DecodedCarsAcura RLX
7 model years from 2014 to 2020, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2014–2020
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Best MPG
- 23–30 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2020)
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2014 (74)
- Fewest problems
- 2017
- Interest
- 3,136 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2020 RLX in brief
The 2020 Acura RLX is a midsize car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 198 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,394 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (28 city / 29 highway), 1% better than the 2020 midsize car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the vehicle speed control.
The Acura RLX has 7 model years in our data, from 2014 to 2020.
Its most efficient year was 2016 at 30 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 23 to 30 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the steering (56), suspension (18), electronic stability control (esc) (13).
Buying used? 2016 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2014 has the most recalls (5); all years together count 7 campaigns and 108 owner complaints.
How the 2014 RLX compares
The 2014 Acura RLX is a midsize car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,942 lb (4dr Sedan).
About the Acura RLX
The Acura RLX is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Honda and produced under their Acura division since March 2013 for the 2014 model year, replacing the RL. The RLX was discontinued in 2020 after the 2020 model year.
From the Wikipedia article "Acura RLX", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2020 RLX pros & cons
Full 2020 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2016 RLX
8 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 1 crash report
Year to avoid2015 RLX
11 owner complaints · 3 recalls
Most reported: Steering
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 6 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
RLX changes by model year
- 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2016
- New hybrid version
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG up from 23 to 30
- Lightest version 423 lb heavier
- 2015
- No hybrid version any more
- All-wheel / four-wheel drive no longer offered
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 23
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 7 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 197.6 in | 4,394 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | – | – | ★★★★★ | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 197.6 in | 4,354 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 9 |
| 2017 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 29 MPG | 196.5 in | 4,365 lb | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 30 MPG | 196.5 in | 4,365 lb | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.5 in | 3,942 lb | Not rated | 3 | 11 |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 30 MPG | 196.5 in | 3,942 lb | Not rated | 5 | 74 |
Alternatives to the 2020 RLX
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 BMW 7 Series | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A6 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
| 2020 Lexus LS | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 Lincoln Continental | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →