2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Review and Road Test (Pre-Production)

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Auto Buyers Guide | Alex on Autos

Auto Buyers Guide | Alex on Autos

Күн бұрын

It wasn't that long ago that I had an Acura RLX for a week. If you recall that review, I came away liking the car but found little joy in its high price tag. Despite wearing a fantastic stitched leather interior, there was just no way I could justify the $10,000 premium over the AWD competition from Lincoln, Volvo and others. In an attempt to remedy the faults that many found, Acura will be releasing the RLX Sport Hybrid in the spring. Can a new dual clutch transmission and three electric motors save the RLX from being a good car with the wrong price tag? Let's find out.
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Пікірлер: 103
@Mejevoli
@Mejevoli 9 жыл бұрын
This is fucking underrated. I know how the engine, transmission, electric motors work, i just didn't know it was implemented here! Man, i'm suddenly envious of the people commenting here about their own RLX hybrid.
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
18.000 miles on mine, now. B16 service done. Average mpg 30.9!! Going strong, marvelous technology.
@King_Kenny66
@King_Kenny66 10 жыл бұрын
Another top-notch review Alex!
@baldheadlogic
@baldheadlogic 10 жыл бұрын
Great job on this review. I appreciate your honesty about the vehicle. Keep up the great reviews
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 10 жыл бұрын
This is absolutely the very best explanation I have seen so far of how the rear wheels work in this car, and the very best explanation of how the DCT works.
@bgreenjr7149
@bgreenjr7149 10 жыл бұрын
Excellent review, Alex!
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
5000 miles in my car, now. Winter driving has reduced the lifetime fuel economy some, but it's still 30 mpg. This is a PHENOMENAL car for people coming from other Honda cars, although if you're hooked on Mercedes or Lexus you might not see a particular reason to move over to the RLX Sport Hybrid. Amazing, very quick and very nice handling car, for as big as it is. :-)
@Wolvesq
@Wolvesq 9 жыл бұрын
Do you have the krell sound system in yours? I've heard it sounds amazing, but I know they didn't make all that many RLX's with with the advance package.
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
Yes, I do have Krell Audio. :-) It's really very good. Although an iPod will still produce the best sound, you might find that XM satellite sounds better than you are expecting. It somehow decompresses satellite. It's good, but still not as good as the iPod or as good as HD Radio.
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
34+ mpg on occasion. Have never had a tank at 35, but a couple at 34. Have just completed a 1700-mile trip with four people total. Got 28.3 or so to 34.1 mpg at various times, depending who was driving and what were the conditions.
@a55tech
@a55tech 9 жыл бұрын
George Knighton Well if the BMW/Mercedes owner doesn't care about frequent and costly repairs, sure. Otherwise, there is reason to move over. If it's like other Hondas, just change the oil and drive drive drive.
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
ourworlds atwar Bought. I drive about 24K/year, so leases are not the best option most of the time. It's not regular AWD, remember. It's got four motors total, and the vectoring serves to make the car handle much better than you'd expect for such a big car.
@eleonik76
@eleonik76 10 жыл бұрын
Alex,with all due respect my friend..,if you have complaints about the prize of Acura,you should check the prize list of 5 series Active Hybrid and Mercedes where you have to pay even for the trunk carpet and cup holders!! Acura is a premium brand that offers exclusivity,full pack of standard options and unmatched reliability! Okay,it doesnt have fancy angel eyes ( i m sick of them anyway),but i believe that Acura have the full right to be called PREMIUM and ask the right prize for it!!! And man,i live in Finland..,please do never compare Acura with Volvo and Lincoln..its a crime :)
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 10 жыл бұрын
Perhaps in Finland the market positioning is different, but Acura themselves are very clear that in the USA they consider themselves direct competition for Lincoln and Volvo. Like Lincoln and Volvo Acura is a brand based on front-wheel-drive products, their pricing structure is very similar to Lincoln and Volvo and all three brands lack products that compete within a full luxury lineup. The result is the "near luxury" brand position which how Acura describes themselves. The only full line luxury companies in the USA are currently Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and Audi. Infiniti and Cadillac are part-line luxury companies as they lack a full-size sedan and then the sub category is the FWD near luxury marques like Volvo, Acura and Lincoln. Buick would be considered "premium" rather than near-Luxury.
