Why did Acura discontinue the RLX?
The RLX was discontinued due to weak sales and a strategic shift toward SUVs and electrified vehicles.
The RLX, launched as Acura’s flagship sedan, faced a market increasingly averse to large luxury sedans in favor of crossovers and electrified options. In 2020, Acura ended RLX production as part of a lineup reorganization intended to focus resources on higher-demand models and an aggressive electrification plan. This article explains the factors behind that decision and what Acura pursued instead.
Market realities and the RLX
Sales challenges and demand
Industry trends showed a steady decline in demand for large luxury sedans in the United States, with buyers flocking to SUVs and crossovers. The RLX struggled to achieve sales volumes comparable to its rivals, limiting its profitability and future development.
- Shifting consumer preferences toward SUVs and crossovers reduced demand for flagship sedans
- Relatively low sales volume for the RLX compared with Acura’s core models
- High development and refresh costs for a low-volume vehicle
- Increased competition from established luxury brands in the same segment
- Limited differentiation from alternatives like the TLX and other luxury sedans
Taken together, these factors made it economically challenging to justify ongoing RLX development and updates within Acura’s broader product portfolio.
Strategic realignment and product pipeline
lineup realignment and prioritization
Acura’s parent company Honda signaled a broader realignment toward core SUVs, performance variants, and electrified powertrains. This shift placed greater emphasis on vehicles with stronger market demand and higher profitability, rather than maintaining a separate flagship sedan.
- TLX continued as the brand’s core sedan, supported by technology and performance enhancements
- MDX and RDX remained essential drivers of sales and showroom presence
- Electrification became a priority, with electrified variants of existing models and new all-electric models planned
- Resource allocation moved away from maintaining a niche flagship sedan to advancing the electrified product lineup
As a result, Acura redirected development and production capacity toward models with broader demand and toward electrified technologies rather than extending the RLX’s lifecycle.
The path forward for Acura's lineup
flagship sedan role and electrified strategy
With the RLX discontinued, Acura consolidated its sedan strategy around the TLX, while continuing to push its SUV lineup and electrified offerings. The company signaled a clear pivot toward electrification across its lineup, including new all-electric and hybrid models.
- TLX as the primary sedan offering, with ongoing updates and variants
- MDX and RDX as core SUV lineup, anchoring showroom sales
- Electrified powertrains and new electric models, such as the all-electric ZDX in development, to broaden the lineup
- Investment in performance and technology to maintain competitive appeal
In short, Acura chose to invest in the models driving volume and in an electrified future rather than maintain a discontinued flagship sedan.
Timeline and production status
The following timeline outlines the RLX lifecycle and the discontinuation decision.
- 2013: RLX introduced for the 2014 model year as Acura’s flagship sedan
- 2014–2019: RLX sold in North America, including a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD variant
- 2020: Acura confirms discontinuation; production ends after the 2020 model year
The RLX’s end reflects a broader industry shift away from large sedans toward SUVs and electrified models, a trend Acura has embraced in its current product strategy.
Summary
Acura discontinued the RLX because its sales never matched expectations in a shrinking segment for large luxury sedans, and the brand chose to reallocate resources toward its best-selling SUVs and a robust electrification plan. The TLX now serves as the cornerstone of Acura’s sedan lineup, while the company pushes forward with electrified models and performance-oriented initiatives to align with market demand and profitability goals.
