If you want to be competitive, you have to be up to date. That’s the reason why the 2023 Acura ILX is about to come redesigned finally. Simply, the current generation has been around for way too long and it’s time for changes. The current model, which has been around since 2013 is finally to be replaced and while some reports suggest that the successor is about to come in the form of revived Integra nameplate, we believe that these two models could easily co-exist.
This also means that the two models will share a lot of powers, though the ILX will feature a little bit more refined approach. Of course, it will be fun to drive, but we also expect to see improvements regarding interior quality, sound insulation, comfort, tech features and many other things.
Of course, the engine is another thing that comes to mind. We have no doubt that the good-old K24 engine will be replaced and that the new generation will finally get turbo.
At this point, we are still waiting to hear something from the officials, but we are pretty sure that the new generation will hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022.
2023 Acura ILX Redesign
The easiest way to realize how the current ILX is outdated is to see its closest relatives. This sedan has the most things in common with the ninth-generation Civic and doesn’t forget that we’ve seen two more generations of Honda’s best-seller meanwhile. Obviously, there are some significant changes to come with the new 2023 Acura ILX.
Logically, the new model will ride on the new platform, the same one that underpins the current, 11th generation Civic. This means a lot of new things, starting from a chassis that’s lighter and more engaging. The new model should bring sportier handling, along with more direct steering and better brakes. Furthermore, we count on a completely new suspension setup, which will keep the level of athleticism high, without sacrificing ride smoothness.
Exterior
When it comes to the exterior design, one of the things that’s perfectly clear is the body style. Of course, the new 2023 Acura ILX will continue in a typical four-door sedan layout, though we won’t be surprised if we see some size increase. This particularly goes for the wheelbase, which should be notably longer. For reference, the new Civic is good for about 107.7 inches between the wheels, while the outgoing ILX features only 105.1 inches in the wheelbase. Such a notable increase will bring various benefits in terms of interior space and functionality but should improve comfort and stability as well. The new model could grow in other dimensions as well.
On the other hand, it’s still early to talk about the styling. Yes, the typical sedan layout will remain. Still, we could see an even sharper design approach, with a sleeker profile and even more angular design solutions. This particularly refers to the front end, which should adopt the brand’s latest design language, which characterizes the new Acura MDX mid-size crossover. Of course, there is also plenty of room for exclusive styling details.
Interior
This is another aspect of the car that should bring significant changes. Simply, the current generation has been around for too long and that can easily be seen on the dashboard. This dash features an outdated look, while the overall quality isn’t much impressive either. Most materials are plastics, while the build quality isn’t impressive either. Finally, the current model lacks modern tech features and its infotainment system definitely isn’t something you would like to see in a 2023 model year of any car model.
So, what we expect to see from the 2023 Acura ILX is a whole bunch of improvements. First of all, the dashboard should bring a design that’s far more up-to-date. Besides modern aesthetics, we also expect to see much finer materials, while the build quality should be better too. Finally, we count on lots of new tech features, starting from a new infotainment system, more connectivity features and more driver-assistance features.
The longer wheelbase will certainly provide more space on the inside, especially in terms of the rear-seat legroom. Of course, this will positively affect the overall level of comfort. Still, we would also like to see big improvements in terms of sound insulation, as there is plenty of wind and road noise in the current model.
We presume that the new ILX will come with a full load of standard safety features. It should include things like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rearview camera, parking sensors and many more.
2023 Acura ILX Engines
The current model uses a good-old 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, which puts out around 201 horsepower. While that’s a respectable amount of power, the overall ride feels a little bit inferior compared to more modern rivals that use turbo-engines and have much more torque available at lower revs. That’s why we have no doubt that the new 2023 Acura ILX will come with a turbo-four under the hood.
The first engine that comes to mind is a small 1.5-liter turbo-four, the same one that powers the new Civic. Of course, we would expect to see a version that powers the Civic Si, which puts out around 205 horsepower. That seems quite appropriate for a vehicle like this.
Also, we could see a performance version of this sedan, which would probably carry the “Type S” badge. This model could use a 2.0-liter turbo-four, the same one as the Accord, which features a max output of 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.
The current model comes with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and we presume that the new model would come with something similar. Also, we wouldn’t exclude the possibility to see versions with a manual gearbox on the offer.
Finally, we could see some form of electrification in the new 2023 Acura ILX. The current model was available with a hybrid setup but it wasn’t particularly successful. For the new model, the Japanese manufacturer will probably come up with a plug-in hybrid system. Still, make sure to take this with a big reserve.
2023 Acura ILX Release Date and Price
We believe that the 2023 Acura ILX could arrive sometime in the second half of 2022. Also, we presume that the starting price would go somewhere between 30.000 and 35.000 dollars. When it comes to the competition, there aren’t many models left in this segment. Still, German players are still in the game – models like BMW 2 Series, Audi Q3 etc.