(September 6, 2018) TORRANCE, Calif. — Acura's gateway sport sedan, the refreshed and "significantly upgraded" 2019 ILX, debuted this week, ahead of its October market launch. Continuing to capture the highest percentage of millennial buyers of any model in-segment, the 2019 ILX delivers a sportier and more sophisticated design, premium cabin materials, tech-savvy features and distinctive A-Spec sport appearance variant.

With the application of Acura's signature Diamond Pentagon Grille to the 2019 ILX, the transformation of the brand's design language, inspired by the Acura Precision Concept, now stretches across its line-up.

Additional upgrades for 2019 include standard AcuraWatch active safety and driver-assistive technology and more luxurious and sporty cabin appointments, as well as an available quicker, more responsive dual-screen user interface with updated graphics, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

For 2019, ILX gets a styling refresh to deliver a more sporty and premium vibe. ILX is all-new from the A-pillars forward — inspired by the Acura Precision Concept. The new face of ILX emanates from Acura's signature Diamond Pentagon Grille, framed by 7-element Acura Jewel Eye LED headlights and a more sharply sculpted hood. The Precision Concept styling theme continues at the rear with an all-new decklid, fascia, LED taillights and lower diffuser with exposed exhaust outlet. All-new wheel designs for 2019 include a 17-inch split-5 spoke wheel with trim specific finishes and an A-Spec exclusive 18-inch wheel.

What Acura did not do was increase horsepower or offer a higher-performance variant for 2019. All ILX models are still powered by a naturally aspirated 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Acura says the ILX serves a unique and important role as the gateway vehicle to the Acura brand, bringing in the most first-time Acura customers and youngest buyers. ILX also remains a top choice in the entry luxury segment, gaining more than four points of retail market share in the first half of the year and capturing the highest percentage of millennials of any model in segment, something it has done in every year since 2013.

ILX recently topped industry quality rankings in its segment, receiving a Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5 and a quality award in the Small Premium Car segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). Acura ILX also captured the top spot in the entry-luxury car category in Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own Luxury Brand Awards — with Acura the #1 ranked brand for the third year in a row.



Inside, the 2019 Acura ILX receives more intricately styled and reshaped sport seats, front and rear, with available high-contrast piping and stitching. All ILXs now feature power adjustable lumbar for the driver's seat. Additional interior enhancements include a silver-finished dash trim with a chrome insert and a machine-finished push-button start.

The new ILX A-Spec, available with Premium and Technology Packages, joins the TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX sport-utes in receiving the latest-generation A-Spec treatment, with a more distinctive and easily recognizable performance-inspired character, inside and out.

On the exterior, the new ILX A-Spec is distinguished by dark chrome trim for the front grille and lower fascia, LED fog lights, dark appearance for the headlights and taillights, and a gloss-black decklid spoiler. A-Spec models feature 18-inch wheels with an aggressive new design and Shark Gray finish. Apex Blue Pearl, also found on A-Spec variants of RDX and MDX, is now available on the ILX A-Spec.