Which Acura model is luxury?
In Acura’s lineup, luxury is a core brand promise applied across sedans and SUVs, but the model most closely associated with Acura’s luxury sedan heritage is the TLX. The brand also offers luxury SUVs (RDX and MDX) and a high-performance luxury flagship in NSX; the RLX has been retired and is not part of the current lineup.
Where Acura's luxury sedans and SUVs fit
Acura positions its vehicles with premium materials, advanced technology, and safety features designed to compete with other luxury brands. Here is a snapshot of the main options that carry the luxury badge today.
The following list highlights Acura's primary luxury models and what they bring to the brand's premium image.
- TLX — midsize luxury sedan that emphasizes a refined ride, modern tech, and an available high-performance TLX Type S with a 3.0-liter turbo engine delivering around 355 horsepower.
- MDX — three-row luxury SUV offering spacious comfort, upscale interior materials, and available performance-focused MDX Type S.
- RDX — compact luxury SUV known for value, premium interior, and updated tech and styling in recent model years, with higher trims adding more luxury features.
- NSX — a limited-production luxury-performance hybrid supercar representing the pinnacle of Acura’s luxury performance capabilities.
- RLX — Acura's former flagship sedan, not in current production; considered part of the historical lineup rather than the modern lineup.
In short, Acura's luxury is defined by a mix of sedan comfort, SUV versatility, and high-performance capability, with the TLX serving as the core luxury sedan, the MDX and RDX delivering premium SUV experiences, NSX representing the luxury-performance apex, and RLX remaining retired from current sales.
What sets Acura apart as a luxury brand?
Beyond individual models, Acura's luxury identity hinges on thoughtful craftsmanship, a technology-forward approach, and driver-centric performance. The brand emphasizes features such as SH-AWD all-wheel-drive on higher-performance models, the AcuraWatch suite of safety features, premium audio options, and quality interior materials—elements designed to position Acura above mainstream brands while staying competitive with established luxury names.
Summary
Acura doesn’t rely on a single “luxury model.” Instead, its luxury reputation rests on a lineup where the TLX anchors the luxury sedan segment, the MDX and RDX anchor the SUV range, and the NSX provides a pinnacle of luxury performance. The RLX has been retired from production, reaffirming Acura’s focus on contemporary luxury sedans and SUVs with performance variants to meet evolving buyer expectations. If you want a single-model takeaway, the TLX is the clearest representative of Acura’s luxury sedan identity.