@Gravitas37
@Gravitas37 10 жыл бұрын
Alex on Autos I agree with your luxury brand "tiering", except for Audi being in the top tier. They may have a full lineup but they don't any bona fide rear wheel drive cars that I know of.
@fallenxangel105
@fallenxangel105 10 жыл бұрын
Gravitas37 Audi R8 is standard rear wheel drive
@Gravitas37
@Gravitas37 10 жыл бұрын
Brian Rojas Yeah, I know that. But that's their supercar which they don't make that many of and that very few can afford.
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
About the shift buttons for the DCT: I've lived with my Sport Hybrid for 1200 miles now, and what I've noticed is that you don't have to LOOK at the shift controls to use them. It is very obvious when you put your hand on it where D and R are, and how to use them. You don't even have to look to activate the Sport Mode button. I think that must be what they were after, a real life real use improvement.
@UTpaulsantos
@UTpaulsantos 10 жыл бұрын
Alex, I've been watching your reviews and must say that you are best car reviewer amongst other reviewers out there. Do you have a review of Acura TL?
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 10 жыл бұрын
Sorry I don't. With the TLX coming very soon I'm unlikely to have one at this point either.
@ascott2168
@ascott2168 10 жыл бұрын
Good review Alex. I am a new subscriber and I like how in depth the videos are. I'm Interested to see how this and other hybrids will hold up for those consumers who keep their cars for 5+ years and really put 200+ hundred thousand miles on them. I've heard several stories about Acura and transmission failure, even when taken care of properly. I've seen this car in person and it looks great, especially in Black.
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 10 жыл бұрын
In general hybrids fare well over time. The battery capacity of course drops but according to the EPA there isn't a noticeable drop after the "lifetime" is reached which for the EPA is 10 years and 160,000 miles.
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 9 жыл бұрын
That's the case for all batteries in genereal, however Li-Ion batteries aren't quite as durable as NIMH batteries which is why some makers have stuck to the older chemistry.
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 9 жыл бұрын
It isn't a simple answer unfortunately. Longevity really depends on how you use the battery and that's where the difference is found. Li-ion batteries dislike high discharge rates and that's where NIMH works well. That factors into durability in the long term so even though LION generally has a longer cycle lifetime than NIMH the use case causes the lifetime to change depending on how the battery is managed.
@stephenhendricks6790
@stephenhendricks6790 10 жыл бұрын
Very interesting vehicle. Have to say that I'd become disenchanted with Honda/Acura in terms of their strong suit: technologically interesting automobiles. This suggests the company may be on its way back on that front.
@electrictroy2010
@electrictroy2010 10 жыл бұрын
Honda has a very good video of the transmission: Basically the trans is divided into two shafts (standard for self-shifting automatics). The motor sits on the second shaft & provides extra boost as needed, plus an EV mode.
@hiroanz
@hiroanz 10 жыл бұрын
The MDX is the best selling Acura. Can't wait for this Hybrid SH-AWD system to make it's way into the MDX Hybrid. Hopefully the higher height of the MDX would result in minimal intrusion of the rear electric motors into the trunk space, and dramatically increase fuel economy.
@Anita-gy1fq
@Anita-gy1fq 10 жыл бұрын
Have you tested out the 2014 Acura RDX yet? Can you do a review on that, please
@hks071
@hks071 10 жыл бұрын
Very informative. I wish we get that in honda version in Australia. We only have the model up to the equivalent to the acura rl 3.7L in Australia.
@predocjean
@predocjean 9 жыл бұрын
We don't even have Acura in Taiwan...>.
