justnspace

iTrader: (1)

are you sure they didn't throw a "filter" on that pic?
Instagram is known for unrealistic photos, because it does look GREAT there.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

My first impression was that was a TLX. It looks nice but not striking like the Precision Concept Vehicle. I think the current version (2014-2017) RLX looks different enough that one might not mistaken it for a TLX. Maybe I would feel differently if I saw both cars side by side. If I were in the market to purchase a Sport Hybrid, I would not be swayed to acquire the 2018 version over the 2017 based on the new look. Acura better bring the Precision Concept Vehicle with the new cockpit to replace the current RLX for the next generation. That is a hot looking vehicle and looks like nothing else in their line up, short of the NSX!

JM2010 SH-AWD

^^ Agree. I still like the pre-MMC styling but this one is very nice looking. They haven't found the right look on the wheels yet, but they're trying.

Rez

not really concerned about the wheels, they would be the 1st things to go lol.. i would have the chrome around the grille and the other chrome accents color matched to tone it down, which would in turn slim down that oversized grille. still not a big fan of it.

moose66

I'd take this grill any day over what Lexus is doing with their grills.

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

Pics of the '18 Legend MMC have been released, and it looks like the DPG nose migrated over mostly intact...well, except for the DPG mesh

JM2010 SH-AWD

Looks very nice in black.

George Knighton

I got an email from Acura advertising the 2018 RLX.

Limelight

^^^^ Me too.

neuronbob

^^^
Me three. Unfortunately, I'm out until the FMC at this point, which ought to be about the time my TLX A-Spec lease is over.

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

Looks like TOV is blocking links to their Legend pics...reposting em from a free hosting site

getakey

I quite like it

George Knighton

Do you mean hot linking?

When a former Zeroforum site was in its heyday, there was a time that they could take down TOV with hot linking.

I can't really blame him for not liking hot linking. :-)

George Knighton

I don't think I'd spring for the 2018-2019 MMC. It's just not enough different.

I dislike the infotainment interface very much, but not so much I'd waste money on the MMC. :-)

Let's see what the 2020 FMC is like, if they don't discontinue the Legend for the USDM.

My mind has also turned to the possibility of a smaller and well optioned vehicle, something along the lines of an Audi TT or an SLC 43, or something.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

The powertrain of the KC2 is awesome, so I'll wait to see what they do with it in the FMC.

George Knighton

2020 MY: Is 8 valves/cylinder overkill?

0_o

neuronbob

Sounds like you are a TLX customer if you stick with Acura. I'm happy with the smaller size, and that's even though I loved the RLX Sport Hybrid's powertrain. If Hondacura can keep the weight and storage penalties to a minimum, I'd easily do a TLX Sport Hybrid.

alpha0

Not sure what they can do for extra weight but they have solved storage problem based on new Accord hybrid where batteries will be stored under rear seats (seats can fold aswell) giving same trunk size as regular accord.

George Knighton

FMC for the TLX is also 2020. Maybe there will be choices in that model year.

George Knighton

The new Accord Hybrid is a Civic platform.

You'd need more powerful batteries on an Acura, if it's going to have the power that people will probably expect out of a "Sport Hybrid."

You will also need to find the space for a different transmission, and three electric motors total, if it is to be a "Sport Hybrid."

kurtatx

Not to dig up an old discussion, but why wouldn't they just go ahead and make the JDM Honda Legend an Acura?

George Knighton

Isn't that more or less what they've done with the KC2?

neuronbob

Yup. KC2 is Japan-designed, and essentially forced upon Acura. You can see how well that went over by the sales numbers and the near-radio silence from Acura about the car. Hopefully the design wizards in Torrance/Marysville are hard at work on an American Legend for American drivers. (And for the love of God, bring back the Legend name!)

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

Not sure anymore, when I view the original post the pics don't appear, but when I quote that post they do!

TonyCD

I think the new front and rear ends look just fine, a massive improvement over that damned beak. May it, at long last, rot in hell.

What I still can't get past is the value proposition, specifically for the P-AWS base car. CR confirms that Acura, especially the RLX, no longer has the big reliability advantage it used to have over numerous competitors. That means one has to start taking a whole universe of competitors more seriously.

