2014 Acura RLX First Drive
Edmunds.com
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2014 Acura RLX First Drive
Edmunds' first drive of the 2014 Acura RLX includes pricing, driving impressions, specs and photos.
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That being said, the most interesting this I saw in the photos of the RLX was the San Francisco skyline behind it.
Also, the dashboard looks like it was designed for a minivan and overall, the car looks too much like the Accord.
@jeffinoh- Why would you bring up the XTS when it doesn't compete in this class. The new, larger, CTS will, and it's redesign and structure will take even more sales away from this RLX.
Not that this is a bad car by any means, but it's not worth the price tag it currently yields, especially when the TL produce all of the same driving dynamics for 20K less. The RLX hybrid should have been the base model or at least AWD standard to make it the bargin Acura once was.
Honda did a great job on the new Accord and updated Civic, but their Acura brands needs improvment. The ILX isn't worth the Civic rebadge price tag it sits under.
The last time Acura made me think of them first was when their lineup was RL, TL, CL, and Integra.
The new RLX will not sell because it's still not easy on the eye, it's front wheel drive and it still lacks prestige. A big interior will appeal to a tiny portion of the target market who are cross shopping Cadillac and almost nobody else.
I've owned dozens of Honda and Acuras (including an NSX, two S2000's, an original Integra GS-R and a Legend Coupe LS 6-speed) and so I don't think I'm being unfair when I say that I love the company but they've lost their way. Honestly, it's time to wipe the slate clean and start over.
put down the crack pipe.
Audi, BMW, Mercedes and even Lexus are going to eat this thing alive.
I know Lexus and Infiniti CEO's are somewhere laughing at FAIL AIL X
Audi, BMW, Mercedes and even Lexus are going to eat this thing alive.
I know Lexus and Infiniti CEO's are somewhere laughing at FAIL AIL X
That being said, I think this RLX offers an interesting option for buyers. Edmunds says that it's not offering the driving experience that he feels this segment wants. I don't agree. The E-Class is a greater seller in this segment, and it doesn't handle like a 5 Series or A6.
There is clearly a market for smooth-driving, elegance cars. Clear evidence of that is the Lexus ES350 and RX. Granted, neither are in the RLX class, but both are extremely hot sellers, consistently. The ES350 can't handle like a 3 Series. And the RX can't handle like an X5. Look at the new GS350. Handles like a true sports car, but its sales haven't lit anything on fire as of yet, getting clobbered by the new-numb-steering 5 Series and the E Class.
Personally, I actually think Acura is doing a VERY smart thing here. It's actually now venturing into the realm that Lexus once used to dominate the luxury sector, but is now vacating: luxurious, quiet, ample-powered, conservatively styled, yet not-going-to-give-you-goosebumps-on-the-twisties transportation.
I mean, let's be honest. The biggest passenger car sellers are FWD, mainstream, family sedans: Camry, Accord, Civic, Corolla. Not everyone needs to feel like Schumacher when driving a car. This is about marketing and what the public wants, not what automotive publications want in a car (which is one of THE most irritating pet peeves).
I'm so sick of automotive publications that want the entire industry to essentially be homogenized. Every sedan needs to handle like a BMW in order to be "worthy". Hate to tell you, but the 35-year-old mother of 3, chatting on her cellphone in traffic could car less how the car handles.
And, whether you want to accept it or not, "Acura" is still a respected luxury brand to many consumers. No, it isn't as prestigious as the Tier 1 brands, but that's not Acura's mission and it never has been. I still see just as many Acuras as I do Benzes, BMWs, Audis and Lexi and I live in one of the snobbiest areas of the country.
They shouldnt have gone the new 'Elegant styling ' like ILX,RDX,RLX to compete Europen players. interestingly the new line up has less build quality than the current line up. compare RLX to ZDX, . In every respect the ZDX build is far better. Lexus always keep their minmalist quality unique design they dont imitate european. Asian companies never can bring elgance to automobiles. They should keep their unique techno looks otherwise it will look like Hyundai's genesis. And dont expect these things to sell in large volume.
They shouldnt have gone the new 'Elegant styling ' like ILX,RDX,RLX to compete Europen players. interestingly the new line up has less build quality than the current line up. compare RLX to ZDX, . In every respect the ZDX build is far better. Lexus always keep their minmalist quality unique design they dont imitate european. Asian companies never can bring elgance to automobiles. They should keep their unique techno looks otherwise it will look like Hyundai's genesis. And dont expect these things to sell in large volume.
To say that they shouldn't have gone "Elegant" in order to compete with the Germans is nonsense. That is exactly what they needed to do. To say Lexus style is now minimalist and don't imitate Europeans is outright false. Their recent designs are a mix of the extremes of bland and garish. And, at least in the past, they were practically cloning the Mercedes S-Class with their LS.
I would love to hear more about the RWD Audi sedans please.
I respect the engineering talent at Honda/Acura and the thoughtful execution of ergonomic details.... BUT Acura is not an exciting or aspirational brand any more.
They are only nicer, pricier Hondas, that's all.
A great effort here Acura and I predict folks are going to like this vehicle and want to purchase one. Acura has finally come back into the main stream looks wise and if this vehicle drives competently, they will sell a boatload of 'em!
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)