Acura ILX - Dumbest Ad In History

[Minority5]

My flame suit is firmly on as I say this - there isn't a single Buick I'd even begin to consider versus a comparable class Acura. To be fair, I wouldn't consider an ILX either...The pre-entry level lux segment makes no sense to me when I can load up a normal brand sedan with all the goodies for a better price.

Now Buick versus Lincoln? We can talk.

Except that the Verano is better in every way then the ILX. Other than that, your point is spot on.

[Autobahn]

Saw one on the freeway today. The styling was completely underwhelming. New cars usually hold my attention span for more than a few seconds but all I thought after a quick glance was, "another poor effort by Acura..." I really did think it was going to be one of those cars that look better in person than in photos.

[bronson75]

Reminds me of this:

[dcmix5]

That is from Neal over at ToV and I agree that the ILX would be pretty kick ass in that configuration.

He has some mad photoshop skills and dolls up various Honda/Acura creations based off of what they could look like given existing models.

Look at the RE:KEENED album on this link and you'll see the Honda/Acura mocks he has done.

http://issuu.com/nealmcdaniel

i think the ILX could do better if it were offered like this.

[P-Body]

Except that the Verano is better in every way then the ILX. Other than that, your point is spot on.

You bought one..your opinion isn't surprising.

The ILX doesn't compete with the Buick. It competes with the IS250, the and to a lesser extent, stuff like the A3 and S60. The Buick plays with the uplevel Jettas and the like.

[dcmix5]

You bought one..your opinion isn't surprising.

The ILX doesn't compete with the Buick. It competes with the IS250, the and to a lesser extent, stuff like the A3 and S60. The Buick plays with the uplevel Jettas and the like.

Why does Acura list the Verano as a default competitor then?

http://www.acura.com/tools/Competiti...33980#v0=33980

[P-Body]

Why does Acura list the Verano as a default competitor then?

http://www.acura.com/tools/Competiti...33980#v0=33980

Because I'm right and they're wrong.

[dcmix5]

It could be that you are less confused than they are, and that wouldn't surprise me.

[Minority5]

You bought one..your opinion isn't surprising.

The ILX doesn't compete with the Buick. It competes with the IS250, the and to a lesser extent, stuff like the A3 and S60. The Buick plays with the uplevel Jettas and the like.

Actually, we only have one until September, then the wife will get the Malibu 2.0T. It's quite obvious from your post ls that you've never driven the Acura. Other than the numb steering, less horsepower, harsher ride, inferior noise suppression, less comfortable seats and the fact that it has 30 to 50 less horsepower, and a lesser infotainment system, the Acura is so worth paying an extra $2000 for. The ILX as a product is inferior, but if you want to dry hump anything that Honda slaps an Acura badge on, carry on. Let's not reality cloud this discussion.

[AKADriver]

Nothing wrong with the Civic today that the ILX doesn't fix from what I've seen.

Nope, the ILX still has struts and is dull to drive.

Sorry, as much as I like the ST, the MS3 and the WRX, those are juvenile looking cars from non-premium brands. Nothing bad to say about their drive, but they look like tuner-mobiles. The GTI is better, but still 'just' a VW.

The irony here does seem to be that the only people I know who are concerned about how "mature" and "premium" their cars are, are immature ballin'-on-a-budget single guys.

I also think it's a somewhat immature statement to make about the 'bookshelves vs. cars' argument, and somewhat indicative of why TCL almost never is right when it comes to vehicle popularity in the mass market.

I'm proud to be wrong about what the masses buy. I'm sitting here in my armchair making fun of ridiculous advertising. The mass market is just out there consuming it at face value.

The ILX and IS250 would be great cars if they actually delivered on all the good things we remember about older eras of BMW 3-series and Integras and so on, but they don't. They've got the trim size and moderate power but not the excitement.

