037

All this performance talk and no one mentions the performance value champ

037

Link to performance data

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $45,770 (base price: $45,770)

ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 415 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque: 415 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.8 in
Length: 195.5 in
Width: 74.7 in Height: 57.9 in
Curb weight: 3931 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.5 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 28.6 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.1 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 111 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 160 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 153 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.95 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14/21 mpg
C/D observed: 17 mpg

George Knighton

Very nice car for the money, discounting all GM reliability suspicions.

But...they should have used the new motor, not the old one. I'm not paying a gas guzzler tax for this class of car.

Something also bugs me about a company that appears to have engaged in a criminal collusive conspiracy to hide an issue that has been killing people for a few years.

037

Just want to point out that the vehicle above is a rebadged Holden Commodore SSV Redline and has very little relation to the GM N. A. Product lines. The old power train keeps cost down.

The two things I am most amazed with are the brakes, which seem to have no limit that I can find as to how quickly and effortlessly they can stop this 4000lb car. Secondly this sport tuned suspension soaks up big bumps better than the soft Genesis before it while I can toss it around at crazy speeds feeling 200% in control.

Forgot to mention that I am pretty much getting the same mpg as the 2009RL which is 12 around town and low 20s on the highway.

jhr3uva90

I totally agree. They probably should have taken the same ZDX design, put it on a TL, and called it either a TL coupe or CL.

neuronbob

The SS is a nice car, no doubt.

But this thread is about the (lack of) availability of the RLX sport hybrid, so let's keep it on track.

CFoote

Tampa, what did you think of the new MDX? I sat in one at the dealer and I have to be honest, it felt cheap. The door panels were really flimsy...just didn't have the quality feel the older MDX had. I know CAFE requirements are causing manufacturers to use lightweight materials, but you still have to use quality stuff. Did you feel the same way on the build quality/materials? The RL just feels SOLID compared to the MDX...

Chris

037

My post is as close to target as the last 30 posts, I hope you aren't discriminating here.

neuronbob

No. It's a reminder for all.

CFoote

I'm still curious as to what is going to happen with these 200 RLX-Hs... they must be marked as demo cars at this point.

getakey

What happened to the hundai
And where are the rlxes

jhr3uva90

Why even bother to ship the SH-AWD RLXs as 2014 models? Might was well just call them 2015.

Terragotti

Love the car engine but still looks like a 2007 Poniac G8 with a 2011 Impala face,they should have put more effort into the design

TampaRLX-SH

Chris,

I like the new MDX ADVANCE. It has most all the features of the RLX, similar dash and a few touches the RLX could use (puddle lamps power tailgate, better rear seat controls / features and of course the SHAWD option.

I drove the RLX and MDX same day. For my taste, the MDX rode better. Less up and down motion and better absorption of road bumps, lane reflectors and manhole covers, etc. And being a utility it of course would alleviate those situations where cargo wont fit in my RL or an RLX.

That said, I agree with your assessment of some cheap(er) materials and some questionable fit. I too found the door panels thin and not solidly mounted. Just tapping on them you could see them flex and gaps at the window edge. I also found the center console hard plastic and could see it scratched and gouged. I agree, all in the sake of cutting weight. But my concern for any vehicle I am going to plop north of $50K, how will it hold up? I had concerns with some Honda & Acura vehicles developing interior buzzes and rattles (namely my former TL) and I do not want a vehicle buzzing and rattling in the 1st year or two.

The RLX does seem to be better screwed together and the interior pieces impressive materials (if not too soft and less durable?). Further I still see appreciably better build quality from Japan assembly over the US. My RL is now 8 years old and only on coarse washboard roads do some interior buzzes surface. That is a long time for a car to remain solid. Getting back in the RL after the MDX or RLX the RL felt heavy and tank like. It reminded me of my first impressions of a Mercedes years ago.

I still rank the RLX over the MDX for that detail, and the SH RLX is my top plan. I have been looking elsewhere but everything I find catching my attention is north of $70K and not necessarily equipped as completely as either the SH RLX or the MDX Advance SHAWD.

TampaRLX-SH

The 2014 VINs are already assigned to these cars. VINs cannot be changed once assigned a MY. And if the speculation of the 2015 SH RLX will be offered only in Advance trim, then they SH AWD Tech models will be orphaned trim.

