Jan 072015
 
2014 Acura RLX.

2014 Acura RLX.

To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Acura’s front fascias. Something just didn’t look right. Well, whatever it was, it’s fixed, particularly on the all-new RLX sedan. Indeed, driving the RLX with Advance through Austin turned more than a few heads.

The cherry cola brown exterior paint (technically Crystal Black Pearl) initially caught my eye as well as the world’s first Jewel Eye LED headlights.

2014 Acura RLX.

2014 Acura RLX.

The flagship sedan brings new technology to the segment including the standard next-generation AcuraLink connected car system, and Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, while adopting others, like haptic controls.

Touted as Acura’s “most powerful, spacious, and technologically advanced sedan,” it’s powered by an all-new 310-horsepower direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 engine matched to a Sequential SportShift six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The RLX has an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 20/31 mpg. I averaged 21.6 mpg.

Unique to Acura and standard on the RLX, the Precision All-Wheel Steer continuously monitors and calculates the correct amount of independent rear-wheel steering necessary for driving conditions. Double wishbone, double joint front suspension, and Agile Handling Assist also enhance performance

Longer and wider than its predecessor, the RLX boasts the longest rear-seat legroom (38.8 inches), and best front and rear shoulder room in the mid-luxury class. The expansive trunk offers 15.3 cubic feet of cargo room but because the test model also included the Krell Audio System, the cargo room came to 15.1 cubic feet.

2015 Acura RLXVery nicely equipped with creature comforts, the RLX comes with tri-zone climate control, hill start assist, a power moonroof, Bluetooth, push button ignition, and the Acura/ELS audio system with Pandora compatibility. While the black and white leather seating adds luxury, the wood accents are not real and at this price and in this segment, they should be.

Standard safety technology includes forward collision and lane departure warning, the Multi-Angle Rearview camera, vehicle stability assist with traction control, and Smart Entry with push button start among other features.2014 Acura RLX

New safety technology includes lane departure warning, Forward Collision Warning, illuminated door handles, and Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control.

Fully loaded with The Advance Package, the test model added Collision Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, parking sensors in the front and rear, and heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats among other features.

Pricing for the 2014 RLX starts at $49,345. The as-tested price for the top-of-the-line RLX (next to the RLX hybrid) with the Advance Package came to $61,345.

 

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