Acura ILX Production Model...

[CALL_911]

It's just popular to hate on Acura. Their cars aren't exciting, but they are still well built and offer a balanced package for average consumers.

The grille sucks but that's the only reason to have a visceral reaction to the brand IMO.

You can't deny that Acura has stagnated in the past few years, along with Honda.

[ifcar]

Aside from fleet sales, how well have the S40 and A3 done?

Also, isn't that market covered by the TSX, which has done quite well?

The TSX is much bigger, and feels it.

The S40 (not counting V50 and C30 versions) sold some 25,000 in 2005 and 2006 (when it was still fresh), then dropped pretty quickly from there. I don't know if it was already fleet-heavy at that point, but that's solid for a minor brand and fielding a not terribly outstanding product.

[93JC]

Also, isn't that market covered by the TSX, which has done quite well?

TSX is being eliminated. TL will shrink a tiny bit and RL will grow. Instead of having three sedans that are very close in size as it is now there will be a compact ILX, midsize TL and large RL.

I can see the ILX being nothing but a curio in the US (simply because of its size, let alone its price) but at least they're making a concerted effort at making a good compact and will subsequently differentiate the rest of the sedans better.

[Cookie Monster]

To be honest, I don't like the back end that much, but I'd totally take one with the 2.4 and 6 speed.

[2o6]

It's just popular to hate on Acura. Their cars aren't exciting, but they are still well built and offer a balanced package for average consumers.

The grille sucks but that's the only reason to have a visceral reaction to the brand IMO.

I dunno, that sounds like a statement a GM guy would say circa 2003.



Although styling isn't exactly pretty, I think the fault lies in the fact that the only competitive model they seem to have is maybe the TSX. (Which I find to be ugly, but that's beside the point) The RL is far too old to be sold today, the TL is hideous and expensive for what you're getting, the new ILX has lame powertrains and looks to be a class below the Lexus CT in terms of economy and (if Honda's recent efforts are to go by) build quality, too. Then the RDX and MDX seem to be non-events in their respective classes, but I can't say anything about actual sales, so I don't know too much on that one.





I think it's sad. 5 years ago, Honda/Acura seemed to be on the right track. Now, their cars are almost flat-out undesirable.

See, my problem isn't so much with the ILX as it is the segment to begin with. I can't wrap my head around who would buy an ILX or a Verano.

Old people and young professionals (women).

To be honest, I don't like the back end that much, but I'd totally take one with the 2.4 and 6 speed.

For the price, I don't think I would.

[ifcar]

TSX is being eliminated. TL will shrink a tiny bit and RL will grow. Instead of having three sedans that are very close in size as it is now there will be a compact ILX, midsize TL and large RL.

"Acura says the compact will be priced "well below $30,000" and will not replace the TSX, which currently starts just south of $30,000."

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/02/2013-acura-ilx-at-the-2012-chicago-auto-show.html

[2o6]

"Acura says the compact will be priced "well below $30,000" and will not replace the TSX, which currently starts just south of $30,000."

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/02/2013-acura-ilx-at-the-2012-chicago-auto-show.html

That must be a retraction, because up until now, Acura had been touting the ILX as a TSX replacement.

[Xer0]

Then the RDX and MDX seem to be non-events in their respective classes, but I can't say anything about actual sales, so I don't know too much on that one.

The MDX is one of the best cars in its class and is Acura's best seller for good reason.  Its about their only product that they haven't screwed up.

I think lower spec TLs, especially after the refresh, are decent cars too.

[SVT32V]

Someone who wants a premium car, doesn't equate bigger with better, and doesn't want a BMW 3-Series price tag -- the Volvo S40/Audi A3 market, basically, taking advantage of the fact that those two are each nearly a decade old by now.

With regular cars having so much content in the under/low $30K range, is this really premium other than the acura badge?

I would think a BMW 1 series pulls off entry premium much better than the ill-X, or a mini-cooper for that matter.

[ifcar]

With regular cars having so much content in the under/low $30K range, is this really premium other than the acura badge?

I would think a BMW 1 series pulls off entry premium much better than the ill-X, or a mini-cooper for that matter.

The 1-Series isn't going to get mainstream customers until it has more space and more than four doors, and the other fully-loaded cars tend to be bigger. As long as Acura (and Buick) have better interior quality and a quieter, more sophisticated drive than something like a Mazda3, they'll hit a niche.

[SVT32V]

Wow, the base engine is a SOHC with 150 hp, welcome to 1993. The top engine only makes 200 at 7K, not very inspiring, not much of a redline for a little 4cyl.

I am not sure it will seem so refined with such underpowered lumps under the hood.

[Raza]

Overall I don't understand the hate for this car. Yes, it's quite 'understated' in its execution. Perhaps even boring. But it's a hell of a lot better than the Civic's milquetoast refresh.

Milquetoast!  Great word choice.

[Raza]

It's just popular to hate on Acura. Their cars aren't exciting, but they are still well built and offer a balanced package for average consumers.

The grille sucks but that's the only reason to have a visceral reaction to the brand IMO.

Hideous and overpriced are two good reasons to hate on Acura.  How do you build a brand where all your models are based on old Honda Accords?

[Laconian]

Hideous is subjective - the TL now looks pretty good and one would assume that look would propagate to the rest of the lineup. They aren't overpriced, either; they're very well priced vis-a-vis the offerings from Volvo, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, and the rest of the second-tier luxury segment.

[Raza]

Hideous is subjective - the TL now looks pretty good and one would assume that look would propagate to the rest of the lineup. They aren't overpriced, either; they're very well priced vis-a-vis the offerings from Volvo, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, and the rest of the second-tier luxury segment.

They're overpriced for a bunch of ugly old Accords. 

[93JC]

"Acura says the compact will be priced "well below $30,000" and will not replace the TSX, which currently starts just south of $30,000."

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/02/2013-acura-ilx-at-the-2012-chicago-auto-show.html

I didn't say it was a direct replacement, did I? I just said the TSX was going away.

[2o6]

Hideous is subjective - the TL now looks pretty good and one would assume that look would propagate to the rest of the lineup. They aren't overpriced, either; they're very well priced vis-a-vis the offerings from Volvo, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, and the rest of the second-tier luxury segment.

I disagree totally. IMO the TL's problem was never the grille. It was the horrible proportions, fussy-yet-bland detailing, and general awkard fascias and styling. The grille makes it slightly better, but the car still looks like crap.

[YO]

I prefer long in the tooth fwd Audis/tarted up jettas with overdone nopi/walmart headlights...

Hideous and overpriced are two good reasons to hate on Acura.  How do you build a brand where all your models are based on old Honda Accords?

[sportyaccordy]

What the hell? Why would Acura replace the most competitive car in its lineup?

Same reason they dumped solid names like "Integra" and "Legend" for TLSHAWDOMGWTFBBQ. They want to remain a nice brand and love the challenge of having to start over.

Honda has really fallen off the wagon. The trajectory they've made over the last decade is downright depressing.