Acura Thinks It Created The Compact Luxury Space
53
An Acura web advertisement reads:
All-New 2013 Acura ILX
Some cars define a category. The all-new Acura ILX creates one.
Apparently, Acura thinks that its new entry-luxury ILX sedan created the compact luxury space, even though the Buick Verano preceded the ILX to market by half a year, if not more; in China, the Verano — known as the Excelle GT — has been available since the end of 2010. This makes us wonder how, exactly, the ILX created its category — one which it clearly shares with the Verano. Or more bluntly, Acura is about a year late in “inventing” the category in which the ILX competes.
Acura’s 2013 ILX has a base price of $25,900 while the 2012 Buick Verano starts at $22,585 — a price we expect to increase for the 2013 model year if Buick‘s other 2013 model year sedans, such as the 2013 Regal and 2013 LaCrosse, are any indication.
Hat tip to Jonny I.
Google+
hmmm…. time for Buick to do some trash talking to Acura then lol
So Acura basically admits that they don’t pay any attention to their primary competitors, and just happened to get lucky with this one. Good call, guys.
Ive seen Acura IL’s in Canada, it’s a rebadged Civic. But that was IL and this is ILX. Maybe Acura thinks that Buick is in different category? but when you think about it, Buick doesnt have a closer competitor then Acura.
but then it’s funny that they list verano as their competitor on their site
Vic…Civic is jealous………….I know it cannot be as quiet as Buick
The Acura is a Civic…………………………………who would buy that over Buick for that money…and it isn’t even luxurious
ILX does have a advantage over verano for having the HIDs though
True. No reason why every Buick shouldn’t at least offer HIDs; I’d make them standard and increase the base price. But you knew that already, didn’t ya?
and then according to Acura’s site, ILX has the standard push button ignition too
Verano comes with HID’s
Jonny….yes, Verano has HID according to it standard equipment list
But the basic ILX has the HIDs though but not the Verano
Acura, the 3-series of 1975 would like a word with you, and then a subsequent caneing.
they have the look like hyundai,mitsubishi,Toyota new design ..specialty where is the fog light and is ugly..a fish face..
Are they crazy? The Verano debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the Acura debut one year later, on the dot, at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. And even the baseless argument that Verano and ILX aren’t the same class is shattered by Honda themselves listing the Verano as a competitor.
To be fair, the Verano is just as much a Cruze as the ILX is a Civic. The Verano, though, looks better and gives more bang for your buck. Also, Honda is allergic to performance, so don’t expect an ILX turbo.
Absolutely, the the gussied up cruze is a bargain compared to the gussied up civic.
With respect, Verano didn’t really create that category either. Acura did…but they too have forgotten a little car that was launched in 1986. The Integra. But I’m not surprised that Acura forgot that. They’ve forgotten their customers, they’ve forgotten their cars, and they’ve forgotten themselves. Too bad…because now that Buick has found all of the things that Acura forgot, it’s gonna do well…
Perhaps the ad then refers to the Integra, rather than the ILX. The Integra was a tarted-up Civic… and so is the ILX. It fits, I guess.
Still, Acura’s lineup is a mess that I can’t even begin to describe. They’re doubling up on two segments — compact (ILX, TSX) and midsize (TL, RL/RLX)… without anything that truly awakens the soul, not to mention that every Acura is still a Honda. You’d think they would learn from say… Lexus.
Yes, Acura is dead, just like – im hurting to say this – Lincoln, both will survive as long as the core companies prosper, they might even have bright spots, nsx and mkz, but I think they will never become what Lexus is now or what Cadillac has a chance at becoming, Lincoln had its chance, the RWD LS mid size sedan, had they not given up on it, im sure the Lincoln LS would be better than the CTS today. Acuras fall from grace is even worse. Lincoln struggled while Ford struggled but Acura lost its way while Honda thrived, and the sad part is that their cars are not even bad.
I wouldn’t even refer the integra as a “luxury” vehicle since it’s kind of more like performance and easy to tune up for ricers….
