy and inexpensive to service.
Would be nice if acura could differentiate itself from Honda more by adding features. Why no apple car play, Android auto, park assist, larger moonroof, etc. I almost feel like Acura could've done more. The styling looks aged already. 10 years old design. Lexus looks 1000x better
Not bad but you would be better off buying the MDX Sport Hybrid........Th 2018 has apple car play, the same features, very good handling and is cheaper.
Let me guess, still a front biased AWD and a 60/40 nose heavy weight distribution. Now those wouldn't be much of a problem if the design was killer. No wonder they stay on the dealer lots!
😂 You can hear your horses purr, I can smell my Unicorn's farts. Dunno what's making this weird smell on VTec yo... (Rubbery smell/ like overheated brakes)