INTRODUCING SPORT AND LUXURY AT A LOWER PRICE The all new 2013 Acura ILX serves as the new gateway to the Acura brand, the all new ILX features a choice of three powertrain options including Acuras first ever gasoline electric hybrid. Equipped with an interior that is smart, spacious and sporty, the ILX offers a number of new, premium features including a standard keyless access system with smart entry and pushbutton start, along with Pandora internet radio interface and SMS text message function for smart connectivity with the world. Like all Acuras, the ILX is equipped with a rich list of standard features including a power moonroof, aluminum wheels and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink. The entry level ILX starts at $25,900.00.
Picture of 2013 Acura ILX Tech Review & Test Drive [source:AutomotiveAddicts.com]
The target customers for the new ILX are the younger members of Generation X and members of Generation Y successful 20 and 30 somethings moving into the luxury car segment but looking for high value propositions in their purchases. They are young business professionals who are most likely single or soon to be married. They live in larger cities, are very much still in touch with a youthful minded and lifestyle, and yet now embrace adult proprieties and values. In short, like the new ILX, they embody youth and maturity. Style, substance, performance, efficiency and environmental stewardship are all important to these emerging luxury customers, and the new ILX combines all of these qualities in one vehicle solidly below the $30,000.00 price point that is considered the gateway to luxury.
The ILXs keen edged design is simultaneously edgy and fluid, with dynamic forms and expressive lines flowing from the front of the signature Acura grille, along the body sides and across the three dimensional cabin to the crisply styled trunk.
A signature Acura grille features a bold satin surround featuring a single black horizontal grille bar. Flanking the grille are the sweeping headlights with projector style low beam lights with multi reflector high beams. The molded headlight covers follow the sweep of the broad front fenders, while also including strong character lines of their own. Amber side marker lights and reflectors are positioned in the outer edges of the headlight cluster. Below is a front fascia with an aerodynamically tailored lower edge that reminds me of a formula 1 race car and a pair of recesses with a honeycomb grille design that include foglamps for all ILX models, (except for ILX 2.0 in base trim). The long aluminum hood has a central character line that flows from the top of the grille back to the windshield. Narrow A pillars afford good front visibility through the acoustic glass windshield. The door windows feature are surrounded by satin trim that groups the windows together and visually elongates the cabin shape.
Broad front fenders and pronounced front and rear wheel arches give the ILX an athletic presence. The fenders are highlighted with crisp edged flares that further emphasize the five spoke wheel design. The most prominent character line on the ILX starts behind the front wheel arches and then rises as it flows rearward through the front door handle, over the rear door handle and rear wheel arches, and finally towards the rear lid. This rising character line imparts a sense of muscularity and motion, even when the ILX is still. At the bottom of the doors lies an additional character line a deeply set three dimensional element that provides a look of solidity at the base of the body. The rear of the cabin emphasizes the appearance of the wheel arches and compliments the strong, wide rear fenders. A taillight array wraps around the rear fenders and extends onto the back of the deck lid. The backup lights are located on the deck lid and the CHMSL is located at the top of the rear windows. This is one stunning example of Acuras sculpted from a solid piece of metal design.
The new ILX comes in three distinct models: ILX 2.0 liter, ILX 2.4 liter and ILX Hybrid. Each model offers a unique powertrain and a unique character. I tested the 2.0 liter and was very impressed with the overall feel and performance of the car.

Picture of 2013 Acura ILX Tech Review & Test Drive [source:AutomotiveAddicts.com]
The target customers for the new ILX are the younger members of Generation X and members of Generation Y successful 20 and 30 somethings moving into the luxury car segment but looking for high value propositions in their purchases. They are young business professionals who are most likely single or soon to be married. They live in larger cities, are very much still in touch with a youthful minded and lifestyle, and yet now embrace adult proprieties and values. In short, like the new ILX, they embody youth and maturity. Style, substance, performance, efficiency and environmental stewardship are all important to these emerging luxury customers, and the new ILX combines all of these qualities in one vehicle solidly below the $30,000.00 price point that is considered the gateway to luxury.
The ILXs keen edged design is simultaneously edgy and fluid, with dynamic forms and expressive lines flowing from the front of the signature Acura grille, along the body sides and across the three dimensional cabin to the crisply styled trunk.
A signature Acura grille features a bold satin surround featuring a single black horizontal grille bar. Flanking the grille are the sweeping headlights with projector style low beam lights with multi reflector high beams. The molded headlight covers follow the sweep of the broad front fenders, while also including strong character lines of their own. Amber side marker lights and reflectors are positioned in the outer edges of the headlight cluster. Below is a front fascia with an aerodynamically tailored lower edge that reminds me of a formula 1 race car and a pair of recesses with a honeycomb grille design that include foglamps for all ILX models, (except for ILX 2.0 in base trim). The long aluminum hood has a central character line that flows from the top of the grille back to the windshield. Narrow A pillars afford good front visibility through the acoustic glass windshield. The door windows feature are surrounded by satin trim that groups the windows together and visually elongates the cabin shape.
Broad front fenders and pronounced front and rear wheel arches give the ILX an athletic presence. The fenders are highlighted with crisp edged flares that further emphasize the five spoke wheel design. The most prominent character line on the ILX starts behind the front wheel arches and then rises as it flows rearward through the front door handle, over the rear door handle and rear wheel arches, and finally towards the rear lid. This rising character line imparts a sense of muscularity and motion, even when the ILX is still. At the bottom of the doors lies an additional character line a deeply set three dimensional element that provides a look of solidity at the base of the body. The rear of the cabin emphasizes the appearance of the wheel arches and compliments the strong, wide rear fenders. A taillight array wraps around the rear fenders and extends onto the back of the deck lid. The backup lights are located on the deck lid and the CHMSL is located at the top of the rear windows. This is one stunning example of Acuras sculpted from a solid piece of metal design.
The new ILX comes in three distinct models: ILX 2.0 liter, ILX 2.4 liter and ILX Hybrid. Each model offers a unique powertrain and a unique character. I tested the 2.0 liter and was very impressed with the overall feel and performance of the car.