The 2015 Acura ILX occupies an unusual place in the market, a place Acura calls “gateway luxury.” For 2015, a few changes are in store, including the deletion of the hybrid model from the lineup.

While the hybrid won few plaudits from pundits, mostly because it was woefully underpowered and yet not especially efficient, the removal of the model hints at a deeper fact about the entry-luxury car world, and the automotive market as a whole: people don’t want to spend more money to get less.

As Green Car Reports notes, the Acura ILX Hybrid was one of three (now two) remaining mild hybrids on the market, and it sold dismally, accounting for just 6.6 percent of all ILXs sold to date. With its meager 111-horsepower output, it was never an inspiring drive—and often a worrying one when passing—and its EPA-rated 39 city/38 highway gas mileage was none too spectacular, saving just $2,750 in fuel costs (per the EPA) over 5 years compared to the 2.0-liter gasoline-only ILX variant, despite a $2,000 price premium over the base 2.0-liter model.

The rest of the ILX lineup proved unconvincing in either sport or luxury during our first drive of the car two years ago, but both the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter, the latter paired with a nice six-speed manual transmission, were noticeably better to drive than the hybrid.

For the 2015 model year, the ILX carries forward those two gasoline-only models, with the updates from last year in place, including standard leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, keyless entry, multi-angle rearview camera, and active noise cancellation. Premium Package models offer XM Radio, USB and auxiliary inputs, Bluetooth audio,  seven-speaker 360-watt audio system with subwoofer, and a Pandora interface. The 2.0-liter model is also available with a technology package that includes ELS Surround audio, navigation, and more.

Pricing for the 2015 Acura ILX is as follows (all prices include $895 destination charge):

  • 2015 Acura ILX 2.0: $27,050
  • 2015 Acura ILX 2.0 with Premium Package: $29,350
  • 2015 Acura ILX 2.0 with Technology Package: $31,750
  • 2015 Acura ILX 2.4 with Premium Package: $29,350


The 2015 ILX goes on sale June 18, 2014.

2015 Acura ILX

2015 Acura ILX