You have a point, they did create the segment, however one could argue that since the integra was discontinued, they destroyed the segment, and then Buick created it. But all that doesnt matter. Even if Acura is factually correct because of the integra, their misleading customers into thinking the all new ILX created an all new segment. But again, all that doesnt matter, since we all know the Verano is going to pound the ILX in the sales. Now if they has the same price, tings might be a little different…
Babersher…The Integra was a very nice car…had a frined in LA who had one and I really liked it. Newer models are pale shadows of what it once was
I never said it wasn’t. I think Acuras lineup today is far inferior to Acuras lineup in the 90s.
Richard….take a look at new Hondas….really bad designs; I don’t know what Acura and Honda are thinking…….
I see the 2013 Verano is on the lots…..Luxo Blue…rear camera too…..watch out ATS
Without doing research and just going from top of my head, Cadillac did had a compact that was based off of Cavalier that was called Cimarron which Came to market in 82. Not sure if it’s the first luxury compact but it was well before Integra.
Lex, I think you may be absolutely right, the cimarron was a FWD semi-luxury compact, a dead ringer for the Verano and ILX.
So it turns out that GM did create the segment in both scenarios!
On a side note, I love how this relatively obscure post that would usually generate one or two comments has gone to the second page!
What acura didn’t know about Buick. If only they had used the Internet that Al Gore invented they would have this info. L O L
Main….yes, Al Gore…he is nowhere to be seen these days; probably working on a newer comptuer system
As a 2007 Acura TSX owner and a former Buick owner, I have to say the Acura is a fine automobile and a great value. I have seen the ILX and it feels more sophisticated than the Verano, but I really like the Verano and want a reason to switch back to GM.
The Verano is very close – and the new turbo is a big reason to buy. GM needs to continue to refine this car so it stays competitive (remember how Ford refreshed the Fusion early in it’s life cycle). I would suggest giving them HID lamps – Buick does not have them – use less chrome and clean up the back-end lights (like the back end of the Opel version), give it a more aggressive grill in front and make it feel more upscale. It’s all in the details Buick!!!
Josh….yes, I think the Verano will be slightly changed up each year….I don’t know if much has been updated for the next year other than colors and rear-view camera….I suppose the chrome trim, interior will all be the same??
Exactly, Vic. How is an Integra luxury anything? For one, it was ugly with a high revving engine. Two, a CD player was optional, although it could have been a sign of the times. And three, it was the Honda Integra in Japan.
Hmmm, I dont think so, compare the verano with the cruze, and the integra and the civic of the same year. I think the difference between standard equipment between them is about equal. The Integra really recieved no major updates after 1994, which was 18 years ago. A time where to get the power windows on a corolla you had to buy the top of the line trim. Now even the fiesta has standard power windows.
And by the way, Acura has a car called EL which is a rebadged Civic
and CSX which is based on the last gen Civic
Acura could litteraly take the body of the last gen Integra 2 door freshen the interior to modern times and it would sell… I loved the 2 door..,
RSX or?
I also want to add this but the back of the ILX looks similar to the back of the Elantra so if you are far away you would thought it’s a ILX but then it’s an Elantra if you look closer… I’ve wonder if Acura just decides to copy the back of the Elantra….
This isn’t even a discussion worth having. Target audience is 25-40 professional. What kind of yuppie says to their friends: “Hey guys, wanna go for a ride in my new BUICK?!”
I rest my case.
I don’t even know what the discussion is about.
If it’s ‘did Acura create the compact luxury segment with the Integra?’, then the answer is a resounding ‘No, BMW did years ago with the 3-series, and before that with 2002.’
You might want to open your case back up. Because it’s working:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/05/41-percent-of-buick-buyers-new-to-brand/
Csquared….must be some snobs for friends or just stupid
The Verano turbo when it comes out is going to smoke all those re-badged Honda’s.
Luxury and performance in the car that’s cheaper that’s a no-brainer.
Csquared, that is your perception of Buick. And while it is probably others perception as well Buick has come a long way. I have to ask you have you driven a Lacrosse, Regal or Verano… You may want to before you go blabbing on GMA… I would buy one of these vehicles over just about anything outside maybe the Nissan Maxima…