The RLX starts with a 3.5L V6 engine with 310 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque, and the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD models add on a trio of motors that augments performance and increases power. Features like Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Cylinder Management keep this powerful V6 efficient as well, earning an EPA-estimated 30 highway mpg and 20 city mpg on standard RLX FWD models.**
Gone are the days of the sluggish hybrid; Acura’s Sport Hybrid drivetrain setup incorporates three electric motors that boost engine performance and also improve efficiency. Sport Hybrid models start with the standard RLX engine, but the specs get a boost up to a combined 377 hp and 341 lb-ft of torque. 2017 RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD models feature the confidence of all-wheel drive and the efficiency of a hybrid, earning an EPA-estimated 30 highway mpg and 29 city mpg.**
The efficiency and precision of automatic gear shifting meets the performance and control of a manual transmission right at the steering wheel of the RLX. SportShift paddles let the driver switch gears with just the slightest movement of the wrist; combine that with the vehicle’s multiple engine profiles for a sedan fit for the street or the track.
In order to maximize RLX performance, engineers looked at all of its features and asked which could be used for both their intended purpose and improved handling. Agile Handling Assist uses the Vehicle Stability Assist safety feature to brake individual wheels, counteracting understeer and oversteer and minimizing the power lost during a turn.
The curves of the RLX may be faint, but they are purposeful. Augmenting the classic full-size luxury sedan look that makes this Acura stand out on the road are lines that guide the eye and the air up over the hood and out of the way as you put the pedal down and unleash the full power of the 3.5L V6.
This advanced all-wheel steer system is standard on the RLX, taking handling to new heights. P-AWS adjusts rear toe angles so they complement the front wheels, decreasing stopping distance, reducing turn radius, and improving highway stability.
The door handles of the RLX will automatically light up when you are within 3 feet of the vehicle, sensing your key fob. Touch the handle and the seats, steering wheel, mirrors, and more revert to preferred settings. When you arrive at your destination, simply press a button on the exterior door handle to lock up and be on your way.
A multi-angle rearview camera is standard on the RLX, but if you want a full view of the vehicle’s surroundings before leaving a parking spot, the available Surround View Camera has you covered. An overhead 360-degree view has you covered, letting you scan all around the vehicle and ensure no one is walking or driving in your direction before backing up.
Refined details of the RLX extend even to its fueling area. The car’s capless fuel filler door will have drivers wondering why they ever messed with fuel caps in the past. This innovative feature not only simplifies the process of gassing up by eliminating the need to remove a fuel cap, but it helps motorists keep their hands clean because they no longer have to touch a dirty cap.
It’s important for a luxury sedan to feel like a luxury sedan, and the RLX uses nothing but the best. Ergonomic seating wrapped in perforated Milano leather keeps the driver and front passenger comfortable, while the dash sports leather with contrast stitching and brushed aluminum speakers.
Comfort has been optimized for all RLX passengers, with the rear featuring a class-leading 38.8 inches of legroom and edging out competitors like the Lexus LS and Audi A8. Step up to the RLX Advance Package and the rear seats feature dual-level heating elements as well.
Standard on the RLX, the ELS Studio Premium Audio System sports 14 speakers and studio-quality sound, designed by Grammy Award–winning Elliot Scheiner. Drivers seeking a bit more punch to their audio system will find it on the available Krell Audio System, also with 14 speakers.
What would take dozens of traditional buttons is boiled down to fewer than 10 options that vary as you need them, all on a 7-inch color display. Control audio features, climate, Bluetooth, and more with just a few taps. The result is a streamlined dash that looks as intuitive and purposeful as every other inch of the RLX.
Rid the cabin of unwanted noise with Active Sound Control. This feature emits sounds in opposing frequencies to road and vehicle noise to cancel them out, while acoustic glass absorbs outside noise—even the wheels have been engineered to reduce tire noise.
Each 2017 RLX Sport Hybrid carries the HUD technology that puts relevant vehicle data directly onto the window so you don’t even need to glance away from the road. Real-time power distribution, driver assistance alerts, navigation instructions, and more can be illuminated right onto the windshield.
The radar of Adaptive Cruise Control serves a dual purpose: alerting the driver to potential collisions with the Frontal Collision Warning system. If the driver doesn’t respond to the accident warning, Collision Mitigation Braking can apply the brakes automatically to help mitigate the damage.
Cruise control makes highway drives easy, letting you focus on the road while the car keeps the speed up. Traditional cruise requires the driver to brake and accelerate to keep with the flow of traffic, but radar sensors on the RLX track the speed of surrounding vehicles and adjust the RLX cruising speeds automatically.
A front-mounted camera on the RLX tracks the markings on the pavement and can sense if the vehicle starts to drift. After a warning, the Lane Keeping Assist System is able to give the vehicle a nudge and center it in the lane to help fight driver fatigue.
By tracking objects and markings on the side of the road, the Road Departure Mitigation System can sense when the RLX is heading off-road and alert the driver. This system uses autonomous braking and active steering systems to keep the vehicle on the road.
This RLX safety feature tracks individual wheel speeds, steering wheel position, and lateral G-forces to detect oversteer and understeer. If it detects either, Vehicle Stability Assist adjusts the brakes and engine output until stability returns and the car is back under control.
Radar sensors on the rear of the RLX can detect if a vehicle is in the blind spot or “alert zone” for the vehicle. If it senses a car in the blind spot, the system lights up an indicator on the display, alerting the driver with audio and visual warnings if they signal when a vehicle is in the alert zone.