Now for the most important part of the vehicle, you better love your interior because its the most seen part of you vehicle, from your eyes at least. The CLA brings a quality to the entry level luxury game that I'm not sure the Verano and ILX can match....
lilly
CLA:
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As Expected the CLA is dressed far nicer on the interior than its two competitors. The Leather looks butter soft, the center stack gleams and there are buckets all the way around, even in the rear. My one complaint is the glued on look of the nav screen. MY favourite part has to be the retro looking gauges...
As Expected the CLA is dressed far nicer on the interior than its two competitors. The Leather looks butter soft, the center stack gleams and there are buckets all the way around, even in the rear. My one complaint is the glued on look of the nav screen. MY favourite part has to be the retro looking gauges...
ILX:
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The ILX is a Honda product and you can tell. The Interior is uninspiring and rather bland for a luxury vehicle. The black plastic dash looks awful with the pseudo tan buckets...If Acura wants to be taken seriously as a luxury brand they really need to step their game up. Unfortunately i feel Acura has slipped from the peripheral Luxury brands into something not quite mainstream but not quite upscale, almost the territory Mercury and Pontiac were in before catching the axe... Right now i honestly feel that the three germans form the luxury core, with cadillac, Lexus and Infiniti a step outside, Lincoln and Buick 2 steps outside and then Acura...
The ILX is a Honda product and you can tell. The Interior is uninspiring and rather bland for a luxury vehicle. The black plastic dash looks awful with the pseudo tan buckets...If Acura wants to be taken seriously as a luxury brand they really need to step their game up. Unfortunately i feel Acura has slipped from the peripheral Luxury brands into something not quite mainstream but not quite upscale, almost the territory Mercury and Pontiac were in before catching the axe... Right now i honestly feel that the three germans form the luxury core, with cadillac, Lexus and Infiniti a step outside, Lincoln and Buick 2 steps outside and then Acura...
I hate you already.
Lets really quick compare an economy brand with a luxury brand. Lets compare apples and oranges shall we? I wonder how bad a fish will fail if I judge it by how far it flies?
The CLA uses precious materials... or should if its a mercedes. Acura uses common materials.
And if you ask me, the Acura looks horrible with its huge button. The Merc looks tacky as hell with those X air ducts. Verano wins in elegance. ILX>CLA interior minus materiels used.
Lets really quick compare an economy brand with a luxury brand. Lets compare apples and oranges shall we? I wonder how bad a fish will fail if I judge it by how far it flies?
The CLA uses precious materials... or should if its a mercedes. Acura uses common materials.
And if you ask me, the Acura looks horrible with its huge button. The Merc looks tacky as hell with those X air ducts. Verano wins in elegance. ILX>CLA interior minus materiels used.
Is the big button on are dashes cheap looking and has cheap feel.. yes it does. I just drove the new MDX and they have done a great remake of it. Put more of the newer Acura advancements in the ILX and it will do better. The air vents and fake metallic trim needs to have a more quality look to it as well, it Screams Civic. Will an Acura meet the quality and feel of a Merc or BMW I don't know for an entry level car.
But I have to say, I drove the Verano and I bought the ILX for its technical advances such as being a Hybrid and how it drove and looked. Just food for thought.....
But I have to say, I drove the Verano and I bought the ILX for its technical advances such as being a Hybrid and how it drove and looked. Just food for thought.....
I'd say the CLA takes first place.
Am I the only one who likes the ILX interior over the Verano?
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Am I the only one who likes the ILX interior over the Verano?
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when did acura become an economy brand, as far as ive always known Acura they were the LUXURY division of honda.... I dont see how the two vehicles can't be compared, both can be had for a ballpark of $30k although for $30 the Acura comes with much better standard features, I'm not sure where thats incorrect...
the CLA is a cheap mercedes engineered specifically to get into the entry level luxury segment, the Verano and ILX are both entry level luxury...
If you click through my other threads you'll find out I compared the CLA 250 with an ILX Tech and a Verano Turbo, so its not as skewed as you would like to think..
the CLA is a cheap mercedes engineered specifically to get into the entry level luxury segment, the Verano and ILX are both entry level luxury...
If you click through my other threads you'll find out I compared the CLA 250 with an ILX Tech and a Verano Turbo, so its not as skewed as you would like to think..
