Auto blog

2019 Acura ILX gets a makeover with more standard safety features

The 2019 Acura ILX compact luxury sedan has finally been redesigned to fit the look introduced by the TLX and RDX. According to Acura, the entire nose from the A-pillar forward and the whole rear fascia have been changed. Up front the car has the pentagonal grille and angry LED lights that are Acura signatures, and they're complemented by crisply creased sheetmetal across the rest of the car. The results are a far sportier, far less anonymous machine. The car will continue to be available in normal and A-Spec versions, with the latter consisting mainly of appearance items such as 18-inch wheels, dark trim and lights, and a rear spoiler. Exterior enhancements are the primary change to the new ILX. The interior is nearly unchanged except the A-Spec has some stylish sport seats similar to those in the RDX A-Spec. Acura also says the infotainment system has been upgraded to be faster, and it has fresh graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. But this is not the system found in the completely new RDX, just an updated version of the current infotainment. The last big upgrade to the ILX is the inclusion of the complete AcuraWatch suite of safety features on all ILX models. This includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and road departure mitigation. Aside from these changes, the ILX is still pretty much the same as the old one. Under the skin is the same naturally aspirated 201-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder as the current model. It's still coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and powers solely the front wheels. The 2019 ILX goes on sale in October, but pricing has not yet been announced. Related Video:

2025 Acura ADX teased as the new entry-level crossover

Acura’s SUVs might not have the luxury cache that models from Lexus and others bring to the table, but their sporty looks and somewhat spritely performance have kept them relevant enough. The automaker is growing its lineup in 2025 with the addition of the ADX, an Integra-based crossover positioned as the new entry point to the Acura catalog. The ADX joins the long-running RDX, MDX, and the new, all-electric ZDX crossover. AcuraÂ’s fourth SUV will get a turbocharged engine and slot under the RDX as a smaller, less expensive option to attract younger buyers. A fourth utility vehicle only expands AcuraÂ’s catalog to six models overall, which is still far short of the expansive though somewhat repetitive Lexus lineup, which offers hybrids and several variants of some models. Emile Korkor, AcuraÂ’s AVP of national sales, said, “The 2025 Acura ADX will add a fourth SUV to our lineup and a new gateway model ready to build on the incredible success of Integra, helping make Acura a destination brand for a new generation of buyers. With the first-ever ADX and all-electric ZDX, the Acura lineup will have SUVs covered from A to Z.” Acura didnÂ’t share any other details about the ADX, but its pricing will likely land somewhere in the mid-to-high-$30,000 range to start. ThatÂ’s roughly midway between the IntegraÂ’s $31,800 starting price and the base RDXÂ’s $44,350 MSRP. If its powertrain matches up with the IntegraÂ’s, performance will be lively, but it wouldnÂ’t be out of the question to see a hybrid pulled from the Civic or other Honda at some point down the line. Beyond the new SUVs, Acura updated the flagship MDX for 2025. Changes include refreshed styling with new wheel designs for some trims and the removal of the frustrating touchpad infotainment system that never really became easier to use over time. In its place is a new 12.3-inch touchscreen that early reviews suggest is a significant improvement.     Acura Crossover SUV

Editors' Picks March 2022 | Acura RDX, VW GLI and a Rolls-Royce

This month's Editors' Picks offer a little something at every budget. We call out a performance car as cheap as the Volkswagen GLI, but the Rolls-Royce Ghost also manages to make its way on to the list. Of course, very few folks can afford a Ghost, but that doesn't change the fact that it's an engineering master class. In addition to these options, we also dive into the compact luxury SUV market, one that is bursting with choices. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get EditorsÂ’ Pick status. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in March that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2022 Acura RDX Quick take: The RDX ticks a lot of boxes for a great price. It drives better than expected, offers excellent tech, has plenty of room and even looks the part. Score: 7.0 What it competes with: Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, Lexus NX, Infiniti QX50, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Genesis GV70, Porsche Macan, Jaguar F-Pace, Lincoln Corsair Pros: Value, driving dynamics, space Cons: Infotainment is polarizing, midgrade interior From the editors Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — "The RDX is a bit of a sleeper in this segment. It drives far better than many of its competitors, and it doesn't let you down in any particular area. If you were thinking of buying an entry-level option from one of the Germans, make sure you take the RDX into account, because you'll likely end up with more tech and features for an even lower price. News Editor Joel Stocksdale — "The Acura RDX is an impressive value in the small luxury SUV segment. It starts in the low $40,000 price range, and provides loads of standard convenience and safety features. Everything is packaged in a sharp and surprisingly spacious package, too. It's also nimble and has a punchy engine that makes it fun to drive. You may find some competitors that surpass it in some areas, but the Acura offers about the most for the money of anything in the segment." In-depth analysis: 2022 Acura RDX Review | Value-packed and surprisingly sporty   2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Quick take: The GLI offers excellent driving dynamics and great styling for someone who doesn't want a hatchback. It's pricey, but it's worth it.