HEELS ON WHEELS: 2016 ACURA RLX SPORT HYBRID REVIEW

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE ACURA RLX SPORT HYBRID VEHICLE
The luxurious Acura RLX Sport Hybrid puts an athletic spin on a hybrid engine and adds a tailor-made approach to a spacious large-sized sedan. The RLX does receive more attractive standard equipment on the base trim for 2016, such as navigation and nineteen-inch wheels, placing the attribute of value in a more expensive vehicle segment.

I drove a 2016 Acura RLX with the modified version of the 3.5-liter V6 engine featuring the Sport Hybrid 3-Motor System for a total output of 377 horsepower. The system is also matched to an upgraded seven-speed automatic transmission and Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Available in one trim distinguished by various packages and engines, my RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with the Advanced Package had the following standard features: power front seats, perforated Milano leather-trimmed upholstery; heated and cooled front seats; heated steering wheel; multi-view rearview camera; Bluetooth; touchscreen display with voice-recognition software; push-button start; steering wheel mounted controls; upgraded Krell fourteen-speaker audio system; rear door sunshades; heated rear seats; remote engine start; moonroof; technology safety suite; power-folding side windows; nineteen-inch alloy wheels. Price as described begins at $65,950.

The Acura RLX replaces the RL in both interior space and luxury features. A suitable competitor would be the Lexus GS Hybrid. This segment also includes some bigger European contenders like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E350.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: Plush and roomy describe the RLX’s interior, with all the usual Acura accoutrements such as wood trim inlays, soft-touch Milano leather, and vivid digital displays. Both front seats have twelve-way power adjustments. The Advanced Package adds six levels of personal climate control for front passengers. Crucial extras for the tech-minded include navigation and AcuraLink for smartphone integration (must-have for access to apps) and a 360-degree camera view most handy when parking in tight spaces. While the exterior design of the RLX is pretty conservative, the vehicle does appear to pull ahead of the Lexus IS 350 in terms of snazzy features with an infotainment system that is extremely intuitive and easy to maneuver. Unlike its Honda sibling, seatbelts are not easy for smaller children to click into.

Reliability & Safety Factor: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2016 Acura RLX ratings of “Good” in all crash-test areas making this a Top Safety Pick. It is not yet rated with The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While the Collision Mitigation Braking System comes standard on all RLXs, the Tech Package upgrades to Blind Spot Information, Road Departure Mitigation, a Head-Up Display, the surround view camera and a Land Keeping Assist System.

Cost Issues: The 2016 Acura RLX has a base of $54,450 with my top-of-the-line Sport Hybrid test drive reached $65,950. Lexus offers three luxury-oriented hybrid sedans with varying prices: the ES Hybrid at a base $38,000; the GS Hybrid at a base $63,080; and the LS Hybrid at a whopping $120,440.

Activity & Performance Ability: A better suspension system and overall improvements to stability than models of yore deliver heightened composure at corners. The Sport Hybrid engine system that combines the gas-powered 3.5-liter with three electric motors is truly athletic for an output of 377 horsepower delivered in a smooth and quick manner. At slow cruising and stops – think traffic – the hybrid system slides like a water ski across a glassy lake surface.

The Green Concern: The RLX Sport Hybrid offers excellent fuel economy at 28-city and 32-highway for a combined 30 miles-per-gallon – I got close to that at 29.1 doing mostly highway driving. The more expensive Lexus GS Hybrid with a system power of 338 horsepower delivers 29-city and 34-highway for a combined 31 miles-per-gallon.

FINAL PARTING WORDS
The 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid remains attractive for its effective hybrid system and value approach to luxury – the question is whether or not it these traits can convince a buyer this large luxury sedan is an equal to European competitors.

©2015 Katrina Ramser

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