With only 200 or so produced, that equates to about 2 per dealer (if enough for all dealers). They will likely serve as demos for generating orders. Some will likely be exec cars and I expect Acura plans to buy back a portion to disassemble and inspect for refinements prior to the NSX launch.

stagefoursurvivor

I've concluded after all this time the "h" version is a fantasy concocted by Honda/Acura simply to maintain continued interest in their other products!

hondamore

^^^ It only feels that way because we've been waiting so long. Hybrids are the future as manufacturers comply with ever more stringent CAFE standards but don't want to relive the mid-70's performance destruction that accompanied mandatory fuel economy gains.

The SHAWD hybrid RLX is not Bigfoot or Loch Ness Monster. It's real and hopefully soon we can all see one for ourselves.

I could not be more sympathetic to your frustration, stagefoursurvivor, the lack of news is driving me crazy as well.

TampaRLX-SH

If I had the time, I would be scanning Google Earth for the car port in Japan.

If anyone has time, just look for the 200 Accords in the port.

Malibu Flyer

I too am very frustrated. Acura first teased the hybrid almost 18 months ago when they introduced the PAWS RLX. I was anxiously awaiting the RLX because my '05 RL was getting long in the tooth. I was disappointed in the PAWS and no AWD RLX. I like most things about the PAWS RLX but the handling, which is one thing I love about my current RL, made it a no go for me.

So the idea of a hybrid is nice but the early reports of the AWD performance make me very interested in the car. I am disappointed that the hybrid losses truck space but if everything else proves out then I can probably live with the smaller truck [my biggest complaint about the my RL].

Between my wife and myself we have had 7 Acuras since the first Legend came out in the '80s. My RL is now approaching 10 years of service and 120,000 miles. I was ready to replace it before the RLX came out but waited to see the new model. I have had great loyalty to the brand but now am feeling very abused with the hybrid delays and lack of honesty [or any information] about what is going on with the actual delivery of it. I have looked at the Audi A-7 but decided to wait for the hybrid. It now appears that it is really going to be a calendar year 2015 vehicle. I am going to take another look at the Audis

Acura has really mishandled the intro of the hybrid. It has made me feel like they have taken advantage of the confidence I have had in the brand. Not a feeling I like to have.

hondamore

I just wonder how everyone's frustration level would change if Acura sent out a simple news item stating, "Dear Loyal Acura buyers, Battery supply issues have forced us to push back the release of the Hybrid SHAWD RLX. We will announce a new release date just as soon as we are able to. Thank you for your patience and supporting our brand."

If this turns out to be a ploy by Acura to grow demand - I will never purchase a Honda product again and I will own a Lexus within a day of reaching that conclusion.

TampaRLX-SH

^ +1

Even my dealer is apologizing on behalf of Acura.

You would think Acura would reach out to RL owners and offer some 'insider' relationship nurturing.

They have sent me the 'Yes, we are there yet' postcard for the SH RLX. They know enough to pitch me. How about some 'essplainin' as to not sour the fish on the line? Almost every brand and product has loyalty programs. All Acura has is 'Style' Magazine. And that I have had to re-subscribe 3 times as it mysteriously stopped arriving.

Just sayin'.....

Malibu Flyer

My take is that Acura is long past just teasing the SH_AWD. It seems to me that they ran into a number of unexpected problems but never would admit it. I think they have just been stumbling around on the production/implementation/design side of things. Rather than admit mistakes/mismanagement etc. they seem to try to ignore the problem.

It makes the brand seem like GM before the bankruptcy.....produce mediocre products and ignore the problems. The "new" GM at least seems to have come clean and is willing to say, "we screwed things up but are working hard to make the changes needed."

Acura would be much better off if they would fess up to the problem but I am more worried about the deeper issue -- is the company is losing their way?

Years of goodwill and a quality corporate image can be destroyed with this type of screw up. What a sad day when I have to compare Acura to GM.

neuronbob

I would be ecstatic that Acura cared about its customers so much if they said this. That would make the wait more bearable. Based on initial performance figures and potential city fuel economy, I'm still interested in the sport hybrid.

Even though I've strayed from the brand, this car is exactly the sort of car I'd love to lease/own and would bring me back to the brand. I'm a Honda guy to the core, after all.

I'm not in a hurry to buy, but I share everyone else's frustration. I'm all over the place for my next car, from Accord (Honda got this 100% right except for trim packages, I absolutely love and rave over this car) to Tesla Model S to Chevy Volt to TLX. The top of the list, however, is the sport hybrid RLX.

wstr75

Put me in the frustrated camp. As stated in another thread, I am even contemplating buying a Subaru Legacy so as to have AWD. I know if I did buy the smaller car, it would be a mistake I'd likely regret. A Lexus salesman told me a couple years ago LS drivers that buy a smaller car usually trade it in a year later to move back to the size and luxury they were accustomed to having. I would probably be one of those folks.

