Acura RLX, not recommended by Consumer Reports
08-04-13, 02:43 PM
#16
As many of you know I was a big fan of the previous generation RL with SH-AWD. I have to say CR is pretty much saying what I've been saying about the RL in as much as they are nice cars but are priced a minumum of $10K higher than it should be. Being priced wrong didn't make the last gen RL a bad car, in fact is was very nice, what it did do is make it a poor seller.
I've only sat in the new RLX and I already knew it was priced too high, but I'm sadden to read that other things like steering response and handling are also being reported out as not great.
I've only sat in the new RLX and I already knew it was priced too high, but I'm sadden to read that other things like steering response and handling are also being reported out as not great.
08-04-13, 02:52 PM
#17
Lexus Test Driver
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08-04-13, 05:04 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
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Another nail in the coffin, as if it needed it. Acura, get a clue.
08-04-13, 05:45 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
I don't always agree with their reviews....for instance, I have some disagreements with the way they have evaluated some of the new Subarus and the Buick Verano. But, overall, I have enormous respect for them.....and most of their reviews are spot-on. I can't think of a better or less-biased source. Their magazine also accepts no money or advertising from any auto company....its operating expenses all come from buyers/subscribers.
The new Impala EARNED that position.
If you don't believe CR, go test-drive one for yourself and you'll find out why. 
It's sad that the RLX was pooped on, but it's equally sad they recommended the impala as an alternative.
The new Impala EARNED that position.
If you don't believe CR, go test-drive one for yourself and you'll find out why.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-04-13 at 05:49 PM.
08-04-13, 06:12 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
As many of you know I was a big fan of the previous generation RL with SH-AWD. I have to say CR is pretty much saying what I've been saying about the RL in as much as they are nice cars but are priced a minumum of $10K higher than it should be. Being priced wrong didn't make the last gen RL a bad car, in fact is was very nice, what it did do is make it a poor seller.
I've only sat in the new RLX and I already knew it was priced too high, but I'm sadden to read that other things like steering response and handling are also being reported out as not great.
Same here. I looked and sat in one at the D.C. Auto Show, but, even without a test-drive (and from just inspecting it and sitting in it), it was plain that cost-cutting took a toll on its design, especially compared to its superb predecessor. And, even in the places there they DID spend money on its design (like in the new P-AWS 4-wheel steering system), according to Consumer Reports, that system doesn't noticeably improve road-manners like the old SH-AWD system did. Unfortunately, I have to agree that, in several ways, this new model is indeed a flop.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-04-13 at 06:16 PM.
08-05-13, 04:43 AM
#21
It was stupid to eliminate the all wheel drive system. They cut costs and raised the price on what was a very slow selling model. TL sales will continue to far outpace sales of the RL/RLX.
The most interesting thing about this car, to me, is the full-LED headlights. Keep in mind Acura's RLX has about twice as many reflectors as Audi's A8. Here's what Consumer Reports say about them, which is in line with my experience with LEDs.
They are great for lighting on the exterior of the car. My LED tail and parking lights are much brighter than the stock ones. The parking lights give off a bright white light rather than the stock yellowish one
LEDs have good intensity and good width but they need to be very bright (on high beams) to really cover a long distance. Proper Xenon high intensity discharge lights, for now, still offer the highest headlight performance.
Maybe they should have used the money from all the two page ads touting the full LED headlamps and used it towards all wheel drive systems in the cars.
The most interesting thing about this car, to me, is the full-LED headlights. Keep in mind Acura's RLX has about twice as many reflectors as Audi's A8. Here's what Consumer Reports say about them, which is in line with my experience with LEDs.
Headlights: Low- and high-beam light is supplied by a row of small LEDs and reflectors in place of traditional bulbs. Acura calls them "jewel eye" LEDs. Despite the company's claims, these don't revolutionize headlight performance. On the plus side, the light is super white with excellent levels of intensity. While the headlights illuminate an impressively wide swath, low beams only shine an average forward distance. High-beam distance is more impressive.
They are great for lighting on the exterior of the car. My LED tail and parking lights are much brighter than the stock ones. The parking lights give off a bright white light rather than the stock yellowish one
LEDs have good intensity and good width but they need to be very bright (on high beams) to really cover a long distance. Proper Xenon high intensity discharge lights, for now, still offer the highest headlight performance.Maybe they should have used the money from all the two page ads touting the full LED headlamps and used it towards all wheel drive systems in the cars.
Last edited by Chocolate; 08-05-13 at 05:01 AM.
08-05-13, 09:19 AM
#23
Lexus Champion
As good as the lights are on the Acura, nice lighting will not sell a car. Poor Acura is fading into obscurity.
And in usual Acura fashion, they do a massive PR blitz and hope this is why no one is buying their cars.
And in usual Acura fashion, they do a massive PR blitz and hope this is why no one is buying their cars.
08-06-13, 05:07 AM
#24
Pole Position
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08-06-13, 08:52 AM
#25
Out of Warranty
Honda in general offers what they think you should be driving rather than what you necessarily want. You are expected to take your medicine and like it because they know better than you. That may well be true, but it approaches arrogance in the marketplace. I had to learn the hard way that you don't "educate" your customer beyond a certain point - you should tell them what you THINK they need, but you sell them what they want.
Honda does a great job, at least at the lower end of their range, packaging features into base, LX and EX lines, without any real factory options. The "we know best, so take your medicine" strategy works with Civics and Accords, but when they engineer an Acura, they are dealing with a more knowledgeable target demo, and they need to go head to head with the competition. That "we know best" philosophy has gone awry, producing a car that practically no one wants.
Honda does a great job, at least at the lower end of their range, packaging features into base, LX and EX lines, without any real factory options. The "we know best, so take your medicine" strategy works with Civics and Accords, but when they engineer an Acura, they are dealing with a more knowledgeable target demo, and they need to go head to head with the competition. That "we know best" philosophy has gone awry, producing a car that practically no one wants.
08-06-13, 09:03 AM
#26
I would personally rather have an Avalon over an RLX. Really, I'd probably rather have a new Accord V6, too.
The new MDX is pretty underwhelming as well...seeing a few of them around Atlanta, and in the darker colors it doesn't look so bad, but it looks like they put in half effort overall. I am glad that others, like Cadillac, Infiniti, Audi and Hyundai continue to trample Acura, but it doesn't seem to be making them wake up and smell the coffee any faster.
The new MDX is pretty underwhelming as well...seeing a few of them around Atlanta, and in the darker colors it doesn't look so bad, but it looks like they put in half effort overall. I am glad that others, like Cadillac, Infiniti, Audi and Hyundai continue to trample Acura, but it doesn't seem to be making them wake up and smell the coffee any faster.
08-06-13, 09:49 AM
#27
Pole Position
08-06-13, 09:58 AM
#28
Lexus Champion
08-06-13, 10:23 AM
#30
Lead Lap
I can't think of a more credible source on cars than CR. Yes, unlike everybody else they actually buy the cars they review to avoid undue influence by press loaners and other manufacturer "perks". I don't always agree with their findings, but they're definitely consistent and don't suddenly change their testing standards such that a preferred model can still eek out a win. *cough*3series*cough* ghey auto rags (MT/RT/C&D)