Concept to Now: Acura ILX Through Time
Acura showed off the ILX concept in 2012 stating it would be the company's gateway sedan to the brand (hey that rhymes). Since launching, the Acura ILX has seen now two facelifts, a loss of manual and hybrid options and now a carryover powertrain for 2019. While the ILX curb appeal has drastically improved since launching, are looks enough to attract buyers to an entry-level luxury sedan in a shrinking sedan market?
ILX Levels up for 2019
The twice face-lifted 2019 Acura ILX is seeking to improve its street credit this year thanks to upgraded looks and tech, but no changes to the powertrain. Since showing off the ILX concept in 2012, Acura has worked to prove the compact sedans worth in its lineup. Are the improvements Acura has in store for the 2019 Acura ILX enough to boost sales for what the company calls its gateway to the brand?
Photos courtesy of Acura
Gateway to Acura
Acura introduced the ILX at the 2012 North American International Auto Show calling it "a new gateway to the Acura brand." ILX was designed with a more fluid and sleek design language to attract "young independent and intelligent buyers" as part of Acura's efforts to reshape its lineup. Officials boasted ILX created the sporty compact segment for the luxury marketplace and would be Acura's first hybrid.
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
2016 Facelift
In 2016, the Acura ILX received a refresh that made the new sedan look less bulky than its predecessor. Upgrades included Acura's new signature "jewel-eye" LED headlamps, better interior, new tech including optional AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance systems, and new powertrain. A new 2.4-liter "Earth Dreams" VTEC 4-cylinder mated to an 8-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission drove the updated ILX. The powertrain combination moved ILX from 0-60 in 6.8 seconds. Also new for the 2016 facelift came an A-Spec styling package that decked ILX out with a unique body kit and rear decklid spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminum pedals, navigation with a 3-D view, Acura Watch Plus, GPS-linked climate control, and an upgraded 10-speaker sound system, to name a few. Most notably was Acura's addition of the dual-screen set up to the center stack.
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
2019 Racing Motif
Now for 2019, Acura has stepped ILX's game up once again sporting a bolder and more aggressive appearance. The new-look is a natural evolution on the luxury spectrum for ILX. Attention gets drawn forward toward the brand's new (and large) Diamond Pentagon Grille and fascia inspired by Acura's Precision Concept. Angles dominate the new design language; the signature jewel-eye headlights get sharper, and the taillights are more angular. The A-Spec trim ups ILX sporty looks with 18-inch Shark Gray aluminum wheels, dark chrome trim to the grille and lower fascia, LED fog lamps and gloss-black spoiler.
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Left Unchanged
Left mostly unchanged for the 2019 Acura ILX is the powertrain. The same 2.4-liter VTEC direct-injected 4-cylinder powers the ILX mated to a dual-clutch 8-speed automatic. The setup is good for 24 city, 34 highway MPG. Acura dropped the hybrid version after the 2015 model year. Unfortunately, the optional manual was dropped after 2015 and Acura has left it out for 2019. So, there is no all-wheel drive or turbocharged options available, and now there's no hybrid...
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
New Interior
Many of the improvements to the 2019 Acura ILX can be seen inside the car. ILX gets newly styled and reshaped sport seats in the front and rear, with available high-contrast piping and stitching. Additional interior enhancements include a silver-finished dash trim with a chrome insert and a machine-finished push-button start. The A-Spec trim offers a race-inspired interior complete with graphite-silver dash accents with chrome inserts, A-Spec badged steering wheel with contrast stitching and aluminum sport pedals, and sport seats finished in A-Spec exclusive Ebony or Red leather with black Ultrasuede center panels and high contrast stitching that really make the updated ILX pop.
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
New Standard Tech
The dual-screen layout returns for 2019 with an 8.0-inch screen up top and 7.0-inch capacitive touchscreen below that Acura claims is 30 percent faster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now offered. AcuraWatch safety tech is now standard and includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
What's Missing?
All around, the 2019 Acura ILX offers an enticing package blending luxury and sport at a reasonable starting price below $31,000. The ILX sits in an awkward place; Acura may find it difficult to attract buyers looking for a luxury vehicle that won't see this as more than a fully loaded Civic. The manual option was dropped for a reason; perhaps all-wheel drive or even turbocharging would be an enticing bonus. A fully redesigned ILX could be coming in the next few years, continuing to keep the entire Acura lineup up-to-date with the most advanced tech and safety features should be a priority for the brand. Electrification should also come into consideration as well; perhaps borrowing from the Acura NSX playbook?
>>Join the conversation about the new ILX right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
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