Facelifted 2018 Acura RLX starts at $54,900

2018 Acura RLX sports sedan is scheduled to come out in U.S. showrooms on November 7. The lineup only consists of two models, both featuring a new simplified style.

The lower trim would be the RLX P-AWS which has a $54,900 price tag, including an extra $965 destination charge. The flagship RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, on the other hand, starts at $61,900, minus the destination fee. If you remember the price of the outgoing model, the latter actually costs $4,050 less than the current model with the Advance Package.

For the 2018 model year, customers could get the sports sedan in two new colour options including the Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl, both of which are new hues for the RLX. In the cabin are redesigned Milano leather seats, which are finished in a rich Espresso hue, and matched with high-contrast piping and stitching. A black headliner is also available.

When looking at it from the outside, the facelifted 2018 Acura RLX now has a more sculpted hood, new sets of wheels, and even newly designed LED taillights, as well as exposed dual exhaust finishers and a gloss black rear diffuser.

As for technology, both the RLX P-AWS and RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD will come standard with features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and of course, Lane Departure Warning.

When it comes to the mechanical bits, the RLX P-AWS comes with a 3.5 liter V6 that carries out 310 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission that is rated at 20/29 mpg. The more powerful RLX Sport Hybrid model, on the other hand, has a V6 and three electric motors. It packs as much as 377 horsepower and 341 pound-feet of torque, giving power to all four wheels. This one is rated at 28/29 miles per gallon.

The more expensive trim, or the Sport Hybrid model, includes a head-up display, premium Krell Audio System with 14 speakers, Surround View Camera, parking sensors on both the front and the rear, LED fog light, and remote engine start. Front seats are heated and ventilated, while the rear ones are heated. Of course, the driver’s steering wheel is also going to be heated.

Before the facelift, not a lot of people noticed the Acura’s flagship sedan, and hopefully, it gets a lot more attention this time. Besides, it is quite a competent model with a number of cool features, and now, it sports a cooler and sportier look. Which of the two models would you cop?

PRESS RELEASE

2018 Acura RLX Arrives in Showrooms with Striking Redesign

Acura's top-of-the-line luxury sports sedan, the 2018 RLX, begins arriving in dealer showrooms tomorrow with new front and rear styling inspired by the new Acura design direction and its signature diamond pentagon grille. With a simplified lineup, two models are available—each in a single high-specification trim: The 2018 Acura RLX P-AWS starts with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP2) of $54,900; The 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWDTM now starts at $61,900, a reduction of $4,050 compared to the out-going model with Advance Package. (Prices exclude $965 destination and other charges.) All-new seats are now available in a rich Espresso leather and two new premium exterior paint options are available for the first time on RLX.

The 2018 Acura RLX showcases the brand's Precision Crafted Performance DNA in two distinct high-performance powertrains, making it the most powerful Acura after the NSX supercar. With the most performance of any Acura sedan, the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWDTM seamlessly integrates a direct-injected V-6 with three electric motors and Super Handling All-Wheel DriveTM for instant acceleration, outstanding all-weather performance and precise handling. The RLX Sport Hybrid delivers 377 peak total system horsepower and 341 lb.-ft. peak total system torque with its powertrain sharing its basic concept and some components with the NSX supercar. Also available is the 2018 Acura RLX P-AWS with Precision All-Wheel SteeringTM (P-AWSâ), powered by a 3.5-liter Direct Injection SOHC i-VTECâ V-6 engine delivering peak horsepower of 310 (SAE net) and 272 lb.-ft. of peak torque (SAE net) and mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission delivering a more responsive and refined driving experience.

The 2018 Acura RLX P-AWS has EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/29/23 mpg, and the 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid came in at 28/29/28 mpg (city/highway/combined)3.

2018 RLX Pricing and EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

Trim
MSRP1

MSRP Including $965 Destination Charge

EPA MPG Rating3
City/Highway/Combined

RLX P-AWS

$54,900

$55,865

20 / 29 / 23

RLX Sport Hybrid

$61,900

$62,865

28 / 29 / 28

In addition to the diamond pentagon grille, the 2018 Acura RLX design enhancements include a more sculpted hood, new wheel designs, newly designed LED taillights, exposed dual exhaust finishers and gloss black rear diffuser. The 2018 RLX also offers a fresh color pallet with six new exterior paint options (seven total) including two new premium colors - Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl.

Inside, the 2018 Acura RLX receives premium new materials and touchpoints including completely redesigned Milano leather seats with high-contrast, piping and stitching, as well as a new Espresso interior option and available black headliner, all of which add a new level of sophistication to an interior with class-leading space and comfort.

Standard features on the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid include a head-up display (HUD), premium Krell Audio System with 14 speakers, Surround View Camera, front and rear parking sensors, LED fog lights, remote engine start, ventilated and heated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel and more.

Both 2018 RLX models feature the unique AcuraWatchTM suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment, enhanced by the addition of the new Traffic Jam Assist, a first for Acura. Working in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control and Low Speed Follow, Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) reduces driver stress in highly congested traffic situations by helping keep the vehicle centered in the lane and at a set interval from a vehicle detected ahead.
The AcuraWatchTM suite also includes:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW)