Review: 2014 Acura ILX Premium w/6-Speed Manual

“What are you driving this week, Andy?” inquired one of my co-workers.

“I’ve got the 2014 Acura ILX,” I said.

“ILX? So, what kind of car is it?” they asked.

“It’s a compact luxury sedan. Think of it as a Honda Civic in a tuxedo.”

I’ve reviewed the ILX in the past, but it was the 2.0-liter model with the automatic transmission. This combo felt somewhat underpowered and certainly wasn’t enthralling to drive. This 2.4 liter model with the magnificent six-speed manual is much more inspired. It’s more than just a Civic in a tuxedo. It’s a Civic in a tuxedo wearing running shoes drinking Red Bull.

In the Driveway: 2014 Acura ILX Premium

In the driveway this week is Acura's compact 2014 ILX Premium sedan. Powered by the same 2.4-liter engine that powers the scrappy Honda Civic Si as well as a precise six-speed manual, the ILX is a more comfortable overall package, albeit, not quite as sporty.

After my drive to work today, I noticed the ride is certainly smoother but the handling isn't quite as racy. Also, the ILX does not have the limited-slip differential like the Civic Si, so you'll have one wheel spinning through harder corners. It is, however, very well appointed inside, it has a great stereo, and that Crimson Garnet paint is gorgeous. I happen to think the ILX looks great and is more attractive than the it's Civic cousin.

More later; stay tuned.

Review: 2013 Acura RDX AWD Tech

There’s nothing wrong with vanilla. It’s a sweet, simple flavor that can be rather good. I mean, when was the last time you heard anyone complain about vanilla ice cream? Granted, some vanilla is better than others.

When “vanilla” is used to describe a car, it usually means boring and bland. But again, vanilla can be silky; it can be refined; it can be classy. This is how I’d classify the 2013 Acura RDX. It isn’t sexy, but it’s smooth and sophisticated. It’s luxurious, but isn’t going to quicken your pulse. It’s basically vanilla.

In the driveway: 2013 Acura RDX AWD Tech

In the driveway this week is Acrua's smallest crossover vehicle, the RDX. No longer powered by a turbocharged four cylinder, the RDX now has a V-6 that gets better fuel economy and is all grown up. It looks bigger than it is, but is definitely at the bigger end of the compact crossover market. The interior is gorgeous, and assuming it's like other Acuras in the lineup, I'm betting it's built rock solid. More on this soon.

In addition, look forward to reviews on the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek and 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye.

Stay tuned.

Review: 2013 Acura ILX Tech: A compact approach to Honda's premium brand

There’s always been a bit of mixed reaction to premium compact cars in this country. Just the idea of a premium compact or subcompact may bring up visions of the woeful 1980s Cadillac Cimarron, which was basically a posh, expensive Chevrolet Cavalier. A few others have tried the formula; there was the Infiniti G20 and Acura’s own Integra as well as the Volvo S40. Audi still offers the A3, Lexus has the smallish ct 200h. You could probably lump the BMW 1 Series and even the MINI brand in there, too. Many of these cars have been gateways into premium or luxury brands. One of the best successes was the Integra, which was sold from 1986 through 2001. The Integra was, of course, replaced by the compact RSX coupe, which was sold until 2006. However, premium small cars have always been a tricky formula. Will buyers shell out extra cash for a leather-clad efficient premium small car? I’d say, other than the A3, MINI, and the Integra, most premium small cars have had lukewarm success here in the States.

Acura, Honda’s premium brand, hasn’t had an entry-level car in the U.S. since the RSX. For 2013, Acura is going to give it another go with the new ILX.

In the driveway: 2013 Acura ILX 2.0

In the driveway this week, despite the photo of the car in this parking lot, is the 2013 Acura ILX. The ILX comes in three distinct flavors: 2.0 with the five-speed auto, the 2.4-liter with the six-speed manual, and Hybrid. This is the 2.0-liter version with automatic and the Technology Package.

Based on the Honda Civic, the ILX is well appointed inside and out. I happen to think it looks more attractive than a 2012 Civic inside and out, too (no offense, Scotty). The 2.0-liter engine makes 150 horsepower and feels adequate, but not much more. It is a smooth engine, especially for a four-pot, and shifts are velvety smooth. This puppy runs just a tick over $30,000 as shown, and it's decked out with all the tech goodies you see here plus HIDs, leather, moonroof, etc.