@thomasbarbeiro6853
@thomasbarbeiro6853 5 жыл бұрын
Alex -- EXCELLENT review of the car I am looking at the RLX Hybrid as a (used) car in 2018 I have a 2005 RL approaching 300,000 miles Any thoughts about picking one up used now? I am finding a number of 2014 - 2015 models with low miles (30,000 miles) in the $25,000 mile range And some with 120,000 miles in the $18,000 range
@Shabbe02
@Shabbe02 3 жыл бұрын
Did you buy one?
@romans9720
@romans9720 2 жыл бұрын
Did you end up buying one? Currently looking for hybrid model but not sure about reliability at 100k miles?
@thomasbarbeiro6853
@thomasbarbeiro6853 2 жыл бұрын
Nope Have not purchased one..... Yet
@mrgold3591
@mrgold3591 Жыл бұрын
@@thomasbarbeiro6853 I purchased an used CPO 18 RLX hybrid with 7200 miles back in Dec 2019. It has been flawless, fun to drive, and mpgs always 28-29 city and +31 hwy. It has just been scheduled maintenance and one free software update to the 7DCT. I would check out Acura car forums for RLX owners that have +100,000 miles on their RLX hybrids. Very few issues with this car. Planning to drive mine +150,000 miles.
@mccraejoey82
@mccraejoey82 7 жыл бұрын
Definitely my next car ill wait three years then get the 2017 one
@johnnieburkhalter5265
@johnnieburkhalter5265 4 жыл бұрын
your comment is now 3 years old. did you get one or did you change your mind?
@Sergio-rv5ei
@Sergio-rv5ei 10 жыл бұрын
Thank gosh u made a video
@mx5hong
@mx5hong 10 жыл бұрын
So in short, the upcoming NSX's drivetrain will be the RLX's Sport Hybrid's but going backwards?
@abdullahbinshahid3517
@abdullahbinshahid3517 3 жыл бұрын
Yep, and the engine twin turboed, also i realize that I'm replying after 6 years
@JohnBehring
@JohnBehring 10 жыл бұрын
Nice review, ever get that 0-60? : )
@jlaferlita
@jlaferlita 9 жыл бұрын
Alex, in the video you couldn't give a final judgment because pricing was not yet available. Now that pricing for the RLX hybrid has been announced, can you please let us know what you think? Separately, have you heard anything about an RLX MMC for 2016, and when that might be released? (It's strange that a 2015 RLX hybrid is not available.)
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 9 жыл бұрын
I think that outside the price I liked the RLX but when I saw the price tag I was forced to say that it's one of the poorer values in the segment. The Volvo S80, Lincoln MKS, Lexus GS, BMW 5-Series are all better buys to be honest.
@predocjean
@predocjean 9 жыл бұрын
Alex on Autos Alex, may I know why? RLX has a combination of SH-AWD, all wheel steer and hybrid system that other brinds don't, doesn't it? Thanks!
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 9 жыл бұрын
adoc student Yes, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the Lexus ES, Lexus GS, Volvo S80 and Lincoln MKS and the rear wheel steer can't account for the sizeable difference. For less cash the Volvo handles better, performs better, has autonomous braking, a smoother radar cruise control, real wood trim, a stitched leather dashboard and more comfortable seats. The same thing applies to the twin-turbo MKS.
@ThousanWhite
@ThousanWhite 9 жыл бұрын
The most overlooked and underrated luxury premium car on the road now
@Mejevoli
@Mejevoli 9 жыл бұрын
ThousanWhite That's because it's sits in a weird class. It's above normal, but isn't full luxury. Acura has always been that middle ground of near luxury.
@jeremyhewitt5462
@jeremyhewitt5462 10 жыл бұрын
Acura is nice and sleek
@afa6361
@afa6361 10 жыл бұрын
Acura is a very impressive car, but it is missing something compared to Lexus and other premium brands. I don't know, but if I have to spend that much money on a car, I would go with another option.
