The 2016 RLX is the safest car Acura has made yet with an available suite of AcuraWatch technology bringing it in line with safety offerings other manufacturers’ offerings.

The luxury sedan, on sale now, offers consumers the option of a Technology package which includes AcuraWatch™ and Advance package that includes the first U.S. application of Acura’s Surround View Camera system3. Both RLX packages will also adopt the application of Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Cross Traffic Monitor.

Available on all trims and standard on the Technology and Advance packages, AcuraWatch™ fusion uses camera and radar technology to sense the roadway and objects within it, including other vehicles and pedestrians. The packages include a suite of safety and driver assistive technologies that help to improve the driver’s situational awareness and, in certain circumstances, intervene to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. The AcuraWatch™ suite of available features – depending upon trim – includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
• Collision Mitigation Braking System™
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Road Departure Mitigation
• Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
• Blind Spot Information & Cross Traffic Monitor

New for the 2016 Acura RLX, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) uses a Monocular Camera (mounted on the upper portion of the windshield) to identify solid or dashed painted lane lines, Botts’ Dots and Cat Eye markers. RDM uses both steering force, via EPS, and braking force, via VSA, to help the RLX stay a detected lane.

For 2016, the Acura RLX with Advance Package includes the first U.S. application of Acura’s Surround View Camera system3 that provides a 360-degree image of the area around the vehicle. Designed to assist drivers during critical and precise maneuvers in snug parking situations, the system uses four cameras giving views from behind, directly in front of, and both left and right sides of the vehicle can be displayed on the navigation screen. The system can also use all four cameras to create a composite bird’s eye image, to provide the driver with information about the surroundings including parking space lines, much like what Nissan has done in their vehicles.

The Cross Traffic Monitor works in conjunction with the RLX’s Blind Spot Information (BSI) radar sensors to enhance driver confidence when backing up. The system is especially useful when reversing in congested parking lots with an obstructed view from the driver’s seat.

Additionally, Acura has updated the 2016 RLX to improve overall ride and handling quality and reduce noise, vibration and harshness.

The 2016 Acura RLX is available in three trims, RLX with Navigation, RLX with Technology Package and RLX with Advance Package. The RLX with Navigation has been upgraded for 2016 with the same larger 19-inch wheels as standard on the other trims with a new bright finish The RLX with Technology Package has been enhanced with AcuraWatch™ as standard. The RLX with Advance Package has been improved with AcuraWatch™ including surround view camera and a bi-directional remote engine starter. Also for 2016 a new Acura Silver Metallic color is available.

The 2016 RLX is on sale now and pricing starts at $50,950.

image courtesy of Acura