This forgotten Japanese luxury sedan makes German rivals hard to justify

Published Jul 24, 2026, 4:45 PM EDT Adam Gray, a seasoned automotive journalist and content creator from the UK, joined the How-To Geek editorial team in January 2025. As an automotive journalist for How-To Geek, Adam breaks first-to-report news on the latest in automotive tech, as well as penning automotive features and reviews. Adam is also a contributor to one of How-To Geek's sister sites, TopSpeed, where he uses his media accrediation with manufacturers' press offices to gain access to the latest vehicles for subsequent review. Prior to joining How-To Geek, Adam worked on a freelance basis, contributing automotive content to a variety of business and lifestyle publications. His experience also includes time spent serving as senior editorial & auction content manager for SBX Cars, automotive content writer for Supercar Blondie, motoring editor for Portfolio North, and motoring editor - North East for Reach plc. When he's not putting the latest vehicle through its paces or testing out its tech, Adam can be found at his local ice rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC. Adam also enjoys spending quality time with his three children: Ellie, Oscar, and Heidi. Luxury sedans have long been defined by German brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. They offer refinement, performance, and prestige, but they also come with ownership costs that can quickly add up once they're out of warranty. That's changing the way many used-car buyers shop. Instead of focusing solely on the badge, they're paying closer attention to reliability, maintenance costs, and long-term value before committing to a premium car. The Acura RLX is one of the biggest beneficiaries of that shift. Often overlooked when new, Honda's luxury flagship now offers executive-car comfort, generous space, and significantly lower running costs than many of its German rivals, making it one of the smartest used luxury sedans on the market. Luxury buyers are changing what they value Running costs matter just as much as prestige Credit: NetCarShow.com For years, owning a luxury sedan meant accepting that higher servicing and repair bills came with the territory. Premium comfort and performance were expected, but so were premium ownership costs. That mindset has shifted as more buyers keep their cars for longer. Once a luxury sedan is out of warranty, reliability and maintenance costs often become just as important as refinement and driving dynamics. Japanese luxury brands have quietly built a strong reputation by taking a different approach. Instead of chasing increasingly complex technology, they've focused on quality engineering, proven drivetrains, and long-term dependability. The result is a growing number of used luxury sedans that deliver the comfort buyers expect without the financial headaches often associated with older European models. That's exactly where the Acura RLX begins to stand out. German luxury still comes at a premium The purchase price is only part of the ownership story Credit: NetCarShow.com There's no question that German luxury brands continue to build some of the finest executive sedans on the road. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class remains a benchmark for comfort, the BMW 5 Series is one of the segment's best driver's cars, and the Audi A6 continues to impress with its interior quality. The challenge comes later. As these cars age, turbocharged engines, mild-hybrid systems, adaptive suspension, and increasingly sophisticated electronics can make ownership significantly more expensive once the warranty expires. RepairPal estimates annual maintenance costs of $788 for the E-Class, $977 for the 5 Series, and $913 for the A6. Performance models can push those costs even higher as more complex components begin to wear. Depreciation is another factor working against German luxury cars. While steep value loss creates opportunities for used buyers, it also reflects the reality that long-term ownership costs can be substantial, even after the initial purchase price has fallen. The Acura RLX is one of the used market's best-kept secrets Heavy depreciation has turned it into exceptional value Credit: NetCarShow.com The same depreciation that affects German luxury sedans has also worked in the Acura RLX's favor. As Acura's flagship sedan, it struggled to find buyers when new, but today's used market tells a very different story. The 2020 model was the final year of production and originally started at $54,900, while the range-topping Sport Hybrid carried an MSRP of $61,900. Today, average used prices have fallen to around $24,700 for the standard RLX and $29,200 for the Sport Hybrid. That puts it squarely against used examples of the E-Class, where average prices range from roughly $23,900 to $38,700 depending on specification and condition. For similar money, the RLX offers something many buyers aren't expecting: flagship-level comfort, generous interior space, and significantly lower ownership costs than many of the European alternatives it's competing against. It matches the E-Class where it matters