Did the Acura ILX replace the TSX?
The Acura ILX effectively replaced the TSX in Acura's lineup, with the TSX being discontinued after the 2014 model year and the ILX introduced earlier to fill the same compact entry-lux role.
Historically, the TSX carried Acura’s mid-range compact sedan responsibilities, while the ILX was launched as a more affordable, smaller sibling built on a newer Honda platform. This article explains how the two cars relate, when they overlapped, and what changed in market positioning and design.
Timeline and lineup positioning
Below is a concise timeline showing the evolution from the TSX to the ILX and how Acura positioned the ILX in its product lineup during the transition.
- 2004: Acura introduces the TSX as a successor to the Integra, targeting buyers seeking a premium compact sedan.
- 2009–2013: TSX undergoes updates and a mid-cycle refresh, maintaining its focus as an entry-lux vehicle with a refined, sport-oriented character.
- 2013: Acura launches the ILX, a smaller, more affordable sedan based on Honda’s Civic platform, aimed at filling the gap for an entry-lux model in the lineup.
- 2014: The TSX is discontinued, leaving the ILX as Acura’s primary entry-lux/small sedan in North America.
In practice, Acura treated the ILX as the successor in the brand’s sedan lineup by the mid-2010s, even though the two cars did not share the same engineering lineage in every detail. The ILX’s arrival reflected a broader shift toward platform sharing with Honda’s smaller cars and a push to offer a lower-priced entry point into Acura ownership.
How the ILX and TSX differed
The differences between the TSX and ILX reveal why Acura moved away from the TSX while preserving the same market segment. The list below summarizes the most notable contrasts.
- Platform and design: TSX was based on a more traditional Accord-derived platform, while the ILX adopted a newer Civic-based Global Small Car platform, reflecting a shift to more compact, cost-conscious engineering.
- Engines and performance: TSX offered a more mature, higher-displacement engine lineup (notably a 2.4-liter four-cylinder in its later years), whereas the ILX started with smaller displacement options and added a larger engine option later in its first generation.
- Technology and features: The ILX emphasized newer infotainment and tech features aligned with its entry-lux positioning, while the TSX focused on a more traditional, refined luxury feel with a slightly larger interior in some trims.
- Price and market positioning: The ILX was introduced at a lower starting price point than the TSX had typically carried, shaping Acura’s strategy to attract new buyers into the luxury brand.
These distinctions helped Acura transition from the TSX era into a lineup that leans on Civic-based underpinnings for cost efficiency, while preserving the entry-lux segment through the ILX nameplate.
Current status and legacy
Today, the TSX nameplate has not returned, and the ILX remains Acura’s smallest sedan in many markets. A newer generation of ILX was introduced to modernize the model lineup and to align with Honda/Civic platform philosophy, continuing the ILX’s role as the brand’s entry point to premium features and branding.
Summary
In summary, the ILX did replace the TSX in Acura’s lineup as the brand’s entry-lux sedan, with the TSX ending production a year after the ILX’s introduction. The shift reflected a strategic move toward a Civic-based platform for the smallest Acura sedan, balancing cost, technology, and market demand. While the two cars shared the same general market segment, the ILX represents Acura’s modern approach to the entry-lux class, built to attract new buyers while carrying forward the TSX’s legacy in a refreshed package.
