LAIAS 2012: 2014 Acura RLX

[Mr. Burns]

Acura has finally pulled the wraps off of its flagship sedan in Los Angeles. The midsize sedan boasts large car room and is powered by a brand new 310 horsepower V6 engine with direct injection driving the front wheels with all wheel steering. Higher trim models will sport the new hybrid AWD system dubbed “Sport Hybrid SH-AWD” driven by a 370 horsepower hybrid power train that promises to deliver 30 mpg in the city, highway, and combined. Hit past the jump for full photos and a detailed press release.

Photos and press release at link

[megeebee]

Acura Finito.


If it weren't for the confusing mess of dips and creases going on across the upper doors, this could be any number of other cars. Infiniti. Hyundai. Cars that are years old now. I don't see this changing Acuras fortunes, at least in this market segment. This car sets the seal, once and for all, on Acuras second tier status.

[CheetahDC]

Acura Finito.


If it weren't for the confusing mess of dips and creases going on across the upper doors, this could be any number of other cars. Infiniti. Hyundai. Cars that are years old now. I don't see this changing Acuras fortunes, at least in this market segment. This car sets the seal, once and for all, on Acuras second tier status.

Sadly, yeah, the design is a bit boring. The headlamps are cool. The power plenum grill has evolved into a more coherent design. The rest of the car...is boring. And that makes me sad, because I think there's some neat ideas here as far as tech goes.

[Bravada]

Umm, what? Why should we care? And how did they manage to have the Lexus ES suddenly get exciting?

[mjd1001]

It does look a bit bland and boring to me also.

[dagr382]

Asian-generic barge.

[Ammo]

This car is meh exterior-wise.

Interior looks gorgeous and the technology behind it as well. 30 MPG city and highway in the SH-AWD model is impressive.

What's notable is that Acura is placing this up against the 5 Series and A6, despite being the flagship model. And the "estimated starting price of $40,000." The old RL started at $48k.

Can't wait to see what Acura has in store for the TLX, especially if it comes down in price to reflect Acura's new place in the market and features this hybrid AWD power train (with better fuel economy, to boot).

[prowlerjc]

I don't care for the character lines over the front wheel and on the doors one bit.

[rueben44]

They call that a flag ship? Really? That center stack is so odd looking but on a good note the wood looks good. That is all that i can say that I like about it.

[majicbz07]

Is it me or does it seem that Acura has three midsize cars but at different price points, TSX/TL/RLX. These are all more or less midsize with the TSX being probably the smallest but not by much then the TL but this will get updated soon and who know if/how much it will grow and then the RLX with more rear legroom. They should have just called this the TL-L for more rear legroom.

[blowngtp]

The Honda Acura has somehow fail to meet and or exceed the nicely sculptured Accord. To many more nicier options in the marketplace to come in with something looking like this and expecting success.

[Ammo]

Is it me or does it seem that Acura has three midsize cars but at different price points, TSX/TL/RLX. These are all more or less midsize with the TSX being probably the smallest but not by much then the TL but this will get updated soon and who know if/how much it will grow and then the RLX with more rear legroom. They should have just called this the TL-L for more rear legroom.

TSX and TL are supposed to merge together to form the TLX which is supposed to be sized somewhere between the TSX and the TL, so the TL is supposed to shrink.

I also hope it's priced between the TSX and the TL and gets the new hybrid AWD system.

[wcbrown]

This is JUST horrible. This car confirms Honda/Acura has completely and utterly lost its way...wow!

[chrisnyc1213]

This car shares SO much of it's DNA with the Honda Accord it's sad. It's like they didn't even try to make the two cars look different.

[ponchoman49]

A step down compared to the previous version and typical of the class. About the only thing that caught my attention was that the fake wood looks decent. The ridiculously named 8 letter thingy does sound interesting as far as MPG and power.