2019 Acura ILX
10-03-18, 11:59 AM
#1
2019 Acura ILX
$2,200 price cut to go with redesign, more features
Acura brought a relatively substantial update to the 2019 ILX, and now it has chopped prices to boot. It starts at $26,895 including destination charges, a $2,200 reduction from the 2018 model. The price came down, yet Acura added to the car's standard equipment; that's something we can get behind. Now the full suite of Acura's driver assistance features come standard, instead of as a $1,300 option.
Exterior changes are the most obvious, with lots of new sheetmetal both front and back. You'll still be paying if you want the updated dual-screen infotainment system though. Equipped similarly to a 2018 model, it's $3,550 cheaper with the Premium and Technology packages. That same figure rings true for the A-Spec models too — an ILX with every package equipped tops out at $32,545 now, versus the $36,095 from before.
We're all for the heavy price cuts, but the ILX remains the same relatively boring vehicle under the new bodywork. The A-Spec model is still only an appearance package, and doesn't really pay homage to the sporty Acura compacts of the past. A 1997 Acura Integra Type R just sold for $63,800 at Barrett-Jackson. Seeing that, plus the fanfare surrounding the Civic Type R arriving in America, shows that there's clearly tons of untapped hype surrounding small, hot Hondas. A true successor to the Integra Type R, or even just the GS-R, would have enthusiasts tripping over themselves. Keeping the price low for such a vehicle like we see for the 2019 ILX would be the cherry on top.
Exterior changes are the most obvious, with lots of new sheetmetal both front and back. You'll still be paying if you want the updated dual-screen infotainment system though. Equipped similarly to a 2018 model, it's $3,550 cheaper with the Premium and Technology packages. That same figure rings true for the A-Spec models too — an ILX with every package equipped tops out at $32,545 now, versus the $36,095 from before.
We're all for the heavy price cuts, but the ILX remains the same relatively boring vehicle under the new bodywork. The A-Spec model is still only an appearance package, and doesn't really pay homage to the sporty Acura compacts of the past. A 1997 Acura Integra Type R just sold for $63,800 at Barrett-Jackson. Seeing that, plus the fanfare surrounding the Civic Type R arriving in America, shows that there's clearly tons of untapped hype surrounding small, hot Hondas. A true successor to the Integra Type R, or even just the GS-R, would have enthusiasts tripping over themselves. Keeping the price low for such a vehicle like we see for the 2019 ILX would be the cherry on top.
10-03-18, 01:05 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Check out that ancient handbrake!
It's really not a bad-looking car. Front has modern touches. But back is overstyled and still pointy.
I'd recommend this car to someone in high school or college. It's a safe bet, makes somewhat of a youthful statement, and should prove safe and reliable. Discounts should also be great.
It's really not a bad-looking car. Front has modern touches. But back is overstyled and still pointy.
I'd recommend this car to someone in high school or college. It's a safe bet, makes somewhat of a youthful statement, and should prove safe and reliable. Discounts should also be great.
10-03-18, 01:09 PM
#3
drives cars
The exterior, to my eyes, not only works better than before, but also better than the TLX's styling. It just flows better. With the TLX, it felt like they just swapped out the front fascia and left the rest the same. This is more comprehensive.
However, knowing it's basically a tarted-up Civic would give me pause before pulling the trigger. Nonetheless I am surprised how much more appealing it seems with A) better styling and B) and lower price tag.
However, knowing it's basically a tarted-up Civic would give me pause before pulling the trigger. Nonetheless I am surprised how much more appealing it seems with A) better styling and B) and lower price tag.
10-03-18, 02:31 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
exterior's ok but center stack in interior is barftastic. 
10-03-18, 06:25 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
This new ILX may actually sell a little more. The last one was simply blown out of the market by the Buick Verano, which itself was not a terribly huge seller. I owned a Verano myself, though, and, though having a less-reliable engine, it was simply a better small luxury-oriented sedan, with better soundproofing, than the ILX. The Verano, though, is now gone from the U.S.......a victim of its own huge (Excelle) success in China, where it is the country's top-selling vehicle. So, the new ILX, at least, won't have as much competition here, except maybe for the also-slow-selling Audi A3 sedan.
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10-03-18, 06:42 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Not sure about that. Although the Verano was stuck with a somewhat unreliable non-turbo four, overall, it was simply too good a competitor. That's why it handily outsold the ILX. The Chinese absolutely went nuts over it.
However, with the American-spec Verano gone, only the A3 will be any potential competition...and the A3 costs substantially more.
However, with the American-spec Verano gone, only the A3 will be any potential competition...and the A3 costs substantially more.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-03-18 at 06:46 PM.
10-03-18, 08:59 PM
#9
Not sure about that. Although the Verano was stuck with a somewhat unreliable non-turbo four, overall, it was simply too good a competitor. That's why it handily outsold the ILX. The Chinese absolutely went nuts over it.
However, with the American-spec Verano gone, only the A3 will be any potential competition...and the A3 costs substantially more.
However, with the American-spec Verano gone, only the A3 will be any potential competition...and the A3 costs substantially more.
Biggest issue w/ the ILX in 2013 was the terrible powertrain choices. the MMC update made it not a terrible car anymore. and w/ this current round of refinement would have put it over the top of the verano, especially w/ honda loyalists.
10-03-18, 09:26 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
The 1Gen ILX had more weaknesses than just the powertrain. It lacked effective sound insulation, the seats were too firm, the ride was too stiff, and it was just too much of a Civic. Its major strength, of course, was that of virtually all Hondas and Acuras....assembly-quality and reliability.
10-03-18, 09:56 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
This new ILX may actually sell a little more. The last one was simply blown out of the market by the Buick Verano, which itself was not a terribly huge seller. I owned a Verano myself, though, and, though having a less-reliable engine, it was simply a better small luxury-oriented sedan, with better soundproofing, than the ILX. The Verano, though, is now gone from the U.S.......a victim of its own huge (Excelle) success in China, where it is the country's top-selling vehicle. So, the new ILX, at least, won't have as much competition here, except maybe for the also-slow-selling Audi A3 sedan.
10-04-18, 12:23 AM
#12
The Buick Verano had absolutely nothing to do with the pitfalls and failures of the ILX. The Acura did it all on it's own. It was poorly executed out of the gate, and introduced into the market during Acura's most troubling and lost times. It gained it's own reputation based on it's own demerits. In America, the Verano also greatly struggled to gain sales, and was ultimately cancelled due to it's own lack of appeal. The two were not playing off each other and both cars are a hard sell for those who shop a luxury brand and expect luxury and a premium experience. The ILX has mostly been watched and patronized by graduating Honda/Acura enthusiasts and supporters wanting to move into the luxury arena. Only Audi and Mercedes have really been able to pull this off with the A3 and CLA.
10-04-18, 06:47 AM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
The Buick Verano had absolutely nothing to do with the pitfalls and failures of the ILX. The Acura did it all on it's own. It was poorly executed out of the gate, and introduced into the market during Acura's most troubling and lost times. It gained it's own reputation based on it's own demerits. In America, the Verano also greatly struggled to gain sales, and was ultimately cancelled due to it's own lack of appeal. The two were not playing off each other and both cars are a hard sell for those who shop a luxury brand and expect luxury and a premium experience. The ILX has mostly been watched and patronized by graduating Honda/Acura enthusiasts and supporters wanting to move into the luxury arena. Only Audi and Mercedes have really been able to pull this off with the A3 and CLA.
However, the ILX had one thing the Verano didn't...a more reliable engine. And, though I haven't seen or driven the 2Gen version yet, hopefully better sound insulation and seating/ride comfort......things the first one lacked.