[Chris Stack]

The irony here does seem to be that the only people I know who are concerned about how "mature" and "premium" their cars are, are immature ballin'-on-a-budget single guys.

honestly, I don't care about "premium" but I'd feel like a colossal tool driving a winged and vented, etc, WRX or Evo to work. I've always wanted a 2.3T SH-AWD TsX as some sort of "big boy" Evo (or inexpensive reliable S4)

[curvedinfinity]

Why does Acura list the Verano as a default competitor then?

http://www.acura.com/tools/Competiti...33980#v0=33980

I got a kick out of how the "comparably equipped price" is $3,400 less on the Verano on this tool. That has to be an oversight since they could have toyed with the prices/definitions until they found a way to make the Verano more expensive "comparably equipped".

PS, I like the ILX. I think this segment is cool in general, and the ILX serves a good niche for reliable, economical, and somewhat luxurious transportation. Also looks pretty cool IMO.

[Minority5]

I got a kick out of how the "comparably equipped price" is $3,400 less on the Verano on this tool. That has to be an oversight since they could have toyed with the prices/definitions until they found a way to make the Verano more expensive "comparably equipped".

PS, I like the ILX. I think this segment is cool in general, and the ILX serves a good niche for reliable, economical, and somewhat luxurious transportation. Also looks pretty cool IMO.

Another slam dunk for Acura

[Aonarch]

Going after the SINK/DINK buyer segment that has money to spend and doesn't need the space of a larger car/CUV/SUV.

Makes plenty of sense to me, but then again I am in the target demographic.

I'm DINK as well. Love it, my situation not the ad.

[dcmix5]

Given early adopter excitement and great marketing, looks like Acura sold a bit over 1000 of the ILX in the first full month of sales.

IT IS HOT>>>HOT I TELL YOU

They should have no problem hitting their 40,000 a year sales target with this beauty. I mean, it shouldn't be difficult to triple sales as time passes.

[Mike!]

Given early adopter excitement and great marketing, looks like Acura sold a bit over 1000 of the ILX in the first full month of sales.

IT IS HOT>>>HOT I TELL YOU

They should have no problem hitting their 40,000 a year sales target with this beauty. I mean, it shouldn't be difficult to triple sales as time passes.

What you did there... I believe I may have seen it

What Acura's ad wanted to make you feel:



What it actually made you feel:

[Tiero]

honestly, I don't care about "premium" but I'd feel like a colossal tool driving a winged and vented, etc, WRX or Evo to work. I've always wanted a 2.3T SH-AWD TsX as some sort of "big boy" Evo (or inexpensive reliable S4)

Do you work in finance by any chance?

[a2a4raddo]

Actually, we only have one until September, then the wife will get the Malibu 2.0T. It's quite obvious from your post ls that you've never driven the Acura. Other than the numb steering, less horsepower, harsher ride, inferior noise suppression, less comfortable seats and the fact that it has 30 to 50 less horsepower, and a lesser infotainment system, the Acura is so worth paying an extra $2000 for. The ILX as a product is inferior, but if you want to dry hump anything that Honda slaps an Acura badge on, carry on. Let's not reality cloud this discussion.

Its pretty obvious from your post that you have never driven and compared an ilx to a verano. Having driven both in the same day, The ILX drives much better then a Verano. The seats in the ilx are actually more comfortable to sit in (my friend who i was with agreed). The verano feels like a buick, so i agree..the suspension is more plush....but that also translates into way more understeer and body roll. The Verano feels like a much larger car then it is behind the wheel. I didnt notice that one was quieter then the other. I also found the infotainment system in the ilx to greater, not lesser. lastly, the steering feel in the ilx was superior to that of the verano. We also drove an Audi A3 that day and found that to be on par with the ilx in regards to driving feel (both being miles better then the verano). overall, we both liked the A3 better then either and the Verano was a solid last place.


I wouldnt buy either car (verano or ilx)

[JLJetta]

A new ILX print ad, with the car and tag line above it:

"The kind of car your dad would have driven if he hadn't had you"

Can someone tell me what the **** that means?

How is it dumb?

It got YOUR attention enough for YOU to post about it!

[Mike!]

How is it dumb?

It got YOUR attention enough for YOU to post about it!

