The Acura RLX does 25.7 mpg combined (23.8 city, 29.7 highway), which works out to about $1,494 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid does 28.8 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 23 — a difference of $337 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Acura RLX engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Acura RLX ranges from 28.8 down to 23 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $337 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid | 28.2 / 29.8 | 2014–2020 | $1,333 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 / 29.6 | 2014–2020 | $1,670 |
What that actually costs
The Acura RLX burns a gallon every 25.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 467 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.125 |
| Fuel per year | $1,494 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,470 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$436 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,035 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Acura RLX gives up 5.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.7 out there against 23.8 in town, a 25% drop worth $320 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.8 mpg | $1,613 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.7 mpg | $1,293 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.9 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the RLX changed over the years
The RLX peaked in 2016 at 26.5 mpg (24 city, 30.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 23 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $221 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 25.5. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 29 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2017 | 24.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 24 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2015 | 20 / 30 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2014 | 24 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,449 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 13 EPA ratings of the Acura RLX — 2 engines across 2014–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,035. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Acura RLX get?
25.7 mpg combined on average — 23.8 in the city and 29.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2020.
How much does a Acura RLX cost in fuel per year?
About $1,494 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,470 over five years, or 0.125 dollars a mile.
Which RLX engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid at 28.8 mpg, against 23 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $337 a year.
Is the RLX good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world RLX figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Acura RLX is $3,035 against the $1,494 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 23 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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