Say farewell to Acura’s current entry-level sedan, the ILX. But don’t worry, it’s not dying in vain as its void will soon be filled by the forthcoming 2023 Integra. Just as everyone expected, Acura is going back to how it was in the 90s with the Integra playing the role of its most affordable entry.
2022 is the final model year for the Acura ILX
The Acura ILX at the New York International Auto Show. | Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Acura ILX made its initial debut back in 2013 as the brand’s smallest sedan. It was based on the Civic platform at the time, but offered budget-minded luxury buyers a more upscale look and feel in contrast to its corporate cousin. However, nearly 10 years later, it’s going the way of the dodo bird.
Motor1 recently spoke with Acura representatives about the ILX’s fate. Spokesperson, Chris Naughton, reportedly told Motor1: “The 2022 model year is the final model year for the ILX, in anticipation of the new Integra.” He also added, “The new Integra was developed from day 1 to deliver on the original lineage that began with the Integra back in 1986. It is a continuation of that formula that brought so many first-time buyers to the Acura family and it will be the new entry point to the brand.”
The Acura ILX was never really a strong seller
2018 Acura ILX is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show. | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
While the Acura ILX did provide a cost-effective way to get into a luxury vehicle, it wasn’t exactly a massive hit throughout the years. In fact, according to Good Car Bad Car, Acura could barely manage to sell anywhere close to 20,000 ILXs each year from 2014 to 2021. Lexus, on the other hand, was able to sell over double the amount of IS sedans during that time, which was the ILX’s main competitor.
The car’s older technology could be to blame as the ILX was based on the ninth-generation Civic. In fact, the current 2021 iteration still uses the 2.4-liter engine found in the ninth-gen Civic Si as opposed to the turbocharged mill that you can find in the current Civic. Keep in mind that the Civic is currently in its 11th-generation, so the ILX clearly had some catching up to do.
That outdatedness leaked over into the car’s technology as the ILX still uses a dual-screen infotainment setup that utilizes Acura’s older navigation system and dash design. It looked cool back in 2015, but in 2022, it just won’t fly. It also used to be available with a six-speed manual transmission, but Acura dropped that along the way.
The Integra could be a breath of fresh Acura air
2023 Acura Integra | Acura
Admittedly, it may take the general public at large to warm up to the all-new Integra. After all, we have only seen it in its prototype form complete with a yellow paint job and tacky “Integra” decals. But let’s give it a break, it could be better than we all think.
From what we know so far, the Integra will offer the same turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that you can find in the current Civic, so at least it’s up to date in that department. However, Acura hasn’t said whether the engine will have the same power output as the regular 2022 Civic or the new Civic Si. We hope it will be the latter, especially since this entry-level sedan will actually have an optional six-speed manual transmission.
For now, we’ll pour one out in honor of the ILX. It was a good sedan while it lasted and could be a bargain in the used market going forward. Thanks, Acura ILX, you’ve been great.
Keyword: Acura Axes the ILX in Favor of the 2023 Integra