snzzheng

I've researched throughly into the 2017 Acura ILX. I really like it and feel like it suits me. I'm thinking about purchasing one around Fall/Winter 2017, but with the recent release of the 2018 Acura TLX, should I wait? Will there be another refresh for the ILX for 2018 as well, or even a second generation? I adore the new pentagon design language that Acura has applied to their MDX and the TLX, but there hasn't really been much news on a 2018 ILX.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

no one knows. Honda is keeping tight lipped.
MOST likely it will recieve the same pentagon grille and jewel headlights as the MDX and TLX to keep brand Identity.

BUT thats all we know about it.

hondu

I believe they typically have updated the ILX in the Spring (2013 release and 2016 update), so my guess would be next year around March/April for the major update.

Will it have a 1.5L engine? I would guess the Si engine as a base model at a minimum. I also have heard rumors it will have the 2.0L engine as well (tuned like the Accord application ~250-260 HP or so).

There are also rumors of 4WD versions and hybrid versions as well. Seeing the large gap between the Civic Si and Type R, a detuned 2.0L ILX would fit nicely in the middle.

hughbroome2

I'm guessing that it will be a 1.5T, rated at the SI's 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, with the 8 speed DCT. The Acura CDX in China already uses the 1.5T and 8-DCT pairing, but it is only rated at ~180hp. I read somewhere that the 8-DCT was only good for a maximum of 200 lb-ft of torque. I'm hoping that Honda pairs the new 2.0T (278+ hp) with a 6 speed manual, basically the new Accord's powertrain, for a Type-S model. They've already advertised that the Accord will come with a 2.0T and a manual. That pairing is realistic and would be so nice. Although, everyone is saying that the manual is dead for Acura.

I suppose the big question is: Will we see a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD version? Will Acura try to carve their niche in the expanding luxury market with Hybrid AWD? It is something that they do rather well, and it sets their vehicles apart. The Sport Hybrid SH-AWD adds 64-67 hp and 74-104 lb-ft to the normally aspirated engines on the MDX and RLX models, respectively. So, we could be looking at a 1.5T sport hybrid with a minimum of 269 hp, maybe. To me, the hybrid does not make sense. The electric motors are designed to produce the low end torque missing on Honda's naturally aspirated engines; using a turbocharged engine would not make sense for this application. Perhaps, they could use the K24Z engine?

alpha0

Batteries add 300-350lbs and need space which will be difficult in relatively smaller frame.

Joseph Park

Starting to think about my options for when my lease is over in 11 months and I am casually weighing my options. A course the cheapest long term solution would be to by back my car at the end of its lease.

I have this hunch but no cold hard facts to base this on but I could see Honda/Acura pulling the ILX. It has sold poorly even after the 2016 refresh and really the company sells 2.5 car types: MDX RDX and some TLX. Secondly there has been zero word on any kind of refresh which I find odd at this point and the current gen is getting really long in the tooth especially with all the new 10th gen Civics coming out. From all indications the earliest we will see a new gen ILX is 4th quarter 2017 but more people saying early 2018.

When I leased my ILX the Civic 10th gen had just came out and the hatchback was still months down the line. Now with the Civic Sport Touring Hatchback is just slaying the ILX feature, build quality, and utility wise and I am thinking of going back to Honda for one of these. Let's face it even if a Type R clone comes to Acura, I guarantee it will not be a hatch which is quite the bummer. I guess since my lease is up June 2018 I have time to see how the Hatch Sport Touring fairs on the used market and if the ILX will be updated.

hughbroome2

Joseph Park, I have been worried about the same thing. I thought it was odd that we have not seen any spy shots or heard any rumors. At least, there have been RDX spy shots. Crossovers are outselling sedans; they just might can the ILX. If they did axe the ILX, they would still have a 4 cylinder base model TLX to somewhat fill the ILX's place. I have worried about the overlap between the post MMC ILX and the 4 cylinder TLX; other than size, they are quite similar in features and powertrain.

iRaw

So sad, RIP Acura Vigor, Legend, Integra, RSX, ZDX, TL, TSX and now the ILX.

