Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Power
Combined, EPA 2020
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Owners consistently describe the RLX Sport Hybrid as an underrated, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable luxury sedan, praising its smooth power delivery, SH-AWD handling, and strong fuel economy for its size.
9 problems reported (3 recurrent, 6 isolated) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- Recurrent12V battery drains quickly and requires replacement every 2-3 years
Especially if the car sits for more than a week.
- RecurrentParts availability for RLX-specific components is poor and costly due to low production volume and lack of aftermarket support
- RecurrentTransmission and rear motor unit require fluid changes every 30,000 miles
+ 6 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedTiming belt service is expensive, quoted over $3,000 at a dealer
- IsolatedControl arm ball joint failure requiring replacement
- IsolatedDirect-injected J35 engine may develop intake carbon buildup over time
- IsolatedSeats in earlier models (2016) reported as uncomfortable on longer drives
- IsolatedCarPlay integration modules can cause trunk and glove box release failure when the car is off
- IsolatedPotential rod bearing issue noted for some model years, with 2018 excluded
The version owners recommend
The 2018-2020 Sport Hybrid is the consensus best choice, with owners specifically recommending 2018-2020 for improved seats and 2020 for Apple CarPlay. The Sport Hybrid trim is strongly preferred over the non-hybrid PAWS models, with one owner stating to "skip the PAWS models" entirely. The Advance trim is mentioned favorably by multiple owners. The 2018 model year is noted as being excluded from a rod bearing problem that affected other years.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Lexus GS 350, Lexus GS 450h, Lexus ES 300h, BMW 330e and Acura TLX.
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Overall sentiment
Owners consistently describe the RLX Sport Hybrid as an underrated, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable luxury sedan, praising its smooth power delivery, SH-AWD handling, and strong fuel economy for its size. The most common criticisms are low sales volume leading to parts availability concerns, a small trunk, and polarizing interior controls like the touchscreen HVAC and push-button transmission. Several owners call it their favorite car they have owned, with one reporting 112,000 miles of trouble-free driving and another at 188,000 miles with only routine maintenance. The non-hybrid PAWS models are explicitly discouraged by at least one long-term owner in favor of the Sport Hybrid. Enthusiasm is high but tempered by the reality that the car sold in extremely low numbers, making it rare and hard to find.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the RLX Sport Hybrid as a rare, underappreciated alternative to the Lexus GS 450h and other discontinued V6 hybrids, noting that both are nearly impossible to find on the used market. It is viewed as more spacious and comfortable than the TLX, with one owner describing the TLX as "not even close to the same car." The Sport Hybrid's SH-AWD and 7-speed DCT are highlighted as making it handle better than its size suggests, with one owner calling it a "wolf in sheep's clothing" that can surprise sportier cars. Against the Lexus GS, owners see both as sound choices but lean toward the RLX for its Honda/Acura reliability heritage. The MDX Sport Hybrid is cited as sharing the same drivetrain and as a way to gauge reliability. Some owners cross-shop the Accord 2.0T as a more practical, easier-to-find fallback.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the Sport Hybrid with SH-AWD and the 7-speed DCT, ideally a 2018-2020 model year. The 2020 model year is specifically called out for having Apple CarPlay. The Advance trim is preferred for its feature content. One owner advises looking at 2018-2020 for better seats. Buyers are warned to avoid the non-hybrid PAWS version. For fuel, owners are divided: some insist on premium 91 octane as recommended, while others report running 87 octane without problems, though with slightly reduced fuel economy and performance. An Acura technician in the discussions recommends premium but acknowledges regular usually will not cause problems, suggesting mid-grade as a compromise if regular causes vibration or noise.
General recommendations
This car suits buyers who want a rare, comfortable, powerful AWD luxury sedan and are prepared for potential parts availability challenges. It is best for those who plan to keep it long-term, as resale value is poor due to low sales volume. Buyers should look for a well-documented maintenance history, particularly transmission fluid changes every 30,000 miles and the timing belt service, which one owner was quoted over $3,000 for at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly advised, especially for any rebuilt-title example. Rebuilt-title RLX Sport Hybrids are a polarizing topic: some owners report positive experiences with rebuilt vehicles generally, while others strongly warn against them due to unknown repair quality and poor resale. One owner advises that if you are inexperienced with rebuilt titles, this car is not for you. The 12V battery is a known weak point requiring replacement every 2-3 years for some owners, though one owner reported nearly 8 years. Buyers should verify the hybrid system and rear motor unit are functioning properly.
Remarks
The RLX Sport Hybrid sold in extremely low numbers, with one owner citing fewer than 2,000 units globally, making it rarer than a Mercedes SLR McLaren. This rarity is both a point of pride and a practical concern for owners. The Krell audio system is praised as very close in quality to the ELS system in the TL, though with less bass response. The touchscreen HVAC controls and push-button transmission are frequently mentioned as initial detractors that owners get used to over time. The RLX was the final flagship sedan in the Legend/RL/RLX lineage, which ended in 2020, and several owners express disappointment that Acura no longer offers a flagship luxury sedan. Fuel economy for the Sport Hybrid is reported around 30 mpg regardless of driving conditions, while the non-hybrid is noted to deliver no better highway mpg than a conventional V6. Analysis based on approximately 32 substantive owner discussions.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2014. Years to avoid: 2014Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Acura RLX years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 1 | unknown or other |
| 2018 | 9 | 1 | engine |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 | suspension |
| 2016 | 8 | 0 | suspension |
| 2015 | 11 | 3 | steering |
| 2014 | 85 | 5 | steering |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices10 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2020 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000
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.
2018 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000
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.
2015 · forward collision avoidance: crash imminent brakingcampaign 15V301000
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.
2015 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 14V792000
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."
2015 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000
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.
2014 · forward collision avoidance: crash imminent brakingcampaign 15V301000
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.
2014 · seat beltscampaign 14V639000
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.
2014 · exterior lighting:headlightscampaign 14V792000
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."
2014 · suspension:rearcampaign 13V622000
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.
2014 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 23V858000
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.
Specifications
3.5 V6 Hybrid SH
Hybrid · 377 hp · AWD · automatic
Built 2017–2020