2013 Acura ILX: Up Close

The small premium car is seeing a renaissance in the U.S. Buick recently released the Verano sedan, but other players have unique entries, like Lexus with the small CT 200h hybrid, BMW with the 1 Series coupe and Audi’s A3 hatchback. That leaves a lot of room for the practical, yet attractive, Acura ILX.

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Based on the Honda Civic platform but with an entirely unique design and cabin, the ILX offers a lot of interior room; the rest of the cars in this group don’t.

2013 Acura ILX at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show

• Competes with: Buick Verano, Volvo C30, Audi A3
• Looks like: A Civic-based Acura with some luxury touches
• Drivetrain: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain
• Hits Dealerships: This spring

On the heels of its concept debut in Detroit last month, the production Acura ILX was unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The compact sedan will go on sale this spring.

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Although the 2013 ILX shares a platform with the Civic from parent company Honda, the styling differs considerably with sleeker lines and overall sportier look.

Seinfeld Begs, Bribes Way Into Acura NSX

Automakers are rolling out the big names for their Super Bowl XLVI ads. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is the latest star to endorse a car during a game-time commercial.

Unsurprisingly, the spot is funny, and true to form, it's an uncomfortable funny. Jerry wants the new Acura NSX, but finds out he’s customer No. 2 on the waiting list. In response, he launches a campaign to be the first in line to get Acura's new sports car.

2013 Acura ILX and RDX at the Chicago Auto Show

There won't be too many surprises from Acura at this year's Chicago Auto Show. The automaker's new-for-2013 ILX sedan and refreshed RDX SUV were already unveiled in near-production prototype form at the 2012 Detroit auto show. Acura plans to take the wraps off of the actual production versions in Chicago.

From the Detroit prototype, it looks like Acura's second-generation RDX compact SUV doesn't change a lot for 2013. It's a bit longer and has sleeker-looking exterior styling. Under the hood, the RDX swaps its former turbocharged four-cylinder for a new 3.5-liter V-6 for 2013. We expect the new RDX to go on sale this spring.

The 2013 ILX is a compact, Civic-based sedan and Acura's first hybrid vehicle. It'll slot below the TSX in Acura's lineup and will come with three engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 1.5-liter hybrid powertrain. We'll know more at the Chicago auto show, but in Detroit, Acura said the ILX will start "well below $30,000" when it goes on sale this summer.

Both vehicles will be unveiled at Acura's press conference on Feb. 8. Check back with us then for more from the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

Acura NSX Concept: Photo Gallery

The Acura NSX concept shown here will eventually spawn a real-life variant in three years' time, according to the automaker. 

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When it finally goes on sale, expect it to feature the all-wheel-drive hybrid system shown on the concept.

2013 Acura RDX: Photo Gallery

Acura pulled a page from the Lexus RX's book when redesigning the Acura RDX. It elongated the model and ditched the four-cylinder powertrain, opting instead for a V-6 motor.

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Even with the V-6 engine, gas mileage improves to 20/28 mpg city/highway, which currently equates to the best fuel-economy rating of any luxury SUV, according to Acura.

Acura ILX Concept: Photo Gallery

By the middle of this year, Acura will add a seventh model to its lineup, the compact ILX sedan.

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Shown at the auto show in concept form, the ILX will have an entry price that starts well below $30,000, according to the automaker.

Acura ILX Concept Video

While Acura was busy showing off its top-of-the-line future NSX supercar, it also showed us the more plebeian Acura ILX. The Honda Civic-based compact sedan will feature three four-cylinder engines, one of which is a hybrid-electric system, a first for Acura. In that respect, the ILX harkens back to the days of the RSX, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder.

Acura NSX Concept Video

Acura is reinvigorating its tired image with the return of the NSX nameplate. Staying true to form as the previous NSX, the new model is a mid-engine, low-slung coupe. What isn’t the same are the all-wheel drive and hybrid powertrain additions, collectively known as "Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive," according to Acura. Does this new exotic have what it takes to match vehicles like the Audi R8 and Nissan GT-R? Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas says yes.

2013 Acura RDX Prototype: Up Close

The 2013 Acura RDX at the auto show was called a prototype, but in Honda parlance that means it's essentially done. (Most of its concepts are almost done.) For a complete redesign, it doesn't deliver much change.

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In terms of its styling, I just had déjà vu. The Acura RDX five-seat crossover is similar to the BMW 3 Series I reported on earlier: It's a model from a company whose designs have gone astray, but the RDX itself hadn't seen the worst of it (that would be the Acura TL sedan until its redo for 2012). The RDX had gotten the silver shield grille but otherwise retained a handsome, sporty look.