Picking up new 2014 RLX and MDX today
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Picking up new 2014 RLX and MDX today
My family has been a long-time Acura family (14 different Acuras since 1991) and today brings numbers 15 and 16 into the fold. My parents have traded in their 2G RL and 2G MDX for a brand new RLX and brand new 3G MDX.
My brother did a full write-up of the RLX a while back and neither of us has spent much time in the MDX, though during my brief test drive, I found it very familiar in its driving dynamics.
Full introductions to come in a couple weeks after I get some time behind the wheel, but here is a photo to start.
My brother did a full write-up of the RLX a while back and neither of us has spent much time in the MDX, though during my brief test drive, I found it very familiar in its driving dynamics.
Full introductions to come in a couple weeks after I get some time behind the wheel, but here is a photo to start.
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Officially, all three of our current Acuras are exactly the same shade of silver. It is kind of ridiculous.
#5
Not too expressive, doesn't attract undue attention, doesn't get too dirty too quickly.
Forged silver here. Looks the same as the RLX in the photo you posted, although the shadow might have changed your car's real color.
Last edited by George Knighton; 12-15-2013 at 09:59 AM.
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Finally got some proper seat time in the RLX. As much as I criticized the look of the car as being a bit boring, it is starting to grow on me and does come off as fairly simple, clean, and uncomplicated, which can be nice. They car drives well and is extraordinarily quiet in nearly all conditions. All of the new features are very nice, though I am a bit annoyed at how sluggish the screen is to react sometimes, but not all the time.
Biggest revelation is that after spending time behind the wheel, this feels like a genuine luxury car. It feels more special to be in than the recently departed RL. That has always been one of the biggest complaints about the RL so I am pleased to see the RLX addresses this. Now they just need to get more butts in the seat to get the public to understand that.
Biggest revelation is that after spending time behind the wheel, this feels like a genuine luxury car. It feels more special to be in than the recently departed RL. That has always been one of the biggest complaints about the RL so I am pleased to see the RLX addresses this. Now they just need to get more butts in the seat to get the public to understand that.
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Here is the introduction to our long-term RLX. It looks like it is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship.
http://www.eastwestbrothersgarage.co...x-p-aws_7.html
http://www.eastwestbrothersgarage.co...x-p-aws_7.html
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CGTSX2004 (02-08-2014)
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CGTSX2004 (02-08-2014)
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CGTSX2004 (02-08-2014)
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An update on our long-term RLX. 6-months and about 3,400 miles later...
http://www.eastwestbrothersgarage.co...tech-post.html
http://www.eastwestbrothersgarage.co...tech-post.html
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#17
Congrats on the new RLX!
I read your long term reviews and "stately simplicity and quiet competence" are appropriate descriptions of the RLX. Nice website and review and I look forward to more updates on your long term evaluations.
Thanks and, again, congrats.
I read your long term reviews and "stately simplicity and quiet competence" are appropriate descriptions of the RLX. Nice website and review and I look forward to more updates on your long term evaluations.
Thanks and, again, congrats.
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CGTSX2004 (07-12-2014)
#18
My previous car was a long term 2010 TL, so I was already accustomed to brake boost assist. If you move to the brake pedal quickly, the car is definitely fully capable of deciding that maybe you need to be braking faster than you are!
:-)
12,500 on my car now. I find it capable (and likely durable), and a good buy, but it does not wow me the way that the TL 6-6 SH-AWD did.
It is surprisingly good with fuel economy, a full 2 mpg better than the manual transmission, smaller TL was.
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CGTSX2004 (07-12-2014)
#19
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Doesn't your TSX also have boost assist? If you went to the RLX from an S2000 then you will definitely have to change the way that you are thinking about braking.
My previous car was a long term 2010 TL, so I was already accustomed to brake boost assist. If you move to the brake pedal quickly, the car is definitely fully capable of deciding that maybe you need to be braking faster than you are!
:-)
12,500 on my car now. I find it capable (and likely durable), and a good buy, but it does not wow me the way that the TL 6-6 SH-AWD did.
It is surprisingly good with fuel economy, a full 2 mpg better than the manual transmission, smaller TL was.