I can't help but think, will this cannibalize four-cylinder TSX sales? Also, is this model a solution to a non-existent problem? I mean, are people willing to buy a 150 hp compact luxury sedan? While we can't definitively answer these questions, we will drive this over the next week and report back with some of our opinions.

A bit bigger: 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD TECH—A solid performer, a comfortable cruiser, and lots of tech

THE SHORT STORY

Pros: Refined, powerful engine and AWD drivetrain; comfortable, sporty interior; availability of a manual transmission.

Cons: Tons of buttons on the dash; not-so-user-friendly tech features; big chrome shield grille

Overall: Typical Honda/Acura refinement coupled with a great powertrain make his a solid luxury-sports sedan. Just keep the owner's manual around when you want to use anything with buttons.

The Acura TL luxury-sports sedan is slotted between the smaller TSX and larger RL, and is in its fourth generation. This latest iteration lets TL buyers opt for all-wheel drive with the company’s Super Handling (SH) system. Super Handling acts similar to a limited slip differential, and in this case, the SH is at both the front and rear differentials. The Tech package adds a host of features including navigation, a rearview camera, the AcuraLink communications system, sport seats, a hard disk drive, and other tech-related items.

EXTERIOR STYLING: An attractive package, sans the grille
I’ve been a critic of Acura’s styling as of late. I am not a fan of the big chrome shield grilles adorning their cars’ front ends. Despite the front grille, I think the TL is an attractive package, especially in black with the gray 18” wheels/tires. It’s a minimal look that appears luxurious and sophisticated. Think “grand touring sedan.” It is arguably the best looking vehicle in Acura’s line up right now—I am just not a fan of all the plastic chrome bits. I wonder what the grille would look like if it were paint matched? I do like the looks of the back end, and the flat dual exhaust ports look just right.

INTERIOR: Luxury, comfort, and sportiness
The interior of the TL is indeed luxurious, sporting, and attractive. The seats are supportive, comfortable, and well bolstered. Typical outstanding Honda/Acura ergonomics come into play: The gearshift is where it should be without interference from an arm rest. Nothing seems out of reach. The fat steering wheel is wrapped with leather and feels great in the hand. In the back, there’s plenty of legroom and there’s a fold-down armrest. Whether you’re up front or relegated to the back seats, the TL’s interior is comfortable. The trunk is decent sized; I thought it might be a bit bigger, but I could get my golf clubs in without issue.

Like the TSX we reviewed a few months ago, the TL has a lot of buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel. And also like the TSX, operation of just about everything from the radio to the Bluetooth isn’t intuitive. After some time, you do get used to how things work. But from a straight-up design and comfort standpoint, the interior is very nice.

TECHNOLOGY: Tons of tech. Too hard to use
Buttons, buttons everywhere! Like its smaller cousin, the TSX, the TL with the Tech package suffers from too many buttons. They’re all over the dashboard and steering wheel. It takes time to figure out what does what, and even then it doesn’t always work easily or as planned. Again, I can’t stand the Bluetooth system, aka the Hands Free Link system, which links your phone to the car. It didn’t work well with my old Samsung phone, and it doesn’t work well with my newer Nokia, either. With all the buttons, it’s hard to find exactly what you’re looking for, especially while driving. It’s kind of distracting, actually.

On a positive note, the stereo is fantastic, and the navigation, once you figure it out, is accurate and easy to follow. There’s tons of tech with this car, you just have to figure it all out.

ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN: An exercise in power and refinement
Enthusiasts can make use of all 305 horsepower thanks to the available six-speed manual transmission, and it’s an excellent one, too. Shifter action is extremely smooth with well-defined gates; it’s classic Honda. Clutch uptake is somewhat vague, however, and it can be difficult to find the friction point. The clutch almost feels too light sometimes.

The 3.7-liter V-6 engine is also very smooth and sounds great under acceleration. This is a velvety performance drivetrain that is sure to please. Fuel economy for the manual transmission TL AWD-SH is rated at 17 city, 25 highway. I was able to get 19+ in mostly city driving.

