Acura's new small sedan, ILX, goes on sale May 22 starting at $26,795 including shipping.
The automaker says it needs the smaller, lower-price model to attract younger buyers who've grown up in affluent homes and don't want to settle for mainstream car brands, but can't afford typical luxury car prices.
The base model is powered by a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine rated 150 hp. It comes only with a five-speed automatic transmission. Its fuel-economy rating is 24 mpg in town, 35 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in combined driving.
Next step up: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 201 hp, which comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. It starts at $30,095 and comes with some standard features that are extra on the 2-liter entry model. Fuel economy rating is 22/31/25.
A gasoline-electric hybrid with 111 hp starts at $29,795. It has a fuel economy rating of 39/38/38.
The ILX is derived from the Honda Civic, but is a little bigger and has different engines.
Acura calls the ILX a "gateway" model that lets lower-income, younger buyers who insist on a premium nameplate have a chance at buying an Acura.
ILX is smaller and roughly $4,000 less-expensive than the TSX, which has been the brand's starter model.
Acura ILX entry model starts at $26,795, on sale May 22
