Acura announced pricing for the 2019 Acura ILX and it’s considerably less expensive than last year, close to 10 percent cheaper. Here’s why they can price it that way and if you’ve followed along, you probably know why.
Honda has milked this particular Honda chassis since January 2011 when they started producing the 9th generation Honda Civic, and this might be its last year in its reincarnated form in the 2019 Acura ILX. As per Acura in a press release they put out earlier today (Oct. 3, 2018) they’ve released pricing and details on the 2019 Acura ILX. With a starting MSRP of $25,900 before destination charges and any fees, it’s one of the most affordable small compact luxury cars Acura has ever offered.
Consider that in 1994 when Acura had the Integra LS and GSR on sale, MSRP for even the lowly LS, not to mention the GSR, came in around $19,900 plus or minus a couple hundred depending on options etc. That’s equal to around $34,500 in 2018 just to give you perspective on this ILX’s MSRP. Acura is used to pricing their entry-level models so high.
Besides the new front end look bringing this ILX in line with the rest of its lineup which, by the way, looks fantastic, literally 80 percent of everything else is a case of “what’s old is new again.” The foundation of its engine, the K24Z, has been in production since 2007, and that aforementioned chassis is just four years newer.
Sure, for 2019 you get the equivalent of Honda Sensing Suite of drivers assistance which enables an active cruise control-like driving experience. In addition, there are five new colors
The 2019 ILX is offered in seven exterior colors, including five all-new hues – Platinum White Pearl, Majestic Black Pearl2, Performance Red Pearl2, Canyon Bronze Metallic2 and A-Spec-exclusive Apex Blue Pearl2
Not to mention that sportier looking A-Spec model.
But, by and large, this price drop is to get marginally more ILX buyers into the fold.
As I’ve mentioned time and time again, this ILX’s greatest rival is its newer and more affordable and better handling brother, the Civic. Even the top-level Honda Civic Touring is a slightly better value at just $900 more although that CVT might be a performance killer comparing it to Acura’s exclusive 8-speed dual clutch.
Sucks to those ILX owners who financed 2018 models and could’ve waited a couple weeks for this refreshed one at a cheaper price.
The 2019 Acura ILX hits dealership floors on Oct. 10.