DRIVING: Power, control, comfort
With 305 HP, a six-speed manual, and all-wheel drive with super handling, the TL SH-AWD is great all-around all-weather performance package. The gusty 3.7-liter V-6 revs quickly, and the gear ratios are spot on. Add to this the Super Handling and all-wheel drive, and the TL is a handler, too. However, at 3,962 lbs, the TL isn’t a featherweight, and that does come into play in the corners. You can tell you’re driving a heavy car, though it never becomes lumbering. In my week with the vehicle, I was never longing for more power or better handling. Again, a very nice combination of power, control, and comfort. Plus, that V-6 sounds pretty darn good at wide-open throttle!

This is a luxury-performance vehicle, and it rides very nicely on the highways as well as around town. At speed, the car cruises effortlessly and very comfortably. This is a car I could drive for hours and not have any complaints about the ride or a sore back. The ride is not floaty; it’s well dampened, but not too stiff. I’d say it’s spot on.


OVERALL: A solid value, a solid performer, a solid choice
At $43,245 including the $860 destination charge, the TL is in the ballpark for the segment. You get a great powertrain, an outstanding AWD/handling system, and all the tech gadgets you could want for under $45K. If you want the automatic, you’ll pay another $1,000. Don’t need AWD? You can get into a front-drive TL with the tech package from $38,835. At that price, I’m not sure why anyone would opt for the smaller TSX V-6 Tech, which is basically the same price. I think the TL SH-AWD is a solid value for a luxury car, though.

The Acura TL SH-AWD Tech is a player in the AWD performance/luxury sedan market. A great engine/drivetrain, noteworthy get-up-and-go and handling, tons of creature comforts, and a good overall value make this car a standout. I love the fact it’s available with a manual transmission, too; it makes the car very entertaining to drive. If you’re in the market for an AWD sports-luxury sedan, definitely take a look at this vehicle, especially if you’re looking to shift gears yourself.

In the driveway: 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD

The latest vehicle in the Subcompact Culture driveway is the 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech. This one's got all the electronic bells and whistles you could want, plus Super Handling all-wheel drive. Best of all—it's a six-speed manual!

The car is very powerful and smooth, and in typical Acura fashion, solid as a rock. The steering and clutch are both very light (almost too much so). I am still not a big fan of the front end of this vehicle, but in black with the darker wheels, the car looks pretty good. Thus far, I like it a lot more than the TSX V6 Tech.

Full review soon.

A bit bigger: 2010 Acura TSX Tech V6—More technology, more power, more money

The previous-generation Acura TSX was a smaller mid-size sedan with a great chassis, a very nice interior, and an eager-to-rev 2.4-liter engine—which was the only engine buyers could get in the car—there was no turbo or V6 option. As a Honda enthusiast, this didn't surprise me, though. Honda sometimes takes the “who needs a V6 if your four cylinder is great?” approach.

The TSX was redesigned in 2009. It got a bit bigger and heavier than the past generation, and had all the amenities to make it a luxury sports sedan. However, continuing tradition, a four cylinder was the only engine. For 2010, Acura broke the four-cylinder cycle and is offering a V6-powered TSX.

Luckily, a tradition that continues is the vehicle's rock-solid feel. The doors close like vaults. There isn't a rattle to be found. All of the switchgear feels refined. Plus, in typical Honda/Acura-ness, ergonomics are great.

Yes it's faster than the past four-cylinder TSX, but it's also quite a bit pricier, and isn't as exciting as some of its competitors, even with the six.


EXTERIOR STYLING
The TSX's styling is typical Honda/Acura understatement. Simple and classy, sans that chrome grille piece, of which I am not a fan. The TSX is sophisticated, clean, and attractive. Although not the most exciting to me, it isn't offensive, either.

INTERIOR
The TSX's interior is well appointed and well made; all of the expected luxury accouterments are there. One unexpected feature that I loved was the auto-tilting passenger's side mirror. When you put the car into reverse, the passenger's side mirror tilts down so you can see the curb when parallel parking. A thoughtful, simple touch—all cars should come with this!

