Redbiff

Does the Hybrid have the P-AWS?

rlx015

I second all you wrote here... to add, it seriously beats my mind that someone in their right mind would put together a car with 2.0T and put a 45-55k price tag on it... not to mention tightness inside and oversized design outside speaking of TLX ... simply not my cup of tea...
Having said that, dealers are selling off their (other than Acura) brand new units off the lots while TLX is literally sitting on the lots like never before...

jdpdata

No, they Sport Hybrid have Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). SH-AWD is superior to P-AWS. I'll leave it to the smarter people here to explain the differences between the two AWD systems.

hondamore

No, the Sport Hybrid does not have the PAWS rear wheel steering.

mrgold35

The hybrid sh-awd is even better in most situations than mechanical sh-awd on earlier RL models. Having sh-awd on a corner is like that scene in batman when the bat mobile uses a grappling hook to help it turn a sharp corner.

neuronbob

Others have already answered, and be glad it doesn't have PAWS. Think on this...there's a reason Acura no longer does PAWS. Lots of folks complainig about the out-of warranty cost for replacing the parts, about $4k a side for the RLX. I'd rather deal with the hybrid batteries (warrantied for 8 years )

Angrybear

Hello, I’m 33 and in the market for my oldman car, as I call it.
I wanted the rlx Sh because it is made in Japan like my s2000 and I know I can expect that quality from the Japanese!

I currently have a 2013 accord v6 6 speed. It’s the replacement for my Acura cl 3.2 6 speed. Both excellent but i want a automatic sedan now that I’m married.

I have noticed how rare the Sport hybrid model is. I’m looking nationwide.

hello to you all!

hondamore

Welcome to the RLX forum Angrybear.

The RLX Sport Hybrid is indeed an extremely rare model, but they do appear in the market from time to time. The good news is that the current market for this rare gem seems to be favourable toward buyers. The RLX FWD PAWS version was rushed to market which led to reliability issues and that, along with
a perceived bloated price tag, led to poor early reviews and a subsequent poor reputation among the automotive media which inevitably spread to consumers. Even though the later released Sport Hybrid version has been universally praised for its performance and engineering, the RLX just hasn't been able to shake that early bad press and so
demand has been weak and good prices are out there to be had. Strangely, it seems that anyone who actually drives the Sport Hybrid loves it, but the challenge for Acura has been to get people interested enough to drive one. They never had the production capacity to make a lot of the
Sport Hybrid version, so they didn't bother to market it.

I suspect that, now that production has ceased, the rarity of the car will eventually produce a cult following among Honda/Acura loyalists and demand will increase with a corresponding stabilization in pricing. How many years it takes for this to happen is just a guess, but I don't think it will be too long.

I've had my 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid for 6 1/2 years and love the technology of the drivetrain so much that I bought my wife a 2018 MDX Sport Hybrid. I am confident in saying that, if you love your CL and S2000, you will love the RLX Sport Hybrid. Good luck in your search to find a RLX Sport Hybrid and confirm that statement.

neuronbob

Welcome! There are very few RLX-SH nationwide. People seem to buy and keep them. Good luck!

Jim 2004

Good luck with your search. As Neuron Bob says, people tend to keep them. So don't ask me for mine!

Angrybear

Hey neuronbob!
i Watched your channel. I think you did an acceleration vid? Take off speed is impressive.
Saw on a local Facebook forum, someone blew their sh engine..? Is this common ?

jdpdata

ooohh someone blew up their SH engine, post video, I want to see.

I bought my wife a 2017 MDX-SH, we liked it so much I snatched up a 2020 RLX-SH last Oct for an incredibly good deal. In the 3 years that we've owned the MDX-SH, no major issues other than having to replace the 12V battery twice now. Both batteries were covered in warranty. I believe the issue with battery drain is because my wife likes to keep her keyfob in her purse which is always sitting on her desk, which is on the other side of the wall from the garage. Key is constantly communicating with the car so battery is draining real quick. And not driving as much during Covid doesn't help keep that battery charged. I had her moved her keyfob further, will keep an eye on the 12V battery.