In my mind, the P-AWS car is bracketed by better offerings top and bottom. On the top end, consider Hyundai's Genesis G80. It's improved to the point where it's now got AWD, real leather, real wood, 5 seconds to 60, and suspension tuning by Lotus that works very well – all for less money than the base RLX/P-AWS, which has not a single one of them.

On the bottom end, a loaded Avalon does everything the base RLX can do, arguably doing most of it better, with real aniline leather and vastly better reliability, and brings it home for nearly $15,000 less.

Without even luxurious furnishings to justify its price against various competitors with vastly more – pardon the pun – advanced mechanicals, the base car simply has no conceivable justification for its price. It's unimaginable to me that Honda doesn't know this; they can read. I have no better guesses than:
1) As with the previous RL, they designed this car for the home market and any American sales are simply gravy; and/or
2) This car was designed in the dark days of 2008, the era when Honda lost its way amidst indiscriminate cost-cutting and penned the stripped and disappointing Civic and the embarrassing ILX.

I know it's all been said, but the MMC represents yet still another additional lost opportunity to bring the value proposition of the RL/RLX into line with reality outside Acura's office window. One of us doesn't get it, and the sales figures suggest that if it's me, I'm not alone.

TacoBello

The MMC is an improvement, though. It might not be a huge drastic change, but Acura did address certain issues people had with the car. You realistically can't blame Acura for not giving people more at the MMC. It simply wouldn't be justified. Unless they released a brand new model, the likelihood of bringing in a ton of new buyers for a now 3 year old model is very low. This isn't just an Acura thing. It's for auto makes.

I think it might be correct in assuming that any sales that happen in NA are considered additional gravy sales. It feels like RLX was never thoroughly intended for our market. Now time will tell what happens next. I don't imagine Acura will yet again release another copy cat Legend/ RLX. I think they will either give it the attention it needs (and to be honest, I don't think it needs a ton), or they will axe it all together. If anything, it really isn't helping Acura's brand image here. If anything, it hurts it more than anything.

I'm not saying the RLX is a bad car. Because it isn't. But it is in a very competitive market segment and besides SH technology, which Acura sells very little of, it doesn't really differentiate itself, or exceed from the competition. If SH was standard on the lineup, it might be a different story. But then it comes down to production numbers, again and whether Honda can keep up with demand.

TacoBello

The only reason I am not in favor of the SH tech, simply comes down to price. You can do a hell of a lot more with a turbo setup, for likely the same price. Especially if that turbo was in every trim across the line. The SH tech is very cool. But a turbo can provide mad torque early in the RPM band as well. As good as an electric motor? No. But it is possible to hit peak torque as low as 1500 RPM, which is more or less the cruising RPM of a car. You can be in peak torque range at most any moment.

George, don't count on a V8 in 2020. The world of Honda and Acura would literally be turned upside down if they ever released a V8. I've been hoping for that to happen since about 2005 (when the then new RL was released). There was a point, about 2 years ago, where Acura swore they would never rely on a V8. I can't imagine those feelings have changed much.

moose66

A V8 would have been something to look for when Honda was still producing them for racing circa 2011. Now that the racing engines are V6’s, As TacoBello says, V8’s are probably not something you can expect to see.

wilspainar

Here is a review on the 2018 Sport Hybrid.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

A few thoughts:

WTF is with the dual exposed exhaust tips and having only one pipe going into it? Bad news Acura!

Too bad the Apple Play audio was not added to keep up with the rest of the line. Bad news Acura!

The first run to 60+ mph was started in 2nd gear, so he was not coached again to select it manually. Bad news Acura!

The reviewer did not seem to drive it in eco mode which I think is the best drive mode of them all. It isn't as bonkers as the sport mode, but you can ride that glorious torque and that is just the best. Bad news Acura!

The "floaty" feel the reviewer noted to me says that the new dampers from the MDX are on the car, but not having the ride setting switch gear is stupid. Less customization by the driver. Bad news Acura!

