What replaced the Acura ILX?
The Acura Integra replaced the ILX as Acura's entry-level sedan. The Integra debuted for the 2023 model year, reviving the name to occupy the ILX's traditional niche in the lineup.
The ILX began life as Acura’s smallest sedan in the early 2010s, built on Honda Civic underpinnings. As consumer preferences shifted toward SUVs and crossovers, the ILX aged and sales declined. In the 2020s, Acura pivoted to a refreshed branding strategy, reviving the Integra name to offer a sportier, tech-forward alternative in the compact-luxury segment. The result is a modern, Civic-based sedan that aims to blend entry-luxury styling with enhanced performance and contemporary features.
The replacement: Acura Integra
Here are the key facts about how the ILX was replaced and what the Integra brings to the table.
- The 2023 Acura Integra revived the Integra name and filled the ILX’s spot as Acura’s entry-level sedan.
- It rides on a Honda Civic-based platform and shares components with the Civic, but wears Acura styling and offers distinct features and interior tech.
- Powertrain options center on a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with roughly 200 horsepower; a manual transmission is available on certain trims, with a CVT offered on others.
In practice, the Integra is positioned as the modern successor to the ILX, combining affordable luxury elements with contemporary tech and driving dynamics.
Differences to watch for
While both cars aim at entry-level luxury, the Integra emphasizes sportier styling, updated safety tech, and more modern infotainment, reflecting Acura’s shift to younger buyers and a more performance-oriented image.
Context for buyers and market implications
ILX production effectively ended around 2020, creating space for a refreshed approach to Acura’s smallest sedan. The Integra’s 2023 launch marked a fresh attempt to maintain Acura’s presence in the compact-luxury segment, with emphasis on driving engagement and modern features.
- The ILX’s retirement left a gap that Acura filled with the Integra’s return to a familiar badge with contemporary hardware and tech.
- For buyers, the Integra offers modern performance options, a sportier vibe, and updated connectivity and safety features compared with the ILX era.
- Acura continues to market the Integra alongside its Civic-based siblings and SUVs, maintaining a compact-luxury lineup with a focus on value and performance.
These elements illustrate how Acura pivoted from the ILX to the Integra to stay competitive in the evolving market for entry-level luxury sedans.
Summary: The Acura ILX was replaced by the revived Integra starting with the 2023 model year, signaling a branding shift toward sportier, tech-forward compact sedans built on Honda Civic underpinnings.
