RLX-Sport Hybrid

Looks like we are going with a different color combo (silver/ebony) and being offered $55,800 for an Advance model.

mqs1

Doesn't that price out at $58,000? Surprising they are discounting already. Excellent!

quartzinterior

55,800 for what msrp 57k? I think that is a great color combo
anotger good one is black on black with the black 20 inch rims.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

MSRP is $59,413 with side moldings and rubber mats.

quartzinterior

Why didnt they have head up display on mdx? I guess 3500 off for it being the newset offering is decent. If you wait prices will drop a little but then you will not enjoy it during the waiting period. You got me interested in driving it again. I saw one review that had 0-60 at 5.8 so your 5.4 is pretty close. Even at 5.8 thats pretty fast. That is faster tgan my 2008 tl.

hondamore

I suspect that any discount that RLX-Sport Hybrid is receiving on his new MDX Sport Hybrid is due to the relationship he has established with his Acura dealer by purchasing and servicing his RLX. If someone walks in off the street to try to buy a brand new version of a very popular model that has JUST ARRIVED in the showroom, I doubt they would get $3500 off at this point. In fact, there are anecdotal stories of dealerships charging above MSRP for the right to be the first one to buy a new model.
Well done RLX-Sport Hybrid - Enjoy.

neuronbob

Nice job RLX-SH! I agree with Hondamore.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

I have purchased the last 6 cars in our household from that dealership and do have a very good relationship with them. My salesman knows me very well and understands that I don't mess around when I'm ready to make a purchase. They know I am "a sale" and that although I am loyal, it isn't to the exclusion of getting the best possible deal. The owner most definitely does not want to loose me because they did not want to beat a competing dealership for the sale, so as a result they just give me the bottom line out of the gate. I also have a great relationship with the service team too. They are really terrific, at least to me. Honesty and authenticity makes a difference as a customer. Being a jerk backfires most of the time. Not my style.

So yes Hondamore you are correct. Thank you very much!

wilspainar

There is a shop in Arizona that is trying to modify the NSX so they can tune it. Since the MDX and RLX share similar hybrid systems, once they figure it out I don't see why it could be done to all three. But since there is virtually no demand to tune a MDX or RLX it won't happen. But it would be a nice option if the MDX and RLX came with a turbo option.

George Knighton

If these are people whom you know, you should get them to speak with Hondata before they go too far. :-)

I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later, but modifying the computations that vector the torque and alter the charger's influence might have alarming consequences. The car will hang the tail under some circumstances even with the OEM tune.

And remember the NSX Sport Hybrid's J Motor base is a Cosworth built motor. People don't really know yet what's different because nobody in the aftermarket world has taken one apart yet.

Cosworth have been known to build motors that are on the edge insofar as how they're built.

getakey

what site do you guys use to find new RLX SH's for sale?

quartzinterior

It helps me to see where the cars are and then I call the dealerships to get prices for the ones I am interested in.

George Knighton

Alex Dykes reviewed the MDX Sport Hybrid and put up his video a couple of days ago.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

0-60 in sport mode without selecting 1st gear is 5.9 seconds as I was able to confirm with my g-tech. However, when you select 1st gear manually it is about 5.4 seconds as I found. I suspect that the reviewers don't know that for the most part. One reason is when you select 1st gear, it does not show it in the MID display on the dash like the NSX or RLX Sport Hybrid. Another thing is the rear EV motors distribute power in the turns differently than in the RLX Sport Hybrid. I noticed that in the MDX SH it tends to keep equal power distributed to both rear wheels at the same time in the same amount through many curvy roads (comfort mode), where in the RLX Sport Hybrid, it immediately shifts to the outside rear wheel over driving and the inside wheel charging or doing nothing at all in the very same conditions, speed and road way. I would expect that to be different in the various dynamic modes, but I did not experiment with that as much as I was mesmerized by the supremely smooth ride. Interesting to see the differences. I should be picking ours up this week so I will be able to report more once I get more time behind the wheel. It will be fun to have two sport hybrids in the family!

