The Audi S7 and RS 7 are like habanero and ghost peppers—among the hottest cars you’ll find anywhere.
Pros Gorgeous and practical shape Thundering performance Elegant interior Terrific ride and handling balance Surprising utility
Cons Crests $100,000 easily Steering a touch vague We don’t have one of our own
The 2018 Audi S7 is a midsize high-performance four-door with a hatchback body style Audi dubs a "Sportback." Unlike the A7, which comes in a five-passenger configuration, the S7 can only be had with a pair of individual rear sport seats.
PROS Blistering acceleration from V8 engine Hatchback design's expanded cargo space
CONS Doesn't offer some of Audi's latest technology features Less headroom than a typical sedan
Pros Effortless acceleration Nimble for its size Generous cargo space
Cons Only seats four Not all active driver assistance features come standard
It may not have the bulletproof branding of some competitors, but the RLX is not without charms. Its old beak grille has finally been replaced by a prettier pentagonal nose, and a sharp 10-speed automatic now pairs to the standard 310-hp V-6 engine. Our choice is the Sport Hybrid, which uses a 377-hp powertrain derived from the one used in the NSX and has Acura’s SH-AWD system to aid handling. We like driving the RLX, but the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto still stings.
Pros Strong performance, comfortable seats, standard driver aids, high value.
Cons Invisible styling, slow navigation system, complex two-screen infotainment interface, subpar paint quality.
The 2018 Acura RLX ranked #9 in Luxury Large Cars. Currently the Acura RLX has a score of 7.4 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 38 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Comfortable, spacious seats Refined, fuel-efficient powertrains Lots of standard safety features
Cons Small trunk and no folding rear seats Unexciting handling and firm ride Dull interior styling
The Acura RLX receives a variety of updates for 2018. They include new front-end styling, new front seats, an upgraded suite of driver safety aids, a retuned suspension, a new 10-speed transmission for the front-wheel-drive trim (called P-AWS), and a slightly smaller battery in the Sport Hybrid. Acura has simplified the RLX's trim levels as well.
PROS Sport Hybrid model offers fast, fuel-efficient acceleration Long list of standard safety and convenience features Spacious cabin and seating, especially for rear passengers
CONS Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't available Steering feels disconnected from the road Interior design looks dated Dual-screen infotainment system isn't intuitive to use
