[mr.smith]

The Acura RLX was recently named by Autonet.ca as a new vehicle that is flying under the radar. The main reason that the website gives is that Acura has a hard time creating an identity and brand image in the face of such stiff competition.

The caption reads, "the RLX doesn't look to be a bad car... but is that enough to woo loyal consumers away from competing models?"

Not really sure how Autonet came to decide that the RLX or any other car on this list deserves its place.

Do you agree with Autonet.ca? Is the RLX flying under the radar?

Here is the full list:
- Kia Cadenza
- Jeep Cherokee
- Infiniti QX50
- Acura RLX
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- BMW 4-Series
- Hyundai Equus
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- Mini Paceman
- Toyota Prius C

 

[christopher1]

NO, acura shoots its self

in the foot. I am a acura RL owner. Waiting for the new RLX to come out. What do i get 1. HIGHER off the chart price jump on the AWD RLX that 95% of rl owners want. 2. The RLX does not have the look. it looks BLAND 3.Acura does not put its self out there for people to know what they are selling. I have to tell my /co-workers what a great car my acura is. They buy BMW and Audi and mercedes But do not think about acura WHY? I love my acura but are thinking about leaving to q50 my self. why it is priced at the same price i bought my rl at when new. it has everything and more standard. and it is sharp looking and AWD from the start. not fwd... so acura better wake up!! Build a acura that makes buyers go WOW when they see it. Not what is it a TOYOTA>???

 

[Luxurious]

in the foot. I am a acura RL owner. Waiting for the new RLX to come out. What do i get 1. HIGHER off the chart price jump on the AWD RLX that 95% of rl owners want. 2. The RLX does not have the look. it looks BLAND 3.Acura does not put its self out there for people to know what they are selling. I have to tell my /co-workers what a great car my acura is. They buy BMW and Audi and mercedes But do not think about acura WHY? I love my acura but are thinking about leaving to q50 my self. why it is priced at the same price i bought my rl at when new. it has everything and more standard. and it is sharp looking and AWD from the start. not fwd... so acura better wake up!! Build a acura that makes buyers go WOW when they see it. Not what is it a TOYOTA>???

this is so true on many levels. i think right now the best thing Acura can do to save the RLX is to price it lower, then no one will have a problem with how it is. hopefully the upgrades they do over the coming years and during the mid-cycle refresh will help with saving it

 

[mr.smith]

A drop in price is kind of an admission of defeat though. I think Acura really needs to spruce up the RLX with a redesign, and personally I think it needs to completely rethink the Acura grille. It just looks like a shield.

I definitely agree that the RLX should be on this list though. Some of the others I don't, like the Cherokee and the CLA and the 4-Series, but the RLX is right where it deserves to be.

I hope Acura can save it though.

 

[Hindsight]

The Acura RLX has a lot going for it with the Jewel Eye head lights. They should roll out those headlights across more of their models.

The RLX is definitely under the radar, but its not like Acura has been working very hard to stop that from happening. I find that Acura doesn't push its vehicles very hard with advertising.

The list itself looks like a bit of a reach though. Some of those vehicles seem like they could belong on the list while others do not.

 

[rockerfeller]

The RLX is like all Acura's, people don't love them when they're brand new since when compared to other cars, they seem over priced. But as they hit the used car market, people grab them quickly! high $40k to low $50k slightly used RLX? take my money!

 

[Cyph]

Hello everyone,

I just recently upgraded from an RL to an RLX. I got both a good trade in for my 8 year old vehicle and also a great price on the new one. I did not pay MSRP. They are willing to negotiate if you believe the price is too high.

I've read all the reviews and test drove all the European cars and yet I still chose this vehicle. Why? Simple, I am the target audience.

What I want in a car:

1. Quality and reliability. My last RL has given me 8 years of trouble free usage. Never had to bring the car in for engine problem, ever. I also own a 2007 MDX which is absolutely trouble free. You can say Acura has me as lifetime customer. Look up BMW and consumer affairs and then Acura and compare the differences.

2. Total cost of ownership. Related to 1. How many times have you heard of a 10k mi car needing 21k engine work and not having it covered by warranties? German cars have plenty of those issues.

3. The car is an absolute blast to drive. While the RL drove like a tank, this one is lithe and maneuverable. It's an absolute difference in the feel. The car is incredibly agile, moving more like a small car rather than the behemoth that it is. I should know, I own an RL for 8 years (loved that car.)

4. Resale value. I know that when the time comes to upgrade, I'll be able to sell it easily on the open market. With BMW, if they last that long, count your lucky stars.