What gives Acura? We loves these cars and they take them away from us.

hondu

?? Don't take some random speculative posting on the internet as fact.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

sales numbers indicate no one loved the ZDX and the ILX.

hondu

And the RLX. ILX just needs the new platform ugrade and a 2.0L model (i.e. Type S).

hughbroome2

I am just speculating. If Acura redesigns the ILX, I will be thrilled, but I will not be shocked if they do axe it.

iRaw

What they need to do is give us what we want.

SH-AWD V6 ILX.


If the ILX is marketed toward "younger" buyers than stop giving us an "old man's" power train.

TacoBello

I don't think they should axe the ILX. It's clear that Acura really missed the mark on that car- it offered too little and demanded too much of a price. As such, countless people looked past it.

But... it's Acura's entry level car. It should sell like hot cakes. I think Acura needs to take a good look at where they went wrong, and they need to listen to their consumers a bit, to give them what they're willing to pay for. Such a car makes sense to have in your lineup, and should likely be one of your best sellers.

The easy way out would be to be to axe it and say there wasn't enough interest in such a car. I think Acura has the potential to build something for the mass market, that can sell well also. They just have to listen.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i just dont know of any "younger buyers" who can afford a $35k car.

holografique

^ exactly.

The way it should be designed is to provide a smaller form-factor at a slightly lower price point than the next model up (TLX), but still catering to the luxury market buyer who A) can afford a luxury sports sedan and B) is looking for something smaller but with the amenities, options, and quality of a luxury sports sedan.

Aside from shortcomings of the interior quality / design, I love my ILX and love the form-factor. Offer a 2.0T, SH-AWD option, and the refreshed design language (grill), bump the entry price to $29k entry, $37k-$38k being tops with all options and A-spec, I guarantee they'd start selling. I'd have no need to move to a TLX / RLX as I prefer the smaller more nimble form-factor of the ILX.

skylineblue

I also chose the ILX over the TLX because I didn't like the Buick like ride. The 2016+ ILX isn't that bad for the price dealers are willing to sell them for. I got my 2016 Tech Plus Aspec for just under 28k at 0.9% for 60 months along with $500 financing cash back. The Tech Plus was going for just over 26k but only came in black which was a deal breaker for me. I also test drove the 2016 Civic Touring but hated the CVT, glitchy infotainment, and hideous looks. They both have pretty much the same feature and can be had for around the same price. I guess the ILX doesn't make sense for most people because they don't really care about how a car drives. I know a lot of people who never even considered the ILX because its overpriced MSRP. They're used to getting very little discount from MSRP, like the Civic Touring going for pretty much MSRP when I was looking to buy a car.

I don't think the 2018 ILX will be a FMC since it shares a lot of parts with the RDX and that didn't get updated for the 2018 model year. Acura is probably just delaying the 2018 to clear inventory first. I think there is a good chance Acura will scrap it going forward since it gets a bad rap from most people. I've also noticed that most people who buy the ILX at Acura dealers near me are much older than their target audience. Some of the dealers put up videos of customers after their purchase and most ILX buyers are 40+ with some who look like they're over 60. That would explain the poor owner satisfaction rating. They thought they were getting a luxury cruiser when they actually got a pretty sporty compact with a firm ride and lots of tire noise.

Nedmundo

I don't think the ILX is going anywhere, partly because Honda obviously designed the 10th generation Civic platform for high performance and luxury potential. They benchmarked the Audi A3, and it apparently was designed to accommodate AWD, which doesn't exist in the Civic lineup.

So, it looks like the platform was engineered with Acura in mind, and it could provide the basis for a very competitive ILX. I've driven a new Civic Si, and with more power, less road noise, and a luxurious interior it would make a fantastic ILX. The chassis dynamics are outstanding, as all the reviews say. I hope we see a 2.0T with AWD for about $35k, but unfortunately it probably won't offer MT.

TacoBello

The CTR lead engineer stated that Honda wants to build various versions of the Type R. He hinted at a "grand touring" version. He also suggested one with maybe having AWD. Can either of those wear an Acura badge, here in NA? What about both in one?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

when is a completley redesigned ILX due? in 2020?
cuz the '18 will still be underpinned by the last gen civic chassis and not the new one...