Much like how an Aztek gets one's attention enough for them to comment on how ugly it is...

[dcmix5]

How is it dumb?

It got YOUR attention enough for YOU to post about it!

I am posting this from my phone...buying an ILX hybrid as we speak because of this ad. For only $38k TTL, I think I am getting a pretty good deal for 111 horsepower.

[VR6boi65]

My dad and his business partner had 930's on order for European delivery when he got the call. I feel obligated to get him a Porsche somehow before it's too late.

[thebanker]

The acura ILX.

Don't. Want.

It looks like a Camry and a Civic had sex and gave the kid up for adoption, and years later their bland child appears and says it deserves respect.

Who is buying these things?

[manol2]

This is the dumbest car to come out in a long time - looks, pricing, design, marketing - everything is wrong,
Feel bad for whoever buys it. You're better of in a $17k base Focus

[thebanker]

Acura is very good at making the back of the car look cool. The front - not so much.

Why they insist on this bird-beak "power plenum" design is beyond me...

[Xetabur]

son, because of you i had to buy a civic instead of an ilx. i am a dumbass dissapoint.

I can't stop laughing at this.

[thebanker]

More like, son, because of your existence I have to drive this stupid ILX. I am disappoint.

[Minority5]

Its pretty obvious from your post that you have never driven and compared an ilx to a verano. Having driven both in the same day, The ILX drives much better then a Verano. The seats in the ilx are actually more comfortable to sit in (my friend who i was with agreed). The verano feels like a buick, so i agree..the suspension is more plush....but that also translates into way more understeer and body roll. The Verano feels like a much larger car then it is behind the wheel. I didnt notice that one was quieter then the other. I also found the infotainment system in the ilx to greater, not lesser. lastly, the steering feel in the ilx was superior to that of the verano. We also drove an Audi A3 that day and found that to be on par with the ilx in regards to driving feel (both being miles better then the verano). overall, we both liked the A3 better then either and the Verano was a solid last place.


I wouldn't buy either car (verano or ilx)

Actually we had the opportunity of driving the Acura for two days at a ride and drive event two weeks ago. If you didn't notice the Buick to have a quieter ride over expansion joints, the ILX to have steering that is slightly numb off center, or the fact that it's louder at both WOT and at 80 mph--not to mention MyLink vs. the standard Acura setup is not even worth discussing--then this isn't worth discussing. And speaking of last place, that's where the ILX ended up when racing the Verano Turbo around Milford at our ride and drive--we actually had to park the Acura after 12 laps after the brake pads started smoking. But hey if you love Honda, good for you

[a2a4raddo]

Actually we had the opportunity of driving the Acura for two days at a ride and drive event two weeks ago. If you didn't notice the Buick to have a quieter ride over expansion joints, the ILX to have steering that is slightly numb off center, or the fact that it's louder at both WOT and at 80 mph--not to mention MyLink vs. the standard Acura setup is not even worth discussing--then this isn't worth discussing. And speaking of last place, that's where the ILX ended up when racing the Verano Turbo around Milford at our ride and drive--we actually had to park the Acura after 12 laps after the brake pads started smoking. But hey if you love Honda, good for you

The buick vs acura was a wash in regards interior noise. Yes, the Acura is louder at WOT (and thats a good thing, as i want to hear the motor screaming when i get on it)...but idle & cruising is pretty much a wash. I may be mistaken, but iirc..the salesman told us the ILX's ANC disables at WOT to allow you to hear the engine better.

Inside line backs this up.

Verano (ILX)
Sound level @ idle (dB) 43.8 (42.5)
@ Full throttle (dB) 69.3 (77.5)
@ 70 mph cruise (dB) 65.1 (65.6)

I did not drive base model's, so i cant commment on Acuras standard setup. That said, the Tech package i did drive had what i found to be a much better set up then in the loaded up Verano.

