2016 Acura ILX keeps focus on young set
SAN FRANCISCO — Since replacing the CSX several years ago, the compact-sized ILX has served as the “gateway” (Honda’s word) to the Acura brand of sporty, upscale vehicles in Canada.
Still based on the more prosaic Civic sedan, the ILX nevertheless sees a comprehensive mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 model year, with styling and engineering upgrades that further disguise its humbler roots — all with the intent of courting younger luxury buyers.
“It’s a luxury vehicle for the next generation,” says Dave Gardner, vice-president of sales and marketing for Acura Canada, a claim surprisingly toned down compared with the hyperbole that accompanied the ILX’s debut in 2012. Then, it was talk of successful members of generations X and Y who were looking for “high-value propositions in their purchases ... They live in larger cities, are still in touch with a youthful mindset and lifestyle, and yet now embrace adult proprieties and values.” (That continues to crack me up.)
Not so much this time around, although the younger crowd is obviously still the target market. Honda allowing that, in the U.S., the ILX captures a higher percentage of young luxury buyers — those under age 35 — than any other vehicle in the growing entry-luxury sedan segment.
It’s not only the hyperbole that’s been pared down — though not completely eliminated — for 2016. So, too, are things in the powertrain department. All ILX trim levels see a new 2.4-litre, direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC fourcylinder under the hood. The base 2.0L engine from last year has been retired, as has the five-speed automatic transmission. Alas, so has the six-speed manual: the 20 per cent customer-take rate wasn’t high enough to warrant its continued inclusion — a mistake, in my opinion. The slow-selling Hybrid model is also toast.
With a solid 201 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm, the 2.4L is now mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch autobox with torque converter and paddle-controlled Sequential Sport Shift.
Although I’m a full generation older than the supposed demographic sweet spot and would much rather be rowing a stick, I have to admit the new eight-speed delivers crisp, quick gear changes much faster than can be achieved with a manual.
We gave the transmission — and brakes — a decent workout on the Panoramic Highway north of San Francisco. The tight and twisting roads, with elevation changes and numerous blind curves, were also a test for the steering, which could be a little slow to return on quick transitions, like a full-lock right followed by a quick left. But that stretch of road was a fairly extreme case, more suited to a full-on sports car rather than an entry-level luxury sedan. Once on the less severe but still curvy Highway 1 toward Point Reyes, and at a slightly more sedate pace, the ILX felt relaxed and competent. The Acura gets to highway speeds quick enough while also displaying sure-footed agility dodging cars, buses, pedestrians and bicyclists.
The one noticeable deficiency was road rumble coming up through the tires — this despite the car coming with standard Active Noise Control technology. On stretches of pavement where the asphalt was freshly paved, the cabin was as quiet as a church.
Enhancements made to the 2016 model are designed, says Honda, to make the car “even more attractive to upwardly mobile younger buyers looking for upmarket quality and performance.” That means new front and rear styling cues, including front grille and rear LED combination lights as well as the “jewel eye” LED headlights, the accumulated effect bringing the ILX into significantly sharper focus with the TLX sport sedan and the rest of the Acura family.
The car is offered in four trim grades — base, Premium package, Technology package and a new, topline A-Spec package. All models come standard with AcuraWatch driver assist and sensing technologies — including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation and an improved collision mitigation braking system with pedestrian-sensing capability.
Cosmetically, the A-Spec, which was the model provided for the first drive, gives the ILX a more aggressive look through the addition of sporty side sill garnishes, trunk spoiler, front fog lights, 18-inch 10-spoke machined alloy wheels, plus a few unique interior appearance touches.
Inside, the 2016 ILX is noticeably quieter (despite that road rumble) than last year’s model, the recipient of thicker front door glass, noise-attenuating wheels and changes to the engine mounts.
The interior has been tweaked to a slightly higher standard, though the theme is still sporty rather than luxury. Better materials are part of the re-do. The A-Spec package brings includes a black headliner, perforated black suede seat inserts, red instrument illumination, exclusive grey interior stitching and aluminum brake and throttle pedals.
Standard features across the board include push-button start, keyless access, longrange remote engine starter, one-touch turn signals and Bluetooth Hands-FreeLink. Available features and technologies include heated front seats, GPS-linked automatic climate control and rainsensing wipers.
Does the ILX have the snob appeal of its primary competitors, the Mercedes CLA and Audi A3 (and possibly the Lexus IS)? Likely not. The Acura brand’s cachet took a hit over the last decade or so and it’s been a slow climb to get back to what it once had.
Yet, Lexus IS notwithstanding (a subject for later debate), the ILX still doesn’t have much competition from its Japanese counterparts in terms of price and performance.