For years Acura struggled with the fact that its biggest and best sedan was a far cry from the $100,000 luxury cruisers produced by the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. The 2014 RLX also does not punch in that uberweight class, but delivers a big luxury upgrade over its predecessor, the RL.
Although only slightly longer than the RL, the all new RLX comes in at almost 2 inches wider, and the cabin feels much roomier. Acura rightly compares the RLX to the Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
More than just an upgrade to the RL, Acura uses the RLX to showcase technology such as four-wheel steering, LED headlights, direct injection, and connected features. Most of these features may not be entirely new, but they are new to Acura.
Review
The all-new Acura RLX will make its production debut in early-2013, as a 2014 model year, giving Honda’s luxury lineup a head start for 2014.
We
were all starting to wonder exactly what was in store for the RLX,
since Acura announced its debut. Some of the questions that arose were
around its power plant and whether or not this would simply be a
restyled RL with an “X” on the end of its nameplate.
Acura
answered all of those pertinent questions and then some at the auto
show, as it pulled the sheet off of the new RLX and surprised everyone
with a vehicle that bears little to no resemblance to its predecessor,
something Honda Motor Company does not typically do. For the most part, Hondas tend to evolve rather slowly, with the exception of the latest Civic model, and rarely do we see big-time changes.
This
all-new sedan is set to do battle with two newly redesigned imports,
both of which debuted at the same auto show. On one side, you have the
completely refreshed Toyota Avalon and on the other side, you have the redesigned Lexus ES 300h.
Can the RLX possibly fend off these two sister vehicles?
FAST FACTS
1. A new, smaller 3.5L V6 engine gets a increase in power and fuel economy at 310 hp and a 20 mpg city, 31 mpg highway rating.2. Prevision All Wheel Steer or PAWS delivers rear steering.
3. The 2014 RLX offers best-in-class rear-seat legroom.
4. Available features include lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and an autonomous braking system.
5. Late this year Acura will introduce a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD model with a V6 hybrid under the hood and two rear electric motors, making 370 hp and delivering 30 mpg combined.
Exterior
As we laid out earlier, with the exception of bearing
the Lexus emblem, having four wheels, and four doors, the RLX concept is
nothing like the 2012 RL.
The 2014 RLX concept
features Acura’s “Keen Edge” design, with a sleeker front end and a
swooping roofline, which puts it in about the same design class as the
other upcoming models in 2013 and 2014. It also gets Acura’s new Jewel
Eye LED headlights, which are in a dual-stack array and include 10
high-intensity LED nodes. These both lower energy consumption and
increase your nighttime vision. Its ultra-reflective lenses help
increase visibility, as well as give the RLX a distinctly bright look
from the front.
The new RLX is roughly the same
overall length of the current RL, but its wheelbase is two inches
longer. This gives it a better stance, allowing it to ride more
comfortably without compromising its handling. Fitted on this concept
vehicle were 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with 255/35R20
high-performance rubber wrapped around them.
Its high-strength steel and aluminum body construction help keep this sedan well below the 4,000-pound mark.
Interior
There’s not too much to say about the design and
aesthetics of the interior, as Acura did not provide too much
information on this. All we have are some images we captured of the
interior at the auto show. From what we see, the RLX will feature a
multi-tone scheme on the inside with lightly contrasting colors.
On
the technical side, Acura got pretty in-depth on what to expect. The
RLX has very advanced communications, navigation, and infotainment
systems. It also features a pair of LCD touch screens – one 8-inch and
one 7-inch – which control various components throughout the vehicle,
including: the HVAC system, navigation, and hand-free cell phone usage.
Brand
new to Acura is the AcuraLink feature. This is a cellular communication
system, much like GM’s OnStar system, that initiates emergency calls
when airbags deploy, track the RLX if it is stolen, remote locking and
unlocking, alarm notifications, and concierge service.
There are two audio systems offered on the RLX. The base
system is a 14-speaker ultra-premium system and the optional system is
Acura’s signature ELS surround system. As with all modern cars, this
audio system is essentially a computer in itself. It has MP3
compatibility and can accept USB devices, so you can load a ton of MP3s
on a flash disc and never have to mess with a CD again.
For
slightly more traditional audio enjoyment, the RLX features Pandora or
Aha internet radio interfaces, or HD radio. The two former mediums will
require you to pair up a smartphone with Bluetooth capabilities. Oh, and
make sure to have an unlimited data plan – that can get pricey. Also
with a paired Bluetooth phone you can perform all of the basic phone
functions – email, texting, and calling – via the RLX’s touch screen
interface. You can also preload text messages into the system, so you
can reply to messages. There is no option for voice-to-text yet, so
you’ll have to preload those lols, l8trs, hahas, brbs, and other
textinese words into the system.
On to the RLX’s
navigation system. The RLX will have Acura’s Navigation System with
Voice Recognition as an available option. This will also have a Bing
search feature and AcuraLink’s real-time traffic updates.
Engine and Drivetrain
Now let’s have a look at what makes this thing go
vroom-vroom. Under the hood on front-wheel-drive RLXs is an all-new V-6
engine that cranks out 310 horsepower. The top-end trim level on the RLX
will feature Acura’s new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, which are three
electric motors that combine with one gasoline engine. The gasoline
engine in the top-level RLX is an all-new direct-injected 3.5-liter VTEC
engine. With the SH-AWD system, this car produces over 370 horsepower.
The
hybrid engine links to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
transmission, but there is no news on the transmission for the
front-wheel-drive models. Acura claims this new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD RLX
will offer V-8 acceleration with four-cylinder fuel economy. With
estimates at 30 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, this looks like it may be a
true statement.
Safety
The RLX features a collision mitigation system, which
brakes when the car senses it is going to hit an object, but only after
warning the driver. It will also feature a lane departure warning, which
alerts the driver when he veers out of his lane without signaling.
The
RLX also features federally mandated front driver’s and passenger’s air
bags, but also features side curtain air bags and a driver’s side knee
bolster air bag. The RLX has reinforced front frame members to help
enhance strength and disperse the energy created in a crash. Acura
anticipates the RLX to get five-star overall safety ratings – fairly
lofty goals for a car not even in production yet.
Pricing
Of course, there is no pricing available yet for the 2014 RLX. All we know is that the current RL’s price starts at $48,585.
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