The CLA's display screen looks like an IPAD mounted to the dash and the interior you are showing in your pictures is not a standard feature but a $1500 add on for leather trim. IF you were to try and build a CLA comparable to ILX Tech package you would be paying 7k-8k more. I'd take the ILX every time. Just like the ILX is a "luxury civic" the CLA looks like a Volvo knock-off
Acura is not an economy brand. And neither is Buick or Mercedes so i am not sure why you are so up in arms. These vehicles are relatively similar in price and could be cross shopped.
The ILX isn't terrible but it also isn't as nice as the Buick or Mercedes. I think that the Verano has the nicest interior. And BTW, the Buick is a less luxurious brand than Mercedes.
The ILX isn't terrible but it also isn't as nice as the Buick or Mercedes. I think that the Verano has the nicest interior. And BTW, the Buick is a less luxurious brand than Mercedes.
Luckily I have some!
But the cost of owning a CLA vs ILX comes down significantly when you consider the type of warranty Mercedes Benz offers, Acura has no chance of competing. Especially if the CLA is leased you wouldn't have to worry about maintenance for the duration of your ownership, Mercedes warranty even covers oil changes and minor maintenance.
CLA pricing isn't available in my neck of the woods yet but i expect lease/finance rates to be relatively comparable to the ILX and Verano. For $35k I would rather drive a purpose built Mercedes than a $20k Civic dressed in fancy clothes.
But the cost of owning a CLA vs ILX comes down significantly when you consider the type of warranty Mercedes Benz offers, Acura has no chance of competing. Especially if the CLA is leased you wouldn't have to worry about maintenance for the duration of your ownership, Mercedes warranty even covers oil changes and minor maintenance.
CLA pricing isn't available in my neck of the woods yet but i expect lease/finance rates to be relatively comparable to the ILX and Verano. For $35k I would rather drive a purpose built Mercedes than a $20k Civic dressed in fancy clothes.
An extra 6k-7k for a couple years supply of $20 oil changes? hmm interesting. 35K is a generous/stretch price if you plan to get all the options/accessories you can get for the TECH package. You have a lot of faith in the CLA
for being a new car that is unfamiliar with the entry level sedans. I would want to wait until the CLA has been in the market for bit before I speak highly of it.
for being a new car that is unfamiliar with the entry level sedans. I would want to wait until the CLA has been in the market for bit before I speak highly of it.
"For $35k I would rather drive a purpose built Mercedes than a $20k Civic dressed in fancy clothes."
Alright, Lilly, this is where you lost me. You just argued that the ILX is NOT an economy brand and that it carries enough luxury for your taste to compare it to the likes of the Mercedes CLA. Now you're demoting it down to a Civic in fancy clothes.
$35k vs $20k <- that's the price difference you quoted between the CLA / ILX; there's $15K between the two which can almost bag you an actual Honda Civic on top of the ILX, by your calculations.
As far as "purpose built" both cars carry the same purpose. All brand new Acuras never dipped down into the $20K range until the ILX and no brand new Merc dips into the low $30K's before this CLA comes out... both brands are reaching for younger buyers that would otherwise not be able to afford the trims in their current respective lineups.
But the interior? I whole-heartedly feel the interior of the the CLA is better (no suprise here, rarely has the interior quality of an EDM luxury car lose to a USDM or JDM interior)But just drop the pseudo-insults towards the ILX, on an ILX Forum. Lest you are a troll, in which case, troll on.
I actually like the CLA... I think it's got a good formula to catch a lot of buyers in the entry luxury small car segment... it's just not enough to make me run and trade in the ILX.
Alright, Lilly, this is where you lost me. You just argued that the ILX is NOT an economy brand and that it carries enough luxury for your taste to compare it to the likes of the Mercedes CLA. Now you're demoting it down to a Civic in fancy clothes.
$35k vs $20k <- that's the price difference you quoted between the CLA / ILX; there's $15K between the two which can almost bag you an actual Honda Civic on top of the ILX, by your calculations.
As far as "purpose built" both cars carry the same purpose. All brand new Acuras never dipped down into the $20K range until the ILX and no brand new Merc dips into the low $30K's before this CLA comes out... both brands are reaching for younger buyers that would otherwise not be able to afford the trims in their current respective lineups.
But the interior? I whole-heartedly feel the interior of the the CLA is better (no suprise here, rarely has the interior quality of an EDM luxury car lose to a USDM or JDM interior)But just drop the pseudo-insults towards the ILX, on an ILX Forum. Lest you are a troll, in which case, troll on.