5. The styling is not as good as the German counterparts, but the wife loves it. It won't put your heart on fire, but it's inoffensive aNd reminds me of the old school Legend. Maybe that's what Acura is after. The back end is terrific though and the Jewel lights is very nice.

6. The interior. Absolutely awesome. It's what my wife loves about it. All the options she needs with the base model. The electronics on this car is a blast (valet mode, iPod integration, etc.) and the spacious interior compared to the RL is wonderful.

6. The price. Right now, you can expect to buy this car under invoice if you are serious about it. The price point is now competing with fully loaded Q5, ES, and 3 series not their big brothers. Don't let the MSRP fool you. At the price we paid, it's a steal.

I'll be happy to answer any questions as a proud new owner of this car. I want to thank the snobby reviewers and Internet warriors for bad mouthing this car bringing its sales down. It only helped my negotiation on prices.

 

[mr.smith]

Hello everyone,

I just recently upgraded from an RL to an RLX. I got both a good trade in for my 8 year old vehicle and also a great price on the new one. I did not pay MSRP. They are willing to negotiate if you believe the price is too high.

I've read all the reviews and test drove all the European cars and yet I still chose this vehicle. Why? Simple, I am the target audience.

What I want in a car:

1. Quality and reliability. My last RL has given me 8 years of trouble free usage. Never had to bring the car in for engine problem, ever. I also own a 2007 MDX which is absolutely trouble free. You can say Acura has me as lifetime customer. Look up BMW and consumer affairs and then Acura and compare the differences.

2. Total cost of ownership. Related to 1. How many times have you heard of a 10k mi car needing 21k engine work and not having it covered by warranties? German cars have plenty of those issues.

3. The car is an absolute blast to drive. While the RL drove like a tank, this one is lithe and maneuverable. It's an absolute difference in the feel. The car is incredibly agile, moving more like a small car rather than the behemoth that it is. I should know, I own an RL for 8 years (loved that car.)

4. Resale value. I know that when the time comes to upgrade, I'll be able to sell it easily on the open market. With BMW, if they last that long, count your lucky stars.

5. The styling is not as good as the German counterparts, but the wife loves it. It won't put your heart on fire, but it's inoffensive aNd reminds me of the old school Legend. Maybe that's what Acura is after. The back end is terrific though and the Jewel lights is very nice.

6. The interior. Absolutely awesome. It's what my wife loves about it. All the options she needs with the base model. The electronics on this car is a blast (valet mode, iPod integration, etc.) and the spacious interior compared to the RL is wonderful.

6. The price. Right now, you can expect to buy this car under invoice if you are serious about it. The price point is now competing with fully loaded Q5, ES, and 3 series not their big brothers. Don't let the MSRP fool you. At the price we paid, it's a steal.

I'll be happy to answer any questions as a proud new owner of this car. I want to thank the snobby reviewers and Internet warriors for bad mouthing this car bringing its sales down. It only helped my negotiation on prices.

Sounds like a lot of what you like about the car is the value. The part about the car that turns people off is usually the styling I think. It doesn't look as nice as it's competitors in many people's eyes. I guess that is the price you pay for good value though.

 

[Cyph]

Sounds like a lot of what you like about the car is the value. The part about the car that turns people off is usually the styling I think. It doesn't look as nice as it's competitors in many people's eyes. I guess that is the price you pay for good value though.

I guess styling is subjective. I really like the rear and the jewel eyes. The interior is fabulous where I spend the majority of my time in. The exterior is for other people. I guess some enjoy people gawking at their ride. More power to them but not worth the money and aggravation for the looks (they do look great I admit) of the German cars.

Acura should just poach the German designers and be done with it.

 

[cfrp]

5. The styling is not as good as the German counterparts, but the wife loves it. It won't put your heart on fire, but it's inoffensive aNd reminds me of the old school Legend. Maybe that's what Acura is after. The back end is terrific though and the Jewel lights is very nice.

Styling is subjective.

Id pick the RLX over the 5 series.

 

[AcuraRLXFan]

not really, if the RLX is priced too high they wont move any. Would it be better for Acura to get smacked with a backlog of 365 days worth of inventory because no one bought an over priced Honda...all while not 'admitting defeat'...

Brilliant business model right there.

haha if Acura does they they will lose a lot customers, I think any time a car maker under delivers they should make up for it some how, lower price is always the best thing to do.

 

[cfrp]

not really, if the RLX is priced too high they wont move any. Would it be better for Acura to get smacked with a backlog of 365 days worth of inventory because no one bought an over priced Honda...all while not 'admitting defeat'...

Brilliant business model right there.

if you actually go in to the dealer and you show interest in the RLX but mention that its too expensive for the price. If you have the data to back up your claim they will offer you a better price
I've seen some good discounts on the RLX for buyers.