2019 Acura RLX review

1. Spacious and well-equipped interior 

A consistent trait of the Acura RLX is a cabin that’s both spacious and packed with creature comforts, and the 2019 model continues the tradition. Even a full house of five passengers will have more than enough room to relax, with 42.3 inches of front seat legroom and 38.8 inches of rear seat legroom. There’s also a lot of comfort equipment included as standard on every 2019 RLX model, like leather upholstery, a power sunroof, and a 14-speaker sound system with Bluetooth^® connectivity and smartphone app integration.  

2. Balanced standard engine  

There are two engine options to pick from with the 2019 Acura RLX, and both are a great fit for balanced day-to-day driving. The base model comes with a 3.5L V6 engine, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. A power output of 310 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque is more than enough for zipping in and out of traffic, as well as motoring down the highway. You won’t even need to waste time at the pumps, as this setup can also achieve an EPA-estimated 30 mpg on the highway.

3. Sport Hybrid model adds all-wheel drive 

You’ll find the same 3.5L V6 engine under the hood of the Sport Hybrid. However, it's the three electric motors make make the difference, with two powering the rear wheels and one integrated with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This increases power to 377 horsepower and 341 lb-ft of torque. You'll also get all-wheel drive, which enhances grip and handling. Lastly, and perhaps best of all, this powertrain is still capable of achieving an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined and 29 mpg on the highway.

4. Numerous standard features  

The lack of traditional trim levels means that the vast majority of features you see on the 2019 Acura RLX’s equipment list are included as standard. This includes a dual-screen infotainment system, automatic windshield wipers, and heated, power-adjustable front seats. Choosing the Sport Hybrid model adds some extra features to go with the more advanced drivetrain, including heated rear seats, a heads-up display, a power rear sunshade, and an enhanced 14-speaker sound system.   

5. Driver convenience technologies across the range 

When cruising along in your comfortable luxury sedan, every journey should feel as serene as possible, right? The 2019 Acura RLX makes sure of that by including the AcuraWatch^™ suite of driver convenience technologies as standard on all models. This includes forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Sport Hybrid models also include front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system to help make parking as easy as possible.