DRIVEN: 2014 Acura RLX - Outclassed On Every Level?

Luxury cars should be special.

You can give me a medal for stating the obvious, but that simple fact eludes some car companies that persist in slapping luxury price tags on cars that are really just pumped-up family sedans.

The two-star 2014 Acura RLX sedan is the latest example. Despite an upscale interior, Acura’s new flagship sedan is no match for the handling and performance of the Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti M37, Lexus GS 450 and Mercedes E350. It even falls short of high-end family sedans like the new Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon.

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TheSteve - 8/8/2013 1:12:59 PM

+1 Boost

I still hold the opinion that Acura has yet to find its way, bland styling aside. And I don't believe the new NSX will rescue the brand.

gkearns56 - 8/9/2013 10:55:11 AM

-6 Boost

About 4 months ago when there was a blog on this RLX and the Acura fans didn't like to hear the truth. I said it is an UNPOWERED 4 banger, terribly bland and looks at tad like a Saturn (and we know where that went). At the present moment I wouldn't want to own an Acura. Sure the reliability will probably be there but their design team has to be one of the worst. For the cost, it should have at least an "optional" 6. What is the HP, around 150??? WOW!! Now that knocks your socks off.

gkearns56 - 8/9/2013 10:58:15 AM

-2 Boost

My bad - I was thinking of the ILX sports mobile with the whopping 150 HP. But this theme of some sort of "lost identity" just moves through their car line-up.

nguyenvuminh - 8/8/2013 1:23:00 PM

-1 Boost

Agreed with the write-up and agreed with TheSteve's comment. I can't describe Acura's identity/characteristic. E.G. MB is luxury and tech, BMW is performance, Lexus (it was luxury but now is more like "aggressive"), etc. Acura ???? If anything, it would probably be the most exposed to the Korean's attempt to move upscale.

scenicbyway12 - 8/8/2013 4:07:05 PM

-2 Boost

Acura has never understood this class, every Acura with an RL in its name has failed. Acura need's to just bail on this class of cars, it's just of waste of R&D money.

freeagent - 8/8/2013 9:43:15 PM

-2 Boost

really a shame. acura was the first japanese brand that got it right, and peaked in the early 90's with the 2nd generation Legend and NSX. Damn shame, but they've completely lost the fox since the mid 90's and no recovery is in sight.

cidflekken - 8/8/2013 11:29:55 PM

+3 Boost

Acura needed to introduce the SH-AWD version before this FWD version. With the AWD system, 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and 60 additional hp, it should (hopefully) deliver much better performance results. Acura really can't fail with this.

Agent009 - 8/9/2013 1:28:08 PM

-3 Boost

I don't know what Honda does with their racing efforts, because it sure as heck doesn't filter down to the real world.

cidflekken - 8/9/2013 2:50:13 PM

+3 Boost

I truly think it comes down to sales, 009. Enthusiasts scream for dynamic driving experiences. But, sales numbers don't necessarily show that high-volume customers are looking for the same. I'm not saying I agree with that approach.