The leather front seats are supportive and comfortable. The thick leather-wrapped steering wheel is a sporting touch. Amazingly, there are more than a dozen total buttons on it to control Bluetooth, cruise control, stereo, and trip computer functions.

Unlike the comfortable front seats, the back seat is small. In fact, I was surprised at how little room there was back there. I'm 5' 7”, and my knees hit the seat backs; my size 9 shoes were nearly all the way under the seats, too.

TECHNOLOGY
My TSX came with the “Tech Package,” which includes navigation with voice recognition, rear-view camera, Acura-Link Communications system (with traffic and weather); a surround sound system with 10 speakers and USB, a six-disc in-dash CD player, and GPS-linked automatic climate control system, among other things.

Like the steering wheel, the dashboard houses a plethora of buttons: climate control buttons, stereo buttons, navigation buttons. Main control of the GPS/Acura-Link center is handled by a knob mounted in the center of the dash. To make your selections, the knob twists; to make your selection you press the center. And there are a lot of selections to choose from: GPS, traffic, weather, Bluetooth, address books, and the list goes one.

In contrast to the large, easy-to-read color LCD display for the GPS/Acura-Link, however, is a narrow, not-as-easy-to-read digital display that shows the climate control's info as well as the stereo. I was told, however, the radio display could be moved up to the color screen. I didn't figure it out, though. Regardless, it was difficult to read, especially since there are so many things on this dashboard.

Another thing: I'm a stickler for easy Bluetooth phone connectivity, but the this system was far from intuitive. Once I figured out how to pair my Samsung phone, every time the Acura-Link system connected to it, my phone's music player to come on and wouldn't allow me to access my phone book using my phone. I tried to download my phone book, but it only downloaded two numbers. Ah, modern technology.

ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN
There is no doubt that the introduction of a V6 engine in the TSX will silence the cries for more performance. The car's smooth 3.5-liter DOHC V6 with VTEC makes 280 horsepower and 254 pounds-feet of torque through a five-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and paddle shifters. This thing really moves out. Plus, it sounds good, and is smooth and powerful up to its red line.

DRIVING
Punch the throttle and the front wheels will be clawing for grip, and the traction control light will be flickering. You'll also want to have a tight grip on the steering wheel, since all that power put to the front wheels creates a decent amount of torque steer. As a side note, the paddles shifters were among the best I've used thus far; very responsive.

The TSX V6 is a quick ride, with 0-60 figures at 6 seconds. On the highway, the car rides firmly as expected from a sports sedan, and cruises effortlessly at speed. In the curves, the car holds its own even with FWD, thanks to a front double-wishbone suspension, a rear multi-link setup, and precise electronically boosted steering. Rolling stock is composed of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45/18 tires, and grip (sans full-throttle launches) was above average. I wouldn't call the TSX nimble; but it does handle well.

The premium-fuel-drinking TSX V6 is rated at 18 city, 27 highway, and I got 19 in mostly city driving. Fuel misers might want to consider the four cylinder, rated at 21/30; it also imbibes premium gas.

MORE POWER, MORE MONEY
There's no doubt the new TSX V6 is an upgrade from the four cylinder, and the Tech package is laden with the latest techno-gadgetry. However, it all comes at a price: $38,760, which includes the $810 destination fee. Something to consider: For nearly the same price, buyers can get into a larger Acura TL with AWD, or a FWD TL for $35,105 plus destination.

Yes, the TSX is smaller dimensionally, but according to the curb weights, the front-drive TL is only 19 lbs. heavier than the TSX V6. So when it comes down to it, you have to decide whether bigger is better.

As a whole, the TSX Tech V6 isn't as intriguing as I thought it would be. Sure it's fast, yes it's luxurious, but there just didn't seem to be a whole lot of chutzpah. It does everything well, but isn't chocked full of excitement. However, it is of the highest quality, will undoubtedly have exceptional reliability, and stellar resale.

In the Driveway: 2010 Acura TSX V6

The latest review vehicle in the driveway is the 2010 Acrua TSX V6. First impressions in simple terms:

- Fast
- Torque steer
- Luxury
- Chrome grille insert

No, it's not a subcompact. In fact, it's grown significantly since the previous generation TSX. With that extra heft comes extra umph to the tune of 280 hp. Yee haw!