Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Acura ILX

Acura's new compact sedan, the ILX, is actually seems to be a decent competitor to the Buick Verano but to me it seems to be somewhat a bit too wrong because when you drive it, it feels like it would become as boring as hell when it comes to your driving pleasure. Underneath, the ILX uses a platform from derived from the Honda Civic, which is now on its ninth-generation that Japan never sold one. So, how can I care about Acura's affordable sedan in North America?

2013 Acura ILX

2013 Acura ILX

Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio, said that first-time luxury buyers tend to place a high value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues, and that's what they have created with the new Acura ILX. Sadly for me, this is more of a car targeted to senior people because the design's a bit too boring like most Acuras. It appears that this is not the kind of car targeted for those who want to mix business with pleasure and I understand that.

2013 Acura ILX interior

Inside, you'll expect typical Acura interior on the new ILX but you can expect new, high-value features including a standard Keyless Access System with smart entry and pushbutton start, along with Pandora® internet radio interface and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world. If you go for the Premium Package, you could expect a host of luxury features such as leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, an upgraded 360 watt stereo system, a rear view camera and an Active Sound Cancellation system. Sounds juicy but it'll may cost you.

If you're a techie, the Technology Package best served with a Panasonic-derived, Grammy-award winning ELS Surround Premium Audio for the best sound experience, sort of. Also on this package is AcuraLink Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather with radar image maps. It all comes with this 60GB HDD navigation system. But that's enough. Time to talk about the performance...

Expect a 2.0L and a 2.4L petrol engine available on the new ILX. First up, the Chain drive SOHC i-VTEC 16-valve 2.0L engine produces 150HP of power, 140lb-ft of torque, EPA Est. MPG of 28 combined and mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters and Shift Hold Control. Then, the Chain drive DOHC i-VTEC 16-valve 2.4L engine produces 201HP of power, 170lb-ft of torque, EPA Est. MPG of 25 combined and mated with a Close-ratio 6-speed MT with magnesium case.

ILX Hybrid
2013 Acura ILX
2013 Acura ILX

The Acura ILX Hybrid is the first hybrid car offered on the Acura lineup. It makes use of a 1.5-liter inline engine and an Integrated Motor Assist electric motor. Paired with a Continuously variable with paddle shifters, the Acura ILX 1.5L Hybrid will deliver an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 35/38 mpg. Simple as that.

Available colors are Amber Brownstone, Bellanova White Pearl, Crimson Garnet, Crystal Black Pearl, Fathom Blue Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, and Silver Moon.

My comment:

With the pricing of just $25,900 for the ILX 5-Speed Automatic, what I'm looking here that the all new Acura ILX is $3,315 expensive than last year's Buick Verano so what do you get for a car that is made in Greensburg, Indiana but turned out to be over three thousand dollars more than the car that was made in Orion Township, Michigan? I believe it's nothing. Nothing at all. I would rather pick the Buick Verano because...2 Year Lease Offer Includes 2 Years of SiriusXM Radio. The ILX doesn't have that.

Photo: Acura

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