I actually like the CLA... I think it's got a good formula to catch a lot of buyers in the entry luxury small car segment... it's just not enough to make me run and trade in the ILX.
She wants ilx users to tell her to buy a merc.
Go buy a merc and bother them how its more expensive than an ilx.
Go buy a merc and bother them how its more expensive than an ilx.
Acura isn't an economy brand, but the ILX is still a Civic in fancy clothes I dont understand what is wrong with that statement... Its probably also the biggest argument against the ILX.
as for ilxluv i wanted to see if ILX owners could defend their vehicle in an intelligent manner, maybe provide some insight into what living with the vehicle is actually like. The fact that you get so touchy about the ILX makes me think you may be a little self conscious about your purchase if not downright regretful you couldnt have the CLA.
As for being purpose built the new Civic was developed and then the ILX debuted a year or two later, not purpose built by my definition... Mercedes has had vehicles dipping into the $30s before the B class in NA was cheap and Europe has had the B class along with the cheaper A class for several years now...
P.S I've asked the same questions to a CLA forum and many have been favourable to the ILX. I'll buy whats best, I was only hoping the forum could provide some intelligent feedback instead of groaning that someone else has more money to spend, thanks for your time.
as for ilxluv i wanted to see if ILX owners could defend their vehicle in an intelligent manner, maybe provide some insight into what living with the vehicle is actually like. The fact that you get so touchy about the ILX makes me think you may be a little self conscious about your purchase if not downright regretful you couldnt have the CLA.
As for being purpose built the new Civic was developed and then the ILX debuted a year or two later, not purpose built by my definition... Mercedes has had vehicles dipping into the $30s before the B class in NA was cheap and Europe has had the B class along with the cheaper A class for several years now...
P.S I've asked the same questions to a CLA forum and many have been favourable to the ILX. I'll buy whats best, I was only hoping the forum could provide some intelligent feedback instead of groaning that someone else has more money to spend, thanks for your time.
I had a problem with just that statement because if you truly felt that the ILX was just a Civic then it wouldn't be good enough to do a comparison with the CLA, correct?
You went from making points about how the CLA interior is better than the ILX (which I agree with) to straight calling the ILX just a civic, which I figure you were trolling for an angered response.
Both cars suit different needs, especially in the price department. We can go on forever about overall cost of ownership and the benifits of both after five years in mileage and maintence and ultimately living with a car that can hit 200k miles.
And Mercs dipping into the low 30k's in pricing, yeah, not the Mercedes Lineup they offer in the U.S. NOW (take a look at their current website); hence, the need for the CLA; then there's acura, which the ILX was born to hit the $20k mark... that's the reason it exists... both companies didn't create anything revolutionary here.
I for one don't regret the purchase, hence, I said I wouldn't be running out to trade for the CLA when it comes out.
I do think Lilly, that there was some harshness towards you, but like I mentioned before: you're in an ILX forum, pretty much calling the ILX a Civic. You do know they did more than just slap an ILX shell on top of a Civic, right?
You went from making points about how the CLA interior is better than the ILX (which I agree with) to straight calling the ILX just a civic, which I figure you were trolling for an angered response.
Both cars suit different needs, especially in the price department. We can go on forever about overall cost of ownership and the benifits of both after five years in mileage and maintence and ultimately living with a car that can hit 200k miles.
And Mercs dipping into the low 30k's in pricing, yeah, not the Mercedes Lineup they offer in the U.S. NOW (take a look at their current website); hence, the need for the CLA; then there's acura, which the ILX was born to hit the $20k mark... that's the reason it exists... both companies didn't create anything revolutionary here.
I for one don't regret the purchase, hence, I said I wouldn't be running out to trade for the CLA when it comes out.
I do think Lilly, that there was some harshness towards you, but like I mentioned before: you're in an ILX forum, pretty much calling the ILX a Civic. You do know they did more than just slap an ILX shell on top of a Civic, right?
haha you should also go to the Porsche forums and just tell them that their car is just a fancy VW beetle.
Lilly you can't realistically be that ignorant? or are you?
I'll mainly agree with you in the past the CSX, 1.7EL, 1.6EL have pretty much been a civic with leather, and different head and taillights.
but the ILX's whole exterior/interior body is different.
