Acura's RL, in need of a major tune-up, enters 2014 with a next-generation redo and new identity.
The RL first entered the U.S. market in 1996 as Acura's flagship sedan, replacing the highly successful Legend which helped launch the upstart brand back in 1986. A second-generation coming online in 2005, has grown tired in a segment demanding innovation and fresh-thinking. Plus one of the segment's smallest back seats detoured sales. An extra two inches were tacked on to the new effort's width and wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) while overall length remained virtually unchanged. The competed revamp also includes a new name, RLX. Honda's luxury arm debuted the 2014 RLX early in the 2013 calendar year, ending RL largely as a 2012 entry.
Adding a new suffix to the outgoing RL name suggests a new era, but the 'X' addition may cause some confusion or double takes as 'X' implies crossover body styles in many rivals, not to mention Acura's own MDX crossover. Just remember friends at Honda, it's never too late to resurrect the still impactful Legend name from Acura's retirement village.
Acura's 2014 mid-luxury RLX with V-6 gas engine is now strictly front-wheel drive, a philosophical shift from 2012 when its 'super handling' all-wheel drive came standard. However, an all-new 2014 gas-electric hybrid RLX version, now in the pipeline, retains all-wheel drive. Acura's slightly smaller (by two inches in overall length), V-6-powered TL mid-size sedan offers both all-wheel and front drive in gas models.
The 2014 RLX gas powertrain is a 3.5-liter, direct-injection, 24-valve V-6 cranking out 310 horsepower mated to a re-tweaked six-speed automatic transmission; smaller yet more powerful than the 3.7-liter V-6 (300 horsepower) from the outgoing RL. Acceleration is strong and smooth, not over powering. Fuel economy took a welcomed leap forward too thanks to lighter weight building materials. Survey says mileage numbers check in at a mid-luxury comparable 20 mpg city and 31 mpg highway compared to Gen Two's 17 city and 24 highway. Variable cylinder management (Acura's nomenclature for cylinder deactivation), shuts down the three cylinders during certain highway situations. Turning radius remains average, not as tight as some mid-size rivals.
Acura smartly offers a decently-equipped base edition and four progressive content packages. This simplifies dealership transaction especially since a single engine and transmission are offered.
Base mid-sized models include sun roof, rear-view camera and electric power steering and a $48,450 starting price; an RLX with in-dash navigation, $50,950. Chose the technology package and expect a $54,450 bottom line. Audiophiles may desire the Krell audio package at $56,950 while the top-line RLX with advanced package lists at $60,450.
What does all this translate to as far as content is concerned? A technology package adds (to the navigation package) blind spot information system, rain-sensing wipers, and power retracting side mirrors. The Krell audio package adds to the tech package a 14-speaker premium audio system and power operated rear sunshade. The final Advance stage adds electronic guidance features including adaptive cruise control automatically slowing and speeding the vehicle when CC is implemented (which Acura dubs 'low speed follow'), lane departure alerts, parking audio sensors, heated seats and rear passenger foot lights.
The folks at Acura were nice enough to supply a top-line advance package which ended at $61,345 after $895 destination fee. With its standard V-6, Acura RLX tilts towards a luxury rather than a performance-inspired choice thanks to a whisper quite interior setting made possible through noise-inhibiting engine mounts and acoustic glass.
The lane departure system rates as one high-tech device worth ordering because of its simplicity and real-world implications. With hand-held electronic devices, texting impulses and other potential attention-distracting nuances at driver's beg and call, the system emits a gentle yet audible chime if drifting over a road's center line or next lane over, reminding pilots to stay focused.
A distinctive bright-red, circular push start button comes standard as does 'precision all-wheel steer' continuously monitoring and calculating the correct amount of independent rear-wheel steer necessary to maximize agility. It's activated by summoning the 'sport' mode button found between wide, power-operating leather front bucket seats with comforting four-way lumbar back support.
The attractive, three-dimensional LED backlit instrument panel sports two circular analog gauges flanked by quarter-sized versions (fuel-gauge right, temperature left) deeper in depth. Rather than embedded within exterior side-view mirrors, Acura flashes blind spot 'collision' icons inside the vehicle where amber-colored symbols contrast with a black background near the inside lower corner of the 'A' pillar. Another simple, yet notably nuance is a slender vertical concave in the driver's side mirror helping accentuate pesky left-rear side blind spots. The rest of the artfully-designed, stitched-leather black dash with "Y"-shaped center column boasts soft-touch materials as do side doors.
The well-though-out, tri-operating center arm rest includes a top sliding feature revealing auxiliary and iPod ports along with plenty of storage opportunities. The dual-hinged top flips open in either bucket-seat direction revealing a deep, sizeable bin. Trunk and fuel-tank releases smartly locate on the driver's door rather than the floor, but could use a point-size increase. For a flagship offering, RLX lacks some thrills found in competitors including a warming steering wheel and heated rear seats only in the top content package.
While not as convoluted as Cadillac's recently introduced CUE (Cadillac User Experience) electronics/audio interface, RLX's answer needs tweaking to earn the coveted 'user friendly' seal of approval. A duo-screen set up works nicely with the upper, seven-inch multi-use display screen serving primarily for the navigation, back-up camera feed and hands-free phone connections. The lower birth eight-inch view handles audio information. A large circular dial with push-select functioning serves as a mouse-like selector for the top screen. However, choosing a radio mode (AM/FM/Satellite radio) or station tuning, took too many clicks, forcing eyes off the road.
Smartly, ventilation functions are separate from electronic wizardly, but lack 'dial' simplicity. A row of push-buttons monitor fan speed, multi-zone temperature and fan direction, but a single fan-speed button was slow to action. Row two now easily accommodates three adults thanks to enhanced leg room besting most in the mid-luxury class including six-cylinder, rear-drive 2014 Lexus GS ($47,700) and six-cylinder 2014 Audi A6 ($55,100).
Premium unleaded fuel is recommended (not required) for the 18.5-gallon tank, which smartly includes a cap-less fill design. Sans a twist-off top, the fill nozzle pushes past a lead-in safety plate during the fueling process, and self-seals on the way out. Trunk volume measures a relatively usable 15.3 cubic feet.
Asian automakers historically take a conservative turn when the subject of exterior styling comes up, and RLX is no exception. One bright spot are LED Jewel Eye headlamps (10 elements in each housing, two rows, five columns) providing welcomed and enhanced nighttime illumination benefitting eyes in service more than 50 years. Wheels move closer to the corners in the redesign, a key reason for rear-seat legroom gains. At night, strap-like door handles illuminate with backlighting.
2014 Acura RLXPrice as tested: $61,345
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 196.1 inches
Width: 74.4 inches
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 310
Curb weight: 3,997 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Six year/70,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 20 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway
Assembly: Japan