Dont expect HIDs standard or at all. The 2013 RDX will offer them as an upgrade option which in my opinion is ridiculous. Has anyone seen the ILXs at the shows who can vouch theyve seen them w/ HIDS? It blows my mind my 06 TSX has them standard but they wont offer them on the new RDX.

 

That's kinda lame of acura. They have them currently standard across the lineup. No use in cheapening th ILX anymore acura.

 

that would be a horrible move for acura. part of the reason why i love acura is cuz HIDs came standard on ALL their vehicles...this is the suck.

 

That's what got me with acura. If im not mistakened, they're the only entry-level luxury maker that does it.

 

Im not buying so it doesnt effect me, but I do agree that it is a stupid move. But I scratch my head at why the 3G TL had bixenon lights when the switched to single xenon low beams for the 4G.

 

I'm pretty sure the one in Chicago had HID's.

 

Guess I'll have to purchased the premium package to get it which is

 

Makes me wonder if the 5G will have bi-xenons. I think they should go the bi-xenon route anyway across the board. This is smart luxury.

 

I've been a TL owner for about 6 years now, and very happy with it, as well as the lack of options for the vehicle. I say that because other than a Navi, trunk tray and mudflaps what options are there? Everything is just as I wanted it stock, so adding anything else was just gravy.

My girlfriend who is now in the market for a new car, but TSX is just out of our budget, loves Acura for not BSing with addons either. I'm hoping we either get a great deal on a TSX or ILX is released soon.

 

^ GL on your purchase.

Acura is very generous with standard equipment. Not many options at all. Smart luxury for the win!

 

well even base lexus 250 don't come stardard with HID and real leather.........

 

Our $22,000 CR-Z EX has HID's. Weird.

 

Yeah but thats actually pretty common. Thats why I like acura, so many standard features.

I noticed it has that option. Kudos for Honda adding that.

 

no standard HIDs = FAIL.. this is a joke. they're pullin an RSX with this.. it's sad.. my 04 TSX from 2003 has HIDs.. SMH Acura..

 

It seems to me that Acura has been watching other manufacturers charge more for simple things and decided that some want the choice to choose a lower trim level BUT those that want things like HIDs need to move up a trim level. IMO, look at it this way: the Premium package is the 'real' base model for 90% of the people. Kinda like how few actually bought Integra RS' and added (the optional) air conditioning to it.

 

what? even the RDX?! wow! wtf is Acura doing! i know it's a small thing like headlights.. but Acura has had it standard across the lineup since 2007!

 

it's 2012.. and other companies like BMW, Lexus and Benz do piss me off.. when I see a 50K E-class with halogens.. i just cringe.. yikes. Acura SHOULD NOT stoop down to their level! keep it standard and keep a lower price.

 

^^ True, but many are always saying that Acura needs to move their image up like the 'big boys' and as you noted, they all nickle and dime you with extras for metallic paint, leather, HIDs etc. I'm not super thrilled about this, but like I said, having a 'stripper' model hasn't hurt the other guys. Psychologically, it might even add value to the 'one up' model???

 

What a shame.... I don't get them at all anymore.

 

It's a difficult choice. Should Acura risk losing all their current 'value luxury' clients, people who are used to "paying less to get more" to go after the other guy's clients? These guys are potentially more profitable since they're already used to "paying more and getting less"?

I still think we're over-thinking it. Everyone is looking at it as if they're "taking something away" when they're really adding an (assumed) lower cost trim level.

 

Even if they could steal sales from real luxury makers at this point, I highly doubt keeping HIDs as optional equipment is going to do it

I can agree with the latter statement though. Offering a lower priced option could be good, as long as they are smart about it.

If the redesigned RL or even the NSX comes around with HIDs as an option only, then we know the bean counters are batshit insane.

 

Well since the others don't compete at the (expected) price range for a base ILX, not 'stealing' sales is a self fulfilling prophesy. Maybe talking about stealing sales was the wrong sentiment. I was thinking more about the philosophy of offering a base model (that few buy) and 'forcing' people to step up slightly to get features they want. The other big luxury players all do this. Who really buys a base 328 or cloth seat IS?

Agree 100% on the RL/NSX comment. I think they'll find other features besides HIDs to encourage people to step up to another trim. Maybe things like CMBS, Active Dampers, etc. could be part of a Tech/Advance package?

 

This is crazy. This isn't the Acura I knew when I got the RL. It had everything standard, something the other brands did not do. But seeing that the ILX doesn't even have LED tailights for something luxury, I'm not surprised really.

 

I can understand other luxury brands doing this, but in no way does Acura have enough prestige to cheap out hids or even leather seating. They are viewed as a value oriented brand and need anything they can add to attract buyers into the showroom.

 

Smart-luxury is Acura's niche all the way. I'm waiting for the ILX to show up on the site so I can see more details about it. All they say is its coming Spring 2012, which is pretty broad. Spring starts tmr. I wonder if it'll be up then or within the next 3 mos.