2014 PAWS bought in August 2014 with 15K miles and now it has 42K miles. Love the car. Best car I've ever owned and that includes a prior 2006 RL a 2002 RL, two RX350s and one RX400h as well as thirty previous years of GM products.

Why do I love my RLX? Let me count the ways:
1. 30 to 32 mpg on highway trips
2. Passing punch. Nice to have 310 direct injected hp for immediate use.
3. Comfort. The RLX is significantly better than the 2006 RL and the 2006 RL was my previous favorite long-distance cruiser. (Those of you in sales or other folks doing considerable driving know and appreciate the value of comfortable, good for the lumbar seats!).
4. Handling. Now that my mental response gear has been programmed to PAWS, I agree with George Knighton's comments as to the car handling as if it were a category size smaller. Love the way it handles curves on two lane country roads.
5. Electronics. Love the dual screen approach. Yes, it takes a while to get the hang of it, but it is way better than the jumpy mouse on our RX350.
6. I like the styling. My car is graphite gray with ebony interior. The lines look good on its dark surface.

Are there complaints? Not many. The paint is peeling off the front bumper. The door locks sometimes do not open and the key has to be pulled out of the fob. This is quite disconcerting when it happens (has happened 3 times) and this has been noted with the service department. The lock-up converter makes a slightly noticeable mechanical noise between 20 mph and 50 mph. The radar cruise (Advance model) sometimes does not engage and this necessitates stopping at the next exit ramp, turning the car off and re-starting the engine, i.e. re-booting the electronics.

All in all, love my RLX. It is a reliable, quick, nimble, comfortable, fuel efficient stealth wealth vehicle.

 

Nice to hear.

Also a former RL owner and although I still miss the RL, the SH RLX is likely the only car I would have been happy with as a replacement. The list of favors of the RL over the RLX is very short, whereas the list of the RLX over the RL is reasonable (although not quantum over the 10 year old RL). It just feels like the organic progression.

The RLX does look and feel more stately / exec sedan over the RL, especially in the Graphite or Black finishes. Although it is only 3 inches longer, the cabin is a big step up, and seeing the hood when driving feels SUV-ish. The sliping nose of the RL visually shrunk the car. Although the RLX's agility belies it's size, the RL looked much smaller and felt heavier.

As said before, I like the conservative buttoned up styling and I like the RLX design. I kinda lean towards the nose being a bit over done (or over chromed) especially due to jewel eyes which makes a contrast to the more subdued (and less adorned) flanks and rear. But I love the proportions and the flow of character line from front bumper to rear taillights. I like the lower treatment of the new MDX (the lower front and rear bumpers as well as some bling on the rocker panels). I would expect some of this design cues in the MMC of the RLX.

Ten months now on my RLX and it has been flawless (knock wood) and has not gone to the dealer for anything except to bring the Acura Techs some pizzas & visit. No car I have owned has not required a dealer trip even for a minor fix. I really do not care if it is a sales dud (as was the RL after 2006) and planning to have another 10 year ride as I did with the RL the depreciation does not concern me. I notice that the most forgiving posts of the RLX are typically from former RL owners. We may be a very small group, but there are those of us who get this car. And the only cars that impress me more of similar class and features are $20K more. However, there are mainstream cars not far below the RLX in execution that are $15-20K less. The luxury market is being chased by mainstream models where content similarities blur the perception of justifiable luxury.

I would ask your Service Manager to address the bumper paint issue, and unless due to contact with other bumpers, or bad road rash, I would think they would offer a repaint. Continue to report electronic glitches. If the ACC fails before or after warranty, you have a record it had issues during the warranty period and should be offered goodwill support from the dealer and or Acura.

 

Good advice, Tampa. Thanks

The higher hood height/sight line is likely because of the European pedestrian strike regulations. Let Darwinian rules apply to the pedestrian population and give us pretty snouted autos!

 

Hey guys, I miss my 05 RL - It was rock solid and smooth as silk! Sporty, nimble and totally trouble free! It's conservative styling, while deemed boring when it debuted, prevailed and it looks exquisitely elegant to this day. Wasn't it way ahead of it's time guys?

 

I still miss Sleeping Beauty, which is what I named my '06 RL. However, my Sport Hybrid is definitely better in most ways, with its being MUCH more powerful, fuel efficient (I averaged 17 mpg in the RL), and having more room in the rear seat leading the way. This car has also convinced me that autonomous driving will not be such a bad thing on a daily driver...and I LOVE to drive without nannies.

To me, this car just needs more compelling styling to be complete. Here's hoping Acura outsources that work because Lord knows, they have repeatedly proven that they can't do it by themselves (though there are occasional flashes of genius lately).

 

I'm glad you love your RLX...because you're sure not going to get any trade in value out of it.

You'll have it for a long, long time.

 

I think this will only happen if Honda agrees to let Acura design (and build?) the RLX unique from the LEGEND. Acura (North America) tastes and wants just do not align with JDM. Only the TSX was a success, but it was not a JDM Accord, but instead a Euro Accord.

In some cases, I am liking new Honda designs more than Acura. Perhaps they are starting to align? But the RLX as a whole is the unwanted child of feuding parents.

I must be a fan of underdogs.

 

^^^
My excuse is that I like rare cars. I've got three rare cars in my collection, so far.

I agree that Honda's new sedan designs are more compelling than Acura's. I, for one, will be sorry to see the 9G Accord leave us in the next couple of years, unless Honda has something really great to replace it. I dare say, that a Touring could be in my future if I decide not to go with another CTS-V. Market conditions dictate my not purchasing my SH off lease--market value has already tanked way below resiual value. The dealer would have to literally give the car to me to convice me to take it off their hands at lease end, given what I will have paid during the lease.

 

The other day, a friend of mine said that my 2014 RLX looks like a limousine.

 

I was just thinking of this thread on my way home. I had stopped at my drive up dry cleaners. The owner was there filling in for an employee. I have known him for years and he is a 'German car guy'. He opened the rear door to hang my order and said: "Whoa! That rear seat is huge!...I could live back there." I chuckled and told him I would write up a lease. As I signed my charge he said: "I could only dream of a 7 series, but can barely afford my 3 series. And I love that oyster interior color."

I offered him a jelly bean out of my Acura jelly bean tin I keep in the console and then drove off with a cheesy grin.

 

The wife an I really enjoy our RLX also, by far the nicest ride eaither of us have ever owned. Granted she had an 06 TL that got passed down to me, and we thought we were in high cotton when be bought it. We are just normal working class folks having to finance any car for 60 months, hope to get many enjoyable years out of it. An thanks to all the people on this site than can help with any issues or concerns. Would never have bought the car after reading some half empty cup reviews, but the half full cup people told me what to look for and we are pleased.

 

Before the RLX I had a '06 RL Tech and a '10 RL Tech neither of which held their value when trade in was done. I have no problem keeping my RLX for 6 plus years - IMHO it is a better designed auto than the previous generation.