For a pleasant drive, with minimal traffic, toward the end of a four-day Fourth of July holiday last Sunday, what direction would you have gone?
In the nicely finished 2014 Acura RLX four-door, carrying a pricetag of $61,345, Jan and I avoided the Interstate and followed little-driven U.S. 85 north to Cheyenne.
Acura’s new midsize luxury sedan went on sale three months ago, 2 inches longer in wheelbase than its predecessor, 2 inches wider, yet 100 pounds lighter. It’s of sparkling style, from its row of brighter-beam “jewel-eye” headlights up front to its distinctive LED taillights behind.
The tempo of its 310-horsepower, direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 engine can be quickened by pushing a sport-mode button and using paddle shifters for its 6-speed automatic transmission.
In Cheyenne, we enjoyed walking the capital grounds, filled with bronze sculptures depicting the Old West. Years ago, I worked with Red Fenwick, one of the Post’s all-time best-liked columnists. He loved Wyoming and always referred to Douglas as “my old home town.” I thought of him during our walk.
The revised RLX had better be good; otherwise, it risks being swallowed by its luxurious competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz E Class, BMW 5 series, Audi A6, Jaguar XF and Lexus GS.
The RLX is of front-wheel drive and all-wheel steering, and the slight turn movement of the rear wheels eases steering effort and adds to outstanding handling. Even with the rear-turn assist, though, the Acura’s turning circle remains a wide 40.5 feet. All-wheel, the only drive configuration offered on the previous RL, will be added to the ’14 model somewhere down the road.
Braking is quick, smooth and true with the car’s 12.3-inch diameter ventilated rotors in front and 12.2 solid rotors at the rear. Suspension is independent double-wishbone front and multilink rear.
The Japanese-built RLX weighs in just a few pounds below 4,000; hefty as that is, the sedan still carries a relatively high EPA estimate of 20/31. I averaged 26.7. Premium fuel is recommended. To fuel it is to appreciate its capless filler feature, like that used for several years by Ford.
Dominating a well-finished interior is a protruding center stack with, somewhat confusing to users, two screens for navigation and audio, with interchangeable access. A padded console cover opens from either side for convenient storage.
The recent hot days lent themselves to a test of the RLX’s ventilated front seats; the cooling capability is the most effective of any I’ve tried this summer.
Side mirrors fold in close to the body when the car is exited and locked, then extend to normal when the doors are unlocked.
The review model was the top-of-the-line RLX with Advance package, including 14-speaker Krell premium audio, power rear-window sunshade, lane-keeping assist system, adaptive cruise control and heated rear seats. The $61k price is as much as $10,000 above lesser-equipped versions of the RLX.
Boulder car show
The McCaddon Cruisin’ Classics car show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 48th and Pearl Parkway in Boulder.
For more information, call 303-442-3160.
Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.