My previous car was a long term 2010 TL, so I was already accustomed to brake boost assist. If you move to the brake pedal quickly, the car is definitely fully capable of deciding that maybe you need to be braking faster than you are!
:-)
12,500 on my car now. I find it capable (and likely durable), and a good buy, but it does not wow me the way that the TL 6-6 SH-AWD did.
It is surprisingly good with fuel economy, a full 2 mpg better than the manual transmission, smaller TL was.
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I honestly like the RLX. For all the bashing it takes with the mainstream media, for the people who bother to give it a fair shake, it is a genuinely great car. Both my brother and I appreciate what it has to offer and really like the opportunities when we get to spend some time with it.
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Another look at our long-term RLX after 1 year in service. In this update, we focus on the much maligned infotainment system.
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#23
Great review and I totally agree with that the complaints about the navi system are overblown. By a lot. The system, while it could use some tweaks, is quite intuitive after a few days and offers multiple ways to achieve the same action. I'd say it was pretty flexible.
P.S. You guys have to get your hands on a Sport Hybrid to review.
P.S. You guys have to get your hands on a Sport Hybrid to review.
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CGTSX2004 (04-14-2015)
#25
Another look at our long-term RLX after 1 year in service. In this update, we focus on the much maligned infotainment system.
I agree with you that the system is far from perfect but feel than many of us have just given up in frustration. A brief tutorial might help us make using the system a better experience.
I also wanted to relate an experience that I had with the Audi A3 I recently bought for my wife. She is not a tech person, but not stupid. She just doesn't find technology intuitive. Since I do, I am often obligated to help her setup the technology in her car. Anyway, the Audi system is somewhat more intuitive than than Acura, but equally as complicated and deep. After the initial 1 1/2 hour walk through by the salesperson at delivery my wife had the most basic options setup. What was the most helpful was about 3 weeks after delivery we got an email from Audi [not the dealer] with links to a series of videos explaining every function of the car. My wife took the iPad and sat in the car. it helped her a great deal to figure out the infotainment system in her Audi. It would be nice for Acura to do the same thing.
Thanks in advance.
#27
Ha! Actually my brother and I had tried to convince our parents to go with a different color (I am partial to the red on the RLX and blue on the MDX) but they were not having any of it. At least the two cars have different interior colors.
Officially, all three of our current Acuras are exactly the same shade of silver. It is kind of ridiculous.
Officially, all three of our current Acuras are exactly the same shade of silver. It is kind of ridiculous.
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MisterZDX (04-13-2015)
#28
Interesting idea with the Audi/Ipad feature. When I had my car a few weeks, my Acura dealer invited me to a Technology Night, when new owners could get together over a glass of wine and get some tutorials (in your car or one in the showroom) from the dealer's "technology consultants." By then, I had mastered most things, but actually learned a few tricks and tips from other owners. It was fun and helpful. Don't know if many dealers do this, but it seems like a no-brainer. Sort of like an in-person version of Acurazine.
#29
I never liked Silver cars and always purchased different shades of Gray or Black. After owning a Silver ZDX for 2 years, I must say that Silver is a kick ass color....hides dirt, scratches, and swirl marks well, easy to maintain and always looks clean. Plus it really highlights the pano roof on my Z.
#30
#31
True. The 4G TL was more sporty with just a touch of luxury. The RL was too small, lacked road presence, and looked like an Accord on Steroids. With the RLX, they got it right. Just a few minor tweaks to the exterior styling during the 2017 MMC would be the icing on the cake.
#32
I prefer my daily drivers to be silver. Less work to clean. Black looks good but is impossible to keep perfect. I've given up washing my RLX already because it's just dirty again in five minutes......and I had sworn completely off black cars, too. Of course, my other daily driver is an intense blue that is equally difficult to care for.
And duh, this is a luxury car. Really, it is. I sure wish Acura did a better job of convincing people that it is.
And duh, this is a luxury car. Really, it is. I sure wish Acura did a better job of convincing people that it is.
#33
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Great review and I totally agree with that the complaints about the navi system are overblown. By a lot. The system, while it could use some tweaks, is quite intuitive after a few days and offers multiple ways to achieve the same action. I'd say it was pretty flexible.
