2020 Acura RLX

Most Acuras are more luxurious and higher-priced versions of vehicles made by Honda, its parent company, similar to Lexus and Toyota or Infiniti and Nissan. In Acura’s case, the formula usually works well. Its sedans and SUVs have earned Consumer Reports’ recommendations for cabin comfort, handling, above-average reliability, and engines with smooth power delivery. Like Honda, Acura’s lineup is mainly SUVs, but includes some sedans. The Integra is an upgraded version of the Honda Civic, and competes with the most affordable vehicles from manufacturers like Audi and BMW. The TLX is similar, but slightly larger and more expensive. Acura’s SUVs range from midsized and three-row down to compact and two-row. Across the lineup, fuel economy is usually average. Despite Honda’s success with the technology, Acura sells no hybrids. For both new and used, reliability can vary between models, but the better options often near the top of our rankings.

Acura's flagship falls well short of its competitors. The ride is jumpy and unsettled, and the lack of handling agility makes the RLX feel ungainly. Its responsive 310-hp V6 and six-speed automatic powertrain is a high point. Our tested front-wheel-drive model averaged 23-mpg overall. A pricey all-wheel-drive hybrid is available, and gets an EPA-rated 30 mpg combined. The cabin is spacious and well-made, and includes a raft of electronic and connectivity features, but it isn't particularly luxurious and the controls are overly complicated. 2014-2015 models offer forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, but only on top-trim Advance models. 2016 models bring that AcuraWatch safety suite down to the mid-level Technology trim, as well as adding cross-traffic alert. A surround-view camera system was added to the top-trim Advance. 2016 made AcuraWatch standard on all trims.