George Knighton

All this talk of perceived KC2 oversteer probably scared them. :-)

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Let me pick up our new MDX SH and spend more time with it before we jump to conclusions. I spent most of my driving time in comfort mode. I will invest more time in the other drive modes so I can report back to everyone on what it is really like. I really hope Acura corporate puts the active dampers in every Acura vehicle it makes. They are just that good.

getakey

how are you going to split your time between forums: RLX and MDX?
I'm starting to crave an MDX Hybrid

getakey

All of a sudden, my Dealer has 3 MDX SH and they are not a high volume Dealer. Not sure any other Dealer within 50 miles has more than 1

TSX69

Hello, just chiming in to say that 1 of my family members just purchases and Advance Hybrid 2017MDX over the weekend after finally getting a decent deal. Pretty impressive as they are coming off 3 Lexus in a row ...

moose66

Will be very interested to see the sales numbers at months end. I've seen listings pick up locally. Based on my almost every other day review of local inventory, the MDX-H's don't seem to be staying on the lots long.

holografique

With the focused quality, design and workmanship Acura has continued to put into the MDX, along with maintaining the right pricing structure, I'm not surprised at all to see them win over previous Lexus owners, or any other competitors customers for that matter. And with the TLX starting to really shape up, they are finally showing signs of renewed execution that counts, hopefully getting closer to firing on all 5-cylinders again...which for me are: design, quality, performance, value and...owner satisfaction. Now we patiently wait and see if they can keep drumming up their renewed mojo for the ILX/RLX...

If it wasn't for their lack of movement or desire to show any real accountability for how they (unintentionally) screwed over customers like me with the RLX, and the so-so interior design of the 2018 TLX, I'd be rushing to trade in my ILX for a new TLX right now. regardless of what money I'd lose in the trade. Overall, I think they've done a great job with the new MMC and is showing signs of that visceral excitement that makes you want/need to have one.

getakey

Went and test drove today. RLX-SH's assessmetnt is spot on.

The transmission was incredibly smooth and extremely quiet. Very odd to see the tach drop to zero, but no noticeable change in driving. Very impressed with it. Not sure what I'm going to do. Dealer is down to 2.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

My hope was to accurately represent its qualities as an independent reviewer, but with an innate understanding of what the hybrid system can do from long experience with anther related product. I did not want to mislead anyone by describing things inaccurately in any way. If someone was in the market for such a vehicle, I did not want them to pass up on this particular vintage because of a preconceived notion that it is just another MDX. It is a whole different experience, and an extensive test drive will prove it. I hope others will enjoy it as much as we do. My wife is now a convert and a hybrid aficionado. Now if I could just get her to approve that little line item for the NSX... Not happening. She just slapped my shoulder and said NO WAY!

I'm heading out for a while and think the MDX Luxury Hybrid will be my car choice for the day. Clearance from the tower to take off on runway #1.

neuronbob

^^^
Just take out a second mortgage on the house to supply the down payment for the NSX. Duh, priorities!

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Very funny idea. I bet some might do that.

Actually $3,200 per month for 72 months is a small mortgage in the New York metro area, but the larger discussion with my wife is the "value prop" and the "need" for such a extraordinary and unnecessary luxury. We are very fortunate for sure, but there are limits to her acceptance of my car passion. One day when writing a check for something like this is a rounding error, maybe she will feel differently. Until then, we can enjoy what we have.

getakey

Well I pulled the trigger on a White Pearl MDX-SH Advance. Drove it home an hour ago. Traded in the RLX.
Will be driving 120 miles tomorrow morning to get first impressions over and above my test drive.

hondamore

Congratulations getakey!! I look forward to your impressions of the MDX Sport Hybrid - Acura's latest version of the technology. You get all of the benefits of the Sport Hybrid technology AND you have all the cargo space you'll ever need. Have fun!!

getakey

one disappointing non feature - the door handles don't light up
that was one of my favorite things

hondamore

^^^Acura has to leave a few goodies exclusively in the flagship for now, so the door handles that light up and the HUD will come in the future. At least you can haul 4 sets of golf clubs and get to play with Apple Car Play.

getakey

I'm OK without HUD, but I loved my lighting door handles
"I'm here for you baby"

pgeorg

Congrats getakey! I hope you have many healthy and fun miles with it, and I am sure you will love that awesome hybrid powertrain!

It does not have the door handles that light up, but it does have the approach lights under the mirrors to tell you "I am here for you baby" (at least my 14 MDX SH-AWD Advanced has them)

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Congrats my friend! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Many happy and safe miles to you!

You are right! I did not notice that the door handles don't light up.

