Why was the Acura RLX discontinued?
The RLX was discontinued after the 2020 model year as Acura shifted its emphasis to SUVs and the TLX, citing weak sales and the high cost of keeping a flagship sedan competitive. In short, market demand and brand strategy drove the decision.
Context: The RLX’s place in Acura’s lineup
The RLX served as Acura’s flagship sedan when it debuted for the 2014 model year, built on a Honda platform and offered with a capable handling package and upscale interior. It was available with a traditional V6 engine and, in a later update, a high-performance Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain that combined gasoline and electric propulsion. Despite these strengths, the RLX faced a crowded luxury-sedan field and lagged behind rivals in sales and perceived value.
What the RLX offered
Below are the core attributes that defined the RLX and its variants for prospective buyers.
- V6 engine delivering solid performance in the standard model.
- Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available for enhanced traction and handling.
- Sport Hybrid SH-AWD variant that combined the V6 with electric motors, producing about 377 horsepower.
- Luxurious interior with rear-seat space, refined materials, and advanced tech for its time.
- Quiet, comfortable ride intended to emphasize comfort over aggressive sportiness.
These elements gave the RLX a premium feel, but market demand did not keep pace with Acura’s expectations, especially as buyers gravitated toward SUVs and newer TLX iterations.
Why the RLX Was Discontinued
Several intertwined factors pushed Acura to retire the RLX from its lineup, reflecting broader industry trends and the brand’s strategic recalibration.
Before getting into the reasons, note the following key drivers that shaped the decision.
- Weak sales and limited market impact relative to rivals and to Acura’s own lineup.
- A market shift toward SUVs and crossovers, with consumers favoring higher ride heights and practicality.
- Lack of a compelling, cost-effective replacement that could justify a full flagship-sedan program.
- High cost and risk associated with a major refresh for a small, shrinking market segment.
- A strategic decision to allocate development resources to the TLX and to SUVs (MDX, RDX), where demand was stronger.
Taken together, these factors led Acura to retire the RLX rather than pursue a costly redesign or a direct successor, aligning with the company’s emphasis on higher-volume segments and a refreshed sedan lineup centered on TLX.
Timeline: From Launch to Discontinuation
The following timeline highlights the RLX's lifecycle and the turning points that culminated in its discontinuation.
- 2014: RLX launches as Acura’s flagship sedan with a refined V6 and available SH-AWD.
- 2014–2017: Introduction of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD variant, combining performance with improved efficiency.
- 2019–2020: Sales remain subdued as consumer preference tilts toward SUVs and the TLX platform matures.
- 2020: Acura confirms the RLX will be discontinued after the model year, shifting focus to the TLX and crossovers.
Overall, the timeline reflects a transition away from a traditional flagship sedan toward a lineup centered on TLX performance models and a stronger SUV presence.
Impact on Acura’s strategy and future sedans
The RLX discontinuation underscores a broader automaker trend: consumers increasingly favor SUVs and crossovers, even among luxury brands. For Acura, this meant leaning into the TLX as the primary performance-oriented sedan and prioritizing the growth of crossover models like the MDX and RDX. While the RLX held a place as the brand’s former flagship, its retirement signaled a strategic pivot that emphasizes market demand, profitability, and scalability.
What this means for the TLX and future Acura sedans
With the RLX out of the lineup, the TLX has shouldered the role of Acura’s main sedan offering, receiving continual updates and performance variants to fill the void left by the RLX. Acura’s sedan strategy now concentrates on delivering sportier, tech-forward experiences through the TLX, while the brand doubles down on its SUV lineup to meet growing consumer demand.
Used-RLX market and current status
Even after discontinuation, existing RLX models can still be found on the used market. Prospective buyers should weigh considerations such as maintenance costs, parts availability, and tech aging relative to newer TLX models. The RLX’s unique Hybrid SH-AWD variant remains a point of interest for collectors or enthusiasts but may carry higher ownership costs given its rarity.
Summary
In the end, the Acura RLX was discontinued primarily due to persistently low sales in a shifting market that favors SUVs and the TLX-based sedan lineup. The decision reflected a broader industry trend and Acura’s strategic focus on more profitable, high-demand segments, marking a clear pivot away from a traditional flagship toward a more modern, crossovers-and-TLX-centric future.