Also when did merc start covering all the maintenance??? I knew Audi did (Audi care) and BMW did.. but as far as I knew merc didn't.. anyways news to me, but that's awesome if they do! I would definitely consider it in the future.
I don't think theres any debate that Merc makes higher end cars then Acura... the classes and cars can be compared because both offer a luxury feel. Acura simply gives you a different driving experience.... which one you like is up to you.... I personally think driving a merc is boring as hell (that being said I've never tried an AMG version), just my roommates c350, and a few other c classes... and have been less than impressed.
I don't know what it is.. coming from a guy who has mainly driven hondas, I find European cars just way to smooth... takes you away from the road... nothings gonna beat ripping around on the track in my s2000 for me sitting 3 inches off the ground. (again different type of car.. I'm just babbling)
Anyways I'm getting off topic.
Lilly you can't realistically be that ignorant? or are you?
I'll mainly agree with you in the past the CSX, 1.7EL, 1.6EL have pretty much been a civic with leather, and different head and taillights.
but the ILX's whole exterior/interior body is different.
Also when did merc start covering all the maintenance??? I knew Audi did (Audi care) and BMW did.. but as far as I knew merc didn't.. anyways news to me, but that's awesome if they do! I would definitely consider it in the future.
I don't think theres any debate that Merc makes higher end cars then Acura... the classes and cars can be compared because both offer a luxury feel. Acura simply gives you a different driving experience.... which one you like is up to you.... I personally think driving a merc is boring as hell (that being said I've never tried an AMG version), just my roommates c350, and a few other c classes... and have been less than impressed.
I don't know what it is.. coming from a guy who has mainly driven hondas, I find European cars just way to smooth... takes you away from the road... nothings gonna beat ripping around on the track in my s2000 for me sitting 3 inches off the ground. (again different type of car.. I'm just babbling)
Anyways I'm getting off topic.
Also, if we want to focus on the fact that the ILX was developed with the Honda Civic as a platform:
The Civic is a proven, solid car. It’s been researched and developed to death. I’m pretty sure anyone that hated the Civic wouldn’t even look in the ILX’s direction.
And food for thought: The Acura Integra and RSX were based on Civics (as well as those cars that Sumo mentioned above) and I don’t think those can be called failures. And it’s to my understanding that the TSX and TL are based off of Accords, more or less.
Other owners have mentioned in past posts that car reviewers always hone in on the fact that the ILX has Civic underpinnings and go to town about that aspect like a knee-jerk reaction.
That is a bad thing how?
You have a premium brand “Acura” with some interchangeable parts based off of the econobox, Honda Civic. Should you keep the ILX up to and beyond 150K miles or whenever the heck the warranty is finished, your wallet won’t be gang-raped by the price of parts (maybe just labor) to maintain and fix a car based off of a Civic.
And not having to research and develop a vehicle from the ground up equates to a less final purchase price for the buyer as well (or just more money in Honda’s pocket if they overprice).
Also don’t forget how the Honda Civic is the most embraced platform of aftermarket companies for OEM replacement and performance parts (don’t ask me why, I always wondered this while I was driving around in cars with more torque than Hondas).
If all that still looks like a negative in a potential buyer’s eyes, then I would easily suggest to look elsewhere.
Mainly, bypass all the JDM Luxury brands because most of their higher end vehicles are based on an economy counterpart.
The Civic is a proven, solid car. It’s been researched and developed to death. I’m pretty sure anyone that hated the Civic wouldn’t even look in the ILX’s direction.
And food for thought: The Acura Integra and RSX were based on Civics (as well as those cars that Sumo mentioned above) and I don’t think those can be called failures. And it’s to my understanding that the TSX and TL are based off of Accords, more or less.
Other owners have mentioned in past posts that car reviewers always hone in on the fact that the ILX has Civic underpinnings and go to town about that aspect like a knee-jerk reaction.
That is a bad thing how?
You have a premium brand “Acura” with some interchangeable parts based off of the econobox, Honda Civic. Should you keep the ILX up to and beyond 150K miles or whenever the heck the warranty is finished, your wallet won’t be gang-raped by the price of parts (maybe just labor) to maintain and fix a car based off of a Civic.
And not having to research and develop a vehicle from the ground up equates to a less final purchase price for the buyer as well (or just more money in Honda’s pocket if they overprice).
