MM Full-Review: 2014 Acura RLX
07-19-14, 06:52 AM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks....glad you enjoyed it. 
Hard to tell. Yes, Insulation materials and good padding for the seats costs money. So do nice trim materials inside. But, in general, larger, sport-oriented wheels and tires often cost more than those designed for ride-comfort. Sport-oriented suspensions and shocks sometimes cost more. So, of course, in general, do larger and/or more complex engines and drivetrains.
If the past is any guide (which it not always is), the TLX is likely to sell in higher numbers than the RLX. But Lexus is so big, in comparison to Acura, that I don't think they really have much to worry about. 
I will admit, though, that the new TLX, even with that stubborn parrot-beak up front, looks a lot better than the last version, which, IMO, bordered on ludicrous.
It probably cost more to make a smooth, well insulated car with premium materials than a "sports luxury" car
Lexus better be worried because soon Acura will strike with their technologically & aesthetically impressive TLX
I will admit, though, that the new TLX, even with that stubborn parrot-beak up front, looks a lot better than the last version, which, IMO, bordered on ludicrous.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-19-14 at 07:01 AM.
07-19-14, 11:35 AM
#34
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07-19-14, 11:39 AM
#35
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Thanks, Mike Marshall. I traded in a great '04 Acura TL for an '05 RL. The dealer gave me a deal I couldn't refuse. You're right. It was vault-like in its quality and the interior was quite nice. The paint on the car was incredible by today's standards. The SH-AWD was also great when taking sweeping corners at speed. Aside from that, it felt pretty much like a nose-heavy, FWD car.
I think the reasons it didn't sell were because 1) it looked too much like it belonged in the Honda family and 2) it looked small, even though I believe the dimensions were the same as the E Class, 5 Series, etc. at that time. The design just made it look smaller. I had a business colleague that had the first gen RL, traded for an E Class, and felt the '05 RL was too small.
My personal challenge was that Acura had multiple TSBs on the car due to various first-year issues, and I was tired of visiting the Acura dealer for service . Each time, they would make me fill out a plethora of paperwork for a loaner car that wasn't required by Infiniti or Lexus, so I traded it after 6 months for an Infiniti M45. (Yes, I root for the underdogs!)
I think the reasons it didn't sell were because 1) it looked too much like it belonged in the Honda family and 2) it looked small, even though I believe the dimensions were the same as the E Class, 5 Series, etc. at that time. The design just made it look smaller. I had a business colleague that had the first gen RL, traded for an E Class, and felt the '05 RL was too small.
My personal challenge was that Acura had multiple TSBs on the car due to various first-year issues, and I was tired of visiting the Acura dealer for service . Each time, they would make me fill out a plethora of paperwork for a loaner car that wasn't required by Infiniti or Lexus, so I traded it after 6 months for an Infiniti M45. (Yes, I root for the underdogs!)
i gotta give mad props to acura's designers. it takes a lot of skills to make 45-50k car look like 25-30k car.
07-19-14, 12:26 PM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I have three Acura shops within reasonable driving distance (One of them the largest Acura shop on the East Coast), but still had to look for an RLX in stock. What's listed in dealer-inventory (on-line) is not always accurate. Sometimes they are cars that have been ordered, but not arrived yet. Of course, when the hybrid model you want to drive comes out, that may increase the supply some...we'll see.
07-19-14, 03:49 PM
#37
I have three Acura shops within reasonable driving distance (One of them the largest Acura shop on the East Coast), but still had to look for an RLX in stock. What's listed in dealer-inventory (on-line) is not always accurate. Sometimes they are cars that have been ordered, but not arrived yet. Of course, when the hybrid model you want to drive comes out, that may increase the supply some...we'll see.
. There's a second Acura dealer (under our franchise auto group) about 25miles away who probably has a few too though I never venture that way since I work out of our Lexus store. I asked a friend at Acura to alert me if and when they get a Hybrid RLX. I'll let you know!
07-19-14, 04:05 PM
#38
Why should Lexus worry? Aesthetics are subjective so no matter what design on a Lexus or Acura, some people won't buy regardless. The technology is much improved on Acura's yes, but then so is Lexus. The German lux makes are cranking out niche vehicles, Jaguar is on a roll with the F-Type and soon baby XE sedan, Lexus on top of a revamped line-up is adding a small ute and coupe and more F, upcoming Volvo products look to be very premium, and even Hyundai's big sedans have shown you can get the goods while still getting a value. The success of the TLX is important to Acura sure, but with a product onslaught from everyone else I doubt the TLX will impact most major competitors overall sales. In the end better cars and stiffer competiton means the consumer wins.
07-19-14, 05:43 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Why should Lexus worry? Aesthetics are subjective so no matter what design on a Lexus or Acura, some people won't buy regardless. The technology is much improved on Acura's yes, but then so is Lexus. The German lux makes are cranking out niche vehicles, Jaguar is on a roll with the F-Type and soon baby XE sedan, Lexus on top of a revamped line-up is adding a small ute and coupe and more F, upcoming Volvo products look to be very premium, and even Hyundai's big sedans have shown you can get the goods while still getting a value. The success of the TLX is important to Acura sure, but with a product onslaught from everyone else I doubt the TLX will impact most major competitors overall sales. In the end better cars and stiffer competiton means the consumer wins.
In fact, Acura/Buick/Lincoln should be the ones to worry as MB and Audi are now targeting the small premium near luxury cars like the ILX and Verano with the new CLS and A3 sedans.
07-19-14, 07:52 PM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I agree with you, BTW, that Lexus doesn't have much to worry about from the new TLX (I stated that in an earlier post)......not necessarily because the ES is a better car, but simply because of its long-established and loyal buyer-base. Good as the new TLX might be (and as yowps3 is singing the praises of), the ES is clearly here to stay.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-19-14 at 07:58 PM.
07-20-14, 01:23 AM
#42
This is what happens when you consistently build a good product for its intended audience. Regardless of what all of the performance heads say, the ES is a great achievement for Lexus.
07-20-14, 10:05 AM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
nice review as always...
when you refer to quietness... how does it compare to your verano or other luxury vehicles you've reviewed? acura is not know for quiet vehicles, but the newest mdx has been well praised for that and i assume this rlx is competitive in that way too, but i don't know.
when you refer to quietness... how does it compare to your verano or other luxury vehicles you've reviewed? acura is not know for quiet vehicles, but the newest mdx has been well praised for that and i assume this rlx is competitive in that way too, but i don't know.
07-20-14, 01:04 PM
#44
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I'm just not as impressed, overall, with the latest 6Gen version as I was with its predecessors....mainly because of some cost-cutting in sound-insulation, a slightly less-absorbent suspension/ride, and less-solid-feeling sheet metal. (Consumer Reports, BTW, agrees on the noise/ride issue).
And, just for the record, I didn't think the last (5Gen) ES was as well-done as its predecessor 4Gen model, which, to my tastes, was truly superb both inside and out. It was a pleasure to sit in and drive. Its only fly in the ointment, on some versions, was a couple of ECU issues in the programming of the throttle-by-wire and engine/transmission interaction.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-20-14 at 01:08 PM.
07-20-14, 01:47 PM
#45
Lexus Champion
If the current gen ES isn't as good as the previous gen, which wasn't as good as the gen before that, I fear the next generation will be held together with bubble gum and duct tape.
Seriously, sales of the ES haven't missed a beat over the generations and they seem to be more than competitive in the marketplace year after year, generation after generation.
Seriously, sales of the ES haven't missed a beat over the generations and they seem to be more than competitive in the marketplace year after year, generation after generation.