What is the Honda version of the Acura ILX?
The Honda version of the Acura ILX is the Honda Civic. The Acura ILX is a luxury compact sedan that shares its platform and many components with the Honda Civic, which is Honda's mainstream compact car model.
Relationship Between the Acura ILX and Honda Civic
The Acura ILX is essentially a more premium, upscale version of the Honda Civic. It was introduced in 2012 as Acura's entry-level luxury sedan, positioned below the Acura TLX and Acura TL models. The ILX is built on the same chassis and uses many of the same mechanical components as the Honda Civic, including the engine, transmission, and suspension.
The key differences between the Acura ILX and Honda Civic are the exterior styling, interior materials and features, and the overall level of luxury and refinement. The ILX has a more sophisticated and premium design compared to the Civic, with more upscale interior appointments and additional technology and safety features.
Why the Acura ILX Exists
The Acura ILX was created to give Honda a luxury compact sedan offering to compete with other entry-level luxury cars like the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. By leveraging the Civic platform and components, Acura was able to develop the ILX at a lower cost than an all-new luxury model. This allowed Acura to offer a more affordable luxury sedan option for consumers.
The ILX also serves to introduce younger, first-time luxury car buyers to the Acura brand. Its lower price point and shared Civic underpinnings make it an accessible entry point into the Acura lineup.