The launch of the Acura ILX kicked off on Sunday, and Acura told the crowd of assembled journalists that their new ILX sedan will cost “around $27,000″.
AutoGuide’s Colum Wood notes that the Buick Verano, which is the ILX’s closest competitor, starts at a far lower sticker price – $22,585. According to Wood, Acura staff who were asked about the difference seemed unfazed, and suggested that the two cars didn’t really compete with one another.
The ILX, as well all know, is heavily based on the current Honda Civic, and shares the same engine as the Civic Hybrid and Civic Si, as well as offering a 150 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. It seems rather audacious for Acura to start pricing at such a level – the level of content or refinement better be able to justify such an enormous gulf, as even the Verano, with its improved engines and substantially improved sound deadening and interior, is able to maintain a smaller pricing delta relative to the Cruze.