I agree, Honda/Acura is getting close to abusing loyal RL customers. They eliminated the RSX. They eliminated the S2000. The last NSX made was, what, nearly ten years ago, and its replacement is yet to be made available. Yes, they had an awful tsunami event and also got pounded in the 2008/2009 "recession", but it looks like the Acura side of the equation has been moved even further into the back seat since 2009. Surely they can find a West coast bound freighter to move 200 RLX Hybrids to the USA.

KeithL

He'll 200 cars they could almost fly them here ;-) especially considering how much a loss they are taking on them. Do I want a car that has been sitting at a storage lot for month in end?

I also agree with the downsize comment, I loved the size and ride of my M37S and my A6 is a tad tighter inside, and I am nervous bout the interior of the TLX and am considering looking at the new 15 Genesis and 15 Q70 again.

Pens Fan

Yes if Acura comes out and officially explains when the RLX SHAWD Hybrid will be released and/or why the long delay so far, then this would ease much of the frustration. If anyone in Corporate reads this forum, perhaps this may happen. We after all are mostly Acura loyalists and are holding off obtaining other brands while we wait. I too have stayed from the brand a few times (Mazda Millenia and Infiniti M-35X -a real disappointment) so the thought of ditching Acura over this delay has not convinced me to do that again. Maybe this is why Acura has not been forthcoming-we are too loyal.

TampaRLX-SH

Time to get the pitchforks and torches ready.....

getakey

has anyone tried an email to Corporate communications
just wondering if they responded

TSX69

I would be much happier if Acura provided some kind of update, even if it is just to announce another delay. When they changed from the end of 2013 to spring of 2014, I may not have been pleased but at least I knew to plan accordingly.

Doubtful that Acura is using the hybrid as some kind of halo trick to keep people interested. Other than us enthusiasts, I doubt that anyone is paying attention or even cares; I bet most people have even forgot about the hybrid as it has been so long since the initial announcement. Acura has not exactly been promoting or reminding people of it either - it is not even prominently displayed on their website, not that it has ever been.

Acura never seemed that interested in the RLX to begin with and their apathy seems worse with the hybrid. If they were going to bother making the car, I wish they would take it more seriously. Sure, there is probably only a handful of people at this point seriously interested in buying the hybrid but they really should focus on keeping us happy or interested. Otherwise, they are going to have $70k cars rotting on the lots.

I contacted Acura Client Care once, their answer was the usual "soon" and to keep an eye on www.acuranews.com for updates. That was months ago, mind you.

TampaRLX-SH

Corp Communications will only read the script or parrot what they are told. When I called to ask who approved the power phlegm grille I was told that nobody has complained about it.

I tweeted Mike Accavitti....maybe a few others from RL / RLX owners will get the Who's heard by Horton.

"We are here, we are Here, we are HERE!"

TampaRLX-SH

Based on what I posted earlier, I think this is a bit intentional. If they are trying to , in essence, skip over the 2014 SH RLX MY by only producing those 200 units, they may want that snafu to fall off the radar and pick up with the 2015 MY reshuffle (or is that tap dancing?).

This is beginning to remind me of Washington politics....delay and ignore the issues and they should just go away.

getakey

I'd settle for hearing what the script is

TampaRLX-SH

"coming soon"

stagefoursurvivor

Perhaps there's a method to the madness, fear?
If there's another prolonged(3mos?) delay made public by an official announcement maybe "fence sitters" will decide to go to the competition?

200 '14s then the '15s? WTH will that do to the resale on '14s down the road?

KeithL

And who wants a 14 when it is sitting for months in some storage lot.

neuronbob

^^^^^
A nice introductory lease deal to blow out inventory would solve that problem for me.

stagefoursurvivor

Yes, a lease deal on '14s might move them but, again what does that mean for resale?
Being completely clueless on such topics as VIN assignment, could these "200" be reassigned as '15s since they've yet to leave Japan?
We also have no clue if there are any MY changes from '14 to '15, so...WTH?
Other than the obvious...tires, are there problems with them "sitting" on the dock for 3-4 months?

KeithL

True that could be interesting, but they they set precedent that the 14 SH-AWD RLX was a bargain and people will want the same on the 15.

neuronbob

A Catch-22 for sure.....

Colin

There is no 'real' evidence that they're sitting anywhere. On our internal network, none (of any year) on order or built but in transit.