With its 2018 model year update, Acura gives the RLX Sport Hybrid a completely new front end. Admire the finishes and the fit of the RLXs cabin, but dont expect to be bowled over by its cutting-edge design. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class includes more impressive driver assist features, but its turbocharged four-cylinder engine doesn't really compete. The Acura nearly matches its hybrid-mode EPA estimates, though, and comes with many standard features that are optional on the German plug-in (the BMW we tested was equipped quite similarly and stickered out at $69,760). What are the advanced features available in the 2022 Acura TLX A-Spec? Our

With the opening sounds of a musical jingle (lots of new cars have their own digital theme music), the RLX offers up a wide cabin with a low dash styled with twin arcs that frame the center console. You must be logged in to perform that action. RLX Driven, End of the Model, and Luxury Sedans Ranked! The 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid is restyled, retuned, and significantly less expensive than the 2017 model. Acura packs the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid with impressive features and a cutting-edge power train, making it a very good value, and it would be a truly excellent sedan if it had better cabin electronics. Both options offer 12.2-inch solid rear disc brakes, but the gasoline-only model has 12.3-inch ventilated disc brakes compared to the 13-inch ventilated disc brakes in the Sport Hybrid. Power constantly routes around to different wheels, transferred selectively to keep the car on an ideal path. I love my. Although I was initially pleased to find a keyboard on the touchscreen for destination entry, the slow response time from the system killed the experience, making it more frustrating. In the sedan, the all-aluminum six is naturally aspirated with variable valve timing and an 11.5:1 compression ratio. Drive it. The elegant system is extremely smooth in operation, and for 2018 Acuras engineers have retuned the powertrain for greater response in the Sport driving mode, which adds some weight to the sedans steering. On canyon roads and city streets, I find the car's steering responsive and accurate, with good heft. The 2018 Acura RLX dives deeply into the tech hardware bin to deliver all-wheel drive, hybrid energy, and four-wheel steering. To prevent or mitigate crashes, the RLX Sport Hybrid flashes a warning on its head-up display if it detects a potential collision. Both comments and pings are currently closed. No understeer, just an easy and predictable path through the turns even with the tires squealing, testament to Acura engineers' fine-tuning of the RLX Sport Hybrid's all-wheel-drive system. Although certainly more attractive than it was, the Acura RLX has failed to shed its generic-sedan aura and remains invisible to the general public. We get it. Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.7 sec Zero to 130 mph: 25.7 sec 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. The truth is, most Americans dont even know that the Acura RLX exists. With a base price of $55,865, the 2018 RLX sports standard power features, leather upholstery, heated power front seats, keyless ignition, navigation, ELS premium audio, and a package of safety technology that includes forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, a rearview camera, and new this year, traffic jam assist, which follows a car ahead in traffic at speeds of up to 40 mph. Its 14.9 cubic feet for front-drive cars, while Sport Hybrids now have 12 cubic feet, a bit more than last year thanks to a reshaped battery pack. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. But this is a luxury sedan, not a sports sedan, and the Acuras 0.83 g of maximum grip is not enough for serious pace in the mountains. At its limits the RLX understeers, which is no surprise. With an innovative torque-vectoring, gasoline-electric hybrid power train, the 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid gets plenty of power and impressive handling, while achieving excellent fuel economy. Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.8 sec Its four-wheel disc brakes stop the heavy sedan from 70 mph in 187 feet, which is six feet shorter than the heavier BMW needs for that task. The navigation system, with its slow inputs and clunky interface, is an exercise in frustration, and the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto doesn't help. The RLX is responsive and grippy around town, its SH-AWD system pushing power from side to side during hard cornering, which promises entertainment value for the enthusiast driver. Exterior styling is similar to many Luxury cars. It achieves 28 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway under EPA testing. It was a no-brainer to make this purchase compared to the others I mentioned, since the extras I mentioned would have cost me more to have from the others. It drives quietly and comfortably, with lane-keeping assist that centers it on the road. Add in the electric motors, and Acura puts the total output at 377 horsepower and 341 pound-feet of torque. The new base model in the lineup carries over the 310-hp V-6 its had since 2014. Thats 1.2 seconds quicker than the BMW 530e xDrive plug-in hybrid. The ride is consistently creamy, and credit for that spreads to soft springs and nicely tuned dampers and absorbent tires. AcuraWatch also includes auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and road departure mitigation. (Read more abouthow we rate cars.). Included are a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

