If it helps any when discussing all the problems we complain about with the RLX in all its versions, this might be interesting to think about.

As Consumer Reports has been able to complete its surveys of its members who own a version of the RLX, its reliability rating seems to be rather good.

Here's a picture of what it looks like. Where there are no results, it is because not enough owners of cars like the 2012 4G RL replied that they both owned the car and belonged to the Consumers Union.

Although we don't have that many owners of the Acura RLX, it was enough to form a statistically valid result.

2015 and 2016 will be interesting. More than anything else, I'm curious if they'll be able to form a valid opinion because enough of us own the car.

Because of previous years, and an inability to get results for the unpopular years of the RL, they're predicting "Average," but you can see that it's basically solid red balls (BEST) in every category but one.

.

 

The rating for the 2014 RLX is similar to the 2004 that got all solid red dots....thus bullet proof.....

 

according to that thing, it says it is AVERAGE? it gets almost all red and just average? and what problems does it have in the electrical? Also why do they have it in this forum 2013 RLX, why don't they just skip the 2013 and put 2014 when they are listing the 3rd gen?

 

The report only covers areas that have been very solid with the RLX. All of those areas listed have been 100%, even in the earliest of builds, speaking from my experience thus far with an early build from 2013.

The categories they dont cover are "Build Quality" and "Ride Handling" which is where 95% or more of the issues with the RLX would be categorized under.

In all my complaints I've never once questioned the "reliabilty" of the RLX, let alone any Acura for that matter. Where my faith in Acura has been tested has had everything to do with "quality" and their "quality assurance" capabilities exhibited with the RLX. The only guess I can make is with the RLX being the only vehicle in the lineup being manufactured and built in Japan, there being some distinct differences in quality control when comparing their North America build/quality control processes versus those in Japan.

 

^ I meant to close in stating, that at the end of the day, aside from the areas of concern I mentioned above, the RLX is a great car with tremondous technology behind it.

It is a great car only marred by the "build quality" and "ride handling" issues, of which are only further exacerbated by carrying a high MSRP. The negative effect this has had is supported by the fact that the only way dealers can sell the vehicle is by offering extremely deep discounts to move them off the floor. Lack of good marketing hasnt helped that situation either, but that's an entirely different subject.

An interesting metric I would like to see is out of the 194 or so RLX models sold each month, how many of those are sold at MSRP, versus the 10-20%, heck... sometimes even 40% drop in sale price from the original MSRP.

Every time you guys rave about someone getting a great deal on an RLX...you're only supporting and proving my point even more.

 

I agree that the ride could be interpreted as brittle relative to a general expectation that a flagship might be a little smoother regarding ride quality. I however think it is perfect even if it is on the stiffer side. It is very confidence inspiring to know that the limits of adhesion are well above any civilized person's needs for everyday driving.

 

Their red balls are statistically valid and correct; however, they feel that although the product sampling is correct, they are afraid of the low number of cars sold and will wait to see what the 2015 model year returns say.

If 2015 has the same kind of results, they will upgrade it.

The problem is that there are so few of them that they will have to decide again with the 2015 model year if they get enough surveys for them to consider that the results are statistically valid and logically reportable.

 

They are not going to report findings based on subjective observations like, "How do you feel about the ride?" Or, "How do you feel about the handling?"

They are reporting on the cold, hard facts that they ask about in the survey.

For the purposes of future reviews and deciding whether they want to concentrate on a particular car in future testing, they will ask you subjective opinions, and they will ask you questions about how much you paid for the car and how you feel about the dealer.

But these are not questions the findings for which they can report, because they are not inherently logical, not inherently statistical.

When they review a car in the future, or when a car becomes the focus of one of their three-man YouTube segments, you will hear them say that drivers of the car have told them this or that, and for whatever that is worth.

We will use your subjective opinions in some ways, but not for reporting the cold hard facts about whether or not a car is reliable and trouble free.

 

You know, I almost didn't post this information out of fear for what holografique would think about it, with all the problems he has had.

 

Ok, I'll agree "Ride Handling" could be subjective (although its a failry common shared experience when you do the research).

But are you saying "build quality" is subjective? Or that the number of TSB's which are direct hard facts of the "quality control" issues I talk about above are also subjective? Or the fact that the vehicle cant sell?

This is Acura, they themselves built the very reputation I am attempting to uphold them too, especially for a $60k MSRP on a flagship vehicle. Yet it seems everyone here just wants to give them a hall pass...

 

At $54,500 I feel that I got an awesome deal. I would have gladly paid $60,000 too, but I am glad I didn't. Why pay more if you don't have to.

 

I paid $63k, and I dont even have a Hybrid...

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

 

If you keep talking about that, he's coming to get you.

 

He'll just wake up the next morning with my CBP PAWS swapped out for his CBP Hybrid. He'll never know the difference! :p

Let him feel $63k worth of "build quality"...

 

Now that is funny:-)

 

I'm ready! I'll distract him by detailing his car.

 

I just spit up my spicey chicken sandwhich.

 

I bet I know how holografique feels. He probably feels like he was held for ransom, paid as much as he could possibly pay. Then when he was handed the keys and he turned his back to get into the car, the dealer took out his "prison shank" and shanked him in the back. After he got shanked in the back, he got pushed into the car and the door got closed on him. Am I close?

 

I did my part. I have been a CR member for years and filled out the survey on the 2014 RLX a couple months ago. If they don't have data, they can't rate. No matter what they write about the RLX, it is ultimately the owners who supply surveys who determine what CR puts in those tables we all depend on.

I thought I posted this info a while ago? Maybe it's changed since then.

 

You seem to have unusual frames of reference.

 

It goes along with getting raided: