LA Auto Show – Acura ILX & Honda HR-V

Yesterday we looked at the new cars and concepts that Infiniti brought to the 2014 LA auto show. Today, we’re moving on to another of the major Japanese automakers, Honda, and their premium sub-brand, Acura. Each organization primarily showcased one car at this year’s LA event, so as you continue reading you’ll learn about the Honda HR-V compact crossover and the Acura ILX premium sedan.

2016 Honda HR-V

As a reminder, we’d already seen the Euro-spec Honda HR-V (aka. the Honda Vezel) earlier this year, but this is the first time were seeing it on North American shores. Just like the Mazda CX-3, the Honda HR-V is aimed at the ever-growing compact crossover segment to contend with the likes of the prodigious Nissan Juke.

The Honda HR-V is built on the underpinnings of the Fit hatchback, but it was developed to feel more like a CR-V both inside and out. The new crossover will also offer drivers a lower priced entry-level crossover than the CR-V could be.

Again, since this is a car that we’ve technically seen before, we won’t spend a great deal of time rehashing the details. The biggest news with the LA debut is that Honda has fitted a larger engine than previously thought in the form of a 1.8L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that outputs 138hp, paired to a G-Design sport CVT, available in both 2WD and AWD. This is an upgrade from the 1.5L unit that Honda was originally expected to borrow from the Fit.

2016 Acura ILX

The original Acura ILX had a bit of a tragic start. It was originally launched as a conservatively priced entry-level premium sedan built on the Honda Civic. However, even though it continues to maintain its position as one of the most economical luxury cars out there, its 2-year lifespan has been filled with complaints that it’s “just a rebadged Civic”. Turns out, premium buyers are willing to pay a little bit extra to jump over to the more prestigious European brands’ entry-level models.

That’s why, even though its original launch was in 2012, Acura is starting over with an all-new ILX for the 2015MY.

For starters, Acura is upgrading performance for the entire range. A four-cylinder 2.4L engine with a hefty 201hp is now standard for all trims, compared to the 2.0L 150hp that powered this year’s ILX. In addition to the more powerful engine, Acura has also integrated a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, complete with a torque converter for smooth-but-sporty driving.

Finally, Acura has added a cornucopia of aesthetic improvements, including new LED headlights, a slightly re-sculpted front- and rear-end, 17-inch wheels as standard, and twice as many trims as ever before. Most notably, the brand-new A-Spec trim offers the type of plush interior that puts this year’s model to shame.

Japanese Car Auction Find – 2007 Honda Civic

While it’s easy to say that the original Acura ILX flopped because Acura didn’t do enough to set it apart from the Honda Civic, the other side of the coin is that the Honda Civic is such a good car that Acura had a hard time raising the bar. So, I thought I’d share this beautiful pearl 2007 Honda Civic up for auction in Gifu.

Since this is a Japanese-spec Honda Civic, this model year gets a 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC engine rated at 140 bhp. You can get a full rundown of the specs and features if you keep reading below the auction sheet:

“Interior B, exterior condition B, first registered December 2007, G model, DBA emissions code, FAT, AAC, airbag, power steering, power windows, seats have minor sagging, moldings scratches, scratches under bumpers, marks as per map”