No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. The full name of the new hybrid version of Acura's flagship RLX sedan is Sport Hybrid SH-AWD. That's "Sport" as in sporty and SH-AWD as in Acura's excellent Super Handling-All Wheel Drive system.
And it's not kidding.
How good is the 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD? Consider this: Nearly every auto manufacturer now offers at least one hybrid car or crossover. But the Acura was recently named best Hybrid vehicle by the Northwest Automotive Press Association at its third annual Drive Revolution showcase of alternative fuel vehicles.
This Acura offers a hybrid drivetrain with all-wheel drive and sport package. To me, that represents the state of the art in both performance and hybrid technology, and the combination is impressive, NWAPA President Nik Miles said of the designation.
One secret of the car's success is that it doesn't demand any sacrifices from its drivers and passengers. Some hybrids look funky. Some have quirky interiors. Most are slow. A few are all three. But the RLX hybrid looks like a genuine sport sedan on the outside, pampers the drivers and passengers in luxury, is a blast to drive, and is still EPA rated at a respectable 30 average miles per gallon.
Another secret to the car's success is its transmission. It is not the six-speed automatic found in the non-hybrid version or a lifeless Continuously Variable Transmission, like so many competitors offers. It is instead a genuine seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission, which means the shifts come fast and harder, especially in the Sport mode activated with a touch of a button.
The RLX was introduced last year as Acura's top of the line sedan. Although classified as a midsize by the EPA, it is much closer to a full-size sedan, especially in the ample rear seat area. The overall fit and finish is what Acura customers have come to expect this days premium enough to compete against more expensive European models. It also comes with an impressive list of standard comfort, entertainment and safety features.
If the RLX has fallen short anywhere, it has been the lack of a performance model. Until now, it has only been available with a 3.5-liter V6, front wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. While that combination is perfectly reasonable for day-to-day motoring, it doesn't exactly spell driving excitement.
Which is why the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is such a surprise. Who else offers a hybrid as their fastest model? Or a hybrid with real all-wheel-drive, not just an electric assist for the rear tires? That's a big reason the car was named best hybrid by the NWAPA. It offers real power and impressive handling, while surpassing the EPA ratings of most gas-only cars in its class.
Our test version came loaded up with every conceivable option, including a Tech Package with more safety systems (like Blind Sport Information) and an Advance Package with a dynamite Krell Premium Audio System, heated and ventilated perforated leather front bucket seats, and a Surround View Camera System. And yes, we appreciated each and every one of them.
There were a few features we didn't fully appreciate, however. One was the transmission shift controls, which included different buttons that had to be pushed or lifted to select the rights gears. It wasn't a deal breaker, but it wasn't exactly intuitive, either. And the navigation system graphics weren't the best we've ever seen, although we appreciated the dual screens that reduced the number of required buttons and knobs on the dash.
And, like most cars that offer a hybrid option, the additional batteries reduce cargo space in the trunk. There's still enough room for a groceries or luggage for an entire family, however.
Some luxury sport sedans might beat the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD on price or ultimate performance, depending on how they are equipped. But we think its unique combination of green and go-fast features make it worth checking out for both environmental and auto enthusiasts.
2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD
Base price: $60,870
Price as tested: $66,870
Type: Full-size sport sedan
Engine: 3.5 V6 (310 hp) plus three electric motors (377 hp total)
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch automatic with Sport mode
EPA estimated mileage: 28/32
Overall length: 196.1 inches
Curb weight: 4,359 pounds
Final assembly: Sayama, Saitama, Japan