2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid

Specifications

1. A 3.5L V6 and three electric motors make 377 hp and 377 lb-ft of torque. 2. The RLX is the first Acura to use a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 3. The new Sport Hybrid replaces the mechanical rear differential in Acura’s conventional SH-AWD system. 4. Fuel economy is rated at 28 MPG city, 32 MPG highway and 30 MPG combined, an improvement of 25 percent over the FWD model.

Preview

Combined with rather subdued styling, the RLX not only failed to scare the Germans, it made the notoriously conservative Lexus look like the wild child of the Japanese luxury trio.

To up the excitement, Acura has now launched a new version of the RLX complete with more power, better efficiency, a long list of brand-first technologies and a revolutionary all-wheel drive system.

Called the RLX Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), in many ways this car foreshadows the upcoming NSX with its powertrain a mirror image of what Acura’s supercar will use – minus a turbo or two.

With that fancy new name, unfortunately, the RLX Sport Hybrid doesn’t get the looks to match.Apart from its jewel eye LED headlights, there’s little drama to its design with only minor changes that include a modified front bumper with LED foglights and a dark chrome grille. Thankfully it does come standard with 19-inch wheels that are optional on the conventional model.

Interior 

Move to the inside of the RLX and there’s a similar level of puritanical influence in its design. It lacks the sumptuous warmth of a Lexus or the adventurous curves of an Infiniti and is in fact rather BMW-esque in its simplicity of design.

What makes the car’s cabin is the quality of materials. On Acura’s top-tier products Milano leather is offered as an upgrade over the standard cow hide. Here it’s standard.

A flagship model needs unique flagship features and Acura delivers. There’s more that’s new here than just a high-tech all-wheel drive system.

Look out the front of the car and you can’t miss another new feature, the head-up display. We’ve griped about Acura’s implementation of electronics in past cars, with the graphics appearing dated. Here, they’re modern and crystal clear. In addition to displaying vehicle speed, there are screens for the tachometer, navigation instructions and the real time hybrid drivetrain display. During two days of testing in and around San Francisco, we never looked at the speedometer in the gauge cluster. 

The list of standard equipment is solid and includes two driver memory buttons, 12-way power seats with lumbar, an electric tilt and telescopic steering wheel, navigation, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and keyless access with a push button ignition – something the Germans just love to charge extra for.

Only one upgrade is offered, the Advance package with a 14-speaker premium audio system, power rear sunshade, vented seats, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control with low speed follow and lane keeping assist and an auto-brake feature.

There is, however, something missing from this cabin: an eco mode. This hybrid may deliver a claimed 30 mpg combined - we achieved just 22 during admittedly spirited driving - but Acura is focusing on the sport in Sport Hybrid.

Under The Hood

A car of firsts for Acura, it’s the brand’s first true hybrid and it takes the technology to a new level. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 mated to another Acura first: a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. That unit also uses a 47-hp electric motor. Two more electric motors join the powertrain package at the rear axle adding 36 hp per wheel for a combined 377 hp and 377 lb-ft of torque.

The evolution of Acura’s SH-AWD system, it does away with a mechanical rear axle to deliver amazing results. SH-AWD was the first system to distribute power left to right in the rear to improve cornering. With this new system, the speed of the wheels is fully independent of the engine so a greater difference in wheel speed side-to-side in the rear can be achieved.

Exploiting the technology fully, it’s also possible for the RLX to control the speed of the left and right rear wheels using regenerative braking, meaning the car can control rotation in a corner even when you’re not on the throttle.

In performance driving situations, it is sharp and intuitive and yet it can also coddle the driver with a smooth ride quality, excellent sound deadening and even a start-stop system that won’t startle you. That’s something Deutschland’s cars do all too often.

The RLX feels much smaller than it is and handles even better than you’d expect. The dual-clutch transmission is smooth shifting (even at low speeds) and in Sport mode gears down the second you touch the brakes. And when the rpms rise there’s a satisfying growl from the V6 engine.

Acura never provided a 0-60 time and that’s likely because you wouldn’t be impressed. Unfortunately it doesn’t feel as fast as 377 hp should.