Why did Acura stop making the ILX?
Acura ended production of the ILX after the 2022 model year as part of a broader shift toward SUVs and electrified vehicles, with the Integra positioned as the new entry-level sedan.
The ILX had served as Acura’s entry point in the U.S. market since its introduction in 2013, but demand for compact luxury sedans has waned while crossovers and electrified models have risen in priority. This article examines the factors behind the ILX's discontinuation, what replaced it, and what this says about Acura’s overall strategy moving forward.
Context: the ILX in Acura's lineup
The ILX was introduced in 2013 as Acura’s smallest sedan, built on a platform shared with Honda’s Civic. It offered premium badging and a more refined feel in a compact package, appealing to buyers seeking luxury features without stepping up to larger models. Over its lifespan, the ILX received periodic updates but remained a relatively conservative offering in a rapidly changing market for sedans.
As consumer preferences shifted toward sportier crossovers and SUVs, and as automakers accelerated plans for electrified powertrains, the ILX faced a narrowing product case. Acura faced pressure to streamline its lineup, allocate resources efficiently, and pursue higher-margin, higher-volume models rather than maintaining a aging entry-level sedan platform.
To illustrate the market forces at work, several factors converged around the ILX’s run. These included a gradual decline in compact luxury sedan demand, the need to refresh the lineup with newer technology, and a strategic pivot toward vehicles with broader consumer appeal in the United States.
- Sales performance: The ILX consistently trailed Acura’s stronger sellers and did not match the momentum of competing compact luxury sedans.
- Product aging: The ILX’s underpinnings dated from earlier Civic-derived engineering, limiting modernization without a costly redesign.
- Strategic shift to SUVs and electrification: Acura prioritized crossovers/SUVs and upcoming electrified models to improve profitability and brand perception.
- Cost and platform alignment: Economies of scale encouraged leveraging Honda platforms for multiple models and concentrating investment on higher-volume segments.
Ultimately, Acura signaled a broader shift in its product strategy: fewer traditional sedans, more crossovers, and a focus on electrified powertrains, with the Integra introduced as a contemporary, sportier alternative to the ILX rather than a direct one-for-one replacement.
Replacement: The Integra and the new entry point
In the wake of the ILX’s demise, Acura introduced the Integra as the brand’s new entry-level sedan. Debuting for the 2023 model year, the Integra carried the badge’s heritage and offered a sportier, more premium package intended to attract buyers who previously would have considered the ILX.
- Positioning: The Integra is marketed as a premium compact sedan with sport-inspired styling and modern technology, aimed at reviving Acura’s sedan presence.
- Pricing and appeal: It sits in the accessible premium segment, appealing to buyers seeking a step above the Civic-based lineup while maintaining a more affordable entry point than larger Acura sedans.
- Platform and features: Built on a shared Honda architecture, the Integra enables contemporary infotainment, driver-assistance tech, and efficient powertrains without requiring an all-new dedicated ILX platform.
The replacement strategy reflects Acura’s broader plan to emphasize crossovers, electrified offerings, and performance variants, while retaining a smaller-footprint sedan option through the Integra rather than the ILX.
Impact on customers and the used-car market
Discontinuing the ILX affects current owners and prospective buyers looking for a small luxury sedan. For buyers in this segment, the Integra serves as a modern alternative, while the used ILX market will vary based on model year, condition, and demand for entry-level luxury sedans.
Summary
Acura ended ILX production as part of a strategic shift toward SUVs and electrified models, choosing to replace the compact sedan with the Integra as the new entry point for the brand. The move reflects broader industry trends away from traditional sedans and toward versatile crossovers, while preserving Acura’s emphasis on premium features and performance in a smaller, more modern package.
