Don't worry if you have forgotten that the Acura ILX still exists, as your author also forgot about it until this week when the Japanese automaker announced a refreshed version.

The 2019 ILX gets Acura's new front end design with a large pentagonal grille, aggressive bumper cutouts, and LED ‘Jewel Eye’ headlights. Around back is a restyled decklid, taillights, and a new rear diffuser. For the interior, Acura has installed an updated version of their two-screen infotainment layout that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A-Spec models come equipped with a set of sport seats.

One big change is all ILX models getting the AcuraWatch suite of active safety features as standard. This includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and and road departure mitigation.

One item that hasn't changed is the powertrain. A 2.4L four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower is teamed with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Acura hasn't revealed pricing, but we wouldn't be surprised if it remains at the same $28,100 as the current model. Sales will begin in October.

Source: Acura

Acura ILX Ups its Game with Major Refresh for 2019; New Styling, Improved Tech, and New A-Spec Treatment

Sep 5, 2018 - TORRANCE, Calif.

• ILX completes transformation of new Acura design identity across lineup
• All Acura sedans and SUVs now feature AcuraWatch™ active safety and driver-assistive technology standard, a luxury first
• Enhanced dual-screen user interface with new graphics, quicker response, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration
• ILX earned top Initial Quality Study (IQS) ranking in-segment for 2018

Acura's gateway sport sedan, the refreshed and significantly upgraded 2019 ILX, debuts today, 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. All ILX models are powered by a naturally aspirated 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine mated to a quick-shifting 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Acura 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.

Sporty, Sophisticated Refresh
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.

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 2019 ILX's exterior color palette expands with five new colors – Platinum White Pearl, Majestic Black Pearl1, Performance Red Pearl1, Canyon Bronze Metallic1 and A-Spec-exclusive Apex Blue Pearl1 – in addition to the current offerings of Lunar Silver Metallic and Modern Steel Metallic. The interior colors available include a new-for-2019 Espresso, along with Graystone and Ebony. Exclusive A-Spec interior colors are Ebony and Red, both with Ultrasuede™ inserts.

ILX A-Spec 
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.

Interior enhancements for the ILX A-Spec include a graphite-silver dash accent with chrome insert, A-Spec badged steering wheel with contrast stitching and aluminum sport pedals. The all-new sport seats are finished in A-Spec exclusive Ebony or Red leather with black Ultrasuede™ center panels and high contrast stitching.

Technology Enhancements
For 2019, every ILX comes standard with the AcuraWatch™ suite of active safety and driver-assistive technology, including Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW). This makes Acura the only luxury brand to provide these features as standard equipment across all its sedans and SUVs.

In addition, ILX continues to be equipped with Acura's Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and with additional standard safety and driver assistive features, including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, an Expanded View Driver's Mirror, advanced front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, side curtain airbags, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and pedestrian injury-mitigation design features, along with Acura's available blind spot information (BSI) system and rear cross traffic monitor.

The 2019 ILX is equipped with an available refreshed dual-screen On Demand Multi-Use Display™ (ODMD™ 2.0) interface with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility. New software improves system response time, offering more intuitive menus and command structures for a seamless and speedy user experience – approximately 30 percent faster. An enhanced 7-inch touchscreen has a capacitive display that is more responsive to touch and is positioned within easy reach of the driver and front passenger.

The 2019 Acura ILX will begin arriving at Acura dealers nationwide in October of this year.