@rickusack3787
@rickusack3787 10 жыл бұрын
Missing something? Most likely it's in the mind only. Drive them then decide. The reason I say that is because it's a common theme echoed quite widely in blogs, etc. You just have to know that all those making that type of comment haven't even driven one. Especially in the lux market, street cred and status make up a huge part of people's buying decisions. That however has little to do with how the cars are to drive, how roomy they are and how comfortable they are, etc. Perhaps Honda hasn't distanced the Acura brand far enough away from the Honda line but remember that in other parts of the world they haven't had to and they carry the Honda badge. Rather says something about the North American market doesn't it?
@Darksyne
@Darksyne 10 жыл бұрын
If anything Lexas is the one missing something
@afa6361
@afa6361 10 жыл бұрын
krauser979 Really? Lexus LS is the best and most reliable luxury car and Lexus LFA is one of the best super car. Until Acura doesn't build cars like these, they remain inferior.
@Darksyne
@Darksyne 10 жыл бұрын
The transmission in the LFA is very meh and clunky and the LS is a good car but for 100 grand id rather put my money on a Mercedes or BMW or Audi or even a Tesla
@afa6361
@afa6361 10 жыл бұрын
krauser979 BMW and Benz can't beat Lexus' reliability. Not to mention a base Lexus LS-460 is 72K, not 100K. LFA is one of the best cars ever built. That said by every car journalists.
@yallo420
@yallo420 10 жыл бұрын
Highway 1 that's Santa Cruz, CA
@kjohnson112able
@kjohnson112able 7 жыл бұрын
so is it fwd or awd?
@jacktran960
@jacktran960 7 жыл бұрын
Kevin Johnson AWD for this model
@NemarusNetwork
@NemarusNetwork 10 жыл бұрын
From the outside, from the side, I honestly thought it was an Accord.
@famicomnintendo
@famicomnintendo 5 жыл бұрын
It kind of is. I still enjoy mine
@Shabbe02
@Shabbe02 3 жыл бұрын
@@famicomnintendo Do you still have it?
@famicomnintendo
@famicomnintendo 3 жыл бұрын
@@Shabbe02 yeah I do! Put on tinted windows and black aftermarket wheels for my winter tires.
@Shabbe02
@Shabbe02 3 жыл бұрын
@@famicomnintendo very nice how many miles does it have?
@famicomnintendo
@famicomnintendo 3 жыл бұрын
@@Shabbe02 bought it with 60k miles and it's now at 82
@AleksandrBlekh
@AleksandrBlekh 9 жыл бұрын
It seems like Acura decided to cancel this model, at least, for 2015 model year (the information on their website has been removed). IMHO, most likely, there was low interest to this cool vehicle due to it being overpriced. Any thoughts on that, Alex on Autos?
@AAutoBuyersGuide
@AAutoBuyersGuide 9 жыл бұрын
Acura has tweaked the RLX and the hybrid will return in the spring I am told with the same minor changes the RLX got.
@AleksandrBlekh
@AleksandrBlekh 9 жыл бұрын
Alex on Autos Great news! Of course, they would be even better, if the pricing would also be tweaked to be more competitive, but it's better than nothing (I mean cancelling the model). Thank you for clarification.
@azimmey
@azimmey 10 жыл бұрын
I want those wheels on my 97 Acura RL
@brianjosephson1778
@brianjosephson1778 10 жыл бұрын
They won't fit unfortunately, 5x120 bolt pattern.
@tar6a
@tar6a 6 жыл бұрын
anyone watching in 2017?
@truevine336
@truevine336 5 жыл бұрын
Commenter Guy I’m watching late 2018
@nevessl998
@nevessl998 4 жыл бұрын
Commenter guy I'm watching Jan 21 2020 while eating dinner 👍
@PKMNFan4664
@PKMNFan4664 4 жыл бұрын
@@nevessl998 March 9, 2020 here. I've heard this car is getting redesigned soon, and will come with a self-driving mode.
@MrKilrico1
@MrKilrico1 9 жыл бұрын
My Acura TL's transmission broke within 4years of owning it
@snazari1994
@snazari1994 10 жыл бұрын
Well living I'm Canada. I would get this over Lexus
@BTC909
@BTC909 10 жыл бұрын
It's a 4 seater. The outside is so boring looking. Awesome tech. The center stack needs to give Tesla a call. This makes a Lexus pointless.