Acura gave the RLX Sport Hybrid a bit of a refresh for the 2018 model year, with "all-new sheet metal from the A pillars forward," according to Acura spokesman Matt Sloustcher. I conducted research on luxury sport vehicles 18 months before purchasing the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid with competitors BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, and Infiniti. Its suspension can get wallowy and feels underdamped when youre pushing hard over midcorner road imperfections, which neutralizes the drivers inclination to explore what the torque vectoring can contribute at higher speeds. Braking, 70-0 mph: 187 ft It also has more lines stamped into its hood. The front-wheel-drive RLX with its 310-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 gets a new 10-speed automatic transmission that Acura says improves acceleration. The ride is pleasant and comfortable, and theres still plenty of road feel through its 19-inch Michelin all-seasons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. We averaged 22 mpg in spirited mixed driving with liberal use of Sport mode; the RLXs EPA combined estimate is 28 mpg, the same as the BMWs. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. I don't feel any surprising rotation when I twist the wheel around, or the back end moving around more quickly than I might expect. (Read more abouthow we rate cars.). The exact text will differ depending on the actual application you have running. Standing -mile: 13.6 sec @ 102 mph Which Comfort Features and Technologies are in the 2020 Acura RLX? In other words, the Acura RLX is not only one of Americas least popular sedans, its one of Americas lowest-volume cars, period. Although Acura calls this a redesign, it's actually more of a refresh. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. We give it a 6 for gas mileage, based on the numbers of the more prevalent front-drive car. But this RLX Sport Hybrid AWD is a much more comfortable/quiet ride, with amazing performance! Slide into the back seat, and the door openings are cut wide to make entry and exit easy for large passengers. Acura took the wraps off the redesigned 2018 RLX at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week, and we got a preview of what changes are in store for the big luxury sedan. Ads can be annoying. As with the NSX, the RLX Sport Hybrid also gets a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. What are the Powertrain Options for the 2020 Acura RLX? Acura has removed a bundle of options from the non-hybrid car. Acura still doesn't put it cars up against large sedans, such as the Lexus LS or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The IIHS says the RLX earns Good scores in its crash tests and gave it a Top Safety Pick award. Acuras Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is standard on the hybrid.

You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Tested: Audi e-tron GT Is a True Sports Sedan, Tested: Lucid Air Dazzles with Clever Design, Tested: 2022 GMC Hummer EV Breaks Barriers, Tested: Mercedes-AMG EQS Hits Hard but Rides Soft, Tested: 2023 Genesis G80 EV Bridges the Gap, Tested: 2022 911 GTS Manual Embraces Its Niche, Tested: 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Leans on Style, 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS580 4Matic: More IQ Than EQ, Tested: 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is Acura's Best Sedan. This years changes wont trigger smartphone alerts, but theyre obviousprovided you knew what the RLX looked like in 2017. Although the system works in stop-and-go traffic, bringing the RLX Sport Hybrid to a full stop, I tended to cancel it at slow speeds due to its behavior. Acura uses the hybrid drivetrain to give the RLX Sport Hybrid excellent all-wheel drive, but it also serves the cause of fuel economy. If the driver doesn't take any action, it will automatically hit the brakes. What doesn't work for me is the RLX Sport Hybrid's upper LCD and lower touchscreen, with a dial and button pod below further confusing the issue of how to control the infotainment system. Using the paddle shifters, I could feel the snappy gear changes when I chose to use it, but found its automated shifting to be programmed very well for performance driving or everyday use. The standard front-wheel-drive car has a new 10-speed automatic, but the 310-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 carries over. I ultimately chose the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid because I was able to receive more for my dollar for a Hybrid Sport Luxury vehicle. Then decide. On the 2018 RLX, Acura has adopted some of the lines and forms of the Acura Precision Concept, first shown at the 2016 Detroit auto show. And thanks for reading Autoblog. Thats where the drama ends.

Leave us a comment here at the Karen Radley Acura Blog. The new grill is better. You must have JavaScript enabled to experience the new Autoblog. Perhaps the greatest improvement to the 2018 RLX is its new front sheetmetal. Back-seat head room isnt as generous, and trunk space is disappointing. It is bright and clear, and very useful on the road. Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.83 g Powertrain The powertrains in both the RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid have the same power output as last years models, but each features some new enhancements for the 2018 model year. Also, the buying process was seamless with Gold Coast Acura in Ventura; they honored the TrueCar pricing, delivered my car to me at no extra cost, and the sales and finance staff were very professional and personable. We havent been able to drive this new version yet, but when we do, well let you know if the 10-speed gets lost in all those ratios. on Thursday, March 22nd, 2018 at 6:05 pm and is filed under Acura RLX. Adaptive cruise control, which uses a radar to match speeds with slower cars ahead, felt a little too sensitive in heavy traffic, responding to minute changes in traffic speed. The new look has a pretty, patterned grille and LED lighting like the one on the handsome MDX utility vehicle.