Acura refreshed its flagship RLX for the 2018 model year, succeeding the storied RL and Honda Legend lineages. As a global luxury sedan—sold as the Honda Legend in Japan—the RLX inherited technological advancements from Acura’s cutting-edge NSX hybrid supercar.
Visually, the RLX adopted Acura’s latest design language, prominently featured on the MDX. Its front fascia boasted a striking 3D-patterned grille with a chrome Acura emblem at its center, surrounded by chrome accents and enhanced by diamond-cut LED headlights with adaptive lighting. The sedan’s profile exuded sportiness, complemented by chrome detailing around the rear exhausts and trunk lid.
Addressing previous criticisms, Acura significantly upgraded the interior with premium leather upholstery, refined wood trim, and improved seating, aiming to match the opulence of its competitors.
Buyers could choose between two powertrains: a standard 3.5-liter V6 paired with a ten-speed automatic for front-wheel drive, or a potent 377 hp hybrid system mated to a seven-speed automatic and delivering all-wheel drive for the top-spec variant.