Acura Says Increased Horsepower Has Propelled New ILX To Best In Class Status -What Class Are They Thinking Of?

The Acura ILX sedan debuted in May 2012 on the early wave of entry-luxury models arriving in the U.S.

But brand executives admit the car was more entry than luxury.

“There were some real changes in the market from the time when we were first planning the 2013 ILX,” Gary Robinson, manager-Acura product planning, tells media here during a ’16 ILX preview. “(Planning) started right in the middle of the economic crisis, and at that time there was kind of a lack of other luxury cars in this space.”

Other models that were in the segment were “pretty sparse,” he says, which laid the framework on which Acura built the ILX.

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TheSteve - 2/9/2015 12:32:58 PM

+1 Boost

Whenever I hear or read "best", I receive it with the understanding that it's an abbreviation for the speaker or writer saying, "What I like... best." Everyone has their likes and dislikes, and things that are important to them.

Potential discord and flaming arises when a person understands "best" to mean the speaker is asserting a universal truth, an experience that applies to all people.

I don't care for this vehicles specifically, or the Acura brand in general. So what? The next guy might be passionate about Acura, or this car, and have nothing but praise for it. Go for what suits *you*. Be happy with your decision. What others think is irrelevant.

cidflekken - 2/9/2015 1:13:03 PM

+5 Boost

The article stated that "Brand officials say the ILX now is at the top of its class in balancing performance with fuel economy". The article already provided the comparison to the base A3 1.8L model, though Audi's 0-60 estimate is 7.2 secs vs the 8.5 secs stated in the article. The base CLA is rated at 0-60 6.9 secs and 30 mpg combined which essentially matches Acura's estimates for the ILX, though a published test couldn't achieve greater than 25mpg. The Verano base engine 2.4L turbo delivers 180hp and 24 mpg. So, for all intents and purposes, what's stated in the article isn't necessarily untrue.

Incidentally, Acura stated the 0-60 times of about 7 secs. Tests of the previous 2.4L with the 6-sp manual showed times of 6.4 and 6.2 seconds. Times for the 2.4L TLX have been between 6.8 and 7.2 secs. The ILX is lighter so, one may assume the times would fall around 6.5 secs.

MDarringer - 2/9/2015 4:05:23 PM

-5 Boost

Acura is smoking Heisenberg's blue meth again. As much as I hate the looks of the CLA, for Acura to pretend this thinly veiled Civic is better than the class leader is laughable.

JDMUSMuscle - 2/9/2015 10:05:55 PM

+1 Boost

I believe them. This ILX is like a Lamborghini Aventador class to me.

mini22 - 2/10/2015 2:17:03 PM

+3 Boost

There have been some very promising first drive impressions of the redesigned ILX. I'm hearing much better power, a better ride, a lot more interior quietness, and much better quality interior materials. Isn't that what a near luxury car is? The A3, for example, is noting more than a VW Golf in nicer looking sedan body style. The engines are the same, the platform is the same. I find it hard to believe it would be any better to drive than the redone ILX. As for the CLA I've heard complaints about an overly firm ride, cheap interior materials, lack of rear room and an unrefined 4 cylinder engine compared with the A3.I would agree that version one of the ILX was definitely more Civic than Acura. Version 2 looks like it's moved up into Acura territory now.

mini22 - 2/10/2015 7:30:56 PM

+1 Boost

But best in class. How about saying that the Acura ILX is now fully class competitive. It may not be the best but it is a viable alternative to Audi, and Mercedes in the near luxury sales market.

cidflekken - 2/11/2015 4:48:02 PM

+2 Boost

Did you not bother reading the article? Never did they state simply "best in class"