@readynow12345
@readynow12345 9 жыл бұрын
OMG, This guy is actually giving me a headache, he has not taking a single breathe or pause, it's like putting your VCR on fast forward, dude slow down a bit.
@d1sturb3d119
@d1sturb3d119 10 жыл бұрын
How bout mentioning that torque vectoring has been available from Acura since 2004 in the RL and now is available in the TL, TLX and MDX. Another incorrect statement with regard to the car under deceleration. Downshifting in any Acura with the SHAWD system splits torque again allowing the car to rotate better through a corner.
@GoogleUserrrr
@GoogleUserrrr 10 жыл бұрын
As an owner of an 09 RL for 2.5 years and almost 60k miles I can tell you that no gas = no torque vectoring.
@d1sturb3d119
@d1sturb3d119 10 жыл бұрын
tkacle Don't care if you're an owner find out how the system works then. "When cornering under deceleration (with the throttle closed), torque being applied to the outside rear wheel is varied to change the impact on the vehicles momentum from an inward yaw moment to an outward yaw moment, helping vehicle stability." www.honda.co.nz/technology/engine/sh-awd/ The car still vectors torque under deceleration or else it would upset the handling of the car and provide no engine braking at all, or even worse lock up the wheel with the least traction inducing a spin.
@GoogleUserrrr
@GoogleUserrrr 10 жыл бұрын
yea...I must not know what I'm talking about. I was going a bit too fast into a turn with a good application of throttle, I was going too fast and I let off, which was shortly followed by the car going towards the wall even though I did not change the angle of steering, applying gas got me out of there. I think your theory applies better to the new all electric all wheel drive more than the old system. Here's a quote from the website you mentioned just in case "Up to 100 percent of this torque can be applied to the outside rear wheel and that wheels speed can be overdriven up to five percent by the acceleration device if the situation dictates."
@d1sturb3d119
@d1sturb3d119 10 жыл бұрын
tkacle This isn't a theory, this is fact. From what you have described most of what happened makes no sense. My understanding is that you let off the throttle and you didn't steer? The RL uses an acceleration device to overdrive the rear wheels to induce oversteer which should only work under throttle. Not while decelerating. Describing what you feel has nothing to do what is going on with the car mechanically.
@tar6a
@tar6a 6 жыл бұрын
pre production 310 hp actual hp 377
@Ckavwalk
@Ckavwalk 10 жыл бұрын
0-100 in 5.35 seconds?! BRING IT TO AUSTRALIA
@GeorgeKnighton
@GeorgeKnighton 9 жыл бұрын
Alex was driving a pre-production car. Since he drove that car, the RLX Sport Hybrid as it was given to us in North America has different tuning and different cams, putting the 0-60 time UNDER 5.0s. It's still not a very high top speed, limiting itself to 130 mph. However...getting away from a stop light or getting to 60 is a bit quicker with the production car than with the pre-production car that Alex drove. The change in tuning keep 30 mpg overall, but it's no longer 30-30-30 the way it was for Alex's car. It's now 32 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.
@CycoWarriorx
@CycoWarriorx 10 жыл бұрын
Well you asked... The most unattractive thing about the RLX is Acura's insistence on using the front "beak" design. It's horrid. Kills the idea to look at it any further. 😉
@jdhazan
@jdhazan 10 жыл бұрын
sad face at 8:34
@CycoWarriorx
@CycoWarriorx 10 жыл бұрын
Ok let's try this again... The most unattractive thing about the Acura RLX is their insistence on using that front "beak" design. It's horrid and kills the idea of looking at the car any further. :-)
@Toyota4Life
@Toyota4Life 10 жыл бұрын
This car is DOA.
@michaelgrant5258
@michaelgrant5258 5 жыл бұрын
Wrong
@rsp91
@rsp91 2 жыл бұрын
ほしい ☺︎
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