2013 Acura ILX
Acura has been selling a Civic-based compact sedan called the CSX in other markets (including Canada) for several years; we reviewed one in 2007 and found it to be little more than, well, a gussied-up Civic. I expected more of the same from the ILX, but Acura has gone out of their way to differentiate this car from it's Honda platform-mate. The ILX will hit showrooms in the spring of 2012 with a starting price around $30,000. Engine choices include a 2-liter base engine, the 2.4 liter engine and 6-speed manual found in the Civic Si, and a gas-electric drivetrain borrowed from the Honda Civic Hybrid. This will be Acura's first hybrid, but EPA fuel economy estimates are only 35 MPG city/35 MPG highway. (At least the Lexus HS 250h need no longer suffer alone.)