In regards to steering feel, The ILX is slightly numb off center...but still miles better then what i felt in the Buick....which again..feels like just that...a buick. Its much heavier, not nearly as tossable, the ssteering and brake feel didnt feel as responsive, the body roll and tire scrubbing through tight corners was far greater. The Interior looked much nicer in the Verano, however...it did not feel nearly as comfortable inside. Specifically the seats (which neither me, my 6'4" friend, or his 5'4" wife found comfortable to be in).

Lastly, my love or lack of love for Honda has little to do with these objective findings. And my friend purchased an A3 at the end of the day....as that vehicle was the best all around package in both our opinions....albeit a bit pricey when comparably equiped.

[Minority5]

The buick vs acura was a wash in regards interior noise.Yes, the Acura is louder at WOT

So it is louder. Let's not be coy and pretend that there are things that lend to a sense of quietness through D/E process that can silence frequencies that the human hear can pick up that a DB meter can miss. (See VW Golf vs. Mazda 3) Since you like to quote journalists, here is a preview of what to expect from the inevitable Verano Turbo vs ILX comparisons:

The ILX is definitely quieter than a Civic, though not exceptionally quiet, and not as serene as the Buick Verano. Rather than a pitter-patter when traversing pavement cracks and tar patches, the tires emit more of a distant low-frequency drumbeat. Some of our editors complained of more-sustained tire noise on the highway.

The ILX achieves its targets by being quieter and feeling more substantial, especially with its deluxe Acura interior, though some road noise and “be-blunk!” from the all-season tires smacking pavement irregularities are audible.

But give Buick engineers credit for treating noise, vibration, and harshness as the evil troika it is. Cavities have been stuffed with sound-deadening material, both sides of the dash are insulated, the windshield and side glass are laminated, and a set of underbody panels blocks rain sizzle and tread noise. Five tuned chambers subdue the engine’s induction roar. As a result, the Verano goes beyond library quiet to achieve the peace and tranquillity of a vacant coal mine.

See the beginning of my post. This bolded part is extremely important.

The Interior looked much nicer in the Verano, however...it did not feel nearly as comfortable inside. Specifically the seats (which neither me, my 6'4" friend, or his 5'4" wife found comfortable to be in).

The optional (Verano) leather seats are as good as anything in GM's line, including Cadillacs, with perhaps the supplest front headrests in the business.

Let's wrap this up, because the terms 'beat' and 'horse' are starting to come to mind:

We do think Acura is charging too much for the 2013 ILX. The car itself, while not terribly exciting to drive, is a pretty nice way to get from point A to point B, but so is the Buick Verano, which, with a starting price of $23,470, is several thousand dollars cheaper. If you want a sportier option, we suggest you wait for the upcoming turbocharged Verano that will be available with a six-speed manual – we predict that car will come pretty well equipped for about the same price as the ILX 2.4, except that it will have navigation, a big LCD screen in the dash and considerably more than the ILX's maximum of 201 horsepower.

Trim for trim, anyone not badge blinded will find it hard to justify the premium for the Acura. And when you add the Verano Turbo to the mix with backup camera, blind spot detection and it's cheaper--it's a better product. The end.

[a2a4raddo]

So it is louder.






See the beginning of my post. This bolded part is extremely important.





Let's wrap this up, because the terms 'beat' and horse are starting to come to mind:



Trim for trim, anyone not badge blinded will find it hard to justify the premium for the Acura. And when you add the Verano Turbo to the mix with backup camera, blind spot detection and it's cheaper--it's a better product.

Yep, its louder....@WOT....exactly what i want. I want to hear the engine screaming @ WOT. at idle and cruising...its basically a wash as pointed out.

As for the seats, again...i as well as both people i was with found the seats in the ILX to be far more comfortable. The fact that Motertrend thinks they as good as anything from GM's parts bin doesnt tell me they are great, it tells me the seats in the caddy arnt great. Because frankly, i found the seats in the Buick to be trash in regards to support and how well they fit my body. My friend who is 6'4" felt the same way, as did his very small wife.

In regards to price, i felt the Acura was worth the premium over the buick if you are looking for a sporty car. If you are looking for a plush ride, then its a huge waste of money. My friend who was looking for a sporty entry level luxo car found the Audi to be the best fit (as did i) and the Verano to be dead last.