2018-2020 RLX-SH are very rare indeed and you'll have difficulty finding them. If you do see one pop-up near you, grab it ASAP. You may have to settle on color you don't want but that's the way it is with this rare beast. I expect a few people will trade-in their RLX-SH when more TLS Type S is available for sale later this Fall.

phile

speaking of rarity I was once again in traffic with another SH. I was admiring it from behind. Our all LED rear lights are very good. The amber turn signal is super bright so if anybody ever tries to say they didn’t see us signaling over, they lying.

jdpdata

I always try to unlock my doors with keyfob from a distance so I can admire the tail lights. I wish they can stay on longer or until driver reaches for the door handle.

The front LED daytime driving lights are cool too. Wish the MDX-SH had those same LEDs.

phile

im proud of our double stacked leds. but i am noticing it form a thin line between the two stacks, like the lens itself is being worn down by the intensity of the lights.

mrgold35

I wish I could combine some of the best features of my MDX hybrid and RLX hybrid together like:
- 3.5L hybrid powertrain
- 19 gal gas tank
- HUD
- Krell
- double stack LEDs
- real wood trim
- 2nd row climate control
- trunk close button
- IDS modes (comfort, normal, sport, sport+)
- electronic dampers
- Carplay
- update touchscreen with auto seat heat/cool
- 2nd row door storage for the RLX
- door handle lights for MDX
- add the RLX hybrid modes to the MDX (EV reverse, more EV power, longer EV engagements, EV at higher mph)

hondamore

When discussing the future demand for the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid, we forgot to mention that with rising gas prices the RLX Sport Hybrid's 30mpg in the city is going to be very appealing to a lot of people. Ride along in quiet luxury AND get 30 mpg while doing so, that is a rare combination. In addition to that, a luxury car that gets 30mpg AND can hustle to 60mph in under 5 seconds and exhibits handling that belies its size. If gas prices continue to rise, the demand for a fuel-sipping performance luxury car will be sure to peak.

phile

how are you guys getting 30? lol im only at 23.8 according to the gauge. or are you manually calculating it? I’m driving in comfort mode too.

jdpdata

You must drive short distance locally only. I can easily get 30MPG cruising on freeway at 65MPH on long distance trips. Our MDX has got 36MPG on recent trips up California coast

mrgold35

That is one thing I've noticed with both hybrid is the mpgs are better the worst the city or stop/go traffic. My lowest mpgs per tank are usually at +80 mph on straight hwy runs.

hondamore

There are a few threads which discuss the Sport Hybrid's mileage, but in summary, factors in getting great mileage are:

1. Spending as much time as possible in EV mode. This is usually achieved in steady-state driving below 50 mph. Gentle acceleration, long slow regenerative braking and speeds below 50.
2 Warmer temperatures - Really cold temperatures necessitates the cabin heater to be functioning which requires the ICE to operate thus NOT allowing the car to enter EV mode.
3 Longer trips - On very short trips, the car won't enter EV mode because the engine needs to be up to temperature and the hybrid battery must be fully charged before it will allow EV mode. I've been on a quick there and back short trip and gotten 20 mpg there and 40+ mpg on the way back because the battery was charged and engine warmed up on the way there meaning most of the trip back was in EV mode.
4. Use the best premium gas you can buy
5. Avoid Sports mode - yes, sports mode is a lot of fun, but will kill your fuel economy.

All of that said, drive the way you want to drive and enjoy driving your Sport Hybrid. If mileage really matters to you, take steps to be a less aggressive driver (see above). If it doesn't, just have fun.

P.S. I've been averaging around 31 mpg in city driving.

neuronbob

I saw on the FB group that someone posted their 120k+ mile PAWS engine had a connecting rod broken, or at least it sounded like it. I've never seen anyone with a SH engine blown.

neuronbob

And give up features? Lose the HUD, the Krell audio, the 360 degree cameras, and the big back seat for better handling and spending more money (in my case, $43k vs $53k plus ADM)? I don't think so. My dealer offered me a spot for an upcoming build last week, at MSRP (no ADM, YAY!). I copped to owning a RLX SH (my salesman and I have worked together for 20 years, we don't BS one another) and that the Type S would have to really wow me, for me to give up features. It's a tough decision...

jdpdata

If only they didn't make the rear-end so fugly ala Buick + Camaro bastard child. I don't mind the front-end and side profile at all. The money is another situation. Curious to see some body-kits for this car. I think if they can do something to the rear bumper, I could live with it.

phile

nope i drive locally and freeway. in fact i drove to/from atlantic city (~80miles each way) on cruise control at 68mph just to see if the mileage increases and it didnt change at all.

jdpdata

That's weird. We get 26-27MPG in the MDX-SH just going around town without any freeway driving. I haven't had a chance to take my RLX on longer road trips but pretty confident I can hit 30MPG easily

TampaRLX-SH

*** peeking in after testing forum door handle dimple still works***

Still have it. Won't sell it despite dealers (and private buyers) nagging me to sell 2 of my 3 vehicles.

hondamore

Hey welcome back TampaRLX-SH!!

