Makes›Acura›RLX›2014

2014 Acura RLX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

Acura RLX
Pictured: 2017 Acura RLX in Bellanova White Pearl, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan, 4dr Sedan - Sport Hybrid
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
30 combined · 28 city / 31 hwy
Length
196.5 in
Curb weight
3,942–4,312 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2014 midsize car (25.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

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).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (28 city / 31 highway), 17% better than the 2014 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan196.5 in74.8 in57.5 in112.2 in64.2 / 64.2 in3,942 lb61/39
4dr Sedan - Sport Hybrid196.5 in74.8 in57.5 in112.2 in64.2 / 64.2 in4,312 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RLX Hybrid Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive28 / 31 / 30+17%$2,750302
RLX3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 30 / 23-11%$3,550380
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2014 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 Acura RLX.

Similar 2014 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Acura RLX (this car)30 MPGNot rated5
2014 BMW 5 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPG★★★★★0
2014 Audi A629 MPG★★★★★4
2014 Lexus LS20 MPGNot rated1
2014 Tesla Model S265 mi★★★★★9
2014 Jaguar XJ21 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (5)

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking · May 20, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V301000 · 19,502 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Risk
If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Dec 16, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V792000 · 9,751 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk
Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.
Seat Belts · Oct 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V639000 · 43,481 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.
Risk
A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.
Suspension › Rear · Dec 16, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V622000 · 7,387 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, through November 5, 2013. The bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the sub-frame of the vehicle may have loosened during transport to dealerships.
Risk
Loose rear lower control arm bolts may reduce steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension lower control arm bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early January 2014. Customers may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD0.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Acura RLX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

74Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
75,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering46
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)12
Suspension12
Electrical System8
Engine6
Wheels5
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings5
Unknown Or Other4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/05: 122/06: 122/08: 122/09: 122/11: 123/01: 223/07: 223/08: 123/09: 124/03: 224/07: 224/08: 225/04: 125/05: 225/06: 125/07: 125/08: 125/09: 225/11: 126/03: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/09: 122/0522/0923/0724/0325/0425/0725/1126/05max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Acura RLX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 46 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 12 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Suspension — 12 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 75,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Acura RLX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RLX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2020 RLX28197.6 in★★★★★13
2019 RLX28–★★★★★30
2018 RLX28197.6 in★★★★★19
2017 RLX29196.5 in★★★★★03
2016 RLX30196.5 in★★★★★08
2015 RLX23196.5 in★★★★★311

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →