Acura RLX

RLX Concept

2013 Acura RLX concept

On April 4, 2012, Acura unveiled the RLX Concept, a replacement for the RL sedan, at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.^[4]

RLX Sport Hybrid

The RLX Sport Hybrid was debuted at the 2013 Los Angeles International Auto Show.^[5] Overall vehicle weight is up 357 lbs, with weight distribution (front:rear) improved from 61:39 in non-hybrids to 57:43 in hybrid models. It is offered as the Honda Legend in Japan. US sales began during September 2014, with 250 models produced for the 2014 model year and an additional 250 produced for the 2016 model year.

Powertrain

A direct injected 3.5-liter "Earth Dreams" V6 using VTEC and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) coupled with a 6-speed automatic receive an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20/30/23 mpg (city/highway/combined) and the maximum output is 310 hp at 6,500 rpm and 272 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The fuel saving VCM system works in either 6 or 3 cylinder configurations, the new model uses more sophisticated engine mounts which bypasses the need for a 4-cylinder mode which would result in a lower NVH.

Hybrid models feature the VCM capability as well, with an added start-stop system to boost fuel economy further as well as the ability to operate entirely on electric power up to 58 miles per hour with light throttle usage. The hybrid also uses a 7-speed dual clutch transmission using an integrated 35 kW (47 hp) electric motor, with each rear wheel being powered by a 27-kilowatt (36 hp) electric motor, with 2 rear electric motors total. This setup gives the hybrid a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system with rear wheels strictly electrically powered.

A 72-cell 1.3 kWh 66 pound lithium-ion battery pack is placed behind the rear seat. Total system power output on hybrid is rated at 377 hp at 6,500 rpm and 341 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. EPA estimated fuel economy is improved to 29/30/29 mpg (city/highway/combined). It is given a CARB emissions rating of LEV III SULEV30 compared to the non-hybrids ULEV-2 ranking.

Chassis

The front subframe is made from aluminum. Front suspension uses a double wishbone layout, while the rear is a multi-link with a Precision All Wheel Steer (P-AWS) system. ZF Sachs (ZF) supplies the "Amplitude Reactive Dampers" with two piston valves per damper. 18-inch wheels are standard, and 19-inch wheels with a noise reducing harmonic construction feature are optional for non-hybrids and standard on hybrids, a feature similar to that used in the previous face-lifted 2011 Acura RL. Suspension tuning is oriented towards the sportier side of comfort.

Interior

Standard perforated leather 12-way (4-way lumbar) front seats are heated and on advance package models cooled, and rear seat room has been significantly improved. Rear legroom is similar to full size luxury flagship sedans (non-extended wheelbase versions). An 8-inch navigation screen along with a 7-inch touch screen display for audio, climate, and various shortcut controls with AcuraLink are also standard.

An optional flagship 14-speaker Krell audio system replaces the Bose system used on the previous model RL.^[6] A mid-level 14-speaker ELS Studio Premium system using Panasonic components is also optional.^[7] The base ELS Premium system uses 10-speakers.

Hybrid models include an electronic transmission gear selector, head-up display, use acoustic (PVB layered) glass for all doors and the windshield, and navigation is standard. The 14-speaker ELS Studio Premium system is standard and Krell system optional. GPS-linked climate control, voice recognition, and a keyless access system with a push-button start are also standard.

Exterior

Rear view

The standard Jewel-Eye LED headlamps each use 5 separate LED light sources (4 low beam, 1 high beam) with 10 polished lenses (8 low beam, 2 high beam). The headlights no longer swivel through corners as they did on the previous generation RL. The hood, front fenders, and outer door panels are made from aluminum,^[8] aluminum use in the RLX saves a total of 79.1 lbs over steel components.

The hybrid comes standard with LED foglamps.

Safety

All models come standard with a multi-angle rear-view backup camera, Forward Collision Warning system (FCW) and lane departure warning. An automatic braking front precrash system with electronic front seatbelt pretensioners is available, as is a lane keeping assist system and adaptive cruise control. Optional Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information System and automotive head-up display are available.

Brakes with Brake Hold Control holding the car at a stop without the use of a brake pedal, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, an Agile Handling Assist that applies the brakes on the wheels inside a curve, and Vehicle Stability Assist are standard.

¹ vehicle structure also rated "Good"

² strength-to-weight ratio: 5.18

2015 RLX NHTSA scores^[10]

Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover:	/ 9.7%

Facelift

2018 Acura RLX

2018 Acura RLX

For the 2018 model year the RLX receives a mid-cycle change; sales began in November 2017. The updated RLX incorporates Acura's new design language featuring its diamond pentagon grille, resigned front and rear fascias, a new wheel design, a redesigned hood, LED head and tail lights, and chrome exhaust finishers. Changes to the interior have been made including a new front seat design, steering wheel, wood trim, and an added Espresso interior color option. RLX features AcuraWatch suite of safety features as standard, including an Acura first- Traffic Jam Assist and blind spot monitoring. The front-wheel-drive RLX receives a new 10-speed automatic.^[11]

US sales began during November 2017.