Acura RLX

As we all know, last year, Honda killed off the unsuccessful Legend flagship sedan leaving the brand only one sedan left in its lineup and that's the Honda Accord, which will be converted into a hybrid-only sedan as well as it will spawn a plug-in hybrid model as well. If you are in North America, there's more sedans offered in the lineup and for its America-only Acura brand, what was once known as the RL has changed.

2014 Acura RLX

This is the Acura RLX. Hideous, isn't it? It's about as boring as watching a romantic drama that is fitting for late bloomers. It's a kind of car only fitting to someone whose friends and employees called him Sir Chief. (laughing) It's a Sir Chief's car! That's what is!

2014 Acura RLX interior

Look at the outside, this car would be fine if this one is sold and badged as a Honda in Japan but that won't happen because Honda killed off the Legend. Like many Acuras, the front view's been stuck with this ghastly looking front grille which feels like the eagle's beak has been flattened by a roller. That's odd but forget about the grille because the overall look for the RLX is about as bland as your Sir Chief in his stripey jumper. I hate stripey jumpers so that's why I don't like the RLX's looks.

As for the interior, this is a bit complicating because on the dashboard, I can see two screens; one on the top and one on the middle which slots above the car's air-conditioning...Huh? What's the purpose of a car having two screens on the dashboard? This is like you're watching a TV show on the same screens! That would be so duling if you know what I mean? So those two screens on its dashboard, the top screen is where it displays maps, song currently playing, and other stuff, while the second screen is where your fingers go. That's right, it was made for touching.

Now under the bonnet is an all-new 3.5-liter Direct Injection SOHC i-VTEC V-6 engine matched to a Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. That car produces about 310HP of power and  272lb-ft of torque. Because it is a first model to implement Earth Dreams Technology, it reaches an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31MPG highway. Really? Earth Dreams Technology? Perhaps introduce it first in Japan but oh well. That won't happen for Honda to introduce a V6 sedan with some Earth Dreams Technology.

Also, the SH-AWD that the previous model favored for has been thrown away and replaced with a rather hopeless front-wheel drive powertrain and come equipped with something called P-AWS or Precision All Wheel Steer. Some say, this is the industry's first left/right independent rear-wheel toe angle control which uses an all-electric system that enhances driving dynamics. So how's that affect the RLX's driving feel? Not so much, it feels exactly the same as an ordinary FF flagship sedan. It doesn't handle very well than the SH-AWD and it lacks sporty character on it. I'm afraid that P-AWS needs more enhancement because I think this is about as dull as an ordinary pencil sharpener. It doesn't give you better results than a pencil that was once sharpened by a power sharpener.

And then there's the pricing...It starts at $48,450 minus the destination charges while the navigation system would be a $2,500 extra. If you want a full-optioned RLX, you'll need more than $60,450 to have one. That's a bit pricey and that's costlier than the Cadillac XTS or a Buick LaCrosse. So, such pricing would add some rubbishness to the RLX, I'm afraid.

2014 Acura RLX

So, the Acura RLX, the replacement to the RL (known in Japan as the Honda Legend) can be a possible contender for the worst car of 2013 because it's not that nice to drive, it's not that nice to look at, it has two screens that doesn't make any sense, it's not that more fun to drive because of its rubbish P-AWS, it's made by a car company that should have known better, it's not Japanese and worst of all, when will Honda make and sell sedans in Japan?

Photo: Acura