[Action]

The 2014 Acura RLX is $10,000 more than the 2013 Acura TL. I don't know about you, but when I saw that price difference I had to do a comparison to see where my money would be going with the RLX.

The Acura RLX gets 310 horsepower @ 6500 RPM and 272 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM. The TL gets 280 @ 6200 RPM and 254 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM. There is a very minor difference in compression ratio, with the RLX at 11.5 and the TL at 11.2.

Fuel-Economy between both models is relatively the same. The RLX gets 20 in the city, 31 on the highway, 24 combined. The TL gets the same in the city and 29 on the highway, with a combined fuel economy of 23.

The brakes on the RLX feature front power 312 mm ventilated discs and rear power 310 mm disc brakes. The TL comes with front power 320 mm ventilated discs and rear power 335 mm disc brakes. Hill Start Assist is not available in the TL but standard in the RLX.

The RLX sits on 18" wheels while the TL settles for 17". Wheelbase of the RLX is at 112.2 vs. the TL at 109.3. The RLX is two inches longer and about half an inch wider. The RLX is heavier, with a curb weight of 3933 compared to the TL's 3726.

Collision Avoidance and 2nd row head restraints are standard in the RLX. Cargo and passenger volume are both greater in the RLX, but not by a whole lot, and there is slightly more head, shoulder and leg room in the RLX.

Other than the differences I just mentioned, the RLX and TL are basically the same. For me, the price tag difference does not account for the performance difference. The RLX is just a really bland looking Chevy Cruze with funky headlights; the TL offers the same experience for more than 10K less.

 

[cfrp]

RLX has more luxury. If you have ever sat in the two you would know.

The TL is a bit sportier. It is offered in a manual.

Plus you need to realize there are two versions of the TL.

A 3.5L and a 3.7L.

The 3.7L puts the power closer to the RLX. And the TL has options for 18" rims.

 

[rockerfeller]

I find it hard to compare the two, the RLX is Acura's newest flagship vehicle while the current TL is in a generation that's coming to an end. Rather compare the RLX to the future TLX once it's out.

 

[cfrp]

I am very interested in what Acura is going to do to upgrade the TL.

 

[MikeJones]

I am very interested in what Acura is going to do to upgrade the TL.

So far I know it will be based off of the next Honda Accord, so it will be smaller than the current TL. I always thought the TL could be smaller, it's about time they shrink it!

 

[victorber]

Action,

In describing the differences between the TL and the RLX I think you have missed a few key points:
I owned a 09TH Tech and once taking out a RLX (A) I immediately felt the numerous differences,

(CMS) Collision Mitigation, (LKAS) Lane Keeping Assist System & Lane Advisory System, (BSN) Blind Spot Notification ands (P-AWS) Precision All Wheel Steering.

These are just a few of the differences between the two models. My 09 TL did not the BSM as became available in latter TL versions.
Granted there is a difference in the cost of the RLX but you have to quantify and match apples to apples.

Please see my 7200+ mileage trip report to get a feeling of what the RLX is capable of delivering.

 

[Hindsight]

When the TLX comes out, will Acura be raising the price of it so that it is closer to the RLX? Or is the price staying about the same? Once you add on options to the TL, I'm sure it can get up to around the same price as a base RLX.

 

[rockerfeller]

TLX is going to merge TSX and TL, so its unlikely it gets bumped closer to RLX. Fully optioned I'm sure it will cross into RLX territory but most manufacturers stagger their lineup to have some kind of overlap. Its a subtle form of upselling, but when you think about it logically a loaded TLX is way better than a base RLX.

That's usually how it is, when you get the highest trim of a car that falls under a flagship model from the same brand and get all the options you can you cross into the flagship car pricing. But usually it's the flagship cars starting price.

At least in the end you'll have a car with a far cheaper cost of ownership and all the bells and whistles you can ask for that are probably in the RLX.

 

[cfrp]

I expect the base model TLX to be cheaper since it has to cater to TSX buyers as well.

The most top specd TLX is usually expensive. Just look at a full loaded TL.

 

[Hindsight]

I am guessing that the RLX offers a lot of options and features that the TL does not. If it doesn't beat the TL by very much as far as performance goes, than it must justify its cost through styling and options.

I still think that a comparison of the TLX once it comes out is going to be more worthwhile than this comparison of the TL and the RLX though. Maybe we can take a look at the interiors of both vehicles to see what the difference in interior styling is between the two.

 

[cfrp]

The RL will always be more featured compared to the TL.

 

[cfrp]

Its not a popular car. I think most full sized luxury sedans suffer when going up against BMW and Mercedes and even Lexus.

 

[rockerfeller]

Its not a popular car. I think most full sized luxury sedans suffer when going up against BMW and Mercedes and even Lexus.

They do, even Audi is a tough brand to beat at times. It's going to be hard for any brand to get up to that level. Acura has a long way to go if that's what they want to do.

 

[cfrp]

They do, even Audi is a tough brand to beat at times. It's going to be hard for any brand to get up to that level. Acura has a long way to go if that's what they want to do.

I don't think thats what they are trying to do though. They've never been one to compare themselves to the germans. They kind of stand on their own as the entry level japanese luxury brand

they compete more with buick and lexus and infiniti.

 

[rosewood]

On paper you might see a $10k difference, but dealers discount the RLX way more then the TL! I went from a 2011 TL SH-AWD to an RLX and it is a vast improvement.