Acura is trying to create a bit more distance between Honda’s Civic and its own ILX with a facelifted version that had its world premiere today at the LA Auto Show. Make no mistake; it’s still a Honda Civic at heart, just a tad different / better than before.
Visually, the 2016 ILX was freshened up with details straight from Acura’s other models like the standard Jewel-Eye LED headlights together with a new and slightly less beak-y grille, redesigned bumpers on both ends, and a new set of tail light clusters. The 17-inch wheels are also new for 2016.
To give the ILX some sportiness, Acura has added a new A-SPEC package that features side sill garnish, a subtle trunk spoiler, front fog lights and new 18-inch machined alloy wheels with gloss black inserts.
On the inside and besides what Acura describes as “Euro-style [sic] stitching” on the steering wheel, parking brake handle and shift knob, the facelift brings upgraded interior materials and different silver trim on the dash. The A-SPEC model gets a black interior, including the headliner and perforated black Lux Suede seat inserts, plus red instrument illumination, gray interior stitching and aluminum brake and pedals.
There’s also new standard and available equipment features such as the new two-position driver’s seat memory function, a 4-way power passenger seat, Homelink remote, and Acura’s On-Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) with upper 8-inch display screen and lower 7-inch touchscreen for Premium and above trim levels.
Under the hood, Acura has already discontinued the hybrid version and for the 2016MY, it’s doing away with the 2.0-liter four-pot as well, placing the Civic-sourced 2.4-liter four-cylinder as the new standard engine of the range.
It produces 201hp and at 6,800 rpm and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm, and is paired to a an 8-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) with torque converter and paddle-controlled Sequential Sport Shift. There’s no mention of a manual gearbox in Acura’s release.
The ILX promises to offer better steering responsiveness and handling due to a retuned suspension.
Finally, Acura says the 2016 ILX has a quieter cabin than before thanks to extra noise-insulating materials, a thicker front-side door glass, noise attenuating wheels, and the addition of Active Noise Control technology.
Prices have not yet been released.
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