most The RLX offers more space with lower ownership costs One of the RLX's biggest strengths is something luxury buyers appreciate every day: space. Compared with the 2020 E-Class, Acura's flagship delivers more front and rear legroom while also offering a larger trunk in standard, non-hybrid form. The RLX provides 42.3 inches of front legroom and 38.8 inches in the rear, comfortably exceeding the E-Class's 41.7 inches and 36.2 inches respectively. Cargo capacity is also stronger, with the standard RLX offering 14.9 cubic feet compared with the Mercedes' 13.1 cubic feet. The savings continue once you start driving it. Edmunds estimates a five-year true cost to own of $56,119 for the standard RLX and $57,816 for the Sport Hybrid, compared with $60,680 for a base E-Class. High-performance variants widen that gap even further, with the AMG E63 climbing to more than $101,000 over the same period. Fuel economy is similarly competitive. While the RLX Sport Hybrid offers the biggest efficiency advantage, even the standard V-6 model delivers respectable economy for a luxury sedan, helping keep everyday running costs under control. Honda engineering gives the RLX a clear advantage Lower maintenance costs make ownership far less stressful Credit: NetCarShow.com The biggest advantage the RLX has over many European rivals isn't its performance or equipment—it's what happens after years of ownership. Acura benefits from Honda's reputation for building dependable vehicles, and that carries through to its flagship sedan. Like any modern luxury car, the RLX isn't completely free of faults. Owners have reported occasional infotainment glitches, while Sport Hybrid models can experience battery drain issues. Even so, the costs of putting those problems right remain relatively modest. Edmunds estimates five-year maintenance costs of $7,553 for the standard RLX and $7,576 for the Sport Hybrid. Estimated repair costs come to $2,722 and $3,051 respectively, comfortably below the $10,788 in maintenance and $7,754 in repairs projected for the Mercedes-Benz E 350 over the same period. Owner satisfaction reflects those lower ownership costs. Kelley Blue Book users give the 2020 RLX a 4.5-star consumer rating with an 83 percent recommendation rate, compared with 4.2 stars and 77 percent for the 2020 E-Class. The Sport Hybrid is the model enthusiasts should seek out NSX-inspired technology makes it a genuine sleeper Credit: NetCarShow.com The standard RLX is a refined and comfortable luxury sedan, but the Sport Hybrid is the version that truly stands apart. Rather than using electrification purely to improve fuel economy, Acura developed a sophisticated hybrid system designed to enhance both performance and handling. Borrowing technology developed alongside the second-generation NSX, the RLX Sport Hybrid pairs a 3.5-liter V-6 with three electric motors to produce a combined 377 horsepower and 341 lb-ft of torque. The result is a 0–60 mph time of between 4.5 and 4.9 seconds, comfortably quicker than a standard 2020 E 350. Base Trim Engine 3.5L V6 Hybrid Base Trim Transmission 7-Speed Automatic Base Trim Drivetrain All-Wheel Drive Base Trim Horsepower 377 hp Base Trim Torque 341 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm Fuel Economy 28/29 MPG Make Acura Model RLX Sport Hybrid Segment Midsize Luxury Sedan Acura's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system also gives the RLX a unique character on the road. Independent electric motors at the rear axle can distribute torque between each wheel, helping the sedan rotate more naturally through corners while maintaining excellent stability. Supported by double-wishbone front suspension, a multi-link rear setup, ZF Sachs amplitude-reactive dampers, and lightweight aluminum suspension components, the RLX Sport Hybrid delivers a level of composure that's difficult to expect from a luxury sedan of its size. It remains one of the most underrated performance luxury sedans on the used market. The RLX deserves far more attention than it gets One of the smartest used luxury sedans you can buy Credit: NetCarShow.com The RLX never enjoyed the sales success of its German rivals, but that has worked in today's buyers' favor. Depreciation has transformed it into an affordable luxury sedan that offers executive-level comfort, generous space, and ownership costs that are far easier to justify. Buyers should still be aware of a few compromises. The RLX lacks the badge prestige of a Mercedes-Benz or BMW, and replacing the Sport Hybrid's battery can cost between $2,000 and $4,000 if it eventually requires replacement. Some owners have also reported occasional electrical gremlins. Even with those considerations, the overall ownership experience remains difficult to ignore. The combination of Honda reliability, lower maintenance costs, a spacious cabin, and available NSX-inspired hybrid technology gives the RLX a unique place in the used luxury market. It may have been overlooked when new, but the 2020 RLX has quietly become one of the smartest alternatives to an aging E-Class. For buyers who value substance over status, it's a luxury sedan that's well worth rediscovering.