Here's hoping that your return will signal that some news about an RLX replacement Acura flagship sedan is on the horizon.

Now where is GeorgeKnighton?????

neuronbob

@TampaRLX-SH Broooooooooo! Where ya been? On a world cruise? Welcome back! As you can see, I wandered back, myself.

Presumably still driving a Fit. I miss him, too.

TampaRLX-SH

Thank You. I confess I did some shopping. If the new MDX was offered in SH form, I would bite. I could use a utility vehicle as none of my 3 have great storage nor economy. But nothing checks all the boxes the RLX SH does. Mine is still mint, been bulletproof and I only hit 21K miles after 6+ years with it.

I am curious of the naming convention shift in Acura with the return of the INTEGRA. You know I hate the alphabet soup naming, and mine is badged as a LEGEND. And now that Honda has also retired the LEGEND, could that name return to Acura? I see a lot of nostalgic Acura appearing in marketing these days. It seems (as usual) Acura's retirement of the Sport Hybrid driveline is ill timed with the consumer market with no hybrid / phev or ev available. Power and decent economy is a must with my other cars being a 2019 Shelby GT350 and a 2019 NSX. So I wonder if Acura will return with a LEGEND that is EV or a new hybrid format. I read the next NSX will be all electric and the RDX may introduce a SHAWD Phev? But a flagship sedan is likely history. Even Lexus is launching a new uber flagship SUV as the LS dies on the vine.

I feel very fortunate to hold onto my unicorn.

TampaRLX-SH

Ummm, have you heard about this pandemic thingy? Last I was at sea was the Niew Amsterdam almost 2 years ago. In fact I got off the morning the azipod failed which cancelled your cruise. *ducking from the B*0tch Slap*

neuronbob

The only part of your post I paid attention to . Lucky sunofagun. Jon Ikeda confirmed at our NSXPO dinner last month that the NSX name is not disappearing, then he gave us a huge grin, indicating that something was up. I hope it's an EV, myself.

As for the Legend...as in my Type S thread...we'll see. No major market for a largish sedan anymore in the USA because of SUVs. Again, we'll see.


But no joke, I'm on Nieuw Statendam for a Thanksgiving cruise...if it happens.

hondamore

Glad you are doing well, TampaRLX-SH, we were worried that you had died or, even worse, bought a German brand.

We will need some juicy details on the 2019 NSX - (he says wiping drool from his chin).

TampaRLX-SH

The kids....

And I typo'd - the NSX is a 2017

TampaRLX-SH

I was planned for Hawaii & Tahiti on Koningsdam but canceled due to COVID issues (not sailing with a mask). But if the Delta wave passes and mask requirements drop, I am also booked on Rotterdam for 3 weeks in December. Meanwhile I take the Shelby for a cruise and piss off the HOA.

neuronbob

If I had the Shelby, I would do the same. I’d even put downpipes and exhaust on that NSX to piss off the neighbors even more .

I’ve forgotten what this thread is about given our wayward brother’s return

angrypotato

I think I have you beat, I bought mine a year ago when I was 22 :P

phile

wow that is young! What was I driving at 22? An Integra lol. A used one. And it got stolen!

robscharp05

I see at least 2-3 per week in St.Louis on my 10 mile commute. At least 1 of those is a 18-20 model.

andysinnh

So I noticed this morning my local dealer (Sunnyside Acura, Nashua NH) has 2 RLX Sport Hybrids listed. Can't vouch for either one, but if you're looking...

2018 with 9k miles http://www.sunnysideacura.com/invent...c2f9xjc000197/

2020 with 11k miles http://www.sunnysideacura.com/invent...c2f99lc000517/