
Occupying something of a middle ground between high-feature compact luxury sedans and the "default" European choices like the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Acura RLX finds itself with a wide range of rivals.
The Volvo S90 is certainly the segment's style choice, both inside and out.
Close behind is the more polarizing Cadillac CTS, which delivers more performance at the upper range.
Then there are the mid-size luxury heavyweights: The Lexus GS, the Mercedes E Class, and the BMW 5.
You can't go wrong with any of those three, as each offers a wide range of options, engines, and features.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2018 Acura RLX brandishes some exotic hardware, and wraps it in anonymity. |
The 2018 Audi S6 stands with an impressive hand: quality interior, great performance, functional shape. It's possible to find better examples from other cars, but they all cost significantly more. |
The 2018 Infiniti Q70 stands alone as a warm take on luxury that others have left behind. It’s not as luxurious as the others—but it’s not as expensive as those, either. |
The 2018 Lexus GS is a worthy rival to its German foes in terms of luxury and handling, but its engine lineup is falling behind the competition. |
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class goes to excess--the right kinds of excess--to preserve its best-of status. |
With its graceful styling and gentle demeanor, the 2018 Volvo S90 is one of our favorite luxury sedans—at any price. |
MSRP From | |||||
$54,900 | $49,700 | $50,300 | $46,510 | $52,950 | $48,100 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
20 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Premium Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Midsize Cars | Mid-Size Cars |
Style Name | |||||
Sedan w/Technology Pkg | 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD | 3.7 LUXE RWD | GS 300 RWD | E 300 RWD Sedan | T5 FWD Momentum |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2018 Acura RLX vs. 2018 Audi A6 | 2018 Acura RLX vs. 2018 INFINITI Q70 | 2018 Acura RLX vs. 2018 Lexus GS | 2018 Acura RLX vs. 2018 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 2018 Acura RLX vs. 2018 Volvo S90 |