P.S. You guys have to get your hands on a Sport Hybrid to review.
P.S. You guys have to get your hands on a Sport Hybrid to review.
#34
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I enjoyed your review and appreciate your posting it here. What I would really find of interest is a more detailed description of the settings your used to customize the system. I did read the manuals initially when i got my car and made a few customizations but I'm sure there is a lot more i could do. A list of the custom setting you found helpful [and how to make the changes] would be very helpful to those of us here who probably haven't studied the manuals in as much depth as you.
I agree with you that the system is far from perfect but feel than many of us have just given up in frustration. A brief tutorial might help us make using the system a better experience.
I also wanted to relate an experience that I had with the Audi A3 I recently bought for my wife. She is not a tech person, but not stupid. She just doesn't find technology intuitive. Since I do, I am often obligated to help her setup the technology in her car. Anyway, the Audi system is somewhat more intuitive than than Acura, but equally as complicated and deep. After the initial 1 1/2 hour walk through by the salesperson at delivery my wife had the most basic options setup. What was the most helpful was about 3 weeks after delivery we got an email from Audi [not the dealer] with links to a series of videos explaining every function of the car. My wife took the iPad and sat in the car. it helped her a great deal to figure out the infotainment system in her Audi. It would be nice for Acura to do the same thing.
Thanks in advance.
I agree with you that the system is far from perfect but feel than many of us have just given up in frustration. A brief tutorial might help us make using the system a better experience.
I also wanted to relate an experience that I had with the Audi A3 I recently bought for my wife. She is not a tech person, but not stupid. She just doesn't find technology intuitive. Since I do, I am often obligated to help her setup the technology in her car. Anyway, the Audi system is somewhat more intuitive than than Acura, but equally as complicated and deep. After the initial 1 1/2 hour walk through by the salesperson at delivery my wife had the most basic options setup. What was the most helpful was about 3 weeks after delivery we got an email from Audi [not the dealer] with links to a series of videos explaining every function of the car. My wife took the iPad and sat in the car. it helped her a great deal to figure out the infotainment system in her Audi. It would be nice for Acura to do the same thing.
Thanks in advance.
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Malibu Flyer (04-14-2015)
#35
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Still, I yearn for a little color variety.
#36
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The issue is less that Acura cannot convince people, it is that Acura cannot convince the mainstream media. The "sheeple" just regurgitate what they read in the car rags and newspaper reviews instead of taking the time to evaluate the cars properly for themselves. That said, the usual 10 minute dealer test drive around the block really fails to do an adequate job of providing prospective buyers a real feel for the cars. That BMW that feels great for that 10 minute drive on the smooth roads around the dealership can suddenly becomes unbearably harsh on the broken asphalt of your own neighborhood, but at that point you are stuck with it.
#38
The issue is less that Acura cannot convince people, it is that Acura cannot convince the mainstream media. The "sheeple" just regurgitate what they read in the car rags and newspaper reviews instead of taking the time to evaluate the cars properly for themselves. That said, the usual 10 minute dealer test drive around the block really fails to do an adequate job of providing prospective buyers a real feel for the cars. That BMW that feels great for that 10 minute drive on the smooth roads around the dealership can suddenly becomes unbearably harsh on the broken asphalt of your own neighborhood, but at that point you are stuck with it.
Especially when the BMW's innards take a dump and you're driving some low-budget loaner for a few weeks.
#40
I also wanted to relate an experience that I had with the Audi A3 I recently bought for my wife. She is not a tech person, but not stupid. She just doesn't find technology intuitive. Since I do, I am often obligated to help her setup the technology in her car. Anyway, the Audi system is somewhat more intuitive than than Acura, but equally as complicated and deep. After the initial 1 1/2 hour walk through by the salesperson at delivery my wife had the most basic options setup. What was the most helpful was about 3 weeks after delivery we got an email from Audi [not the dealer] with links to a series of videos explaining every function of the car. My wife took the iPad and sat in the car. it helped her a great deal to figure out the infotainment system in her Audi. It would be nice for Acura to do the same thing.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
The manuals that come with new cars are very intimidating and many people never read them so the video approach is a great feature that more manufacturers should adopt.
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