Also don’t forget how the Honda Civic is the most embraced platform of aftermarket companies for OEM replacement and performance parts (don’t ask me why, I always wondered this while I was driving around in cars with more torque than Hondas).
If all that still looks like a negative in a potential buyer’s eyes, then I would easily suggest to look elsewhere.
Mainly, bypass all the JDM Luxury brands because most of their higher end vehicles are based on an economy counterpart.
One of the biggest differences between the interiors that I see is the presence of a shifter in the Verano and the ILX as opposed to the CLA which is an automatic. I'd like to see some pictures of the Verano and the ILX with automatic set-ups. I think it may make their interiors look a bit cleaner and maybe hold-up to the CLA better.
ILX Tech automatic
Hard to compare also when different trim levels offer different options.
Price tag in mind the Fully Loaded Tech Package is comparable to the base cla with NO add ons.
I have no idea what comes with the CLA base but if it is like other manufacturers this could mean halogen headlights, no fogs, plain mirrors, and no navigation. This on an Merc is unheard of but this is the worlds first Entry Level Merc so we'll see.
Comparing the fully loaded ILX to a fully loaded CLA will show a 10grand price difference. Apples to Oranges.
A Tech ILX verse a base CLA would be arguing two opposite trim levels. Apples to Oranges.
Acura, which is essentially honda producing luxury cars has to step up their game to compete in the luxury market. Merc, a well established high end luxury dealer must water down its product to compete in the same field. Apples to oranges people. Apples to oranges.
Edit:
And saying Acura is essentially honda producing luxury cars in no way discredits Acura from the luxury world as much as Toyota discrediting Lexus or Nissan to Infiniti.
Kia < Honda -Toyota -Nissan -VW -GM < Hyundai -Acura -Lexus -Infiniti -Lincoln < Mercedes -BMW -Audi -Land Rover < Porsche -Lamborghini -Ferrari
^How I see it.
Coming from a Honda Civic and this being my first Luxury car in this class I have to say I like the interior of the ILX. I'm not too much into overly luxury features as I am more into the driving experience, hence the reason I went for the 2.4 Premium, I much prefer to row my own. Navi would have been nice to have but I really don't miss it and that's what Google maps on my Android is for...smile. You can probably option many luxury cars in and around this class up to the hilt and end up paying $50k+ depedning on the brand and still not get the driving experince this little run about gives you. I think the Verano and the Merc have their audience and it really comes down to what you want in an automobile. I was on a limited budget and the car I got was in my price range so I went for it. If I wanted to go high 30's close to 40 then I would not have gone for the ILX but something with some luxury but sporting as that's what I want in an automobile
Here's the deal for me, lilly:
I wanted to treat myself to a nice car for my 50th birthday.
Here's my list:
1) I looked at a Porsche Boxster (impractical as a daily commuter, HORRIBLE gas mileage)
2) BMW 128i/135i (wasn't impressed with the interior)
3) Lexus CT200h (good gas mileage, interior was too confining)
4) Acura TL and TSX (both were great, just wished for better mpg)
I chose the ILX for a reason…it may not be an "upper luxury" car, but it is a great, comfortable car for commuting which is decent on gas (actually my 2.0 is getting hybrid mpg, for the most part).
Oh, yeah…I drove the Honda Civic for comparison sake…several times. Funny, the ILX doesn't look, feel or even handle like a Civic. Same car? Yeah..only to someone totally uneducated.
Nuff said.
olds_cool63
I wanted to treat myself to a nice car for my 50th birthday.
Here's my list:
1) I looked at a Porsche Boxster (impractical as a daily commuter, HORRIBLE gas mileage)
2) BMW 128i/135i (wasn't impressed with the interior)
3) Lexus CT200h (good gas mileage, interior was too confining)
4) Acura TL and TSX (both were great, just wished for better mpg)
I chose the ILX for a reason…it may not be an "upper luxury" car, but it is a great, comfortable car for commuting which is decent on gas (actually my 2.0 is getting hybrid mpg, for the most part).
Oh, yeah…I drove the Honda Civic for comparison sake…several times. Funny, the ILX doesn't look, feel or even handle like a Civic. Same car? Yeah..only to someone totally uneducated.
Nuff said.
olds_cool63
Happy birthday olds cool! Glad to hear someone else in the group is older than 45 (I'm 64) I've had my 2.4 over a year now and still absolutely love it. Just enough luxury and performance to make it really fun to drive.
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