Acura RL
Produced from 2014 through 2020, the RLX is Acura’s flagship sedan. Known for its smooth and powerful V6 engine, upscale interior, and spacious cabin, particularly for rear passengers, the RLX is a worthy competitor to rival offerings from BMW and Lexus. It does have some notable downsides, however, as owners have knocked its outdated infotainment system and stiff ride (prior to a 2018 suspension update).
Produced from 2014 through 2020, the RLX is Acura’s flagship sedan. Known for its smooth and powerful V6 engine, upscale interior, and spacious cabin, particularly for rear passengers, the RLX is a worthy competitor to rival offerings from BMW and Lexus. It does have some notable downsides, however, as owners have knocked its outdated infotainment system and stiff ride (prior to a 2018 suspension update).
Acura RL Model Lineup
The RLX is a midsize luxury sedan with room for five. Prior to being discontinued (after the 2020 model year), it was the largest sedan in Acura’s lineup, measuring roughly eight inches longer than the compact TLX.
Acura offered the RLX three main trims: the entry-level Navigation, the gadget-oriented Technology, and the top-of-the-line Advance. Standard equipment includes heated front seats, a rearview camera, a sunroof, and a dual-screen infotainment interface. Acura dropped the base Navigation trim In 2017, making a host of additional features standard, including leather upholstery, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Adaptive cruise control followed in 2018. However, buyers must opt for the range-topping Advance trim to get some goodies, including front and rear parking sensors, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a surround-view camera. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were never offered.
The RLX employs a 310-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that routes power to the front wheels via an automatic transmission, which got an upgrade from six to 10 speeds in 2018. Acura also sold a hybrid variant of the RLX with all-wheel drive; dubbed the Sport Hybrid, it is reviewed separately.