That said, we sampled the 180HP Verano (loaded), 150 & 201HP ILX's, and the A3 2.0T.

[Minority5]

Yep, its louder....@WOT....exactly what i want. I want to hear the engine screaming @ WOT. at idle and cruising...its basically a wash as pointed out.

Stop moving the goalposts. I said the ILX is noisier. You disagreed. Your wrong. How about the rest of the issues as far as rain sizzle and tire slap/hum? Care to talk about that? A@@'s are like OP--everyone has one. But out of the 15 people who tried the Verano's seats, none had the issues you had. A greater sampling size (Hell, throw in two more if you include my house hold. So 17 people didn't have the issues that you had. Subjective much?

[a2a4raddo]

Stop moving the goalposts. I said the ILX is noisier. You disagreed. Your wrong. How about the rest of the issues as far as rain sizzle and tire slap/hum? Care to talk about that? A@@'s are like OP--everyone has one. But out of the 15 people who tried the Verano's seats, none had the issues you had. A greater sampling size (Hell, throw in two more if you include my house hold. So 17 people didn't have the issues that you had. Subjective much?

correct, you said the ilx is noiser and i did disagree. And still disagree. At idle its slightly quiter, cruising its slightly louder. The diff. either way is almost too small to measure with a human ear. The Verano is only noticably quieter @ WOT. And thats exactly where i dont want it to be quiet. I'm not moving goalposts at all.

Cant discuss rain sizzle, as i have not driven both cars int he rain. Tire slap/hum is not something i noticed with either car. That said, both companys took measures to reduce noise coming from the tires as well as the pebbles they kick up. For example, the ILX's fender liners arn't plastic, but some sort of commercial grade cloth material.

And yes, most of this is very subjective. I still dont buy that you have driven both back to back. And if you have, then you are simply a honda hater. Which is fine. But having driven both, i found the ILX to be a better car....albeit a more expensive car. On that same token, the A3 was better yet....and more expensive yet.

[Minority5]

correct, you said the ilx is noiser and i did disagree. And still disagree. At idle its slightly quiter, cruising its slightly louder. The diff. either way is almost too small to measure with a human ear. The Verano is only noticably quieter @ WOT. And thats exactly where i dont want it to be quiet. I'm not moving goalposts at all.

Cant discuss rain sizzle, as i have not driven both cars int he rain. Tire slap/hum is not something i noticed with either car. That said, both companys took measures to reduce noise coming from the tires as well as the pebbles they kick up. For example, the ILX's fender liners arn't plastic, but some sort of commercial grade cloth material.

And yes, most of this is very subjective. I still dont buy that you have driven both back to back. And if you have, then you are simply a honda hater. Which is fine. But having driven both, i found the ILX to be a better car....albeit a more expensive car. On that same token, the A3 was better yet....and more expensive yet.

You've been pretty much wrong since you decided to run into this thread and respond to me. Its pretty obvious to anyone with a degree of reading comprehension. Yes I'm a Honda hater, along with every other journalist who has driven both. We could go into MFP or metrics or whatever you want to hide behind--- your wrong. Or you can wait until the Verano Turbo is released and magazine race. No one agrees with your driving assessment of the Verano. And for some reason, your baseless doubt about what I drove won't keep me up at night. I'm glad to be part of a product renaissance which includes cars engineered and designed for true enthusiasts

[curvedinfinity]

Between the ILX and Verano, neither of which I have driven -- only have I peered into windows -- I think the Verano is the better overall value. However, I see the Verano as more of a spork to the ILX's spoon. The ILX represents a more focused solution in my eyes, though a more dull one, where the Verano's attempt to do too many things at once dilutes its purpose.

But once again, I think the Verano's price is low enough that it would be no contest in my book. I saw a Verano at the dealer for $23,500 on the sticker, and the interior was gorgeous for that price. I didn't see any evidence of it missing important equipment so as to encourage buying the next trim up. It was a great value IMO, and I could live with its deficits considering its strengths.