2018 Acura RLX vs 2018 Lexus ES - The Car Connection

2018 Acura RLX

2018 Lexus ES

Select style

Sedan Sport Hybrid w/Advance Pkg

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RLX Sedan Sport Hybrid w/Advance Pkg	28	29	$57,432	$61,900
RLX Sedan w/Technology Pkg	20	29	$50,946	$54,900

Select style

ES 300h FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
ES ES 300h FWD	40	39	$39,171	$41,820
ES ES 350 FWD	21	30	$36,485	$38,950

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$57,432

$39,171

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$61,900

$41,820

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1032 / month

$697 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.3

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Acura RLX brandishes some exotic hardware, and wraps it in anonymity.

If you’re after a smooth, quiet, roomy, comforting luxury sedan that’s still good value, the 2018 Lexus ES may be one of the better choices.

TCC Likes

Plush ride
Good hybrid fuel economy
Lovely front seats

Silent interior
40-mpg hybrid model
Larger inside than you’d think

TCC Dislikes

Cookie-cutter outline
Cabin’s a letdown
Twin-screen infotainment

Brake feel could be better
Remote Touch interface clumsy, distracting
Grille doesn’t gel with rest of car

Fuel Economy

City

28 mpg

40 mpg

Highway

29 mpg

39 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

102.1

100.1

Front Hip Room (in)

55.9

54.8

Second Leg Room (in)

38.8

Front Head Room (in)

37.6

37.5

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

54.5

53.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

59.6

57.6

Second Head Room (in)

36.9

37.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

Front Leg Room (in)

42.3

41.9

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

64.2

Wheelbase (in)

112.2

111

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

74.4

71.7

Track Width, Front (in)

64.3

62.6

Min Ground Clearance (in)

3.8

Length, Overall (in)

198.1

193.3

Height, Overall (in)

57.7

57.1

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.1

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.1

17.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

40.5

37.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P245/40WR19

P215/55VR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P245/40WR19

P215/55VR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4380

3682

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 8

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 8

17 X 7

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

341 @ 4700

156 @ 4500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.5 L/212

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

377 @ 6500

200 @ 5700

Engine Type

Gas/Electric V-6

Gas/Electric I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.40

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

3.54

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.03

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.14

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.66

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.75

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.55

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

CVT w/OD

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.62

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

Summary

Vehicle Name

Acura RLX

Lexus ES

Body Style

SH-AWD Sedan

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Strut

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.3

4.4

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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