Before the debut of the Acura ILX in 2013, Acura offered the CSX as the entry model of the range. Although it experienced an interesting success, many were reluctant to buy a CSX since, in the end, it was a Honda Civic with a little more luxury.
Before the debut of the Acura ILX in 2013, Acura offered the CSX as the entry model of the range. Although it experienced an interesting success, many were reluctant to buy a CSX since, in the end, it was a Honda Civic with a little more luxury, but with essentially the same cabin, the same look and the same engine.
This is no longer the case today. Indeed, the Acura ILX is a car that stands alone with a look all its own, with an interior resembling upscale Acura models and not the Civic, and exclusive engines. It is even possible to pick a hybrid model if fuel consumption is an important factor for you.
In short, the ILX does not play second fiddle to the Civic anymore. This was necessary if the Acura wanted to position the ILX in the entry-level luxury car niche, which the manufacturer has managed to do since last year. This year, the 2014 Acura ILX returned virtually unchanged, but that's normal. It is, after all, still a new model.
The 2014 Acura ILX offers a choice of 3 engines that will satisfy almost all needs. There is an engine for those who prefer economy, an engine for those who want more punch at the right foot, and an engine between the two that offers the best of both worlds.
The ILX comes standard with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine developing 150 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Silent at all times, this engine still offers interesting accelerations on top of being very economical in the daily commute. In fact, it boasts of a consumption of 8.6 liters per 100 kilometers in the city and 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers on the highway for an average of 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
Obviously, the 2014 Acura ILX Hybrid is much better in terms of consumption. Powered by a four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine incorporating an electric motor to assist its operation, it offers 111 horsepower at your right foot. Better yet, its average advertised fuel consumption is 5.0 liters per 100 kilometers in the city and 4.8 liters per 100 kilometers on the highway, which is saying something.
At the other end of the range is a four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine developing 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Sharper than the other two engines, it offers more aggressive accelerations and more dynamic pickups. Nevertheless, it remains economical with an average fuel consumption of 8.3 liters per 100 kilometers city/highway combined.
Inside, the Acura ILX displays a dashboard reminiscent of the flagship sedan of the manufacturer, the RLX. Coming with keyless entry with push-button start system, multi-angle camera, Bluetooth system and dual-zone climate control, the ILX offers rich standard equipment. The cabin is quite roomy for a compact sedan while the trunk offers 348 liters of cargo space (283 liters in the hybrid model).
To stand out in the entry-level luxury car niche, Acura could not simply offer a Civic in its Sunday best. With the ILX, Acura offers a distinct model able to compete with German luxury cars. Come try it today at Sainte-Julie Acura!