So my assessment, is it a very nice car, I would still buy it in a New York Second if I did not have one already, but it isn't the game changer yet for the brand. Bring me that Precision Concept Vehicle and THAT will be a game changer! Come on Acura, grow a set and bring that to market! The worst that happens is you will sell a shipload of them! Drop the non-hybrid version from the lineup. Also put 275/40/19 wheels and tires all around. It will give the car a more aggressive stance and more visual presence.

CadiGTi

Autoweek:

2018 Acura RLX hybrid: Here's what you need to know about Acura's flagship

crxb

this is from the comments for the review:

"You said, "not something I'd want to push to its limits." As long as you are smooth, the car will allow a remarkable amount of vectoring out of the 72 HP on the rear wheels. On a traction circle with my car, you will notice that the nose is pointed to the inside...the car allows a mild oversteer. If the car detects a lift, jerky steering, or other unpredictable actions, the computer will kick in and straighten the car...which is not something you necessarily want. As long as you are smooth, the car allows quite a bit of neutral to even oversteer attitude. There's no disguising that it is a big heavy car, however. It's not a sports car, but it will surprise you with its aggressive attitude when you want it...and as long as you're smooth. The delay you noticed when you suddenly floored it: A lot of things have to happen in a hurry. The car has to pick which injection system (it has direct and manifold injection systems), it has to switch on the ICE if it's not on, it has to pick the map it's going to use and get all four motors engaged, and decide the attitude of the VCM rocker arms! It's not slow...but that delay is perceivable and it will annoy some people."

no idea who this could be

pgeorg

It sounds like George

deanoatkinson

He stated 0-60 under 5 Seconds. That would be nice. Especially since it weighs almost 4400LB

RLX-Sport Hybrid

4.88 seconds to 60mph, 13.5 seconds and 106mph in the 1/4 mile, and according to GK it has an unofficial and artificial limiter of 138 mph. I have not verified that last point.

rlx015

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1c12eeb3

I personally like how it looks... Hoping my 06 RL last me next three years so I can jump on this model hehehe.... If not 2017 is my second choice, but only if the drive quality and suspension quality is improved over crappy 2014 model ...

George Knighton

I was interested to hear so many reviewers compliment the suspension.

I know that the dampers, springs and sway bars are different, but I am beginning to think they might have also moved around the pick up points.

That would be a pretty expensive change for an MMC.

And, of all things *not* to change...the infotainment system?

LOL....

miner

"......seriously under appreciated". A result of the inexperienced car reviewers who initially reported on the Hybrid version. Only 409 miles on my '17 so I haven't been able to romp on It yet.

George Knighton

As much sheet metal as was changed ahead of the windscreen, I suppose they really could have thought to move around the suspension pickup points.

0_o

Malibu Flyer

Compared to the initial reviews for the Sport Hybrid, the new reviews seem pretty much on par with my impressions. I can't for the life of me understand the lack of the updating of the infotainment system. It was dated when it came out in 2014, and much complained about here and elsewhere. Also, Honda/Acura has updated the system in other models so why not here? Is there some technical reason it wasn't added? It just seems stupid to me.

I will give Acura some positive strokes for providing Sport Hybrids to the reviewers. I expect there will be more awareness of the best RLX model, leading to more test drives and therefor more sales. Most people here who drove the Sport Hybrid ending up buying it. Acura's problem was very limited production numbers, leading to fewer around for test drives leading very few who knew about the car or got a chance to test drive it. Finally, the pricing seems better to me. Only one Sport Hybrid trim, the Advanced, and at a lower price than previously. At the end of the day, the top of the line only really needs one trim and few options. I think the 2018 MMC Sport Hybrid is more typical of the brand heritage and image. The design also represents a small step but in a positive direction. I really want to see the car in person, because the I can't make my mind up about front grill..

While it is not a high bar, I think we will see higher sales numbers of the 2018 Sport Hybrid. Hopefully, the marketing gnomes at Acura will do better job on the marketing than before. So far I think they are off to a good start. I am waiting for the full model refresh in the next 2-3 years ( hopefully with a decent infotainment system).

HDNBenjamin

same here. I like the new revised styling. I still love my 08 RL, and not planning to get rid of it, but should i total it or it breaks down on me, Id definitely get a used 2018 RLX SH.