4 years is an eternity in car years.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

look how well that played out for the NSX.
and the RLX. double

hughbroome2

The ILX is still being sold as the 2017 model on the Acura website. justnspace, where have you found the 2018 will still be underpinned by the last gen civic chassis? If that's true, 2018 will be the 6th year in this model cycle. I had assumed we would have a new bodystyle by 2018. Perhaps, they are going to allow it a 6 year cycle like the RDX.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

sorry, my disdain for modern Acura's leaked out.
there has been no news of redesigning the ILX, and that leads me to believe it will still use the old chassis.
Honda ranted and raved about the new civic chassis!

TacoBello

The NSX is meeting Honda's expectations. Why are you snarking at it?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

cuz i cant afford it.

iRaw

AcuraGuy2016

Acura has no excuse to not update the 2018 ILX . The Honda Civic FMC was MY2016 and will be coming up on 2 years, so Acura should have had time to redesign the ILX. It would be foolish for Acura to keep the 2018 ILX as it is. The 2017 gets terrible reviews. The 2016 Civic owned the 2015 in every way. I would prefer the 2017 Civic Touring to a 2017 ILX!!

hondu

I am guessing it was delayed do to the slow roll out of the new Civic models. The hatch, Si and Type R just recently came out, plus the MMC TLX. The new 2018 Accord this year also will be on the Civic/Accord chassis, with the 1.5L and 2.0L engines, so the ILX had to wait.

I would bet around next April/March we will see the new RDX and ILX.

hughbroome2

Wonder if this Civic DCT Dynamic Study is a powertrain/suspension study for the new ILX?

First drive: 2018 Honda Civic Type-R, Civic DCT & Clarity in Japan | Drive Arabia : Dubai / Abu Dhabi [UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar & GCC]

Nurseman74

I love my 2016 ILX so far. Wonder what the next version is gonna look like. If it has the bells and whistles as a BMW 3 series or more, it maybe able to sell them like hot cakes at a good price.

AZuser

Just those 2 things won't be enough. It also needs a better looking design, better interior quality materials, and improvements in NVH. It needs to be more than just Civic+

AZuser

The buyers who are looking for affordable luxury sports sedans are buying Audi's, BMW's, and Mercedes... not the ILX. There's nothing sporty or luxurious about it.

When you have Acura's #1 fanboy dismissing the worth of the ILX, that says something....

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Please stay on topic, had to clean up personal attacks.
thanks!

TacoBello

I would venture a guess and say you are right. There's no other market that has a DCT civic... no idea why they'd build a one off. That being said, I wonder if the new ILX is destined to have two engine options- using the 1.5T could help keep costs down and it likely has zero problems fitting into a new civic based platform. It could be (hopefully) a cheaper entry level ILX, to avoid selling at 35k US.

I could then see the "Civic Type R Variant" coming in at the top, with the other engine choice- a slightly detuned version of the CTR engine. Mated to the existing ILX DCT to it. Maybe they also add AWD for the flagship ILX/CTR clone? Seems expensive though. Maybe they'll leave it out.

While it is true there has been nothing on the horizon for the ILX, I would imagine they are working on one. It seems silly for them not to. For the ILX, I personally don't see the value in not using the civic platform. It's an entry level car and I think it's fair to do so, so long as they make the right tweaks to differentiate the two.

esaino

new accord's 2.0 turbo with 6speed manual....
must be a sweet combination to swap into ILX......

DaIll1

Younger executives, just like the Integra, as I remember. In 10 years it will be bank

Nah, just the head up goodies from the TypeR and keep the K24 block and DCT, but it will need a good hit of LSD

AZuser

Swap? Why bother? Just trade for the Accord. The Accord will have a warranty, a better ride, better interior, better tech, better look (IMO),.... It's just so much better in many ways than the ILX.

Mansor M-Nejad

Hello Every one,

I purchased brand new Acura ILX 2017 in Toronto, I noticed headlight cracks, and I am told they will replace the headlights. To make the story short, they replaced the headlights and the new one have the same cracks. Open case and finally Honda Canada said the vehicle is safe to drive. And you have to pick it up from the dealership. If you own Acura ILX 2017 check your headlights in sunny day. Please see the attached pictures. Please spread the message.

Best Regards,
ike

aksilx

This should have been posted in a new thread but I just checked mine and has the same "crack" in the exact same spot.

Wouldnt worry about it, looks very minor to me.

Mike M-N

Polycarbonate plastic deter ate due to the UV rays and become brittle and cracks will expand and could create a fog inside the headlights and you have to replace them at your cost.