2013 Acura ILX 2.4L Review

[AutoGuide.com]

With the TSX already on offer, the ILX 2.4 is worse than redundant


Contrasting against the warm light brown rocks and dirt of the Arizona desert the midnight black asphalt winds like a mangled slinky higher and higher. Catching tourists in minivans and motorcycles that politely move aside when possible, I’m right on the bumper of an Acura TSX piloted by another automotive journalist.

ANOTHER REDUNDANT ACURA?

My car is also an Acura. It’s also front-wheel drive. It’s also a 4-door. And it’s also powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. It’s not, however, another TSX. Rather, it’s the brand’s new ILX, which based on those similarities, raises concerns that it might be a redundant product in a brand lineup that already suffers from repetition and which desperately needs fresh new models.

Compared to the TSX, the Civic-based ILX is more compact. It’s also lighter by 400 lbs at just under 3,000 lbs, giving it an edge in terms of acceleration. Identical gear shifters (the ILX 2.4L is sold exclusively with a 6-speed manual) are well-weighted and smooth, with short shifts. The TSX unit sits higher up, however, delivering more of a sports car feel.

Despite weighing far less than it’s big brother, the ILX feels less agile. Much like the Civic on which it’s based, the softer setup of the ILX means body roll is noticeable – the sway bars are the same on the 2.4 as on the base car. Still, don’t be afraid of a little tipping, as the car then holds on and is quite controllable.

Read the complete 2013 Acura ILX 2.4L Review at AutoGuide.com

[BANGER]

Set sail for fail.

[HeelsandEers]

Yawn. Honda really is trying to match Toyota, bore for bore.

[09CivicSiBrian]

Ugh. The concept was lost!

What about the hybrid version, and mid range version I have read about?


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[Sugar Shane]

Seems Honda has been hearing all the "I'd rather have a Hyundai" talk, and followed their marketing strategy. Between Hyundia and Kia, they've got 7 FWD sedans at various price points.

[enchantedsky]

Is this basically a 2012 Civic Si, but with automatic transmission?

[Sugar Shane]

It says the ILX2.4L is sold exclusively with a manual. Probably because if they offered the 2.4 with an automatic in the new Civic chassis, they'd never sell a (manual-only) 9th-gen Si ever again.

It's basically an Si sedan with leather interior and a beak.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by HeelsandEers

Yawn. Honda really is trying to match Toyota, bore for bore.

Not even, at least Lexus has gotten into the business of making sporty cars. Example I've driven the previous gen GS before and that car was a bore.

My roommate recently got the new 2013 Lexus GS350 and I took it for a spin. I've also driven a previous gen 550i and I was surprised that I actually preferred how the new GS350 drove in terms of sportiness.

It's the only large car I've ever driven that actually drives as if it's a SMALLER car. Set to sport mode, the car drives much like my G.

Apparently Lexus is trying to make more of their cars fun to drive, next to get the same treatment is the upcoming new IS.

[Geovone]

If they said that Gen Y is more about looks and technology then how come all the kids in High School want a Subaru?! Seems like they are lying to us

[psheck666]

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[KraziAzn]

-.- really?

[Tongman]

What a fail model. Burn it with fire!! ..along with the 2012 Civic.

[enchantedsky]

What's with the duck beak grill? The manufacturer doesn't realize it looks ugly? Just take an Accord grill and put it on this thing.

[TwoGuyWitSis]

I really don't think the Acura grill looks that bad at all. Sort of different, yeah sure... ugly? i don't think so.

[GoHuskies]

No reason to get this over a Verano especially with a Verano turbo coming.

For those interested it looks like the TSX is going to die off. The future will be ILX, TLX, and RLX.

[Chris35]

Yeah future Honda plans have acura having a 3 car portfolio. Bye bye tsx, it's honna be Ilx, TL and new rlx. New TL becomes tlx maybe? Lol. It's too bad because the tsx is a vastly better car than the tsx. The four car portfolio ( csx, tsx, tl, rl) worked well up here in Canada for a few years, save for the rl which didn't sell anywhere lol.


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[Sonic Screwdriver]

Originally Posted by GoHuskies

No reason to get this over a Verano especially with a Verano turbo coming.

For those interested it looks like the TSX is going to die off. The future will be ILX, TLX, and RLX.

No reason to get the Verano either because the ILX will inevitably get an Earth Dreams engine very soon. Performance would improve a lot if the new 2.4L produces 220 HP and 190 lb-ft of torque versus the 201 and 170 we have today.
The ILX weighs in the 2900 lbs range, so it would be quite fast.

There's always some "next big thing" around the corner. BRZ STI anyone?

But yeah, the TSX + TL = TLX. It makes sense for Honda to combine the two. Make a car smaller outside than the TL, and bigger inside than the TSX, which has tight rear leg room.

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by Sonic Screwdriver

No reason to get the Verano either because the ILX will inevitably get an Earth Dreams engine very soon. Performance would improve a lot if the new 2.4L produces 220 HP and 190 lb-ft of torque versus the 201 and 170 we have today.
The ILX weighs in the 2900 lbs range, so it would be quite fast.

There's always some "next big thing" around the corner. BRZ STI anyone?

But yeah, the TSX + TL = TLX. It makes sense for Honda to combine the two. Make a car smaller outside than the TL, and bigger inside than the TSX, which has tight rear leg room.

DI still won't change the fact the ILX is overpriced unless Acura plans on cut rate lease specials. For the same price as a loaded ILX I could get a loaded Optima Turbo. Acura is putting the whole game on the badge. People will pay more for less just because they get an Acura badge.

[Sonic Screwdriver]

Originally Posted by GoHuskies

DI still won't change the fact the ILX is overpriced unless Acura plans on cut rate lease specials. For the same price as a loaded ILX I could get a loaded Optima Turbo. Acura is putting the whole game on the badge. People will pay more for less just because they get an Acura badge.

I'd rather have the ILX. The Optima just looks weird to me because of all the cut lines in the rear quarters, and I hate the interior too. I also don't need or want a sedan that is bigger than my 8th Gen.

Nothing against Hyundai/Kia. They make generally good vehicles, just not what I like.

[Strate L O S S]

I like it