2019 Acura RLX

To the more traditional car buyers among us, it may seem strange that car manufacturers are getting out of the sedan business. Ford is the best example, having announced last year that, eventually, all it will sell in North America are crossovers, SUVs and trucks -- the types of vehicles many consumers now gravitate toward.

Other car makers have been less eager to pull that particular trigger. Acura, for example, still has more sedans in its lineup (three) than SUVs (two), and one of those is the practically invisible RLX. This is Acura's largest sedan, its most expensive four-door and also the only Acura four-door available in Canada exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, albeit not one with plug-in capability.

Acura restyled the RLX in 2018. That made the car more handsome, but hasn't done a lot to improve its visibility: the RLX remains a slow seller.

On paper, the RLX sounds like a winner: in Canada, it comes standard with a less-potent variant of the neat hybrid AWD system Acura uses in the NSX sports car. It combines a 3.5L gas engine with three electric motors for 377 hp and 341 lb-ft of torque. Putting one electric motor at each rear wheel allows for precise power distribution and sharp handling. Meanwhile, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission connects the gas engine and the third electric motor to the front wheels.

This powertrain would get more love in the MDX Hybrid SUV. Strangely, that car uses a third, even less powerful system. That's some strange decision making by this Honda-owned luxury brand.

The RLX comes in a single Elite trim that includes Acura's most advanced safety features. Adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, collision mitigation braking, cross traffic monitor, lane departure warning and keeping assist and road departure mitigation are all standard.

Also included are 19-inch wheels, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, headlight washers, LED headlights, fog lights and taillights, sunroof, navigation, automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, power steering column adjustment, 360-degree exterior camera views, 14-speaker stereo, 12-way front seats with heat and ventilation, heated rear seats and Milano leather upholstery.

Acura's fuel consumption estimates for the RLX are 8.4/8.2 L/100 km (city/highway).