One thing I discovered is there are air openings on the far corners of the front clip to the outside of the fog lights that are a straight shot into the wheel wells of the front tires. Interesting air management idea. I wonder why the engineers did that on a "sport utility"? A car with capabilities like a GTR or Porsche GT2, but a SUV? Also I have noticed that the front fenders and the hood are taller than in the previous generation, which gives more of a visual cue where the hood ends for parking purposes. It also gives me the impression that I am higher up off the ground than in the previous model, even though that is not the case. Lastly yesterday in the heavy rain, I noticed that the aerodynamics are clearly different as the water pooled on the hood differently than the last model. At about 35 mph in the RLX-SH water will pool up and start to spin like a vortex on the hood in two spots about a foot up onto the hood, until the water blows off with additional speed. On the new MDX-SH it does something similar but less dramatically. It did not do that on the last generation with a more curved hood line. Oh and one more thing, the lighting package is very good but still not any better than the RLX lighting pattern which is the widest, deepest and most clear I have ever experienced. Just my latest observations.

hondamore

^^A few weeks ago I had to do some late night driving on deserted country roads with lots of wildlife warning signs and I was very grateful for the amazing light provided by the RLX Sport Hybrid's Jewel-eye headlights regular and high beam. My passengers were shocked by how bright the lights were and how well they illuminated the sides of the road as well. The Jewel-eye lights are a homerun for Acura.

Limelight

My wife drives a 2006 Odyssey EXL-RES and when driving at night, I find I'm always asking her, in all seriousness, if the headlights are on. I find I'm so accustomed to how powerful the lights are in the RLX that regular lights seem no better than the street lights to me... Or maybe it's just that my eyesight is not getting any better as I get older!

getakey

Drove 132 miles this morning. 99% freeway so EV mode was minimal (1.2/132). Drove in Normal mode as I wanted to compare as much as possible to my RLX PAWS on same trip. Had ACC set at 78 mph most of the time. Got 27.0 mpg. Same trip in RLX was usually 30.4. Pretty good comparing relative sizes of vehicles.

Loved the drive! I would not call the suspension soft, but far superior to RLX. ACC is improved as well. The RLX was jerky and slow to react for cars pulling in front or slowing down. This ACC is quicker to react and smoother. Pleasant surprise. One thing I did not notice was Lane keeping alarm. It has the Road Departure and Lane assist. Did they get rid of the alarm? Kind of annoying anyway.
Now to explore the other driving modes. Took me a while to figure out that the left most gauge was the hybrid battery charge level rather than engine temp.

The only nit I have so far is that I wonder why they could not put the power distribution monitor on the lower LCD. Would be nice to see NAVI in full screen and monitor at same time

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Click the NAVI button, then click on the INFO button and select the Power Distribution (I think that is what it is called). You would think I would remember it since I have been looking at it for 2.5 years. That will give you the split screen you are looking for, just not in the MID area between the tach and speedo. I do wish there was a way to do a split screen between the gas milage screen and the power distribution screen. I can't mix an match to my liking. Also now that you brought it to my attention that we don't have the lighted door handles, I am wishing we had those in the MDX-SH, but at the same time I wish we had the puddle lights in the side view mirrors of the RLX-SH like the ones in the MDX-SH. We can't have it all. We are heading out for a two day trip and will put on some miles in the MDX-SH so I will have more to report.

getakey

I can get split screen Navi/Power Distro.
What I'm suggesting is Navi Full screen in upper LCD and Power Distro on lower screen where Radio controls are.

neuronbob

I think Acura did not place the power distribution on the ODMD (the lower screen) because that screen is meant for you to directly interact with radio, etc. A "static" display like power distribution may not fit in. I'm just guessing.

I also miss the approach door handle lighting as it's not available on my TLX, either. I REALLY miss the HUD, too. If Acura can put the braking warning lights in the far forward dash area, it can't be THAT hard to fit a true HUD unit. I considered the MDX SH, but at the end I decided I'm simply not a SUV guy. Congrats on your purchase!

PS do you have CarPlay in you MDX SH? In the TLX, it's pretty cool after only a couple days with the car.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

I misunderstood your question. No you can't do that. What I described you can. I miss the HUD. Nothing is perfect and neither are we in our maturing vintages.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

You know I can't say if it does have CarPlay. I did not look for it. If it is there, how does it work? And I assume it will only work with an iPhone right?