The Acura ILX has failed to meet sales expectations, so Honda is currently working on some quick changes to the small sedan, which will hopefully turn things around.
The 2013 Acura ILX was introduced as a new entry level Acura model that will eventually replace the TSX in Acura’s lineup. Unfortunately the ILX has failed to meet sales expectations, so Honda is currently working on some quick changes to the small sedan, which will hopefully turn things around.
The ILX is based on the same platform as the Honda Civic, but it looks like Honda didn’t do quite enough to differentiate the two models and to justify the ILX’s price premium over the Civic. One of the biggest issues with the ILX is that the base and midgrade trim levels are powered by a 150 horsepower 2.0L engine, which is very underpowered. The Acura ILX is available with the more powerful 201-hp 2.4L four-cylinder from the Civic Si, but it can only be mated to a six-speed manual. Although Civic Si buyers want the six-speed manual, Acura ILX buyers would rather not have to do their own shifting.
According to John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president, there are changes in store for both engines. The underpowered 2.0L engine will be replaced and an automatic transmission is planned for the 2.4L engine.
Mendel did not say when the the updates will happen.
